Page 105 of Unfix Me

“We want to talk to you.”

Oh, it was an intervention, just as I guessed. It’d be easier to simply listen until it was over, so I topped off my cup and brushed past him. I sat on the carpet so that I had some distance. There was something about sitting on the floor that comforted me, which might have been weird, but I was sure everyone here could point out a bunch of other problems I should worry about instead.

Grandma sat on one end of the couch with Dale and Samantha taking up the rest. My dad and mom took their respective armchairs. Looking at them now, I grimaced. I couldn’t imagine being in the same room as Kai without wanting to be close to him. If he wasn’t touching me in some way, I’d assume something was wrong. And to think I’d admired my parents’ marriage at one point.

“We’re so excited to spend Christmas with you,” my grandma said, painting on a sweet smile.

“Yeah, it’s cool,” I mumbled.

“Your mom said the Christmas service at your church is lovely.”

My gaze shifted to her. I had to purse my lips to keep from laughing.

“Can we just get on with it?” I asked. “I know what all this is about.”

“What’s it about?” Dad prompted.

“You know.”

“You can’t even say it. If you’re ashamed of the choices you’ve made, it’s not too late to let us help you.”

I ground my teeth together. Confrontation wasn’t something I was good at. That was probably part of the reason I let him walk on me all these years, even after I turned eighteen. I was too afraid to stand up to him.

“I’m not ashamed.”

“Honey, we’re worried about you,” my grandma said.

My eyes burned when I looked at my dad. “This wasn’t the deal.”

“The deal is the same. We just want to talk about what’s going on with you.”

“Nothingis going on with me. You’re the one making this into a big issue.”

“It is a big issue.”

“Just let me live my life!”

My grandma flinched, but her eyes softened. “Seneca, honey. We care so much for you and it pains all of us to see what you’re doing. Do you know what the bible says about homosexuality?”

“I don’t care.”

“Listen to your grandma,” Dad barked.

“Why? So that she can tell me what god would want? You don’t give a shit about that. Outside of Christmas, I haven’t seen you step foot in a church for… I don’t even know.”

“My faith is shown through my actions, not whether I attend church regularly.”

“Actions,” I laughed. Shoving my hands through my hair, I got to my feet. “Let’s talk about your actions. You sent a thirteen year old to a camp where he was abused, humiliated, shamed, and told he was broken. You demonize people because of who they love when you don’t even understand the goddamn concept.”

“Sen,” my grandma scolded.

Whirling on her, I leveled her with a glare that made her mouth snap closed. “’Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.’ None of you have the right to sit here and judge me when you live every day with hate in your hearts. Myboyfriend, Kai, is the kindest person I’ve ever met and next to him, you’re all a bunch of monsters.”

My dad got to his feet with a murderous expression. I held my ground, even as my eyes watered.

“Go up to your room,” he demanded. “I’ll excuse this behavior once, but don’t let it happen again or our deal is off.”

My nostrils flared. I wanted to argue, but once again, my bravery fled and I was left a compliant waste of space.

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