Page 60 of Beyond the Summer

My mother's eyes widened, perfectly mascaraed lashes fluttering in thinly veiled shock.But my father's expression remained unshakable, an implacable bastion of scorn and disgust."So that's your choice, then?"he growled."To renounce everything we've given you—your family, your faith, your way of life—for the fleeting perversions of the flesh?"

"Fleeting?We love each other, and there's nothing fleeting about it.He's shown me what it truly means to care for someone."As I spoke, Ben stepped closer, and the warmth of his body beside me fortified me, grounding me as my father's words took on an increasingly unhinged edge.

"This… this deviance will not stand!"he thundered, swinging his arm in a wide arc to encompass the camp and all those gathered."I will not allow my hard-earned money to perpetuate such an egregious assault on morality and decency!"

I smirked, realization dawning."Your hard-earned money?Do your parishioners know you consider it your money?Because I'm pretty sure they believe they're donating to a church, not to your next mansion."

"We are doing the Lord's work!"my father spluttered.

"Feeding the hungry?Helping the poor and sick?"I asked."I'm pretty sure that's the lord's work.Not feeding your greed and your pride."

"You know nothing of religion!Your heart has been claimed by evil!"my father spluttered."This camp needs to be taken down.You do the devil's work here!My son was fine before he came here!"

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.This was so much bigger than disowning the suffocating life they'd prescribed.My father's influence—his wealth and clout—could easily crush everything Matt and the others had worked so tirelessly to build.

I felt it all then, the magnitude of what was at stake.Not only my future, my right to love openly and without shame, but the fragile sanctuary that this place represented for so many other lost souls.The queer kids, still grappling with the same tortuous journey of self-acceptance I'd endured, who deserved this safe harbor.

Anger flared hot within me, burning away the last vestiges of the docile, obedient son I was groomed to be."Stop spewing ignorance and hate—that's the true evil.It's the same toxic bullshit you've been peddling for years while proclaiming to follow your religion.This camp set me free.It didn't corrupt me.I was already gay, Dad, and you knew that.But this place is the first place where I've been allowed to be myself.Camp gave me a home, love, and people who would go to the ends of the world for me."

My father drew back, nostrils flaring, but I pressed on, every phrase an exorcism of the demons that had shackled me for far too long.Still holding Ben's hand, I stepped closer to my father, invading his space, realizing all at once that he was much smaller than I always pictured him, and far less intimidating.I was taller than him, bigger than him, and I had no reason to fear him.

"I know who I am and what I deserve: to be accepted, to be loved for every part of me."I turned to Ben, drinking in his proud smile, the devotion shining in those beautiful eyes "Without caveats, without your judgment."

Ben's fingers tightened around mine, our fingers interlocking, a simple gesture that anchored me against the storm of recrimination and threats sure to come.

"You're a deviant!"my father bellowed, spittle flying from his twisted mouth."Damned and unnatural!An abomination that—"

"That's enough."

The deep, commanding baritone sliced through the venom.I turned to find Ben's father striding through the crowd.

My father sputtered to a halt, his indignant rage simmering as Walter fixed him with a scathing look."Your ignorant ravings are an insult to us all."

An older Asian man in an impeccably tailored suit stepped forward."This camp has been a wonderful place for my grandson, and I'll have an army of lawyers ready to attack should you ever attempt to take it down."

"That's Aiden's grandfather, Kaito Yamada," Ben whispered.

A hushed murmur rippled through the crowd gathering behind Walt and Mr.Yamada, a chorus of muted approval and solidarity, and more parents and families stepped forward, shouting out their stories.I felt the fierce support like a protective mantle enveloping me.

"This is private property," another voice rang out, strong and defiant.Ben's mom stepped forward, shoulders squared."Please leave, Mr.Holm.This camp is not public property, and you are not welcome here.I won't ask again before calling the sheriff."

Around us, the crowd shifted, their hushed whispers echoing the growing condemnation of my father's bigoted tantrum.In that moment, I glimpsed a whole beautiful constellation of chosen family—these proud, defiant people willing to stand up for me, for us.My chest swelled with a sense of belonging I'd never known.

My father's face mottled an ugly puce as he struggled to regain his composure."This… this isn't over," he snarled, jabbing a thick finger at me."Not by a long shot.I'll see this… this deviant camp shut down if it's the last thing I do."

With one last venomous glare, he spun on his heel and stalked away, my mother trailing obediently behind with a petulant sneer twisting her expertly made-up features.

A collective sigh of relief rippled through the crowd as the sleek black limo peeled away.My knees trembled with the release of pent-up tension, and I might have crumpled if not for Ben's steadying grip.

"You okay?"he murmured, bumping his forehead against mine as he wrapped his arms around my waist and hugged me close.I managed a weak nod, my throat too thick with emotion to speak.As the adrenaline ebbed, a dull ache throbbed somewhere deep in my chest—the same hollowness I always felt in the aftermath of confrontations with my parents.But then I met Ben's warm, worried gaze, and, in an instant, the void my parents had left behind filled with a rush of his love.Then Matt rushed forward, and Elliot, followed by Linda and Walt.The people who'd become my family surged around me, fussing over me, making sure I was okay.

A chorus of voices swelled around us, words of encouragement and support washing over me like a soothing balm.And the last remnants of the knot in my gut began to loosen.With a shaky exhale, I stooped to retrieve my phone from where it had fallen, the screen still on.The livestream was still running.

A frisson of unease trickled down my spine as the realization sank in.I straightened, my gaze sweeping the sea of friendly, concerned faces surrounding me, then flicking to Ben's warm, reassuring smile.

How many people had just witnessed my dad's unhinged meltdown?The raw, visceral display of his hatred and intolerance laid bare for the world to see?

My finger hovered over the stop button as a sly grin tugged at the corners of my mouth.

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