Page 51 of More Than a Friend
“Is Mommy okay?” Zoe asks, her big blue eyes wide with concern.
“I think Grandma said something that hurt Mom’s feelings,” Gus whispers to his sister. “Auntie Skylar will help Mommy feel better.”
“Thanks, bud. I hope I can. We’ll be out soon, okay?”
Zoe’s attention is already back on the movie, and Gus says a quiet, “Okay.”
I tug Ava along to her room and sit her down on the bed. Sitting next to her, I wrap an arm around her waist and stroke her cheek while she tries to stem the flow of tears.
“What happened, Aves?”
She recounts her conversation with her mom, and even though anger simmers beneath my skin, all I can focus on is the hurt radiating from Ava.
“Ava, I’m so sorry she said those things. It was wrong of her. She should be happy for you, not telling you you’re wrong.”
Ava sniffles and rubs her nose with the back of her hand. “I know. I don’t know why I was expecting something different, but Ihopedshe’d be on board, you know? I never thought I’d have to consider cutting off my parents.”
I have her lie down on my shoulder and stroke her hair. “People fear what they don’t understand. It has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them.”
“Thank you for coming over,” she whispers into my shoulder.
“Anytime, baby. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to be moral support for you.”
Ava shakes her head. “I didn’t want you there. It was something I needed to do on my own. I came out to her and told her I was dating you all at the same time. It’s a lot to take in. I should have known it would be too much, but she commented on how happy I looked, and I wanted to tell her why.”
Fuck, that makes me feel even worse. How can a mother comment on how her child looks happy one minute, then get upset about what’s making her happy the next?
My mom’s known I’m gay since I was seventeen when she saw me doodling hearts around Ava’s name. She’s never been anything but supportive, but she’s also not a member of the church like Ava’s parents. My dad took a little longer to comearound, but he was never malicious. He just didn’t understand, but he tried his best. Now, after over a decade of being out, he doesn’t even bat an eye when I mention a new girlfriend or crush.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I’m not afraid to fight your mom, if you need me to,” I say, trying to add some levity to the heavy conversation.
Ava snorts. “I’m sure Patricia wouldn’t stand a chance against you physically, but you know she prefers psychological warfare. Let’s just see if she comes around. If she doesn’t… then we’ll reevaluate.”
“What if she doesn’t?” I wish I didn’t have to ask the question. I don’t want her to lose her parents over our relationship.
“Then I guess I’ll be short one set of parents.”
“You know, I was at my parents’ today. I told my mom we’re dating, and she thought I was pulling a prank on her. She literally cried happy tears when she realized I wasn’t joking. Mama Kimberly will always be in our corner.”
Ava sniffles again, but a small smile pulls at her lips. “I love your parents. We’ll have to take the kids over sometime so they can meet them.”
“My parents are going to spoil them rotten, you know that, right?”
“Oh, I have no doubt.”
We hold each other for a few more minutes, the low hum of whatever movie the kids are watching wafts through the closed door.
When Ava’s tears have dried, she sighs. “Sorry for making you leave your parents’ early.”
“Ava, don’t you understand I’d do anything for you?”
Ava’s gaze darts to my mouth, then she shakes her head. “I’m not used to having someone willing to be there for me at the drop of a hat.”
Fucking Shea.
“Well, get used to it, baby. I plan on being here as long as you’ll have me.”
“Forever?” she whispers.
