All That I Need

Episode 27

Klarissa’s POV

I scrolled through the pictures on my phone. I had been tagged in them by enough people, and I knew that mum and dad would’ve seen them somehow.

The original post, by Daryl, was captioned “Fags”.

There were pictures of Lily unclipping my top from many weeks ago, pictures of us hugging at our bench at school, and pictures of us kissing outside the hall on the night of the social.

The pictures definitely made us look like we were more than just friends.

I heard the front door of the house open, meaning that one of my parents were home. I hoped it wasn’t dad.

But it was.

“What is this?!” He yelled, coming into mine and Karly’s room and holding his phone in front of me. Karly wasn’t back from school yet, having had to stay back to work on a project, so it was just me.

On his phone was the picture of me and Lily kissing.

“That’s my friend,” I said.

“You don’t kiss friends.” Dad said angrily.

“Well I do,” I said, shrugging.

“What these pictures are telling me is that there is something wrong with my daughter and that she’s a fag.” He said angrily.

“You’re wrong,” I said calmly.

“I always knew you were. I knew there was something off with you. Your mother and I didn’t raise you this way,” his loud words drilled deep into my brain.

“What’s going on in here?” Someone yelled. It was Mum.

She walked in, finding dad standing over me.

“I’m just talking to her about these pictures,” he turned the phone to show mum.

“Did you know that out daughter is gay?” He said the word like it was disgusting.

“Why does it matter if she’s gay. She’s our daughter for Christ’s sake, Luke,” mum said angrily, moving over to wrap her arms protectively around me.

My head was spinning from trying to keep my tears at bay. Finally they spilled, as Mum’s arms came around my body.

“She’s not my daughter anymore if she’s a fag,” he yelled.

“You’re not my husband anymore if you won’t accept the way that our daughter is. And you’re certainly not a father to any of these kids. Oh, and you’re not welcome in this house. So if you don’t get your head out of your ass and learn some common sense, then you’re out of here. I won’t put up with a man who disrespects his own child. I can take care of seven kids without you,” mum yelled.

I heaved, still sobbing.

Dad slammed the door behind him, storming out.

Mum ran her fingers through my short hair, holding me close.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“I’m sorry I made dad so angry,”

“Do not be sorry for who you are. He’s the one who needs to apologise,” mum said, looking into my eyes with her hazel eyes, the exact same eyes as mine. Her long blonde ponytail lay over her shoulder.

“I wish I wasn’t gay mum, I really, really do,” I said, still crying.

“You can’t help it. It’s just something that makes you the beautiful young lady that you are,” mum said, still holding me.

“And if your father won’t accept it, I will not let him stay around and treat you like shit,” she said, rubbing my back with her hand.

“Lily and I aren’t dating mum, but I love her so much. I don’t know how people got those pictures of us. I wasn’t ready to come out. Especially to dad. But I can’t help being in love with girls. Especially Lily,” I said, looking down.

“There is nothing wrong with you. Who you love is not wrong. And Lily is such a lovely girl. Honestly, lots of men are stupid, look at your dad for instance. You’ll never have to put up with someone like that,”

I was feeling better. My mum accepted me.

I nodded, “I don’t understand why people being gay makes so many people upset and angry. I can’t change it!”

“Do me a favour, Klarissa,” mum said, her arms still around me.

“Please, please do not let anything your father just said upset you. Because you are amazing exactly how you are,” I nodded, tears rolling down my face.

“And if he bullies you about it, or upsets you about it, I won’t hesitate to kick him out,”

“I don’t want to be the reason you guys break up,” I said, crying again.

“If I was straight, he would still love me, and you wouldn’t have a reason to be kicking him out,”

“You learn the truth about people eventually. And, to be honest, I think our time together is coming to an end. We aren’t in love like we used to be,”

The door opened, and Karly walked in, followed by Kalvin.

“Oh no,” Kalvin said, noticing how upset I looked.

“It’s those pictures, isn’t it?” Karly asked.

I nodded.

“Did dad see them?” Kalvin asked.

I nodded, and they embraced me so I was now surrounded by people who love and support me.