text: “Are you coming tonight?” Enola questions. I pace back and forth, as an awkward silence emerges. I didn't know how to answer her question. I didn't want to let her down, but my mother did not know about me being bi, let alone dating Enola. “I don’t know if my mom is available with her busy work schedule and everything” I answer. Enola sighs, “Reservations sell out fast. I just want to ensure tonight’s special, if we do go. It is our anniversary after all.” She says disappointed. “I know, I really want to come. I can ask my mom about it again when she gets off work.” I say with a fake smile. Not that she could see it anyways. “Okay just keep me updated, don’t worry if you can’t make it, I understand.” She commented. I instantly feel guilt for the lies I have just created. “How perfect can she be?” I think to myself. Even though I am practically saying no to the thing she desires the most, she still comforts me. “I love you Olivia.” She utters. Simultaneously, she declines the call, not even giving me a chance to say love you back. Hurt by the closing of our phone call, I collapsed on my bed. A million and one thoughts filling my brain. “Really, Olivia?” I groan. She always calls me Liz, so her calling me by my full name is a big red flag. Was she really that mad at me? What should I do? Should I make an excuse that I can’t go?? No, it would break her heart. “Ughhhhhh”, feeling frustrated with how today started I get up. Suddenly I hear a knock on my bedroom door. “Hi honey” my mom says excitedly, “Happy Saturday!” “Happy Saturday” I mutter, wondering why she decided to barge in without confirmation that I was awake. Ignoring my tone of voice, she continues. “I am really excited for some quality time with you!” My mother declares. I remain quiet for a quick minute. I honestly didn't know how to talk to my mom anymore, she hadn't been around for so long, that it didn't feel right to share things with her. Normally, at a time like this I would turn to Enola but of course I can’t this time around. Spontaneously I reveal “I have something to tell you.” Enola’s point of view -------------------------------------- My stomach drops as I decline. I instantly feel bad for cutting her off. But at the same time I’m frustrated with her. Did she forget about our anniversary dinner? Did she not realize how happy I was for this day? This is my first serious relationship, and I wanted this night to be special. I know her mom is busy but I don’t think she is taking this seriously. I began getting lost in a whirlpool of emotions and unbearable thoughts before getting cut back into reality by my mothers agitated voice. “What time did she want you to book us for?” My mom asks. “She didn’t say a time.” I sorrowfully answered. “She needs to get back to you soon, your father took off work for this.” She mumbles. “Give her a break, she’s going through a lot right now.” I pointed out. “Like?” My mom rudely questions. I stumbled over words...what was she really going through? Honestly, I had been cutting her slack for some time now, but why? “Well, for starters she’s trying to talk to her mom. It can be really tough sometimes, since she’s always working.” “I don’t understand how hard it is just to ask her hey can you come tonight? Besides, haven't you been planning this for weeks with her?” My mom questions. “I guess she wants to tell her in person. I mean this is a pretty big deal.” I blush, giving myself added confidence to Liz’s prolonged response. “Sure it is a big deal. But you’ll see, there will be many more wonderful girls for you to date, who can actually commit to things.” She explains. “Mom, please just clear your mind about her. She’s honestly amazing, I don't want this to be a negative experience.” I plead. “Of course I’ll love her.” She comforts. “And if it doesn’t work out at least I won’t have to see Kristopher”. “Thanks for looking on the bright side of things mom!” I say sarcastically. “No problem” she winks, and walks away leaving me alone with my thoughts once again. Not long after, I hear keys rattling outside the door. My brothers must be home from practice early. But instead my father “Kristopher” walks in through the front door. Hearing the door open my mom walks out. “Kristopher, when did I ever say we would be meeting here?!” My mom exclaims, caught completely off guard. “I didn't know I needed a ticket to come to dinner.” He laughs. “You don't need a ticket for dinner, but to enter my house you do!” She shouts. Ignoring their usual bickering, I run to my father. “Hi Dad!” I hollar collapsing him with a huge hug. At first I was mad at my dad for becoming an alcoholic after coming back from the military. He had been away off and on for my whole childhood, so when he came back different it freaked me out. My father took up drinking as his way of coping with PTSD. He left three months after he got back. Saying his reasons were to “fix things”. While he was away we only communicated through hand written letters, I still have all of them in a box below my bed. Over time I began to forgive him. He stumbles back, caught off guard by my big hug, nevertheless, he tightly throws his arms around me, and I feel a level of safety I had been lacking for some time. No “I am so glad that you made it!” I smile. He looks down into my eyes. “Sweet Heart, I am always here for, I know that in the past I've been a selfish man, but I promise I’m here now.” He whispers never ending his strong gaze. My eyes grow teary so I quickly look away, I am not one to cry in front of others. “Kristophor, can we please chat for a minute.” My mother declares, her eyes slightly crossed. I watch as they walk towards the bedroom together. “Kris, I told you to never see the kids without my consent!” “You invited me to dinner... with the kids , you gave me consent right there!” “This is not the restaurant where you would be seeing them though.” “I thought it would be less stressful for Enola to see her dad before, rather than at the same time as the first family get together between the couple’s.” “There you go thinking again. I am this close to cutting you off completely.” “Kayla, you can’t do that, I have full custody as well. You're lucky I dont go crazy on you for having kids all the time.” “Ha, you're the alcoholic, not me.” “I am sober Kayla. I have been attending AA meetings, got a good job, and even made some amendments. I am not that man anymore” “I don’t want to hear it Kris.” “Are you telling me to leave?” “No... I am telling you to make sure this never happens again.” “I don’t want to argue with you Kayla, I will leave if it makes you more comfortable.” “No, Enola needs you here.” *sighs “and to be completely honest I wouldn't mind if you’d stay either, I’ve missed you. I just have had all this pent up aggression since you left and I had to get off my chest... sorry” “No it’s fine I deserve it” Time passes and silence arises. A few minutes later they step out of the room. I try to make it look casual, so it doesn’t look like I was just eavesdropping over them the entire time. Just then my phone buzzes and I get an alarming message from Liz.