Chapter 7: Dad's Home

It was 11:30 PM on a Friday night, just after the party. I found myself searching for Lily in the midst of the post-party chaos but couldn't locate her. After a few moments, I stumbled upon her in a hallway, looking disoriented, drunk, and incredibly sad. It was clear that the party had taken its toll on her.

I handed her a water bottle, my concern growing. "Lily, are you okay?" I asked, as I tried to help her regain some composure.

She took a few sips and looked at me with watery eyes. "I'm just not used to all this, Sophie. I can't handle it sometimes."

I understood her sentiment. Lily was a city girl in a small town, and these kinds of parties weren't something she was accustomed to. We decided to leave the party behind and head to my house, where we could find some peace and quiet.

The following morning, as the sun broke through the curtains, we were awakened by the sound of raised voices and people shouting downstairs. It was a stark reminder that my dad was in town. My parents had separated four years ago, and my dad's visits occurred every two months, during which our house became a battleground of emotions.

Lily, who had spent the night at my place because of the previous night's party, was well aware of the situation. As the shouts and cries from downstairs reached our ears, it was a stark reminder that even in the midst of newfound friendships, complicated family dynamics were never far away.

As the shouting continued, my curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn't help but ask Lily, "What do you think they're shouting about this time?"

We cautiously made our way downstairs to find my brother, Soma, engaged in a heated argument with our dad. My dad's face carried a mix of emotions, and he eventually turned to me and said, "Soma is gay."

The revelation hung in the air, heavy with a sense of tension and uncertainty. Our Christian upbringing had instilled certain beliefs in our family, and same-sex relationships were viewed as a challenge to those values.

My brother's anger was palpable as he defended his identity and his right to love whomever he chose. It was a moment of deep emotional turmoil, as my brother's coming out collided with our family's deeply held religious beliefs.

I was torn, feeling caught in the middle. Soma was my brother, and I loved him unconditionally, but I also understood the complexities of our family's situation. My mom stood there, tears streaming down her face, grappling with the truth she'd just learned.

As I stood there, uncertain of what to do or say, I couldn't help but wonder how our family would navigate this new chapter in our lives and find a way to reconcile love and acceptance with our faith.