(I am depicting this story from other sources I say online If this is offensive in any way please know that I mean the best)
"Mama, Mama, look at the cool cars,"
I point at the cool Hot Wheels. The red one is pretty.
"Princess, cars are for boys and not pretty girls like you."
---
"Mom, I'm going out with Riley and Dan."
"Veronica, why can't you have some friends that are well... girls!"
Here she goes again
"Mom! They're my friends. Besides, it's not like anyone else wants to hang out with me."
"WELL, MAYBE YOU SHOULD ACT MORE YOUR GENDER!"
"I AM,"
"NO, YOU ARE ACTING LIKE A BOY, NOT A GIRL!"
"Well, I'm sorry about being myself. I'm sixteen I want to explore, find myself, CAN'T YOU UNDERSTAND THAT,"
SLAP
"YOU ARE NOT MY DAUGHTER, I WISH I NEVER GAVE BIRTH TO YOU,"
I ran from this house, I hoped for a sanctuary.
I sprinted.
I ran to their house blind, deaf, and mute. I ran to the door, warmth just out of my reach. I ran to safety.
---
After a cup of hot cocoa, Riley looked at me with not pity, not malice, but compassion. They had gone through the same situation. Their parents couldn't understand, their parents kicked him out. He, as any 17-year-old with no money, moved here a cheap town, without too much crime. They and their friend share a small home on the outskirts of town, and I'm the only one who knows their secret.
Brayden is a kind boy, hard-working; a similar thing happened to him when he came out as gay. But that's how it is in South Dakota.
And then there's me, Veronica Rodriguez, a closet lesbian, the three of us have the worst of luck.
Poor, Riley is misgendered so much, while Dan, Riley, and I have the town's elders asking us when we're getting married.
"Are you okay?"
"No"
"Do you-"
"Let's leave, you, me and Dan,"
"How-"
"It doesn't have to be now. We can save up some money, sell the house, and leave. We aren't welcome,"
---
It poured a small tomb layed forgotten in a cemetery. She was killed, unfounded hate weaved into the blade.
She fell for being herself.
---
It was midnight, as a car drove away into the night. An empty house left forgotten. A small town was left in the past, two partners ride into tomorrow. May they be safe on their journey to happiness.
Thank you for finishing our quest, I shall watch over them in the Heavens.
Love, Veronica.
