The First Story by C Bradley Owens

Author:C Bradley Owens [Owens, C Bradley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: LGBT, metafiction, YA, bullying, Fantasy
ISBN: 9781644770009
Publisher: Authors 4 Authors Publishing Cooperative
Published: 2018-11-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 51

“Was that for my benefit?” Mrs. Hensley asked, breaking the spell that Matt had attempted to cast in the room. His words, the stories, the creativity, was working. He could feel John’s presence in the telling. He was in every story, every word.

“What do you mean?” Matt bent his head toward her, keeping his body pointed toward John.

“That story about gender expression.” Mrs. Hensley pointed to the open book in Matt’s lap, the book that held all of their stories and more. “John must have told you about the argument he and his father had over his…clothes.”

“And makeup,” Matt added too quickly before he thought twice. He meant to think twice, but he was so tired. The clock was tick, tick, ticking toward the mark but was still so very far away.

“Yes, and the makeup.” Mrs. Hensley sighed. “He wasn’t being mean, y’know? John’s father. He was being practical, realistic.”

“Intractable.” Matt tried to squeeze his mouth shut, but the added effort was too much.

“Maybe, but the world is not an easy place. There’s so many mean people. Intolerant people.” Mrs. Hensley held out a hand palm up as if physically offering a solution.

“The world is mean,” Matt said and could sense the words that would take his statement too far, but he couldn’t stop. He simply spoke. “So, your home should not be.”

“That is not fair.” Mrs. Hensley was standing now with the posture of someone obviously in the wrong, obviously feeling guilty, but refusing to back down for some incomprehensible need to maintain a semblance of moral integrity. “We did—do—the best we can.”

“With what you have. I know. I’ve heard the same speech at my house.” Matt felt the anger coming from the wounded mother, or maybe it was the anger coming from inside himself. He didn’t think it really mattered right now. “And you’re trying to understand. I get that too. I get that you want to protect your son. I get that there are so many stupid people out there, and I get it—I get it all. I don’t need—John doesn’t need to get it from his parents too.”

Mrs. Hensley opened her mouth, then closed it tight. Matt wondered if the ability to censor yourself when you’re tired gets stronger with age. Maybe. Or maybe she was just preparing something vicious that only someone who had lived longer could construct. A really good burn, a wounding stab to the teenage heart. It wouldn’t be that difficult. Not right now. She could easily destroy him, and he would feel it so intensely. He was far too tired to protect himself. She opened her mouth again. “You… I don’t want to argue. I don’t have the strength.”

“I never want to fight,” Matt said and turned the page. He glanced at the clock. Six more hours. Just six more. He needed to focus on John. He didn’t have time to make Mrs. Hensley feel better. He was tired of making them all, all the adults, all the teachers, all the other students who weren’t necessarily bullies, feel better.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.