Erika got home late, her parents was their waiting for her, she's busted out of drunkenness.
The house is quiet, except for the faint hum of the ceiling fan and the distant chirping of birds outside. She sits on the couch, hands clasped tightly in her lap, fingers pressing into her palm as she tries to steady herself. Her parents sit across from her at the dining table, their expressions curious but patient, waiting for her to speak.
"I'm sorry mom and dad, it's just something was bothering me lately". She swallows, forcing herself to look up.
"Mom, Dad," she begins, voice tense, unsure, "I actually need to tell you something."
Her mother tilts her head slightly, concern flickering in her eyes. "Of course, sweetheart. What is it?"
Her father leans forward, resting his arms on the table. "You look nervous," he comments, brows furrowing. "Whatever it is, you don't have to be scared."
She exhales sharply, shaking her head. "It's—" She hesitates, fingers tightening around the hem of her sweater. "It's about me. Who I am."
Her mother sets down her cup of tea, giving her full attention now. "Go on," she says gently.
Erika breath deeply ". Mom, Dad". Her eyes shifting ". I've been wanting to tell you this in so long...I—I like girls. I'm lesbian".
Silence stretches for a brief second—so brief it barely registers—before her mother exhales, a small smile tugging at her lips. Her father leans back slightly, crossing his arms.
"We know," her mother says simply.
She blinks. "What?"
Her father chuckles, shaking his head. "We've known for a long time, sweetheart."
She stiffens, confusion clouding her face. "How? I never told you."
Her mother reaches across the table, placing a hand over hers. "You didn't have to," she says softly. "The way you talked about certain people, the way you hesitated when friends gushed about their crushes, the way you lit up when you mentioned certain girls." She squeezes her hand lightly. "We saw it. And we figured you'd tell us when you were ready."
Her father nods, a warm smile tugging at his lips. "And we've been waiting. No rush, no pressure." He gestures toward her. "We just wanted you to feel comfortable enough to say it when you wanted to."
She stares at them, the weight she carried for years suddenly feeling foolish, unnecessary. "So… you don't care?"
Her mother shakes her head, squeezing her hand again. "Care? We care that you're happy. We care that you're comfortable being yourself. That's what matters to us."
Her father smiles. "You're our daughter. That doesn't change, no matter who you love."
She exhales slowly, the nerves that had coiled tightly around her chest slowly loosening."But I have another problem, I think—no I'm certain I love Lauren and I can't confess to her, I can't risk our friendship for what I have been feeling for her".
Her mother then pulled her into a hug."It's okay, give yourself some time".
And just like that, the fear melts away, replaced by something stronger—acceptance, warmth, home.