Cherry - S01 E38

Story 1 year ago

Cherry - S01 E38

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 38

I said, "What? We are the only ones here right now, right?"

She said, "Yeah, but..."

I asked, "What's the problem, then?"

Olivia said, "This is just new to me. Not being a-you know-but for anyone besides Cherry to know that I am."

I said, "Olivia, you do know that it's 'ok' to be a lesbian, right? That is a part of who you are, so why hide that from the world?"

"You obviously don't know my parents," she replied.. "I think I know their type: ultra conservative, right?" I stated more than asked.

Olivia rolled her eyes and huffed, "You just don't know..." I said, "I can only imagine how difficult it is for you to hide such an important part of your identity for fear of their reaction. It must be painful. But Olivia, their feelings on the subject are THEIR problem; not yours."

She said, "Yeah, but you don't know how painful it is going to be for them if they find out. And what they will put me through with the bible verses and pastor speeches and endless lectures..."

I said, "You are concerned about their pain? What about your pain? Who's concerned about that? And I'm sure they will react exactly how you think they will. But that's likely to just be their initial response. Eventually they will get used to the idea and get over it, but only if you 'stick to your guns' and never concede to them."

Olivia thought for a moment and asked, "What if they don't get used to it? What if they reject me?"

I said, "You are their daughter, they love you, I'm sure. But, even if that does happen, you'll be happier without them and honest about yourself than with them and lying to the world. You understand?

Besides: I'm sure you aren't planning on living at home forever..." Olivia nodded slightly while reflecting quietly before saying, "I guess so.

"I want you to do something for me, Olivia," I said.

She asked simply, "What?"

"I want you to say the words out-loud-just between you and me- say, 'I'm a lesbian!", I challenged.

She was embarrassed and said, "Oh, come-on"

I said, "You come-on! This is a part of you: own it! Say it with me:

I'M A LESBIAN!"

Olivia hung her head and muttered, "I'm a lesbian." Her words

almost fell flat on the floor.

"Seriously? That's the best the captain of the cheerleading squad

can do? I'm five feet from you and I barely heard you. Pick your

head up! Be proud of it and say it like you mean it!" Olivia picked her head up and said with a defeated sigh, "I'm a

lesbian!" I wasn't letting her go that easy. said, "HM. No pride; no spirit; no

smile: bullshit-I don't believe you!" Olivia yelled, "I'M A LESBIAN!"

I said, "That's better, but I still don't see you smiling. Say: 'I'm attracted to girls because I'm a lesbian! DO IT!"

Fighting a smile, Olivia said, "I AM a lesbian! I'm attracted to girls and I'm a LESBIAN!"

I made up an impromptu cheer and said, "It's o-k-to be gay-girls are hot-guys are not!"

Olivia's face brightened as I'd never seen before on her as she became more confident while repeating various lesbian cheers that we each were making up. She danced as what must have been years of self oppression slowly melted away, replaced with finally being happy about her feelings. Olivia hadn't just been in the closet': she was at the bottom of a pit at the back of the closet in the basement. But that seemed to be changing now. Before long, I couldn't tell if she was laughing or crying; I decided it was both.

Olivia jumped up at me, hugging my neck and said, "Thank you David! You have no idea how you have made me feell" I said, "It was my pleasure, Olivia."

Cherry said, "What did just walk in on?"

Startled at the sudden third person in the room, Olivia and I separated like we were both diseased and faced Cherry.

I said, "It's not what it looks like!"

Olivia agreed saying, "We didn't-I wouldn't do that to you! We just...

Cherry cut her off and said, "I think it's exactly what it looked like" and she paused to get a reading on our faces.

Olivia and I just looked at her in stunned silence, neither of us able to speak

Cherry said, "It looks to me like a couple of lesbians are in here making up gay cheerleading routines."

It took a few seconds for her words to soak in, but when they did I sighed in relief, "You saw us-cheering?"

Cherry said, "I heard you from the driveway screaming that you are a lesbian. That was hilarious, by the way. So yeah, I've been watching you two lesbians for about five minutes now."

Olivia said, "Oh my god Cherry: you scared me! I thought you thought... OH, I'm going to get you for that!"

Cherry looked at me and said, "You have quite the effect on people. Do you know how long I've been trying to get her to be

happy about this? I'm gone for ten minutes and 'BAM' you've got

her dancing in the streets."

Olivia agreed and added, "I've decided I'm done hiding it. I'm

making tonight my coming out party." Cherry said, "In that case, we'll stay here with you!"

I said, "Yeah we'll be here for support."

Olivia said, "You don't have to stay. You can for the first part-when I tell everyone. But after that, it might be better if you do go."

Cherry was surprised and asked, "Why?"

Olivia said, "You and I have been so close and everyone knows that. If you stay, they might assume and you know how people talk. But if you leave with David, they'll know. And you guys should probably act surprised at the news, too. I just don't want anyone to spread rumors."

Cherry said, "I wouldn't care, but I know what you mean. We'll do it your way if you are sure that's what you want."

Olivia just nodded emphatically and the plan was set. Only a few minutes later, their friends began to show up; most of them just let themselves inside. Everyone was just hanging out and talking- mostly gossip about various relationships at school. When everyone was there, Olivia looked to us for a final vote of confidence and we both just nodded once to signal 'go for it'.

Olivia said for all to hear, "Everyone... Guys!" The room began to go quiet and a few came in from the kitchen to see what was going

She continued, "There is a reason I wanted you all to come here tonight. For the longest time I've been too embarrassed and afraid to admit to something. And I wanted the friends I care about most -all of you to be together when I say for the first time to anyone: I'm a lesbian."

The response from the small crowd was not surprising. It was overwhelmingly positive-some were shocked, others were happy while lights clicked on for some that were now able to make sense of things in the past (like why she was never dating anyone). Everyone was supportive and congratulated her for her courage to come out to them; thankful to be one of the friends she 'cares about most. Cherry and I knew, of course, that it had little to do with what she truly considered her 'Inner circle and more to do with timing and who just happened to be there.

Cherry congratulated Olivia (for show) and said that we had to get going. Olivia thanked us for coming and it was perhaps the most genuine 'thank you' I'd ever heard.

Cherry changed into her dark clothes before we left the party and headed for the trucking distribution center, she still didn't know where we were going or what I had planned and I wasn't telling her until we got there. It didn't even come up in the conversation.

Cherry said, "Thank you for what you did for Olivia"

I said, "Don't thank me: she did it."