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My decision was liberating.

“Kendra?” The devil's voice echoed throughout the place. I turned around, a little exasperated, facing a drunk Delilah.

“Leave me alone…”

“No... not until you explain to me how you had the courage to get together with that skank.” She urged.

“Shut up, Delilah!” I growled, irritated. “ You don't know Veronica, you don't know anything.”

“I know you need help…”

“Help?”

“Yes, Kendy, help.” The nickname made me sick. “My engagement helped me.”

I laughed, a little desperate and in disbelief. I couldn't believe what she was telling me. My eyes took in her completely, fromtop to bottom. I couldn't believe that I let myself be led by someone so selfish and coward for most of my life. My parents, despite everything, had never made a homophobic comment to me, without even knowing it, but Delilah constantly attacked me with sweet words.

And those had been the cruelest.

“Get out of my way, Delilah.” I was fed up with her.

“No, until you understand that I'm right.”

“You're wrong!” My mother's voice came from the garden and I felt my legs giving out. Delilah's eyes tripled in size as she stared at Mackenzie coming toward us. “My daughter asked you to get out of her way, so I suggest you do that. Enjoy and take your fiancé with you, miss Reigan.”

I sat on one of the available benches. My chest felt like it was being crushed by a jackhammer, my heart pounding so hard.

“Mrs. Winfrey...” She tried to argue, but Mom wouldn't let her say another word.

“Leave the event, Delilah, and take your fiancé with you. Leave in a friendly and polite manner, or I will ask security to drag you out of here.”

An evil smile appeared on my ex-best friend's face.

“We're in a small town, think about what everyone is going to...”

“I don't mind!” Once again my mother cut her off. “Get out of here.”

There was a reason why Mackenzie and Nicholas fell in love during university; they were both persistent in their goals. And more than that, they had a firm grip on dealing with crises, eventhough their married life had sunk into one, they were capable of dealing with the rest in a masterful way.

Delilah finally obeyed and left the garden.

I remained silent, I didn't know how much my mother had heard. I wasn't sure if the courage I had just a few seconds ago was really that strong.

“Hey...” She sat next to me. “Why was she saying you needed help, Kendra?” I kept my eyes on the ground and a serious, pained expression on my face. “Dear, you can tell me anything, I'm here to be by your side, but it's you who needs to tell me what's happening.”

My legs felt restless, but I couldn't bring myself to speak.

It was as if millions of possibilities came to my mind. She could disown me, humiliate me, and throw me out of the house. She could humiliate me more than Delilah ever did. Anxiety took me over and some tears blurred my vision.

“Kendra, honey, please talk to me.”

Mom started to get nervous and the only thing I could do was hug her. I trembled in her arms, until my father was present too, sitting behind my mother.

“What is going on?” Dad sounded very lost.

“I…” I moved away from my mother's arms and faced them. “I... Hm, I'm... a... I'm lesbian.”

A moment of silence passed between us, until Mom smiled gently.