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“And you really thought I didn't know that?” My mother said, surprising me.

“We both figured…” Dad added.

My mind felt like it did a 360 turn. If before I was confused and scared, now I was confused and terrified because... if they knew, who was I trying to fool all that time? Did everyone know?

“How?”

“You are our daughter, we know you.” Mom replied. “We weren't sure, but, Kendra, you're 19 years old and you've never talked about any boys, you've never suffered as a teenager for a boy... That kind of made us suspicious, despite the way you are.”

“So you don't think that I... that I'm some kind of disappointment?”

The two exchanged confused and frightened looks.

“Kendra, you will never be a disappointment for being yourself.” Dad declared. “And we don't love you any less for it. Not even because of the divorce. I will always be your father, your mother will always be your mother. And we will always love and support you, princess.”

"I'm sorry such a thought even crossed your mind, Kenny." Mom added, grabbing my hand. “We are your parents, so of course we fear what the world can do to you, people are not always kind, that is simply not the nature of human beings, but we would never do something to hurt you because you want to be yourself”

The only thing I was able to do was hug them again, feeling more loved than I had in my entire life. Because, for the first time, I had seen through the door, I had seen the light.

We stayed there for a few minutes, just enjoying each other's company.

The moment was interrupted when Colleen and Veronica found us. My cousin came to tell my parents that some peoplefrom the board were after them and my girl had a worried expression, which only softened when I gave her a weak smile.

“I thought one speech a night was enough for them…” My father mocked, fixing his suit when he got up.

“I'm going with you.” Mom announced, he extended his hand to her, and she grabbed it. “Are you going to be okay?” The question was directed at me.

I nodded and mom placed one last kiss on my face before going in with dad. Colleen went after them and Veronica came to me. She seemed afraid as she approached, after all, my smudged makeup should point out something very obvious.

“Hey, how are you doing,mami?”

“I'm exhausted, but I'm happy.”

I let my fingers slide down to hers, intertwining them with mine. I told Veronica about the conversation with my parents and a wide smile framed her face with every word I spoke. In the end, she declared:

“Well, then today is a good day for me to ask you this question…” She began to speak, pausing slightly before continuing: “Kendra Winfrey, will you be my girlfriend? Officially, my one and only girlfriend?”

All the anxiety from when I had arrived at the garden seemed to melt away because, after all, that Thanksgiving I was grateful for the people in my life. For my parents, my cousin and my girlfriend. And it was so good to be grateful for having someone you loved loving you back.

“Yes… I will be your girlfriend.”

We both smiled like idiots and were even surprised by white flakes that began to fall from the sky. We looked up together and let the snow seal our new commitment.

I arrived home with my eyes heavy and my feet begging for freedom. In the living room, I threw myself on the sofa face down, dead.

Mom laughed.

“Don't you dare stay there. Come on, let's go to the room.” She asked.

Dad sat next to me and loosened his tie and opened a few buttons on his dress shirt, looking at the blonde who was standing in front of us.

“You two, to your proper rooms!”

“It's been a long day, Mack... give us a few minutes.” He replied with good humor.

She ended up joining us, sitting next to him.

“So you and Colleen are dating the Torres brothers…” Mom teased. I wanted to laugh, that really was a hell of a coincidence.