Page 2 of Frankie and the Fed

Say something, I beg without words.

“So you’re a lesbian?” her father says, breaking the silence.

“Don’t say lesbian, Larry.” Her mother pokes him with an elbow.

“You can say lesbian.” Olive dares to smile a little. “Yes, I’m a lesbian.”

“Okay,” Lisa says, sounding calm. “So, do you have a girlfriend, then?”

I stifle another smile. Even now, they are pushing her into a relationship.

“Not really, no,” Olive says, looking shocked at the fact that the four of us are still sitting here calmly and the ceiling hasn’t fallen over our heads, a dragon didn’t spit brimstone fire at us, and the hand of God didn’t strike us dead.

“I don’t understand why you let us believe you were going to marry him.” Larry throws an angry scowl at me.

“I never said I was going to marry Ethan, Dad.”

It’s true. We never said that, but we let the gossip fuel the engagement rumors. We didn’t deny it, not even to them.

“So you’re not getting married soon?” he continues.

“No. I’m not getting married.”

“I need time to digest this.” He gets up and paces the room.

Olive watches him with worried glances.

“Will I have grandchildren?” he asks.

“I don’t know, Dad. I guess. I want kids someday. Are you mad at me?”

“I’m angry that you tricked us. You let us believe things that aren’t true.”

“I’m sorry. I was afraid.”

Lisa says in a soft voice, “We’re your parents and always will be. Why did you think you couldn’t tell us something like this?”

“I thought you wouldn’t love me anymore if you knew.”

I clench my fists under the table. My parents stopped loving me. It’s not impossible.

“Oh, honey. I hope you’ll find a woman who is at least as nice as this man here.” Lisa smiles at me. “I was sure the important announcement was going to be that you two were engaged.”

Lisa looks disappointed. Not because Olive wants to date women but because there won’t be a wedding soon. It’s going better than I thought.

Her father returns to the table, and we finish dessert while talking some more.

“It’s getting late.” Olive stands, preparing for our departure.

Lisa stands, and comes around the table. “You know, John’s daughter is a lesbian. Maybe we can introduce you to her?”

“Mom, I don’t need you to arrange my dates.”

Ignoring her daughter’s protests, Lisa hugs me goodbye. “It was nice to have you here, Ethan. Thank you for watching over my daughter.”

I nod. “I’ll always look out for her, Lisa. She’s a good friend.”

Her father nods and shakes my hand before turning to Olive. “We’ll continue this conversation later. Give us some time to digest.”