Today is Independence Day. You didn't kick me out, you liberated me. I saw you staring me down in the corner, I didn't think you were going to talk but you did. I felt your eyes on my back and I saw the shock on your face, Mom. You wanted war. Those words echo in my head resoundingly. I remember when I was younger how the sight of you in tears would move to tears also. I saw the agony on face and I felt sorry for you.
You thought if you told my friends "my secret," they would leave me. They already knew "my secret." My friends are more loyal, that you will ever be. How evil were you that day? You seemed almost possessed by the spirit of Mars. Your bigotry put you in a trance. You were so mesmerized that you forgot I was your boy, your pride and joy. In that moment you made me feel like the scum beneath your shoe.
I will never forget your "well wishes" upon my depart. "No one will ever love you faggot." Then doors of my childhood home closed. Carrying my box of possessions, my legs felt weak, my soul distressed but my spirt free. I crashed to the ground. My knees hit the rough asphalt. Then I remember that my life was not over, but I had only started a new chapter in my life. I emerged from my fall ready for the what lay ahead.
Yesterday was Independence Day and though I was a reluctant freedom fighter at first. I tasted victory...yesterday.
