All You Need

All You Need

Autumn held Maddy in an embrace that lasted only a few seconds. She wished it could last forever, but knew that her mom expected her to be home around a half hour ago. She plucked a leaf from her hair and smiled at the goofy look Maddy gave her. It wasn't the only leaf found on her body. All over her short, curvy frame random leaves were stuck to her clothes. Her short and spiked brown hair was a mess and her pale face was flushed. A stunning smile lit up her face and made her green eyes sparkle. That was the very same smile that had drawn Autumn to her in the first place. The hour-long leaf fight had left them both winded and full of leaves.
"You know what I love about you, Maddy? said Autumn as she plucked some more leaves off of her. She wrapped her arms around her neck and kissed her on the lips.
"What's that? Is it because I'm an amazing kisser? asked Maddy, with a cute grin on her face.
"Nope, said Autumn as she brought her hands to Maddy's shoulders, "it's because you're so damned gullible! She pushed her back into the pile of leaves, and laughed as Maddy shut her eyes and stuck out her tongue.
"You killed me! she yelled and fell limp.
"Oh well, I guess I better head home, Autumn jokingly said and turned to walk away. She wasn't at all shocked when she heard the crinkle of leaves as Maddy got up and tried to be sneaky. She jumped up and wrapped her legs around Autumn's waist and held on tight.
"Piggy back ride! Maddy yelled and laughed as Autumn started to run with her on her back. Autumn's long blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail that was coming loose as they ran. Soon after, Autumn was breathing hard and Maddy's sides were sore from laughing. They both sat down on the park bench. Maddy grabbed Autumn's hand and gazed into her deep blue eyes.
"You know what I love about you? she asked as she planted a kiss on her hand. "Everything. Autumn blushed and looked down. Her gaze happened to fall upon her watch on her wrist. It read 4:30. She was supposed to be home at 3:30.
"Damn, Maddy! We have to get home! Both of the girls got up and ran down to the corner. As they came upon Autumn's street, they let go of each other's hand. Autumn quickly glanced around. Once she was sure the street was clear, she hugged Maddy and gave her a quick kiss.
"I'll see you tomorrow, I love you, she said as she turned to head home.
"I love you too, Maddy replied. The girls both walked their separate ways, as they prepared their stories for why they were late. Maddy stayed late at school to get math help, and Autumn had a science project that was due.
It wasn't the first time they had to lie about their whereabouts. In fact, both girls had lost count as to how many times they had to hide their love. Coming from strict Christian families, the reality of the situation would not be tolerated. Autumn walked up to her front porch, took a deep breath and opened the door.
She was greeted with the smell of lasagna cooking in the oven and the smell of the cigarette her dad was smoking in the living room.
"You're late, her mom said as she closed the oven, "again.
"Yeah, sorry mom, I had to stay at school and finish a science project about...
"Ok, ok, ok...Get started with your homework and be down for dinner at 6. said her mom, rather nonchalantly. She sighed and started walking towards her room. Her dad signaled for her to come over. She reluctantly plodded over.
"Can you believe they allow this crap on TV? Autumn directed her gaze towards a news reporter with a lisp on the TV. Seeing her confused face, he volunteered further elaboration, "He's gay. Look at him. Faggot. He shook his head and took a drag.
"Yeah, how 'bout that... Autumn trailed off. She got to her room and quietly closed the door behind her. She kicked her shoes off and fell to her bed, crying. She lifted her head from her damp pillow and turned over onto her back. Autumn stared at the ceiling and brushed away her tears. I can't do this anymore, she thought to herself as she shifted her gaze to a picture of her and Maddy. She traced her finger around the picture and pulled the blankets over her head.
* * *
Maddy turned the knob of her door and walked into the house. Unlike Autumn's, house she wasn't greeted by the smell of dinner cooking, but rather an empty kitchen. There was a note on the counter in her mother's handwriting. Had to work late, here's $20 for pizza. Make sure to do your homework! Maddy read from the family-chat notebook. Well, at least she didn't have to worry about getting in trouble or having to make up some B.S. story about where she was. She grabbed a water bottle from the refrigerator and sat down on the couch. She turned on The Ellen Degeneres Show and kicked back. Ellen was her hero. To be out to millions and millions of people and be proud was something Maddy dreamed of, but could never do because of her parents. As if on cue, her mom walked in.
"I'm so sick of covering for Mary. She's such a hypochondriac, 'Oh my stomach hurts, so I think I'll take off for a week.' Well not anymore, I swear if she pulls this once more I'm walking out, she ranted as she walked into the living room and fell onto the easy chair.
"Sorry to hear it, Mom. They'll fire her eventually and then realize how awesome you are, trust me. Maddy knew her mom had a rough day and fed her the classic "I sympathize with you, Mom line.
"Thanks sweetie. What are you watching? Ugh, turn this dyke off, I can't stand her. What gives her the right to go and be queer like that? Turn the channel, her mom demanded.
"I'm done anyway, watch what you want, Maddy said, as she tossed the remote her mom's way. She sulked off to her room and sat down on her overstuffed chair, holding back the tears that she fought every day. As if reading Autumn's mind, she thought to herself, I can't do this anymore, and let the tears fall.
* * *
The next day, both girls dragged themselves out of bed, and put on identical fake smiles as they went to school. They held their smiles throughout the day and then walked to the park after school. Sitting on the same bench as the day before, Autumn and Maddy began to talk.
"We can't go on like this. You know it and I know it. If we keep things bottled up like this, something's going to explode. Maddy started as she held Autumn close.
"Are you saying we tell our parents? Are you insane? I mean, seriously! They'll have a crucifixion and invite the whole town to watch the lesbians die! Autumn exclaimed.
Maddy gave her a stubborn look and said, "Don't you think you might be exaggerating just a little bit? Plus, how much worse can it be? We live a lie every day, Autumn. We love each other and our parents love us. Nothing should change that.
Autumn started to cry, and Maddy held her as she did so. "You know we have to, Autumn. You know it. How much longer do you think you can go on doing this? A week? Less? You and I both know that it needs to be said. Even if our parents disown us and hate us, we'll have each other. What else do we need? I love you more than life itself and I know we can make it work and be happy together.
Maddy pulled out her notebook and started to write: "Dear Mom and Dad, what I'm about to tell you isn't going to be easy for me to write, and I'm sure won't be easy for you to read, but nonetheless, it must be said ... Autumn let go of Maddy's hand and pulled out a notebook of her own. She started the letter the same as Maddy's.
An hour later they had finished and closed their notebooks. They looked into each other's eyes and nodded. They stood up and walked over to the swing set, with their hands intertwined. Autumn sat down, and pulled Maddy onto her lap. Maddy put her arm around her shoulders and Autumn's around her waist. Their eyes met and they kissed. When they pulled away, tears had wet their faces. Wiping her eyes, and then Maddy's, Autumn spoke up.
"You're right. We have to do this. I love you and things will work out in the end. Maddy jumped off the swing and pulled Autumn down into the leaf pile from the day before. They lay next to each other, staring up at the crisp blue sky. Autumn pulled Maddy close to her and put her head in the hollow of her shoulder, smelling the sweet perfume of her girlfriend, and knew that yeah, things would be ok. She closed her eyes and sighed deeply. All you need is love, and all they needed was each other.
* * *
Coming out was a rather big decision for the two girls to make. They were "out only to themselves. No one else knew. They figured that coming out to their parents was a pretty large first step to take, so Autumn and Maddy starting thinking of other options at Maddy's house after school one day. Lying on Maddy's bed, Autumn said, "God, Maddy...I don't know if I'm quite ready to do this. I know it's the right thing to do, or whatever, but it still seems like such a big thing,
Maddy looked at her worried face and said the first thing that came to her mind, "Well, I guess we don't have to come out to our parents. Yet, she said, noticing the slightly happier look on Autumn's face, "what if we ... I don't know ... what if we told Jenny!
"Jenny? Why Jenny? Autumn asked, sitting up.
"Well, why not Jenny? She's our friend. We can just see how that goes! If it's way too hard and blows up in our face, maybe we'll put the 'rents off for another month or two, she finished with a reassuring grin on her face.
"Hmm...I guess that's not a terrible idea. I mean, what's the worst that could happen? Wait, never mind, don't answer that, she said with a sigh and plopped back down on Maddy's bed. She thought it over in her head and figured that it couldn't be that horrible. After a few minutes of silence, Autumn spoke up again, "Well, what are we going to say to her? 'Hey Jenny, guess what! We're lesbians.'
"Probably something a little more subtle, sweetie, Maddy said sarcastically. "How about we don't worry about it right now and enjoy our afternoon alone? I don't know how long my 'rents are going to be gone, you know. She finished, and poked Autumn in the side. She jumped up and squirmed away from Maddy's poke. As Maddy bombarded her ticklish girlfriend, Autumn squeaked and squirmed in playful discomfort. After one particularly soft spot got poked, she jumped up and tumbled off Maddy's bed, landing hard on her plush blue carpet.
"Ouch. Whore! You hurt my ass! Autumn yelled at Maddy, who was still sitting on top of her bed.
"Aww...Poor you! Do you want me to kiss it and make it better? She asked, as she landed on top of Autumn and started pulling at her pants.
"Get off me! Someone help me! RAPE! she yelled. Tears were welling up in her eyes from laughing so hard. Eventually, Maddy gave up her quest to get Autumn's pants off and sat down next to her. The usually erect spikes that adorned Maddy's head were semi-flattened, and some were bent at odd angles. Her black Sex Pistols shirt was pulled off of one shoulder, exposing her bra strap, and one sock was at least half way across the room. Autumn took one look at her and started to giggle. Soon she fell back on the ground and was roaring with laughter. "Look at your hair! she gleefully exclaimed as another burst of laughter escaped her.
"Oh no, you're not laughing at me, are you? You should see yourself! You look like a fricken '80's rocker, your hair is everywhere, and your pants are half off, missy! Maddy replied, joining in on Autumn's laughter. As their laughter subsided, they both sat quiet on Maddy's floor. Autumn yawned and stretched out her arms, wrapping one around Maddy's waist.
"So how long are your parents going to be gone again? She asked as she swung one leg over her so that she was straddling her. Autumn started kissing Maddy's neck as she replied,
"I don't know...probably not much longer. Jesus! Your hands are cold! She said, as Autumn put her hands up the back of Maddy's shirt.
"Well that's long enough, right? Autumn asked. She didn't wait for an answer; she instead kissed Maddy on her lips and pushed her on the ground. Maddy lay under Autumn and watched her whip off her black sweater and toss it across the room. She then felt her hands around the bottom of her shirt, lifting it above her stomach and over her shoulders. That shirt went flying as well. Autumn lay back on top of Maddy and started kissing her again. Several minutes later, Maddy heard the sound of a car pulling into a driveway. Before she could say anything to Autumn, she heard doors slam. They both looked up, and then at each other.
"Shit! They both said together as Maddy pushed Autumn off of her and started looking for her shirt. She found it draped over her chair and pulled it over her head as she started to hear footsteps coming up the stairs that lead to her room. Autumn saw one sleeve of her sweater hanging out from under Maddy's bed. She too heard the approaching footsteps and yanked it over her own head, her blonde hair spilling over the sides and back. Maddy jumped on her bed and grabbed a magazine off of her headboard, while Autumn put herself at Maddy's computer desk just as they heard two raps on her door.
Maddy's mom waited maybe two seconds before opening her door and saying, "Sweetie I'm home! Oh, hello Autumn, she smiled in Autumn's direction, before turning back to Maddy, "Dinner will be ready at 6 or so and I can give Autumn a ride home whenever she wants. Soon, though; I've got to put the roast in the oven. So, Miss Trendy is that how all the girls wear their shirts nowadays? She asked, pointing towards Autumn. Noticing her sweater was inside out, she blushed and said,
"Oh yeah, Mrs. Erickson, it's the new thing. Neat, huh? I'll be down in a second, thanks for giving me a ride home, Maddy's mom shook her head and shut the door. The two girls looked at each other and both let out big sighs. Maddy started to laugh and Autumn picked up a stuffed bear from the floor and threw it at Autumn.
"Well, that was pretty close to a very awkward situation, Autumn said as she stood up to look in Maddy's mirror, she pulled her shirt off and turned it right-side out, "Oops, she said and smiled.
* * *
After a night of dreamless sleeping, Maddy awoke to the harsh sound of her alarm clock. Stuffing her head under her blankets, alarm clock. She smashed her hand down on the snooze button and rolled over. She let out a groan, and swung her legs over the side of her bed. Stretching out her arms, she shivered and cursed early morning lack of heat.
Maddy showered for twenty minutes before getting out. After poking herself numerous times in the eye in an attempt to put some makeup on, she spiked up her hair and grabbed her stuff, just in time to catch the bus. She plopped down in the furthest back seat and leaned her head against the window, promptly falling asleep once again.
At the same time Maddy was smashing at her alarm clock, Autumn was already out of the shower and dressed, finishing some homework she had forgotten to do the night before. Glancing up at the clock, she saw that she had to leave for the bus stop about 2 minutes ago. Autumn picked up her purse and books and sprinted out the door.
She got to the corner as the bus was pulling up. Breathing heavily, she climbed on and walked to the back where Maddy was sitting, or sleeping rather. She sat down next to her and put her head on Maddy's shoulder. Maddy opened her eyes halfway and said,
"I'm awake!
"Sure you are. Don't worry. You've got like ten minutes 'til we get to school,
Maddy let her head fall back against the window with a thud. "Ouch... she groaned. The bus pulled away and left for the girls' school. Just as Autumn was about to nod off, she remembered just what was going to happen today. Secrets would be told and closets would be opened. She wasn't sure if she was going to be able to walk calmly out of that closet or trip and fall straight on her face. From the deep sleep Maddy appeared to be in, she didn't seem too worried. Why can't I be that calm? The only thing I've managed so far is to gain a killer headache, Autumn asked herself, admiring her girlfriend's steadfast perseverance. Even when she was sleeping, she still gave off the radiance of someone who will someday change the world for the better.
Maddy opened one eye cautiously and saw Autumn staring out the other side of the bus. She looked at her and saw how worried she looked, even though she was doing her best to not let it show. Maddy could almost feel the headache Autumn must have been suffering by the way she kept wincing and touching her brow ridge. When it looked as if she was about to turn her head towards her, Maddy closed her eye and relaxed her face. She started thinking about just what was going on today. Sure, she had given off the impression that she was dedicated, sure, steadfast even, but now¦Now that she actually faced the day that was about to make her face, she was starting to question. Maddy knew that Jenny wouldn't freak out or anything, but that's about it. How awkward was this going to be? She would just have to see.
The bus jerked to a stop at the curb of their school, Maddy opened her eyes and Autumn looked down at her. They both gave each other smiles which were intended to appear strong, but turned out to be just as shaky as they both felt. Autumn walked off the bus, followed by Maddy. They walked into the double doors and to Autumn's locker where Maddy promptly began to open it, and Autumn slid to the floor with her back against the lockers, and put her head on her knees. After a minute or two of rummaging around in the mess that was their locker, Maddy slid down next to her.
"So, genius, what exactly is your brilliant plan for today? We never really got a chance to talk last night, Autumn asked, crossing her fingers for a good, solid answer.
"Well, now, whose fault is that? Maddy asked as she playfully pushed Autumn's shoulder.
"Oh, so it's my fault now? I didn't exactly hear any objections from you. Autumn said harshly and whipped her head up and hitting it on the locker. After letting out a few obscenities, she turned to look at Maddy, who looked hurt.
"I was just kidding you know. I'm sorry. I'm nervous too. Don't take it out on me. Maddy said, and this time it was her to put her head down on her knees. She felt Autumn wrap her arm around her shoulders. "I guess we'll just have to see what we can come up with. If the opportunity doesn't present itself, then today doesn't necessarily have to be the day, there are others. But, she said, noticing that Autumn cheered up impressively when she mentioned today not being the day, "if the opportunity does present itself, we are both taking advantage of that opportunity, got it?
Autumn thought it over silently for a few moments, then nodded her head in agreement. Maddy was right most of the time anyway. She planted a kiss on her cheek and stood up. Autumn offered her arm down to Maddy, who took it and pulled herself up until she was standing face to face with Autumn. Maddy kissed her on the forehead and promised a good outcome, or she would buy ice-cream afterwards. The promise of ice-cream made Autumn cheer up, but she still remained apprehensive.
The girls walked down the stretch of the hallway, then turned right. At the end of that new hallway was the locker of their friend Jenny. She was sitting against the locker similar to the way the girls were just minutes before. Autumn and Maddy walked up to her, and both slid down to sit next to her, one on each side.
"Good morning, beautifuls! Jenny said and put her arm around both of them. "Guess what? You're both coming over after school today. We haven't all hung out in quite awhile. We're going to watch movies, gossip, and tickle Autumn until she cries. You know, the old stuff that we haven't done for so long. she finished, looking over to check each girl's reaction. Maddy smiled widely, even as she heard Autumn slam her head back against the locker, this time not accidentally. Autumn returned the smile, even if it was an obviously strained one. "Great! Meet me here after school and we'll party, k? But I have to get going, I have to turn something in that's about 10 weeks late, so I'll talk to you two lovelies later. Jenny said, and jumped up to walk away. As the bell rang, Autumn looked at Maddy and said,
"You better have a plan. and walked away. Maddy was worried too, but didn't let it show, she yelled after Autumn,
"Oh you bet I do! and then set to work trying to think of a plan that would keep her girlfriend and her best friend. Since when am I the brains of this operation? She asked herself as she picked up her books and headed to first hour.
* * *
After school, Autumn walked down the main hall. Maddy and Jenny were waiting there, and Jenny was tapping her foot anxiously. Autumn smiled knowing that was one of the things that irritated Maddy, and she could see it written across her face. Maddy saw Autumn and heaved a sigh of relief, while Jenny exclaimed,
"Are you ready, girls? Let's go! and bounded off in the direction of her bus. Maddy looked at Autumn with a look of relief on her face.
"I thought you were going to bail. she said and smiled comfortingly at her. Autumn's face relaxed and gave Maddy a look that said, Are you kidding me? Maddy laughed and so did Autumn. The girls and Jenny got on to Jenny's bus and waited until it screeched to a stop in front of her house. They all got off and jogged up to the door. It was starting to turn pretty wintry outside, but they were all still in denial, wearing t-shirts and jeans.
Jenny's house was a very large Victorian with chandeliers and the whole works. Her family wasn't exactly rich, but they inherited the house from her grandpa after he died. Maddy and Autumn followed Jenny into her room, which was a tie dyed explosion of color. Jenny was convinced that she should have spent her teenage years in the 60's, and the other two girls did not disagree. Her walls were covered in photos Woodstock, John Lennon, and anti-war promotional posters. At the foot of her mattress that sat on the floor were two bean bags and in front of them was the only item that resembled anything from the 21st century, her flat screen computer. She popped in the DVD, Saved, and pressed play. The beginning part of the movie is about a girl whose boyfriend tells her that he's gay. His parents then send him to a place to help de-gay him.
"That's so ridiculous, it makes me really mad. There's nothing wrong with being gay! Jenny said and threw a stuffed flower pillow at the computer, completely missing and hitting the wall behind it. Maddy grinned at Autumn watched her face turn white as she said,
"Yeah I know, I mean, I hope my parents won't do that. The girls both leaned over to look at Jenny, waiting for her response, or to see if she even caught it.
"Oh I don't think they would, I think if you told your parents they'd just be mad for awhile but it'd blow over. Seeing the absolutely dumbfounded look on both of the girl's faces, Jenny continued, "Well, you guys are dating aren't you? I mean, I've always figured, but I thought it'd be rude to just come out and ask. If you're not, I meant no offense. Autumn and Maddy just stared at her for a minute or so before Autumn opened her mouth.
"Well, uh, yeah, we are. That's what we were going to tell you tonight, but it seems you've jumped the gun. Either that or we're just not as subtle as we thought. she said and smiled nervously at Jenny.
"Oh no, don't worry you guys, I think I was the only one that caught on. You should see the way you guys look at each other. It's cute but kind of makes me want to vomit, but I'm just bitter. Good for you. So, I'm guessing from that comment that your parents don't know?
"Nope, we are going to tell them though, Maddy said and looked at Autumn. "We just figured that we'd take a little test run, you know, tell you first and see how you reacted. If our parents act half that civilized I'll call it a miracle. Tomorrow we plan on giving them the letters we wrote, explaining everything. I hope everything goes over better than I'm thinking it's going to.
"You know parents -- they're stupid. They'll be in shock at first, the whole 'Oh my God, how could this happen to me?' But once they realize that it's not about them, and that it's about their daughters, they'll hopefully see the light. Then again, maybe not, maybe they'll kick you out and you'll die on the streets. Jenny said and smiled at them.
"Thanks Jenny, you always know how to cheer us up, and then tear us right back down, Maddy said sarcastically, and Autumn laughed in agreement. Maddy moved over and patted the area right next to her on the bean bag. Autumn moved in and settled under Maddy's arm. Jenny made a kissing face, and both the girls stuck their tongues out at her and laughed.
"Hey, do you think we could stay over tomorrow night? We'll go home, drop the letters off in an obvious spot, and then stay the night here while our parents freak out. That way they have our space, and we can spend our - perhaps - final night together, Autumn said in a solemn voice with a somber expression on her face. Maddy looked surprised at the way her girlfriend took charge and came up with the plan that she'd been searching for all day.
"Shut up Autumn. You'll be fine little Miss Drama Queen. Of course you can stay here. That's an excellent idea; I'm surprised Maddy didn't come up with it first, Jenny said jokingly and dodged another flying stuffed flower, this time coming from Maddy.
* * *
"Hey, Mom? Yeah, it's me. I'm going to stay at Autumn's house tonight, alright? Yeah I'll be home tomorrow. Yes, Mom. Yes, it's fine with Mrs. Nickle. Yes. No. No, Mom, no boys, Maddy said as she glanced over at Autumn and suppressed a giggle, "I'll call you tomorrow, bye. she said, and hung up the phone. She jumped on Jenny's bed and said, "Well, ladies, I'm off to sleep, wake me in the morning, and I expect breakfast in bed. Autumn laughed at her and said,
"You wish. Now get up. We're going to watch Rocky Horror Picture Show and completely forget about the letters and everything. You sit and enjoy it or I'll bite you, Autumn threatened.
"Kinky! Maddy said and smiled at Autumn. Autumn gave her a look that said 'you wish.' Jenny looked at both of them and said,
"Let's keep it PG guys, now watch the movie. Singing transvestites, I don't think it gets any better than that. I'm serious.
The girls sat together on the floor and watched the movie to get the letters out of their minds for at least one night. When the movie was over, Autumn turned to ask Jenny where they should sleep, but found her sleeping. The girls got up quietly and covered her with a blanket. They both climbed into Jenny's bed and held each other until they were both asleep. Before they winked off, Maddy whispered in Autumn's ear,
"Everything's going to be fine, you know that right? You've always got me.
"Mmhmm¦I love you Maddy. Autumn whispered back.
"I love you too. said Maddy, and looked over at Autumn to find her fast asleep. She closed her eyes and cleared her mind of everything except for the fact that the only person she'd ever need was laying in her arms. She knew that no matter how their parents reacted that they'd be all right. Hopefully.
* * *
In the morning, the sun shone through the window and fell across Autumn's face, waking her up. She looked over at Maddy to see her still sleeping. Autumn sat up and brushed the hair out of her face. She got up and walked down the hallway to Jenny's shower, being careful not to make too much noise. Her stomach was twisting and turning as she wondered about what her parents were doing right now. Crying? Yelling? She didn't want to think about it, yet she couldn't stop her mind from wandering.
Maddy heard the shower and woke up to find the sun in her eyes as well. She winced and shut her eyes. She waited until she heard the shower shut off, and Autumn walking down the hallway until she opened her eyes again. Autumn tip-toed into Jenny's room and closed the door behind her. She turned around and jumped when she saw Maddy smiling at her.
"G'morning sleepy head. She whispered and came over to sit on the edge of the bed. "How'd you sleep?
"Good I guess, but now I think my stomach is eating itself, but whatever, Maddy said and sighed quietly. Autumn rubbed her back and kissed Maddy on the top of the head.
"Since when am I supposed to be the reassuring one? Things will be alright, I promise, maybe not right away, but eventually, Autumn said.
Hours later, after Jenny got up and they ate breakfast, the girls decided that it was time to head home. They thanked Jenny and both gave her a hug. She wished them good luck and watched them walk away, fingers intertwined. Autumn and walked Maddy up to her door and stayed with her as she knocked on the door. To her surprise, her parents and Maddy's met them at the door. All of their faces held the expression of grieving parents.
"Hi girls, Maddy's mom said. "We're not ready to talk about this quite yet. she said, and closed the door quietly. Autumn and Maddy looked at each other in awe. Even though they had pictured something like this happening, the realization of it still hit hard. Maddy reached over and wiped a tear off of Autumn's cheek.
"What do we do now? Autumn asked her, trying to hold back her tears.
"Well, there's nothing we really can do. It is an awfully nice day out though. Maybe the last nice one of the year. Want to go to the park and hang out there for awhile? Maddy asked, and smiled at Autumn. She nodded and the two girls set off to the park. Upon reaching the park, they both sat down on their bench and held each other in silence. Around an hour later, Maddy jumped when her cell phone vibrated in her pocket.
"Hello? she answered and heard her mother reply.
"Hi sweetie, I'm really sorry about what happened before. We're all just in shock, I mean, lesbian? Honey, are you sure? she said. The word lesbian came out sounding like poison.
"Yeah Mom, I'm sure. We're sure. she added.
"Well, I guess the best thing to do is talk about it. You're my daughter and I love you. I know we can get through this. Why don't you and Autumn both come back home and we can all talk together? she asked, obviously straining to sound collected.
"Yeah, sure Mom. We'll be over in a few minutes. K, bye. she snapped her phone shut and stuck it back in her pocket.
"They want to talk. Maddy said, and waited for Autumn's reaction.
"Well I guess there's not much else we can do. At least they want to hear what we have to say. I love you, Maddy. You know that, right? Autumn told her.
"Yeah I do, I love you too, Autumn. The two girls walked off to Maddy's house, not knowing what was going to happen next, but at the same time, they were excited. Excited for what was to come next, because the closet is an awful place to die, and they'd at least managed to get out before it was too late. Besides, all you really need is love, and Autumn loved Maddy and their families loved them, no matter what the circumstance.