Coming Out Short Stories
Author: Rainbow Story Hub
We welcome your story of Coming Out in a short story format of 300 – 700 words. You can submit your story using the Expression of Interest form on our Contribute Your Story page. You can also attach one or two photos using the form which will be added to your story. These do not qualify for any honorariums at this time.
My Girlfriend Told Me
You get shoved in enough lockers, had names and spit wads thrown at you. I already knew.
She said “You will be old, grey and alone!” I’d have to get married, have kids. Be safe. The safe part I got. Neighbors, farm boys, felt that way about each other. Their families found out. They both ended up killing themselves.
Another girl wouldn’t walk Grad with me “Where’s your tux?” Her daddy bought her dress. I paid for my new suit. I walked the runway by myself. She refused to. Down the auditorium I went out the front door. Skipping Prom, I went to the club. That night I had a boyfriend. Next morning his mother looked at me. Nice clothes, car parked behind the house. She asked, “You have a job?” I learned to get along with mom. Later Moms. We broke up by Halloween.
I had other friends in the city by then. When I finally moved out of the house Dad said “Don’t embarrass yourself. Don’t embarrass the family.” Yes Sir!
Double life. Making it work, a shift at the bar on the eve, home the next day, family gathering. Take flowers with you when you visit Grandma. Once she brought out the checkbook “I will pay for Seminary college” I’m sorry Ma’am I haven’t heard the calling. That book closed and we never discussed it again.
I was pretty, naive, I was popular. Lucky! During the AIDS crisis I went to 13 funerals in one year. At one the Priest called down from the pulpit “He is going to Hell!” The mother collapsed in the pew from shock and grief. I can still hear my friend next to me under his breath”Good god.”
Got another boyfriend this time leave the province. You Know? Wherever you go there you are.
I’ve had time since to think about it. Older, yes. Greying, naturally. Alone by choice or by chance? Lucky, certainly, to have a family to come home to. They do too. We don’t talk about it or I didn’t?
Mark Neiman
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