Chapter 40

Kevin and Andy arrived just almost dinner time. Andy again, begun to cry as she made her way to the main door.

Her mother, standing, longingly watched her, smiling and already crying as she spread her arms open telling her daughter to come for a hug.

Andy ran and closed their distance, crying.

She can't imagine how does her tears come flowing like a river when she'd been crying for days. Won't her eyes dried up?

"Shhhhh," Kate Lewis comforted her daughter while gently caressing the hair.

"Mother is sorry, okay? I love you baby." She continued.

Andy's cry got louder and she quivered under her mother's embrace.

[*********]

They were by the kitchen when Mr. Lewis arrived.

"Dad," Kevin hugged his father.

That's how they'd been taught on acknowledging a loved one's presence and as a sign of respect as well.

Mrs. Lewis gave him a kiss but Andy… she just stayed rooted on her ground.

She was fidgeting, unsure of what she's going to do. On normal terms, she would be the first to give her father a warm embrace but by then, she was hesitant.

Mr. Lewis glared at her daughter.

"Is this how you've come to know yourself; a disrespectful child?" He shouted.

His voice echoed around which made Andy to flinch and locked her gaze to the ground.

Kevin went to hold her mother. Comforting her to just let his father be.

"You're saying you are gay?" Mr. Lewis continued.

"What's next? A slut? A plague in society?"

"Andry!" Kate Lewis shouted pacifying her husband.

'That's too much.'

Andy on the other hand, burst into tears but held her ground.

"See that?" Mr. Lewis smirked.

"You're saying you now know yourself better, yet you crumble at my words when I didn't even live a second of your life!"

"Where is your resolve?!"

Andy looked up to her father, confusion plastered all over her face. Kevin begun to smile.

"People will judge you out there." Andry Lewis continued.

"They'll throw you hateful words worst than what I just said."

"So you have to be strong, be brave and be very courageous to live your life."

"I did not raise you to be weak and to be a coward."

"Stand your ground and never look down. Held your head up."

"Be brave enough to fly…fly like you'll never fall!"

"And know… know that I am your Dad."

Tears continually to flow from Andy's eyes. She tried to speak but no words came out.

Her throat throbbed.

Her chest tightened.

She stood rooted.

Mr. Lewis smiled, tears were forming around his eyes as he paced the remaining distance and hugged his dumbfounded daughter.

The girl slouched down as her strength left her. She let herself be held by his father's powerful arms. Just the strength she needed and burst to tears till her cry got hoarse.