Once I had woken up, I couldn't got back to sleep. Not with Kathryn Howard in my bed. But not only that, this was only a twin size bed, so we were really close. I watch in silence as the woman inhales before exhaling. Her lips part slightly when she breathes out. I smile and use my index finger to poke her bottom lip. I bite down on my own as I lean in closer.

Before I could kiss her, I pull away. What the hell was I doing? I shake my head and force myself from the bed. I head out the room, smelling food. I smile and go towards the kitchen, surprised to see my mother there instead of my dad. I didn't want to stay and make things awkward so early in the morning but the moment I turned on my heel she spots me.

"Casey dear, come eat. Will your friend be joining us?"

I shake my head and take a seat at the table. My mom had been acting weird all week and I didn't know why. But the question was did I want to know? Honestly, I didn't. She set a plate of food down in front of me then sat across from me with her own plate.

I clench my jaw and eye her cautiously before eating.

"Isn't that woman your next door neighbor?" she questions with a mouth full of toast. I roll my eyes, "Yeah, what about it?"

Her brown eyes meet mine. She searches mine before glancing down to her food. "She's pretty." Okay, she was acting really strange. I don't say anything as I stuff eggs into my mouth. The tension from many years of religious abuse was beginning to suffocate me. I wanted nothing more than to take my food in my room.

My knee bounces up and down as I force my eyes away from my mother. "Do you like her?"

"What does it matter to you? Aren't you just going to tell me that I'm going to hell like you always do?" I spit. I bite down on my tongue feeling slightly bad for the way I snapped at her. But I was done with her bullshit. I'd taken it for years, if she wasn't going to accept me then what was the point?

She eyes me sadly and sets down her silverware. "No, I was going to say... I think she likes you too. I can see it in her eyes."

I'm taken back by her answer. So much so I nearly choke on my food. I swallow harshly and glance around before my eyes land on her. "What?" She smiles and wipes her lips, "I.. When I visited the last time your words seemed to hit harder. I didn't know that I was being such a bad mother. I thought that because the bible is God's word that you should follow it. I didn't care about your happiness and that put a damper on our relationship and caused you to see religion differently."

What was happening?

"I know apologizing isn't going to take back the last few years but I figured I should start somewhere. Casey, I support you and your decisions and I want you to be happy. I support you if you like women. I support you if you don't. I support you if you want to change genders, even though that's a bit much for me to handle. I want to be back in your life as your mother not some woman you knew. Casey I love you."

Hot tears were running down my face as I listened to her words. There were so many emotions running through my mind as I eye the woman in front of me. I didn't know if I should be happy or sad or mad that it took her so long to say this.

She stood from her chair with a wide smile. I watched as she stopped next to me, her thumbs wiping away my tears. I could see it in her eyes that she meant every word she said. Without much thought my arms wrap around her as I let go of all the pain and trauma I experienced. "Yeah hun, let it all out. Mama's here now."

I glance back once more at the sleeping girl. I can't help but to smile. I close the door behind me and head towards the front door. Once I'm outside, the cool breeze hits my face waking me up a bit. I close the door and sit on the pavement. My mind was all over the place.

Eventually I was going to have to go home. And eventually I was going to have to face Rai. But I didn't even want to see him. I didn't want to be near him. I hug my knees to my chest, remembering the last encounter I had with him. I didn't think he was that kind of man. I frown. And if I go to the police or even the principal about it, I'm sure he'll tell them about my relationship with Casey.

I groan. What proof could I give them that he was the one who attacked me anyways? They won't believe me. I'll just practically be a sitting duck until he comes back for more. But how was I certain that I'd be able to shine light on his actions?

Would Casey help me testify against him? I shake my head, Casey wasn't even there. She only saw the aftermath. I frown remembering the couple who helped me that night. But there wasn't a 100% chance I'd see them again. Too much was going through my head. I rest my head down on my knees.

I was more than grateful, I remembered that Casey's dad lives here. And I was more than grateful to Casey. I let out a breath, feeling my cold fingers rub against my skin. I guess I should go back in the house, it's getting colder.

I stand from my spot and head inside, my eyes meeting with Casey's mother. I clench my jaw and close the door. Her attention was on me now. I cringe slightly as I offer a small smile, "S-sorry. I was just getting a breather. I-I'll head back to Casey's room."

"No, wait. Let's talk. Would you like a turkey sandwich?"

I eye the woman for a few seconds, "Yes please."

I take a seat at the table and watch as she fixes two plates. I sit awkwardly. What could she possibly want to talk about? And why was she up at this hour? Was she also having a hard time sleeping? She approaches the table with a kind smile. She sets one plate down in front of me. I thank her before digging in and immediately falling in love.

"So, how exactly do you know Casey? I remember seeing you in her apartment complex."

I glance at the older woman, "I'm her neighbor..." I hesitated on giving her further information. Do I tell her I'm also a teacher from her school? I debate silently in my head before rejecting that idea. She'd practically tell me I was taking advantage of her daughter.

She takes a bite of her sandwich before glancing at me. "You like her, don't you?" she questions rather confidently. I clear my throat. I nod my head, not wanting my voice to betray me. I couldn't lie and say I wasn't a bit scared of the woman in front of me. The information from Casey, told me enough.

The woman stays silent for a few seconds longer. Her brown eyes meet mine. "I don't like the idea of you and my daughter together" she starts.

I set my sandwich down. Was this the kind of talk she wanted right now? "I don't want to sound rude but, what happens between Casey and I are not much of your concern. She's 18 and I believe at that age you have no say so in her love life."

"How old are you?"

I choke on my saliva. "I'll be 26 next month." She nods her head. "And you think it's okay to be with someone 8 years younger than you?"

I frown at her statement. "Our age difference doesn't matter. What matters is that your daughter is happy." The woman snorts, "And you think you can do that and not some boy?"

"I absolutely believe I can make her happy. And I know for a fact no boy could ever put the smiles I've seen from her on her face. Why is it so hard for you to get that through your thick skull? Casey is a lesbian."

"You think I'm not trying?" the woman yells, startling me. I scoff at her question, "It sure as hell doesn't look like you're trying. You trying would be to have love and support for her. Casey's depressed because her own mother who birthed her can't love her for who she is. All Casey ever wanted from you was love and support and you constantly put her down with your religion. You're severing your relationship with her by doing that."

The woman opens her mouth to say something but I stop her. "I've seen this so many times in my life. Mothers or fathers who can't except their children. You know what happens? The child pushes them away and no longer sees them as their parent or the child becomes so depressed they commit suicide or become someone they're not. Casey still has hope for you. She's been giving you the benefit of doubt since she came out to you."

The woman was crying at this point. I sigh and place my hand over hers, "Look... I'm not saying you're perfect and no one makes mistakes but at some point you've got to learn from them. Stop pushing your beliefs onto her because that's only going to make her turn away from your god. Support her and love her. That's all a child wants from their parents. Please don't make Casey suffer any longer."

I finish my sandwich and head towards Casey's room. I stop in my tracks as I spot her father in the hallway. I eye him and smile before heading into her room. I close the door and place my head against the door. What the hell did I just do? I ignore my thoughts and get back into the small bed with Casey. My eyes roam over her beautiful face before I find my lips on hers.

It causes her to stir awake. I move back a little and lay my head down, watching her. She first yawns and rubs her eyes. She glances at me, a bit taken back when she finds my eyes on her. "Did I wake you?" she questions.

I shake my head and move further into her body. I don't say anything else as I close my eyes allowing myself to finally go back to sleep. I just wanted to stay here forever.