My Only Exception (gxg)

Part 25

Afterwards, there was going to be food at her father and stepmother's home. I drove Poppy and I are. It was a large, single home. The indoor had a very cozy yet luxurious feel.

"I'll give my stepmother something, she has a great eye for design," Poppy said to me when I admired the home.

Poppy and I grabbed a bit of food, and she asked me, "Can we go up to my old bedroom? It's now an office for my stepmother, there's a couch."

"Of course."

Poppy and I went up to her stepmom's office, and she closed the door most of the way.

"I just needed to be alone," Poppy said, sitting down on the plush gray couch, "Well, alone with you."

I sat down next to Poppy, "I understand, all the people in the house must be overwhelming."

Poppy nodded, and she then asked me, "When did you know that you were gay?"

"Since I was 12, maybe? I just couldn't picture anything in my life with a man, even back then. When I thought about my future, I always pictured that with a woman. That's what felt right. Now being 23, you next to me is what feels right."

Poppy nodded, "I asked because I was actually very similar. I've known since I was 13, and I had the same rationale as you. When I thought about my life, the good at the bad times like this, I always pictured it with a woman. And being next to you right now feels more right than anything."

I leaned over and gave Poppy a gentle kiss on the cheek, "I'm here for you through all the good and the bad."

Poppy smiled at me softly and then said, "You know, my dad actually had a bit of a hard time accepting my sexuality at first. My mom was great about it, but my dad had some issues. He came around to accept it pretty quickly though, and I am so glad that he got to meet you before he passed away."

Poppy's eyes were teary as she looked at me, and I said to her, "It means the world to me that I got to meet him. I love you, Poppy."

A tear escaped as Poppy said, "I love you too, Delilah."

I stayed with Poppy at her apartment that night after the funeral, and the next morning when I got home, my mom was about to go to work.

"Hi sweetie," she said to me, "How is Poppy doing?"

"As okay as she can be," I said, "The service for her dad was beautiful. I just feel terrible for her and her family, of course."

"All you can do is be there for her," my mom smiled at me gently. She then said, "I wanted to tell you something."

"What's up?"

"I've been seeing someone. It's only been about a month and a half, but some of the times when I've gone out it's been with him. His name is Isaac, and I'm thinking maybe you can meet him soon."

Immediately, I felt nervous.

Is this someone that my mom can just drink with?

I decided to state my nerves, "Mom...is this just a drinking buddy?"

"No, not at all. I really like him," my mom said calmly. She then looked down and said, "I've been thinking a lot about what you said...the night that you got upset at me and I stayed home with you. I'm going to try and cut back on my drinking. Significantly. I don't want my life, or anyone else's, to be cut short because of my actions."

I was stunned. I'd never heard my mom say something like this before, that she was going to even cut back on drinking. Would I like her to try and quit altogether? Of course. But this was a step.

I looked at my mom, "You have no idea how much that means to me. I know you can do it."

My mom smiled at me, "Isaac doesn't drink all that much, so he won't be tempting me to do so. I want to try and turn my life around. Maybe one day I can stop for good."

"I'm here for you, mom," I said to her, "Whatever you need."

"Thank you, sweetheart."

For once, I felt hopeful when it came to my mom and her health.

I spent the day with Penelope, as well as practicing guitar. It was a Friday, and I didn't work until Sunday. I got a call from Emily at around 6 PM. I was at my house alone, my mom had gone out with Isaac, and Poppy was with her mom and younger sister.

I answered, "Hey, Em. How's it going?"

I was in the kitchen, making myself some spaghetti for dinner.

"I'm okay, I had a pretty long day at work. Glad it's the weekend."

"Same," I said back, "So...what's up?"

"I've been thinking about everything we talked about with you and Poppy."

My heart started to race, "Okay. What are your thoughts?"

"I don't think that I can be your friend anymore."'

Hearing those words from Emily felt like an absolute punch to the gut.

I knew I deserved it, but hearing it was different.

I wasn't going to beg her to be my friend. I created this mess for myself.

"I understand," I said to Emily.

"It kills me to say that," Emily continued, "You're my best friend in the entire world. You have been for close to 10 years. But right now, I'm having an extremely hard time getting past everything, especially now that you got back together with Poppy. Listen, I'm not saying that we will never be friends again. But for right now, I need space."

"Then I'll give you space. I understand. I lied to you for months, which is something I still feel absolutely horrible about."

"I know you do, Delilah."

There was silence for a moment, and then Emily said, "I wish you and Poppy the best of luck."

"Thank you."

"You're going to need it," Emily added.

Those words from Emily seemingly threw out the sincerity of the entire conversation we just had.

"You know, you really didn't have to say that," I responded, "I know Poppy hurt you badly. But I'm not going to take you basically insulting her."

"And this is exactly why we can't be friends right now."

I sighed, "Alright, Em. I'm going to go. You take care of yourself."

I swore I heard Emily's voice waver as she said back, "You too, Delilah."

I didn't want to hang up the phone, but I did.

It felt like the end of an era, but I knew that at least at the moment, it was the right thing.

After all, it was my doing.

And I just had to accept that.