Pierre resented his parents for never acknowledging he was gay.
He’d played with dolls as a child – pretty ones with golden hair.
Worn Mum’s panties at sixteen – she’d caught him.
He told his dad he wanted to own a flower shop,
not a car repair shop. “Buck up! Be a man!” His father shouted.
But wasn’t he still a man? Wasn’t he?
Tonight was the night.
Best china, caviar, steak, wine . . .
and an introduction to Luke. Dear Luke.
He’d get the worst of it – shouting, crying, damnation.
And that would be before Pierre told Mum and Dad he was dying of Aids.
Up From the Ashes 
Now that’s what you call a double-whammy! Oh dear, those parents will be totally devastated. What an unusual take on the prompt. Well done. (Were you having trouble with the linky thing as well today?)
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Thanks, Sandra. This poor fellow looks so forlorn, although the table is quite festive. The linky thing was very small – no little frog, but I had no trouble getting in. Inlinkz is sometimes a challenge, isn’t it? But it always comes through in the end. Have a great day. Alicia
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When parents have their world turned around.. I wonder if they will be able to choose between their love of a son or principles.. a great story captured.
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Thanks, Bjorn. I hope they support Pierre. People don’t have a chose when it comes to being gay – people do have a chose when it comes to acceptance. Thanks for reading.
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Not a night I envy. I, too, hope their love sees them through and brings them back together as a family.
janet
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Fingers crossed. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment, Janet.
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Wow that’s going to be a hell of a night.
Claire
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Yeh, I don’t think pretty plates and good food are going to make it any easier. Thanks for reading, Claire, and again – loved the article about you.
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What a sucker punch story, I really felt it. Such a tragedy…
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That would be a sucker punch wouldn’t it? Glad you felt it (mentally, that is).
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I was also going to say sucker punched but it was used several times before me. It was a shock in the heart. 😦
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Thanks for reading and commenting – it would be a terrible shock, wouldn’t it?
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Yes! I had a friend years ago and she had two sons. They were both gay. I ran into the youngest one at the voting polls and he told me his older brother was dying with Aids. That was years ago, so he probably did die with it.
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Thanks for sharing. I had a friend who died of aids years and years ago. He was the sweetest man I’ve ever known (except for my husband, of course, Oh! and my dad – done with the list now)
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they must have thought that they failed as parents. but it wasn’t because they had a gay son. rather, it was because they failed to support and accept him for what he was.
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Good insight on that…. thanks, Alicia
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Sad tale, well-told, Alicia. But maybe he has longer than he thinks, if Dallas Buyer’s Club is to be believed. Many good lines in this piece: ” But wasn’t he still a man? Wasn’t he?”
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Oh! I’d forgotten about the Dallas Buyer’s Club – great movie. Thanks for reading.
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Such a rough life and then that bombshell at the end. I wonder if his parents will finally support him in the light of this news?
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I would hope so. Thanks for wondering.
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He’s fermented quite a lot of bitterness, and planned out his night’s two main punctuation marks.
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Mmmmm, another side of the story. Thanks for pointing it out.
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Powerful, poignant, and perfect. Big story in few words. Nice!
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Thanks!
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Dear Alicia,
They say love conquers all. I hope Pierre’s family is up for it. Beautifully told story that packs a powerful punch.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle, I hope so, too. Glad you stopped by! Alicia
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Dear Alicia,
Love is the answer and it is never more clearly illustrated than in your splendid story of love and (I wish) acceptance. So well done, Alicia.
(On a technical note, and only for your consideration… the last word perhaps ought to be capitalized or perhaps even all caps, indicating the disease/syndrome.)
Aloha,
Doug
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Noted and done. Thanks fof the suggestion, Doug, much appreciated. Glad you stopped by to read and leave such a lovely comment. Cheers.
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Ouch! What a kicker! Really well told. Great pace and extremely desperate. Loved it.
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Thanks so very much. This picture begs for a dark story, doesn’t it?
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A tragic story. How sad for many people who have to go through this kind of thing. You’ve given us his life story in a nutshelld, and shown the agony of his current situation. I hope his family surprises him.
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Yes! Wouldn’t that be the best? Thanks for reading my story and leaving a comment.
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A florist load of sadness here. Neighbours of ours have a similar story except it’s cancer (he’s only 19 and has ‘months’ to live), and the being gay wasn’t a problem for anyone involved, thank heaven.
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Cancer is a mean, mean disease. I just found out a friend of mine has a gay son – she sent his wedding picture in her Christmas card. Both young men looked over the moon happy. When I Facebooked her and told her that, she replied, “The only thing a parent wants is for her children to be happy.” Made me smile.
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Love the twist at the end. Such a tragically good story. I’m not sure his parents are up to accepting the news of his illness.
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Thanks, Lisa, I think his parents have their heads in the sand.
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As a parent of a lesbian daughter, I can honestly say they just need to get over it. A lot of gay people have committed suicide because of the lack of acceptance by those who should be showing unconditional love. Sure, I always dreamed my daughter would grow up, marry a nice young man, and I’d have a son-in-law to pal around with–but that didn’t happen. I certainly don’t love her any less. If she’s happy, what more could a parent ask for.
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I have no children, but would hope I’d do the same thing you have. Gay and lesbian people don’t choose to be gay or lesbian, they just are. Some of my best friends are gay and are a never ending treat. You are a wonderful man. Alicia
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For years I worked with lesbian woman who was like the sister I never had. We are still very close. I don’t understand how some people can think sexual orientation is a matter of choice. I guess if you’re closed minded you can disregard the facts and believe whatever suits your purpose.
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Sad but true. Some Native Americans held them in high regard – respected what they had to say.
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Wow. My heart breaks because Im sure similar stories have happened in real life.
What a wonderfully written sad piece.
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I do think this happens all too often. Thanks for reading and leaving such a lovely comment.
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My partner’s brother was gay and died of Aids. He fought for gay rights and affordable housing for people with Aids in Vancouver. The McLaren House was named after him. His family is very proud of him. Thanks for writing your story.
Lily
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Wow! That’s something to be proud of although it came from a sad situation. Thanks for sharing.
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Oh, so terribly sad, Alicia. Hopefully, his parents will surprise him with compassion. Nicely written story!
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I hope so! Thanks, and a good day to you.
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I’m glad Pierre has Luke in his life. These days, with good care, people with Aids can live many healthy and productive years. His parents may come around but, if not, it’s their loss. Difficult but well done piece.
Ellespeth
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All you have written is quite true from the possibility of extended life for Pierre to Mum and Dad coming around to their loss. Thank you for reading and commenting.
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Ouch. Caught me with that one – quite the dramatic turn at the end. Nicely written.
KT
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Thank you! I appreciate your comments.
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Very well told tale – it seems we both had smimlar ideas but I think yours is a much fuller story!
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We did have similar ideas. Yours, though, did a great job of showing how very difficult the parents will be -and always have been- to please..
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So painful. Pierre comes across as resigned but the anguish of what happened before is so clear. Beautifully told.
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Sad, but realistic and well-written story, Alicia. That was a real heartbreaking ending. There’s so much emotion in that story. It’s done so well. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks for reading and leaving such a kind reply. Alicia
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Dear Alicia, Your story is so moving and I hope the parents learn to accept what is and not what they want it to be. Excellent! Nan 🙂
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Thanks, Nan.
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