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Flash Fiction Friday – Coming Out

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Hugh W. Roberts

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July 11, 2023, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a loving relationship with an adult child. What happens when a significant child in one’s life becomes an adult? Think beyond a son or daughter — a niece or nephew, a former student, a grandchild. How did the relationship shift? What is the importance of the new dynamic? Go where the prompt leads! See July 11: Story Challenge in 99-words for more details.

Coming Out – by Hugh W. Roberts

“Gran, I’m gay.”

“I’m so glad you’re here. I was worried something was wrong,” came the reply.

We hugged. We’d been through so much together.

“There’s nothing wrong with me being gay, right, Gran?”

She shook her head.

“I love you, Gran.”

“I love you too, Bill.”

We hugged again before I went to my room.

I was finally ready to start living my life openly and honestly. And I knew I had my Grandmother’s love and support to help me along the way.

Although I was tired, I was also happy. I knew that I was finally home.

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.

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31 responses to “Flash Fiction Friday – Coming Out”

  1. Did You Miss Any Of These Blog Posts Published on Hugh's Views And News? - July 2023. avatar
    Did You Miss Any Of These Blog Posts Published on Hugh's Views And News? – July 2023.

    […] Flash Fiction Friday – Coming Out […]

    Reply
  2. Parents of Adult Children Collection « Carrot Ranch Literary Community avatar
    Parents of Adult Children Collection « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

    […] Coming Out by Hugh W. Roberts […]

    Reply
  3. Jennie avatar
    Jennie

    Nice! Grandmothers are far more understanding, wiser, and caring than parents.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Although some parents are also very understanding. My mum was great when I came out.

      Reply
      1. Jennie avatar
        Jennie

        I wish all mums were like your mum, Hugh.

        Reply
        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
          Hugh W. Roberts

          And we mustn’t forget the dad’s too.

          Reply
          1. Jennie avatar
            Jennie

            Yes, we mustn’t! Interestingly, our mother was the strong one (and kind) and it was easy/easier for my brother to come out to her. Our dad was the kindest and most understanding soul on earth. My brother never was able to come out to him. Apologies for the ramble!

            Reply
            1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
              Hugh W. Roberts

              Not at all, Jennie. I enjoy and welcome discussion on the subjects of my posts.
              I get why your brother was afraid to tell your father. My father refused to have anything to do with me for over 30 years after I came out to him. However, every person is different in how they handle things. These days it’s easier to come out and many people won;’t have any problems with a son or daughter coming out. However, in some countries it’s still illegal to be gay. However, there is still a lot of work to be done.

            2. Jennie avatar
              Jennie

              Yes on all counts, Hugh!

  4. Norah avatar
    Norah

    I love ‘your’ Gran. She’s just what a gran should be – loving and wise.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thanks, Norah. I was very lucky to have a gran like this. Unfortunately my other Gran had already died before I was born. I have some wonderful photos of her, though.

      Reply
      1. Norah avatar
        Norah

        You were very fortunate, Hugh. Grandparents are treasures.

        Reply
  5. Eugi avatar
    Eugi

    We need more Grans in the world, Hugh.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      We do.Thanks, Eugi.

      Reply
      1. Eugi avatar
        Eugi

        Most welcome, Hugh.

        Reply
  6. Colleen M. Chesebro avatar
    Colleen M. Chesebro

    Those grandma’s, Hugh… they all believe in us and love us unconditionally! 💜

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Yes, I agree, Colleen. I wish they were around for us for ever.

      Reply
      1. Colleen M. Chesebro avatar
        Colleen M. Chesebro

        Me too, Hugh. My grandma was the best. I don’t think I ever told her that enough.

        Reply
        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
          Hugh W. Roberts

          That’s why we should also tell people while they are still with us, Colleen. My last surviving aunt always said ‘don’t bring me flowers when I am dead, bring me flowers while I’m alive.’

          Reply
          1. Colleen M. Chesebro avatar
            Colleen M. Chesebro

            Very true, Hugh. 💜

            Reply
  7. Cathy avatar
    Cathy

    More people should be like Gran.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Agreed, Cathy.

      Reply
  8. willowdot21 avatar
    willowdot21

    A great post Hugh 💜💜

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thanks, Willow.

      Reply
  9. Brenda avatar
    Brenda

    Lovely Hugh. Kind of resonates with my nephew who was so worried about how I’d react when he told me – and was so shocked and happy to discover it wasn’t an issue. I’m not sure what impression I’d given him to cause him to be so worried.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      I can understand why your nephew was hesitant to come out to you, Brenda. Even though times have changed a lot, some of the scars from my past when I came out still haunt me and I find myself hesitating before answering the questions ‘are you married?’ or ‘who was that man I saw you with?’
      Good to hear that he did tell you, though.

      Reply
      1. Brenda avatar
        Brenda

        I agree. ❤️

        Reply
  10. Dan Antion avatar
    Dan Antion

    Not knowing what that reaction would be, making that statement has to be difficult.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      It’s one of the hardest things I’ve had to do, Dan. But I didn’t want to live my life as a lie. I think it’s easier to ‘come out’ these days, but it’s still such a shame that some people have a problem with other people being different from them.

      Reply
      1. Dan Antion avatar
        Dan Antion

        It was much harder in the past. I had a gay friend in the 70s who committed suicide. It saddens me to know that there still might be people considering that, 50 years later.

        Reply
        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
          Hugh W. Roberts

          I’m so sorry to hear about your friend, Dan. It’s awful to think that even today, people consider suicide for being gay. And it’s also awful to think that in some counties being gay is a crime with the death penalty. So much work still to be done.

          Reply

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