Page 25 of In Too Deep

“It’s not a big deal,” Kris said with a smile. “They’ll come around someday.”

“I wouldn’t hold my breath,” Izzy said. “Still, I’m a little surprised your folks seemed so open to the idea of our relationship. I really expected them to be even more resistant than my folks.”

Kris just nodded and concentrated on the road. The truth was, her parents had not been open to the idea of having a gay daughter when she finally told them the truth nearly two years after coming out to Izzy. But she had chipped away at their resistance, first by convincing her mom it wasn’t the end of the world having a gay daughter. Then she and her mom teamed up on her dad and he slowly, grudgingly, came around. He didn’t exactly give her his blessing and he said that he wished she was “normal”, but he agreed that if she was happy that was all that mattered. Now, her parents would meet the woman who was the source that happiness.

* * *

Kris was a little surprised to see her folks sitting on the front porch as she pulled up the farm’s long drive. Her mom’s hand went up and she waved excitedly. Her dad got to his feet and followed her mom down the steps to wait while they parked.

Kris found her breathing coming in short bursts. Her fingers tightened around the wheel. She did her best to put on a brave front for Izzy, who was smiling and waving and acting like she wasn’t nervous at all.

“Hello, baby,” he mom said, giving her a big hug.

“Hi, mom,” Kris said with a nervous smile. She turned to her father. They looked at each other for a second, then he opened his arms and she fell into them. Despite the past and everything that had happened, she was a daddy’s girl and his acceptance meant the world to her.

Izzy was waiting by the car with a smile on her face. Kris cleared her throat and gestured her forward. “Mom, dad, this is Isadora.” She looked at her girlfriend’s blue eyes and smiled.

“Call me Izzy.”

Kris’ mother had tears in her eyes. For a moment Kris worried that the weekend was about to turn into a crying fest, but her mother surprised her by throwing her arms around Izzy’s neck and pulling her in for a tight embrace.

“I’m so happy to finally meet you, Izzy,” her mother said. She held Izzy at arm’s length and gave her a nod. “And thank you for making my baby girl so happy.”

Izzy’s eyes were rimmed with tears. “I think you’re giving me too much credit, Mrs. Price.”

“That’s not what I hear,” Kris’ dad said, stepping forward. He gave Izzy an awkward hug and they both laughed. Everyone seemed to relax, including Kris’ dad.

He said, “Well, y’all come on inside. Mama’s got a heck of a meal waiting for y’all.”

CHAPTER NINE

“Does your mom always cook that much?” Izzy asked with a heavy sigh. She took Kris’ hand and they walked across the backyard to the swing set that had been there since Kris was a little girl. They each took a swing and sat swaying with the cool breeze.

“That’s what my mom would call a light meal,” Kris said. She let her eyes go around the place. The old house was the same as it was when her grandfather built it eighty years ago.

The farmhouse was surrounded my rolling pastures and crop fields. The sun was as blue as Izzy’s eyes and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Kris sighed, suddenly realizing that for the first time in her life, the place truly felt like home.

Kris felt as if she and Izzy had new wind under their sails. Being able to sit in the sun together, to have acceptance and validation from those Kris held dearest meant everything to her. She’d always known that she’d spend the rest of her life with Izzy, and now she had absolutely no fear of what that future would look like.

Empowered by that thought, Kris said, “I want a house and a dog and a kid.”

Izzy twisted sideways in the swing and grinned. “What kind of dog? And what kind of kid? Boy or girl?”

“I’m flexible,” Kris said with a smile. “All I know is that I want all of those things, and I want them with you.”

A loving smile came to Izzy’s lips. “I’d like that.”

They sat on the swings until the sun started to set, then went inside for a slice of mom’s apple pie. As they sat at the table with Kris’ mom and dad, everyone laughing and having a great time, a newfound feeling of peace settled over them all.

Kris loved the three people at this table more than anything. She was finally happy in a way that she never imagined possible. And judging by Izzy’s face, she felt the same.

THE END

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