Johnny: This is a pretty nice place.
Bonnie: Yep, it’s just the right size for me and Trinity. Close to everything and the rent’s not too bad. It’s nice not having a big house to keep up, but it does feel a bit lonely sometimes with just the two of us.
Johnny: I guess it’s the same with me and Chantal. Going from 5 people in one place to only two is a big difference. The quiet is almost eerie at times.
Johnny: Why are you looking at me like that?
Bonnie: It’s just…you’re a man now. You used to have the chubbiest little cheeks but now your face is all angular.
Johnny: I had to grow up sometime. But if it helps you feel any better, I’m still pretty immature.
Bonnie: [laughs] That does help. It’s already hard for me to believe that Destiny is a mom now. Even Trinity has a little boyfriend. My babies are growing up too fast. So what’s going on with you? Anyone special in your life?
Johnny: Uh, well, I did start seeing someone recently. She’s not really my girlfriend yet but we’ve been spending a lot of time together.
Bonnie: Oh, good! I wasn’t sure if you liked girls because of…well, you know.
Johnny: No, I don’t know. What do you mean?
Bonnie: Well, with your father and his whole…situation.
Johnny: You mean him being gay? It’s not contagious.
Bonnie: I just didn’t know. A father is a huge role model for his son. It’s easy to get influenced by certain things.
Johnny: That’s not how it works, Mom. Being gay isn’t a choice. Besides, what if I was? Is that really something you’re concerned about?
Bonnie: No! I don’t know. I guess it was just hard for me not being around and not having a say in how you were raised. I don’t really know your dad, you know. You pretty much shut me out once you started living with him.
Johnny: Well, he’s a great guy, Mom. You know, I think you got so used to selling the lie that Pops was the big villain in your story that you started to believe it. But you know that isn’t true, and I’m not falling for that bullshit. You know who the villain in my story is and how he got there.
Bonnie: I know, Johnny. I’m sorry, I–
Johnny: No, we’re not doing this again. Sorry is just a word. If you want to have a relationship with me again, I need you to realize a few things. First of all, I’m not listening to any criticism from you about Pops or Dad. They saved my life, which they wouldn’t have had to do if you hadn’t kept me from them for so long.
And second, I need you to own up to the fact that your ex-husband abused me, and that you didn’t believe me when I tried to talk to you about it. And I need you to do that without making excuses.
I don’t give a fuck if you were too high to know what was going on, or if Jimmy told you I was out of control and needed discipline or whatever. The bottom line is I was being hurt and you didn’t help me. So if you can do those two things for me, I might be willing to forgive you down the road. But if you can’t, I’m done. Full stop.
Bonnie: I can do that. I won’t say anything about your father again. You’re right, I was supposed to protect you and I didn’t. That’s on me.
Johnny: Okay. That’s a start. But this is going to take some time. I need you to understand that.
Bonnie: I do. I’m going to do better by you, baby. I promise.
Previous | Beginning of story | Beginning of chapter | Next