The Beginning of the End

Anna sat at the dinner table, feeling a sense of foreboding creep up on her. Tonight, she had to tell them. She couldn't hide any longer. She looked across the table at Christopher. He smiled at her, and in that smile was all the encouragement she needed.

She took a deep breath, and spoke. "Mom, Dad, there's something I need to tell you."

Caitlin Taylor nodded. "Go on Andrew."

"I'm transgender. I'm a girl, and my name is Anna. I learned about this 4 years ago, and I've needed to tell you ever since. This is who I am. I am your blood, who you raised to be a man. I am not a man though. It's not the 15th century anymore. You have to accept queer people, now. Your daughter is one."

Caitlin dropped her napkin onto the ground. Her face was an mask of horror. William Taylor, on the other hand, rose to his feet. "You will not utter that word in this house ever again. I have no daughter. I have two sons, one of which has been corrupted by the filth that is spreading through the world. You will stay in your room, without any devices that will spread more of this trash into your mind. Go now, Andrew."

Anna fled from the room, tears blurring her eyes. But she stopped in the kitchen. She made her way to one of the drawers. And she took out a knife. She raced up the stairs, the knife hidden in her pocket. And when she reached her room, she began to pray. She prayed to whoever was up there, God, or Allah, or whoever. And then she opened the door. And crossed the point of no return.