The Closet

NOTE: I began writing this a long time ago but never posted it up anywhere because it was my creative piece for my HSC and it was for the protection of copyright etc.etc.

They say everyone have skeletons in the closet, but I wonder what the future holds if my closet was to open and my skeletons see the light of day.

Parents say that they will love you no matter what you do, regardless of the stupid mistakes made along the way. They promise to stand by you, but those are mistakes. My closet, my Pandora’s box may test the limits to this theory.

This burden upon my shoulder pulses searing pain allowing it to ricochet off every crevice, every bone, vein in my body. Never ceasing to remind me of what I have kept secret for almost a decade. I guess it just shows the determination of my former eighteen-year-old self. But I don’t believe it was simply determination that kept me quiet, but the fear of being alone, the fear of being the odd one out, the fear of being lost without a guide. There is, however, one person who I’ve shared this burden with for the decade.

“Love, I’m heading down to Woolies. Need anything?”

I turn to see Luci, my beautiful girlfriend of ten years today, standing by the door. Dressed only in a Bond’s singlet, which skimmed over her gorgeous hourglass figure and a pair of boyshorts. She’s the only one I’ve trusted enough to open my closet to, to reveal what makes me me, my true identity. I shook my head and watched as she smiled cheekily before turning to leave.

As I cast my eyes towards the glowing monitor a wooden frame caught my gaze. Trapped inside the four wooden sides were my mother, father and brother, all smiling. So they say parents will love you no matter what, how about siblings? The questions of how they would react if my closet door were to be opened and my skeletons were to roam freely began to bubble in my mind once again.

RING!
The silvery tune of the doorbell pierced my thoughts, drawing me away. I slowly navigated my way through the box maze of our new apartment, our new home. Luci had wondered how I had so much to bring to our new home; I simply said to make it more homely. I guessed she wanted a new, fresh start. Perhaps that’s why she invited my family over for a house warming.

The wooden door let out an eerie creak as it opened to reveal an unlabelled cake box staring at me with a blank stare; a welcoming gift. I carefully picked up the box and found my way to the kitchen. I placed it gently on the bench, eager to find out what delicious surprise I was about to discover.

“Sweet, close your eyes I have a small surprise.”

Without hesitation I allow my eyelids to flutter shut; I watched as everything faded into a dark abyss. Luci’s supple hand slipped into mine.

“Follow me.”
My footstep falling into sync with hers.

As I took a peak, resting on in a small woven basket laid a small puppy. We had discussed getting a puppy, a child several times before, as we couldn’t have kids. We had even thought ahead and purchased an apartment that was pet friendly. We had even thought of a name, Digby.

“I love you.”
And with that she swept in and planted her soft lips against mine.

“What’s in the box?”

The distraction Luci and Digby served drew my thoughts completely away from the mysterious white box. A gentle tug and the lid popped free to reveal a chocolate cake with white cursive handwriting with a distinctive message punctured in.
‘Get out of town fags’

I slammed the lid shut, but it was too late. Luci had seen the message.
“I thought this was a nice neighbourhood.”

I took her into my arms.
“It’s alright. We’ll be alright.”

*

RING! RING!
With anger and fear pulsing through my veins, I approached the door with caution. As I opened the door a whisk of fresh air laced with a familiar fragrant pushed past me; the fragrant that reminded of home, of comfort, my mother. I opened just enough to peak through and it was who I feared most, my family. Their arrival prompted me to think of my dilemma once again, making the cake catastrophe seem like child’s play.

As I slowly lead them to the lounge room my head played multiple scenarios of how I would unveil this burden I’ve been carrying to my family. How I would introduce this girl who’s been in my life for so long to them. I’ve never brought her home to meet my family; this burden had always hindered my ability to do so.

“Mum, dad, Johnny…I need to talk to you.”

The seriousness in my voice washed the smiles from their faces and replaced it with curiosity, confusion and a dash of fear.

“This is my girlfriend Luci…”

My father dared not look me in the eyes. His lips formed the word ‘girlfriend’ before he found his booming loud voice again and announced it, his unexpected booming loud voice throwing everyone off balance. My mother’s eyes welled up in tears and kept asking the same question, why? My older brother, Johnny, all he could do was stare. The silence broken with one statement, “I don’t know you anymore Amelia“ and with that he left, the door severing the ties between brother and sister.

I guess I know what it’s like to have your skeletons walking by your side.