Page 45 - Fallen Thoughts

graduated high school. Teri had been lucky enough for her family to make an

attempt to unlearn their beliefs that people who were not straight were dirty and

"needed saving". Renae's family wasn't as accepting, they didn't go as far as to

kicking her out but the relationship between her parents and herself became

strained. Both girls learned to be more open with their relationship after they

moved away from their heteronormative families.

"Teri?" The soft voice of her girlfriend broke Teri's nostalgic trance.

Instead of answering the question Teri smiled and spoke, "I love you."

Renae's face flushed on top of her already pink cheeks and sputtered out, "I

love you too, Ter."

Teri slowly stood up, careful not to slip again before pulling Renae into a

standing position as well. They linked arms as they began to move once more;

making it to the grocery store without any other major mishaps (although Teri did

shout out a curse when she almost fell backward on another sheet of hidden ice).

Renae shivered in the warm air of the store and waited for Teri to return to

her side with a small grocery basket to put their candy in. The two girls took their

time, definitely not eager to return to the cold outdoors. Teri picked up a few

apples, some strawberries and a bag of carrots for good measure. She reached for a

bagged salad as she reasoned to herself they could prepare to keep from going into

a sugar coma. Teri noticed a tall man, perhaps thirty, with a cold face staring at

her. Well, not her, exactly. The man seemed more interested in Teri's arm being

held closely by Renae. This wasn't uncommon but Teri quietly pointed him out to

Renae as was a habit for both girls. They had spent far too many dates actively
avoiding people who hated them for who they loved.

It was lucky it didn’t happen every time they went out, but it was Teri’s
theory that they traded quantity for quality. Just last month, at a dinner for their

sixth anniversary which both girls saved their money for to be able to go to a