A Day in the Life --KAT

A Day in the Life1

The moonlight shone brightly off the surface of the lake. The nightlife was in full swing. Bullfrogs competed for best vocals, while the grasshoppers kept up a steady accompaniment. Flying predators flew low over the ground searching for easy prey. But not all was business as usual. The nocturnal creatures kept a wary eye on a lone figure sitting on the edge of the shimmering waters as they went about their nightly routine. He had been there for quite a while, unmoving. He gazed unseeing into the night as life went on around him.2

The peaceful night belied the storm raging inside the young man’s mind. He had stopped crying hours ago, but the tears had left him weak. His eyes were red and swollen, his hair and clothes disheveled. Wave after wave of self loathing and shame were crashing all around, threatening to drown him. 3

The nightmare of the day’s event played over and over in David’s mind. What had possessed him to tell? What made him think he would be understood? Did he think he could reveal his secret and nothing would change? He supposed he did. After all, a father’s love was supposed to be endless, right? If David had only known.4

The day began like any other. David got up, ate breakfast and went to school. He tried to ignore the usual remarks of “fag” and “homo”, words he had never even understood until just a few months ago. David doubted any of them knew his real name. Luck was with him this morning. The vicious taunts had not escalated into violence. David would not have to explain away new cuts and bruises when he got home. David’s classes were always a favorite part of his day. He was a good student and loved to learn, and no one dared say anything to him while a teacher was near.5

David passed Brian in the hall once and his heart gave a little flutter. He shared a couple of classes with him. Those hours were spent, not on studies, but forcibly keeping his eyes from straying in Brian’s direction. David hoped that Brian didn’t notice David’s increasing infatuation with him. It would be worse for David if he did. Brian was smart, funny and liked by everyone. His game winning touch down had given the school its tenth victory of the season and there was talk of a state championship. David could care less about football, but ever since Brian had transferred to his school, he found himself attending every game, always staying hidden in out of the way places. 6

David sat alone on the school bus as it carried him home in the afternoon. No one talked to him, but he didn’t mind. Today had been a good day. No one had bothered him beyond the early morning taunts. No one waited outside to bully him, and Brian had actually said hi to him at lunch time. Yes, today was a good day, until he got off the bus. They had followed him. 7

As the bus dropped him off at his corner and pulled away, four of them jumped out of a car. A feeling of fear and dread washed over David as the four quickly surrounded him. “Where you going, little fairy?” the ring leader sneered at him. 8

“Leave me alone,” David said weakly as he tried to push his way past.9

The boys pushed him roughly back into the middle of their circle. “You’re not going anywhere, twinky.”10

He was thrown to the ground then. David tried to cover up as best he could as blow after blow rained down on him. A vicious kick to the stomach knocked the wind out of him. Another opened up a cut over his right eye, splattering blood all over his face. His head swam as yet another blow struck him in the temple. Tears streamed down his face. The pain and humiliation was almost unbearable. Please, God, make it stop! Please make it stop!11

“Hey! Leave him alone!” David heard the pounding of sneakers on asphalt. His attackers fled and seconds later he was being hauled to his feet by a pair of strong hands. 12

Are you ok?” a familiar voice asked him. David looked up. Brian was looking at him with worry in his eyes. Two of his football buddies were with him looking like they couldn’t believe they were wasting time on someone so pathetic. David’s shoulders sagged and he dropped his eyes. Perfect. Could things possibly get any worse?13

“Are you ok?” Brian asked again. David nodded, wiping blood out of his eyes. Please, just go away. Brian bent down to pick up a book and handed it to him. “I think this is yours.” David accepted it without a word. He could hear the pity in Brian’s voice and it angered him. 14

Brian’s friends were becoming impatient. “Come on, man, let’s go,” the bigger of his two friends yelled. 15

Brian looked from his friends to David, undecided on what to do. “You sure you’re ok?” His friend snorted in disgust. 16

David desperately wanted to accept the help offered to him, but he dared not. He didn’t trust it. He nodded shortly and began walking the rest of the way home, leaving Brian to stare at his retreating back.17

David entered his home through the back door to avoid running into his mother. He had just closed the bathroom door when she called out to him from the top of the stairs. “Yes, it’s me, Mom,” he replied as cheerfully as possible. After looking in the mirror David decided the damage wasn’t as bad as he feared, nothing broken anyway. The cut over his right eye would probably need stitches, but his arms had absorbed most of the blows. The bruises could be easily covered up with his usual layers of clothes. He cleaned up as best he could then spent the rest of the time before dinner trying to come up with a fresh lie to tell his parents. He must have dozed off, because the next thing he knew his older sister Sarah, the one everyone liked, was pounding on his door calling him to dinner. He checked his eye again and decided it could pass as a diving accident in swim class. 18

David’s parents exchanged looks but said nothing when their son took his seat at the dinner table. They had heard and seen it all before. They weren’t as ignorant or as gullible as David prayed they would be. His dad sighed and said they would talk about it after dinner. David ate in silence as his parents chatted with Sarah about the up coming Homecoming dance. 19

“David, come in here.” David’s foot froze on the bottom step. He had hoped to slip quietly to his room, but his luck was running for par. He trudged slowly into the living room. “Sit down,” his dad commanded, and David obediently sat down on the old burgundy sofa.20

Father looked down on his son for a long moment, silently taking in the fresh cuts and bruises. David was so small, so skinny and frail; he wasn’t at all what his dad had envisioned him to be when he gazed upon his son for the first time. He had wanted a son he could ball around with. He wanted to be able to sit in the stands and be able to yell “that’s my boy,” when his son scored the winning touchdown, or made the buzzer beating shot, and do all the things fathers and sons were supposed to do together. But David wasn’t interested in any of that. In fact, as far as his father could see, David wasn’t interested in anything. David just wasn’t any of the things he was supposed to be. 21

“What happened?” His father asked abruptly.22

“Diving accident,” mumbled David, looking down at his shoes.23

“And yesterday you tripped over a curb, right?” David nodded.24

“And all those times last week,” his father continued, “all accidents, right?”25

David said nothing. 26

“Just how stupid do you think I am, David?” 27

David kept quiet. What was he supposed to say? Sorry, Dad, but I think I’m a fag? There was a pause, then a sigh. David felt the couch sink under his father’s weight as he sat next to him. He felt his father’s eyes on him but he couldn’t meet his gaze. Then his father did something he’d never done before. He put his arm around his son’s shoulders. “Please, David,” he pleaded, “Tell me what’s wrong. I can help you if you let me.” 28

David heard the urgency in his father’s voice, the worry, the love, and it was this that finally made David look at him with frightened eyes. David’s hands were shaking so badly. He clasped them tightly in his lap. His heart was going a hundred miles a minute, and it was all he could do to keep his knees from knocking together. But he’d made up his mind. He swallowed hard and said in a hoarse whisper, “I’m gay.”29

His father stared at him in stunned silence. He didn’t say a word, just stared. “Dad, say something,” David begged when the silence became unbearable. 30

His father abruptly removed his arm from David’s shoulder as if it had been burned and stood up. He began pacing up and down, shaking his head in disbelief. “No, you can’t be.”31

“Dad?” David almost whispered. 32

Father stopped and stared at his son. David would never forget the look on his face. He was horrified and disgusted. David stood up and reached out his hand. “Please, Dad,” he pleaded, “I’m sorry. It just happened.”33

Before David knew what was happening his father had closed the ground quickly between them and punched David in the face, knocking him to the ground. Until that moment, his father had never laid a hand on him. Before David could recover, his father grabbed him roughly by the arm and was dragging him across the floor. He was screaming at him. “Get out! Get out of my house!” They had reached the front door. David regained his footing just in time to be thrown out on his ear. He rolled down the steps and fell hard on the walk up. He heard the door slam. David scrambled to his feet and tried to get back in the house but the door was locked. He pounded on it in desperation. “Dad! Dad! Please, I’m sorry. I take it back!” He pounded and pounded on the door to no avail. Somewhere inside the house, his parents were arguing. He heard his mother crying. But the door didn’t open to let him back in. Dogs were barking and the neighbors were coming out of their houses to see what all the commotion was about. David didn’t care. He struck the door over and over until his voice and his strength gave out. He slid down, crying and whispered over and over again, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”34

It was close to dawn. The moon had set over the still waters. The night’s chorus was winding down. David saw nothing, heard nothing. He softly stroked the gun in his lap. It felt comforting somehow. He put it to his head and gently rubbed his temple. The cold steel felt like ice on his burning skin. He squeezed his eyes shut and pointed the gun at his head. Someone, something sat beside him and put warm comforting arms around him. David buried his head in the shoulder and wept.35

They buried David on a dark, rainy Tuesday morning. The few family and friends huddled under black umbrellas. The minister, knowing nothing of David or his life, did the best he could. His mother cried. His father lied, telling anyone who’d listen, that David had been heart broken over a girl. His sister rested in the arms of her boyfriend. The minister prayed his useless prayer, and it was over. People rushed to their waiting cars, as the rain began to fall harder. One by one they drove away, leaving the coffin standing alone to be lowered into the muddy ground.

Author notes

Cagney and Lacey

A contest entry

Please tell me what you think

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    Comment Suggestion: What is your your first impression?
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Comments

1 - 42 of 42
  • Elphinstone
    September 28

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    that was perfect, just what I wanted to read. Well done for capturing the emotion perfectly. I like the description in the first paragraph. Well done and keep up the good work


  • papercutangel86
    August 19

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    hmmm not much detail or character building in this, but you got some grreat ideas I see. You might consider going back and expanding on some parts, but on the whole a great write. thanks so musch for entering such a great write.


  • No Comment
    July 10

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    Entered in quite a bit of contests I see ^^. Not bad at all. I feel you could of done a lot more with this although this was probably written as an idea for a story to start with. Some parts I did not like though. I did not like how the story is so short and how there really is no detail. It feels like a in-depth outline to a story more than a story itself to me. Nontheless, it is wonderfull. Until next time,

    Soul


  • boxOFjuice
    June 8
    Edit | Reply
    O.O...um, WOAH.


  • kitty ROSE
    May 30
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    It's not what I expected, but it was great writing!


  • Azzy Bear
    May 27

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    Dude..try reading that and listening to Viva La Vida.
    That was an awesome story man/girl! Since i can't see ur profile, i dont know, lol.

    Definitly not THE best thing i've read here on sw, definitly not the saddest. But tu be honest, it's in my top twenty

    Anywho, I dont have much of a critique here. Twas a very good story, well written, emotion was conveyed rather well. I do think the events passed by a little too fast.

    I'm gonna put some serious thought into this entry.

    Much love!
    ~Azreal


  • Julia-Black
    May 9

    Edit | Reply
    WOAH! that's pretty much the only think I can say. I think this is the best story I have ever read on here...

    Congratulations,
    xoxo julia


  • Memoirs of a Girl
    May 5
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    Wow.

    There's not much more I can say. This story made me cry. It really hits close to home because one of my best friends is gay. Luckily, his mom is okay with it, but I've known people who've had their parents do similar things to them.
    This story was not only extremely sad, but also very well written.
    Thanks for entering.
    ~Memoirs

  • WillyLee
    May 3
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    The story conveys David's pain well. It gets me in the gut. There is a convincing sense of despair here. I wish the story offered more hope, but I guess it has to be what it is. Perhaps the hopeful aspect is that when people read this story they will understand better and not so quickly reject those who are different in some way.


  • secretladyspider
    May 3
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    Not a bad piece of writing here.

    I must say, it's kind of over the top with the whole father punching him... besides that, it all makes sense. I've got nothing to say on your detail or grammar... just the plotline. David probably would have killed himself anyway... his dad punching him? That was just a step over the line.

  • Writing0Freedom
    April 22

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    I was so furious at the father but I feel so much pain on the part of David. Especially when he cries and repeats " I'm sorry. I'm sorry. " That was so heartbreaking. This is so sad. The characters were developed well and I really like the you didn't make Brian a jerk and that he was a decent guy. I think the fact this happens in real life is so messed up and a wrong that needs to be righted. It is really sad how little tolerance there is. Well written and thank you for entering!
    WritingFree

  • Xabstruse
    April 17
    Edit | Reply
    Oh, this is sad. It was very emotional, I could feel the saddness of David hit me. You used good description, I really, really liked this. As I said, once again, It was sad, but Didn't exactly make me cry. (god..Maybe making this contest was pointless x_x nothing has made me cry yet)

    Thanks for entering.


  • Miss Belligerence
    April 14

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    this was very emotional, it seemed rather heartfelt and it was extremely well written. good job.
    thanks for entering
    -gibson


  • Miss Hanako Megumi
    April 5
    Edit | Reply
    I really liked this.

    Excellent Work!!


  • Zsadist Gates
    April 2

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    slkaskgj This was so sad! Even more sad that this actually happens. *sigh* I could feel the emotions coming through in this, and it made me sad. Oh, brownie points for using the name Brian. I love it.

    Thanks for entering, and good luck!


  • IrishYndina Greeters member
    April 2

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    That was really good, though it had a very sad ending! I am happy that I can say that I have never seen anyone who is gay treated this badly, and it makes me sad to think that such discrimination happens. I'm reminded of the boy in Laramie, Wyoming. *shakes head* Entirely too sad.

    There were a very limited number of errors. In paragraph 14, for instance, it should be "could HEAR the pity." Also, beware of adjectives that need to be hyphenated. For instance, "self-loathing" in paragraph 3. If it's a two-word adjective, it deserves a hyphen!

    I loved your first paragraph - a great introduction that speaks to all of the senses. I only wish this had a happier ending...

    Cheers!

  • ElfSong
    March 31

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    This is very well written, and no detectable mistakes. There was a lot of build up towards his death, but afterwards I found myself a bit disappointed. I felt like I was starting to get a bit sad but the end didn't realy do it for me. It was very engaging and readable. You developed the characters very well, and did a good job portraying a day in his life. I would have liked you to explore society's faults though... Anyway, good job and good luck.


  • friendsequallove
    March 30
    Edit | Reply
    awesome!!


  • B Chandler Greeters member
    March 28
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    Cricket..

    keep entry in contest

  • Doo Doo Head
    March 23
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    Well Done

    Well done Kat222. i will give you 5 stars


  • Kevan Greeters member
    March 19

    Edit | Reply
    This was really well-written and completely full of emotion. You did wonderful with the detail, and the sad ending caught me off guard, though I knew something would happen.
    Good luck in my contest.
    -Kevan


  • RegalTheft
    March 17
    Edit | Reply
    That's just wrong. David shouldn't have to put up with that from his father, especially to that point. You described well, and you merged the paragraphs together so that it felt like it was real, you were there watching it happen. This would have to be the best depression/tragedy story I've read in this contest. I'm proud of you.

    --RT


  • Frozen Angel
    March 15

    Edit | Reply
    I love the description in this and the plot and writing style is absolutely relatable (sp?) and realistic. You did a fantastic job with this. Thanks so much for entering my contest and I wish you luck.

    *Frozen Angel*

  • Thedamned77
    March 10

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    Wow...just...wow. This story was so...wow. I'll be honest and say that i usually am so against gay stories but this story of classic discrimination stunned me. I've had several gay friends and I know what they go through, but you still made me think about something new. You are an incredibly emotional writer. I loved how instead of saying something cliche like, "and then a shot rang out and his lifeless body slumped to the ground", you just said he pointed the gun and felt the warm arms around him...then skipped to the funeral. Masterful. Beautifully done.


  • HoneyAngel
    March 6

    Edit | Reply
    Okay, so I'm crying...

    Good job and greatly well written. It's sad when things like that happen.

    Good luck in the contest.


  • Paragonz Shadow
    February 29
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    Very nice, I liked it


  • Token Massacre silver member
    February 25

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    you do an amazing job showing the emotions. It's a sad tale and you tell it well. I've already mentioned the corrections to you so i won't repost them ehre. Again, good job


  • Radiance
    February 24

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    This was so heart-wrenching. This is not the first story of a homosexual's forthcoming and rejection from his/her family, but it gets me every time. There's nothing wrong with it, and people are just horrible whenever someone else is different. And why? Does anybody even know?

    I just wanted to give David a hug. I felt so bad for him, and he seemed like such a sweet person... His dad is such an ---. I despise him. A parent should love their kids no matter what happens to them or who they are. ESPECIALLY because of what happens and who they are.

    So well written. Keep at it.


  • moon road
    February 24

    Edit | Reply
    I'm speechless. This was incredibly sad and heart-breaking. It was beautifully written.

    I wonder how Brian would've reacted to his suicide...?

    great job!

    thank you for entering my contest. good luck!
    erica♥xoxo


  • DeadlyTurnip
    February 24

    Edit | Reply
    Poor David...

    Homophobs. Why do they hate people just because they love someone who's the same sex as they are? I mean...it doesn't make sense to me. At all. I loved this story, it was really touching...but so sad. I especially loved

    Please, God, make it stop! Please make it stop!

    That was, maybe unintentionally really ironic and ingenous. Great write, I enjoyed the read.


  • tsarina
    February 22
    Edit | Reply
    Your use of vocabulary is amazing!!! Oh, your descriptions are even better. It painted a picture in my mind (I know, I sound like a 5th grade book opinion on My Brother Sam is Dead.) I could feel the character's pain so much. this is really good -- keep writing!!!

    ♥ sasha ♥


  • Fizbop Greeters member
    February 19

    Edit | Reply
    I just want to point out to other people commenting on this story. That this is just one out of the many many ways people have to go threw just to be themselves. There is no more tollerence in the world. Only hatred fills the societys. I'm glad you wrote this story maybe it will open some eyes that are closed around the globe. Ladies and Gentlemen People ARE People. Reguardless of what they are. They are still living breating individuals. This story Is only a glance into the darkness that looms out there. Sorry I ranted on your nice story but I felt it had to be said.

    Thank you for writing this.


  • SeleneStone gold member
    February 17

    Edit | Reply
    Oh my god this was so sad. Poor guy. His dad really needed his sorry ass kicked for treating his son this way. Sad thing is this happens all the time. People should really learn more acceptance. You did a wonderful job on this.
    Joann


  • GrimDeath
    February 17

    Edit | Reply
    oh my god that is sad. Its sick what people do just because your different then them. Its peoples fault that no one wants to talk about the real things in life all cause they don't understand. Good Luck and thank you for entering


  • Intrepid
    February 17
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    FUCK !!!!!!!!!!!
    I COULD CRY....it was that heart wrenching


  • RxxSpiritWolfxxJ silver member
    February 15

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    Poor fellow. What a bastard that father was - excuse my language, just shows how affected I was by the story.


  • emperess27
    February 15

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    That was a very good sory. I did like it alot. That poor boy David and what he went through was terrible. wonder how many people actually went through that? Kais


  • Xtclozer-
    February 13
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    Wow. Thats so sad, I cant beleive someones dad would do that. Kick his son out of the house just becase he's gay. Thats so harsh.
    I loved this. It brought me in right from the begining and I couldnt bring my eyes away from it.
    Such a great piece,
    Thanks for entering my contest. I enjoyed the read.
    And good luck

  • dogloversnicker
    February 13

    Edit | Reply
    I really liked this! This was really well-written and it pulled me in in an instant. It really made me understand the troubles that those types of people go through. the way that it was described was flawless, and I only found one typographical error. I'm really glad that I took the time to read this wonderful tale! It was sad that the ending wasn't happy, but not everything is a fairy tale! Good job!


  • Taboo Pixie
    February 11

    Edit | Reply
    I liked it no doubt about that, It was nicely written, but it's not a love that's strange! what you wrote about occurs most of the time. It's not weird you know?. Don't get me wrong, it was SO good,I actually felt so sad for David, it made me want to cry. It really good, just not what I was looking for in my contest. besides you didn't follow all the rules. but great job on the story!


  • Andy Stephenson Greeters member
    May 22, 2007
    Edit | Reply

    Another Good Story

    I was hoping for a happy ending. I was a little confused at the end. Where did he get a gun, who was beside him or was that somehow imaginary? I notice that you write about homosexuality from the homosexual point of view. You do it well and draw sympathy from the reader. I have a story to which I'll give you the link. Maybe you will like it.

    Andy

1 - 42 of 42