Page 8 of In a Perfect World

“Yet, China is now the most powerful country in the world,” he countered.“You don’t see that as a mark against the new movement?”

I shook my head.“No, I don’t.Unlike China, our voices are still heard, and that’s way more important than what’s going on in China.”

“Oh, my God,” my mother sighed dramatically.“Can we leave the politics and social issues at the door for just one afternoon?While you boys do try to visit once a week, I still would rather we talk about family than work.”

“Of course,” my father automatically replied.“We just got carried away for a second.”

“Well, I would rather talk about the Silver Linings Gala that’s coming up next month,” Mom said, and I did my best not to wince.“You know, we’re all expected to present.”

The Silver Linings Gala was a once-a-year event that showcased educational achievements, but not for teachers or school administrators.It showcased talented students that excelled in their classes, which included research, inventions, community service, etc., and though sports were a big part of our educational system, there was a different event for athletic magnificence.

“We’ll all be there,” I assured her.

“Well, I know that,” she drawled out.“I’m just wondering if you and Leyden have dates yet.”

“Mom, it’s a month away,” I pointed out.“And you’re lucky if Leyden can carve out some time to attend, much less find a date.”

“It’s just not a good look to show up to these things alone,” she went on.“People might begin to wonder why you and Leyden are still single.”

Now, while homosexuality wasn’t exactly banned in the regions, it was still frowned upon.The message in most regions was family first, but in the traditional sense.While there were still children to adopt, the need wasn’t as bad anymore.Once the new movement had taken place, children’s welfare had been at the top of all agendas, and so we didn’t have overcrowded orphanages anymore.Nevertheless, tragedies still happened, and so some children still needed fostering, regardless of how much progress we’d made.

At any rate, while it could be argued that gay couples could adopt, completing the new idea of what a family was supposed to be, the concept was still frown upon unless you lived in Blooming Heights.When my father had spoken of freedom, he’d been speaking of how Blooming Heights had no restrictions on how a person lived.If there was any region that was free from any kind of judgement, it was Blooming Heights, and maybe that was the point that he’d been trying to make.

“Luckily, I’m not big on caring what other people think,” I reminded her smoothly, though not rudely.“Besides, I’ll be there to support children’s academics and nothing more.”

Just then, Dallas walked into the living room, and I felt myself breathing out a sigh of relief.“Hello, family,” he greeted, a huge grin on his face.

“Thank God you’re here,” I told him.“Mom’s talking about the Silver Linings Gala.”

“You could have warned me,” he said, his grin immediately dropping from his face.

Chapter 5

Triana~

It was Friday night, and after that huge argument with my parents, I needed to drink, dance, and just forget how ridiculous my life was right now.