Acceptance

Constantine grew up in a rural Floridian town. Where bigotry, being close minded and ignorance ran wild. His life had been simple. Until it was anything but. He heard the typical comments growing up. That he needed to be more feminine. That his tomboy behavior was unbecoming of such a beautiful young woman. That he needed to be Female. The problem being he’d known himself to be a rambunctious little boy. He hadn’t understood why he had to wear a dress to Church on Sundays. The internal conflict he regularly struggled with didn’t go unnoticed. A conversation was much needed. 

He told his mother everything. In the only way he knew how. She was far more accepting than nearly everyone in their life. Wyatt, his own father, wasn’t even accepting of what Constantine said. The Paternal side of his family showed just how much they loved him. Along with their disdain toward Wyatt for not loving his child for who they are. Maggie threatened divorce if he didn’t listen to what her and Constantine were saying. Wyatts behavior said everything. Sherri and Constantine planned ahead. Just in case anything happened to her. She wanted nothing more than for him to be happy. To live his life happily instead of constantly conflicted. There were a dozen people that agreed with her eventual decision to let him transition at eleven years old. 

“I don’t think he’ll ever understand” Constantine cried
“I don’t think he will either. I’ve explained everything to him in a way I hoped he’d understand. There’s been no change unfortunately” Sherri said
“I figured. He’ll never love me for who I am” Constantine sighed
“We’ve made this plan. Going against the grain isn’t always easy. It is worth it at the end of the day” Sherri answered
“I know. I hate it here. I hate living here. I’m getting bullied every day. I want to move” Constantine sobbed 
“I’ll talk to your dad about it” Sherri replied

The trio moved thirty minutes North six months later after the school year ended. They found a home close to school while also having places nearby Constantine could frequent. Where he could eventually be independent. A decision Wyatt didn’t want to make. Sherri asked if he wanted a dead child who unalived themselves for being bullied every day or to a School District that was accepting of LGBT kids. That he needed to have another conversation with Constantine. His lack of response told her everything. The conversation opened his eyes a little more. He was a little more accepting after that. Constantine had explained everything in a way Wyatt better understood Constantine. Constantine, like everyone else, knew who he was. His body and mind just didn’t match. Something happened in utero that led to Constantine’s body was born Female while his mind was Male. 

“I understand everything better” Wyatt sighed
“Okay, good to know. I’m not going to conform to what people want of me. I deserve to be happy just like everyone else” Constantine replied
I may not understand how it all works. I do want you to be happy. Life won’t always make sense after all” Wyatt smiled
  
Over twenty years passed since then. Constantine had moved to Miami Beach a year after graduating High School. Time for him to heal from Top Surgery. To also figure out what he wanted to do with his life. His talents as a Writer opened doors. He’d chosen to go to University of Miami for college. A degree in Marketing opened doors for him. He made a decent life for himself in South Florida. He’d been no contact with Wyatt the entire time. A confrontational conversation between them left Constantine homeless. He’d moved to South Florida early as a result and never looked back

Sherri had died unexpectedly a few years after they moved. Her death from a Brain Stem Stroke broke Constantine in ways nobody understood. People came together to mourn her death. To help Constantine through his mother’s death. He kept his promise to her. Both knew Wyatt may very well revert back to his old ways. A possibility that may happen from pressure that would come from people who’d never love Constantine.  She’d secretly planned in the event of her death. She left him everything of hers. Her Bank Account was entrusted to Wyatt until Constantine turned eighteen. 

“I know your mother would be proud of you” Aunt Piper smiled
“Thanks Aunt Piper. Life is happening. I’m making it better in my own way” Constantine replied 
“Your dad has always been…..” Aunt Piper began
“Weak. A push over. Unable to speak up for himself” Constantine finished
“Pretty much yeah” Aunt Piper replied
“He’s stuck in his ways and wants to please people who never once loved me as myself” Constantine sighed
“You’re doing what’s best for you. That’s what matters at the end of the day” Aunt Piper answered
“I’m going to live my life my way. Happily” Constantine smiled

Constantine used some of what was now his Bank Account to survive in his first few months in South Florida. He had no idea what he was doing. He just knew the next two months would be him wandering around South Florida. He’d see his Paternal Grandmother and Aunt often. They let him know just how proud they were of him. For standing up to Wyatt. For being who he is regardless of what others would say. He looked back on his life and how far he’d come. He was far happier than he’d ever been. He’d made a decent life for himself. He was speaking out far more than he ever had before. He’d rather be an example and visible than sit back and watch people treat LGBTQ people unfairly. So he used his voice to help others. He helped others in whatever way that looked like. He was recognized for his work at various points. His vision for a better world being spread daily. With his happiness being apparent.