Better Life

Reagan had gone no contact with his family after a confrontational “family meeting” where they wanted to know why recent comments he made were made. Comments he made about their lack of being family toward him. He called them out on everything. How they never once bothered to be there for him in the last twenty years since his mothers death. How they not once checked on Wyatt (his dad) after health issues he had. They hadn’t even let him know they already knew about his transition prior to him telling them. Or who told them. Not once had they genuinely loved him prior to or since his transition. That they never once used Male pronouns when referencing him. They’d failed as being family toward him. They were nothing more than relatives to him at this point. He wanted nothing more to do with them after he left. His decision to go no contact with them was the best decision he’d ever made. He’d already been in low contact with them for the last year and a half. To go fully no contact was the nail in the coffin. 

Reagan had been an openly Closeted Trans Man for the last nine years. He’d moved back to the town he’d grown up in after his dad finally divorced. Wyatts decision to marry Maggie was the worst decision he’d ever made. It shouldn’t have happened. It did though. Reagan had become closer to his paternal grandmother during his time in South Florida. He’d begun his transition. He’d begun learning Japanese. There were a few good things that came from living in South Florida. He’d wandered around Miami Beach for the last year and a half he was in South Florida. He’d fallen in love with the area. He wanted to move there. He’d not been financially stable to do so. So he roamed around instead. He’d already been half homeless by that point. He’d been staying with a relative who didn’t seem to understand how hard it was for him to find a job. His lack of experience left the majority of places not wanting to hire him. They didn’t want to take the time to train him. The same happened after moving back home. He’d found a job as a Dishwasher after a leap of faith. He liked the job. He’d begun saving what he could to eventually move to Miami Beach. 

Wyatt kicked him out after an argument about people using Male pronouns toward him. He’d said some things he shouldn’t have during that argument. Comments Reagan called him out on. Reagan used everything against him. How Addie, Reagan's mother, would’ve shamed him far worse if she were alive. She’d have likely divorced him. That his own grandmother, Wyatt’s mother, would’ve been ashamed of him for saying what he’d said. Addie died over twenty years prior while Ellie had died not long after the move back home. Reagan knew both would’ve loved him as himself. Reagan left after packing everything up in two hours time. He’d gotten rid of nearly everything. Things he no longer needed or wanted. He’d packed everything he didn’t use on a regular basis. In case of the very scenario at hand ever happened. 

Reagan was in Miami Beach a week later. He’d left the Restaurant the day before he left. He’d already applied to two dozen jobs, most of them as a Dishwasher, in the week before he left. He’d planned on applying for another two dozen jobs after getting to Miami Beach. He knew he was going to be homeless after his arrival to Miami Beach. He didn’t care. At least he was there. He’d planned on staying in a Hostel until he found an apartment. He chose to stay in Ft. Lauderdale instead. He wanted his own space. He didn’t mind staying at an extended stay hotel close to Ft Lauderdale Beach. He applied for jobs in that area as well. A happenstance conversation with one of the Baristas at a Cafe in Miami Beach led him to being hired as a Dishwasher. They needed someone for Day shift. He found an apartment a few months later. He was openly Trans by that point. He was far happier than he’d ever been.