New Beginning

“I’VE HAD IT!!” Oliver screamed 
“It’s not-” James began
“YES IT IS! STOP downplaying everything” Oliver yelled
“I’m not-” James tried saying
“YES YOU ARE STOP LYING! Mom would be ashamed of you!” Oliver screeched at him

Oliver’s mom had died over twenty years prior of a brain aneurysm. He had to live his life without her after that. With a dad who let his own actions speak for him. It was doing so that led to Oliver having trust issues. People doing him dirty didn’t help either. He kept to himself after a while as a result. The few people close to him he still kept at a distance. Life happened for Oliver. In various ways. He wanted nothing more than to leave the toxic environment he had been forced to live in.

Over the years Oliver had enough of his dad’s lies and downplaying everything. James had done nothing but lie to Oliver for the last 20 years. In some way. James’ recent health issues didn’t help. He simply wasn’t listening to anyone. Oliver had done everything he could. The “you can’t help someone that doesn’t want it” being the main reason Oliver took a gargantuan step back. He’d gone to the more recent appointments and even sided with whichever Doctor they were seeing that day. Not to mention confronting him with things the Doctor didn’t even know about. It was Oliver’s decision to leave that very night that forever changed his life. He didn’t have much to pack anyway. He’d packed away things he knew he wasn’t going to need or use right away. 

The next day was a blur. He’d left early to catch the train to South Florida. He already felt far happier in the time he’d left the small town that never loved him behind. He didn’t have much money wise. He didn’t care. He didn’t care that he was going to be homeless after getting there. Pride moved through him. All five feet of him. He was free from everything he’d felt tied down by. He’d cut contact with relatives that let their actions speak for them. He’d let his unfiltered feelings out before doing so. He stopped caring about what others thought. He made the decision to be openly Trans and Gay. He’d been socially transitioning for the last 10 years already. He didn’t pass as often as he wanted to. He knew he would in time though. 

He thought back to the fight the night prior as the train made its way to Miami. His Irish temper had been obvious during the fight. He’d said everything he wanted to say to his dad. James stormed out of the house for the night leaving Oliver all alone in the house. It meant Oliver could do the little laundry he needed and pack everything else in the meantime. Something that took him no time at all to do. He sat out back while the clothes were in the dryer. Thinking about what he was going to do. He applied everywhere he could online by the time he got to Miami Beach. The room he rented at a local Hostel he hoped would be a safe haven of sorts for the next few weeks. He’d used his skills as a Writer to write various things for different business around the town he was raised in. He’d done all the math while on the train. He hoped for the best  while checking in. He wasn’t sure what would happen. He just knew things were going to be far better than before 

“Here’s your keys” Adam said
“Thanks” Oliver replied
“Going back home after your visit here?” Adam asked
“Not in a million years. I just moved here actually. Left a really messed up situation. I applied everywhere I could while on the train here” Oliver sighed
“Well then, that a lot to be going through” Adam replied with a stunned look 
“Yeah, it is. I’ll be okay. I’m in an area where I can be myself” Oliver said
“That’s good” Adam smiled
“It definitely is” Oliver smiled back as he grabbed his things to go to his room

Oliver had chosen a private room. He hadn’t realized he had his own bathroom as well. He didn’t mind. He was just happy to finally be in Miami Beach. He’d put his stuff down and organized everything before exploring the immediate area. He aimlessly wandered around for the next six hours. He went back to the Hostel to finally get some sleep. He hadn’t been tired enough to sleep until after he took a shower and laid down. 

The next three weeks were interesting. He’d found a job as a Dishwasher a few mere days after arriving to Miami Beach. He didn’t care about the hours. Or that it was a job where he worked late into the night. He was a night owl after all. Being up late was something he was used to. He’d worked far more than he thought in the first two weeks. He’d been able to save enough for a deposit on a studio apartment in those few weeks. Something he’d been able to do because of the money he’d already saved. Along with not doing much else aside from working. The friends he made helped him through unsteady moments. People who showed up for him. People who loved him as himself.

“We’re all here for you” Maggie mentioned
“I’m so proud of you” Ari chimed in
“All of us met you by happenstance. You’ve made a difference in my life already” Maggie said
”I’m happy I met all of you as well. All of you made a difference in my life already as well” Oliver said through tears
”You being who you are, openly, is a step forward. As hard as it can be. You’ve done that” Ari replied
”I didn’t think I’d ever leave. I wasn’t sure about anything. I didn’t think I’d live to see this place” Oliver cried

Maggie, Ari, along with the rest of the group, listened as Oliver shared more of his story. How he’d kept to himself for good reason. The severe trust issues had gotten far worse. Until he’d met everyone in the group. Until he began going to more LGBTQ+ events. Until he began speaking out. He’d realized just how safe he was. For once in his life. Life hadn’t always been easy for him. He was happy for once. He was finally able to live the life he’d dreamt about. While also being surrounded by people loving him as who he is.