I
it was normal day in school,at least for brenda,she had her usual cheerleader practices and spent the day talking to her friends. after that her boyfriend offered her drive her home,of course she accepted because he was his boyfriend and according to her religious beliefs her future husband,but in the inside she knew she didn’t like him,she hated any time he had to kiss him and was wishing they broke up.
when she got home it was weird,there was a truck parked in front of her home,with “true directions” written in pink,contrasting with the blue colored truck.she entered the home,and in there was her friend,her parents and some people she didn’t knew,she looked around in confusion before starting to talk
-what is this? -brenda asked,her parents were looking really worried and she didn’t understand anything
-brenda,sit down -her mother ordered her,she obeyed and sat next to her dad and a bald guy who was wearing a “straight is great”t shirt
-brenda,honey,we’ve been really worried about you -her father started,his eyes were watery- we think you might be…gay
brenda arched and eyebrow,she was surprised,she didn’t think she would like women
-i’m not,what do you mean?
-sweetie -a lady with grey hair started talking - i know it’s hard to accept it,specially when it’s something so gross and unnatural,that’s why we’re taking you to a special place
brenda looked at her mom and she started crying
-this is for you own good -brenda’s mom was wiping her tears- it’s just some months
-i want an explanation NOW -brenda was losing her patience,she was just coming home from school and suddenly her parents were calling her gay and are gonna take her to a place she didn’t know nothing about
-brenda,we’re taking you to a conversion camp because we think you’re gay -her boyfriend started talking and brenda gasped- we found posters of half naked women and…you don’t even want to kiss me
brenda was completely offended,the bald guy stood up and went to talk with the grey-haired lady,then she looked at brenda and smiled
-you’re starting tomorrow at 7:30 am,don’t worry,this will turn amazing -the lady said,then left the house with the bald guy.
after that her friend and her boyfriend also left,brenda was completely alone sitting with her face on her palm,her parents were fighting in the kitchen but brenda didn’t listen to them,she was just thinking about what just happened,she was confused and didn’t understand why would be good a conversion camp for her,she didn’t like women (or at least that’s what she thought)
—
at 6:00 am her mom woke her up,she told her to dress up and pack up her things,she obeyed even though she didn’t want to,an hour later she was ready,holding two suitcases,the whole trip she was looking through the window,she saw her fellow cheerleaders in a bus,eating donuts and laughing she was wishing she was there instead.
when she arrived at the camp there was the grey haired lady from before,she had a characteristically fake smile.
-welcome brenda to two directions -the grey haired lady greeted her - my name is mary brown
she went with her to the camp and waved goodbye to her parents,she was trying not to cry because even though it was really unfair,she was trying to look strong.
mary showed her the camp and left her in a room,she gave her a uniform and told her that in 30 minutes they will explain her everything,when she entered the room she saw many beds,the room was smelling like cigarettes,a blue eyed girl walked to her with a warm smile,that made brenda feel more comfortable
-Hey,my name is Stella Smith -said the blue eyed girl,that was wearing a pink shirt and a green-ish plaid skirt -welcome,i’m also a homosexual
- but…
-go to the bathroom and put on the uniform -stella interrupted her,brenda just nodded and did what she was told- don’t worry,they will explain you everything
brenda got out of the bathroom and she saw a girl with short hair smoking cigarettes “that explains the awful smell” brenda thought
-hey,it’s smoking forbidden here? -brenda whispered
-i don’t know,the only rule in here it’s to not have inappropriate behavior -stella replied while opening the windows
-like swearing?
-no,like fucking -the girl finally talked,she was looking directly at brenda while letting out the smoke
the door opened and mary was there,she told the girls to come with her.
they all went to a room and sat down,mary started talking about the program
-so,it’s gonna be only two months and 5 easy steps,admitting your homosexuality,rediscovering your gender identity,family therapy,demystify the opposite sex and simulated sexual activity -Mary explained while everyone listened,the people in there were the same age as brenda something that made her feel a little less alone. -now the first step is gonna be easy,you guys just have to introduce yourselves and admit your homosexuality
the people started to introduced themselves,she saw all those people and was fascinated,she was raised in a mormon city and all the people she knew were stereotypical straight people,so it was new to her seeing that many queer people saying proudly.it was the short haired girl turn,she stood up and smirked
-my name is riley,and i like girls,a lot -she introduced herself and brenda could’ve swore she just winked to her -and i’m a homosexual
-okay,we’re done,now it’s your turn,brenda -Mary said to her -admit it
brenda just laughed
-i’m not a homosexual,i have a boyfriend
-do you love him though? -said stella
-yes,he’s handsome,popular and sporty and…
-okay,do you enjoy having sex with him? -said a girl with really dark makeup,her name was jan
-what? im a latter day saint,i believe in chastity
-ugh,but do you fantasize with him at night?
-i’m not perverted,i get good grades,i go to church,i’m a cheerleader! -brenda said confidently,but deeply she knew she was lying
the people started insisting with questions,then she started to think and noticed that all the thoughts she had weren’t “normal”
-i’m a homosexual -brenda felt the urge to cry,now that she realized it she was feeling really bad,her parents raised her to be a feminine woman,a homemaker but her turning out a lesbian made her feel so disappointing -i’m a homosexual,i’m a homosexual
the people in there started to hug her and mary was congratulating her. brenda noticed riley,she didn’t move from her seat and was there,looking at brenda while chuckling softly and checking her nails