02. What is a Family

A short story by Corey Patten 10/10/24

Claire wakes to the very worst, most unbearable day of every year. Her eyes flutter open and she slowly lifts herself into a sitting position. She sighs a deep and heavy sigh, one weighed down by years and years of unresolved feelings. Naomi stirs in the bed beside her, still trying to hold onto those last sips of sleep. Claire watches her for a moment with a smile before dragging herself to the bathroom to begin the morning rituals. Soon Claire is sitting at the kitchen table, tying the laces of her Doc Martens as the cat Tegan tries to catch them. The other cat Sara is currently cleaning herself by the door. The sound of footsteps slapping against floorboards grabs her attention. Naomi places a plate in front of her, topped with lightly golden pancakes covered in maple syrup and berries, then with the prettiest smile says,

“Thank you.” Naomi takes the seat opposite as Claire begins to cut into the pancakes. She watches Claire intently as she eats, a slight frown upon her face. Claire knows what shes thinking but asks anyway, “What’s up?”

“I know you said you don’t want to celebrate,” Naomi says, “but are you sure?” Claire quickly swallows her mouthful of pancake before answering,

“I’m sure.” The smile she puts on is forced and not entirely convincing. Naomi’s frown remains even as Claire quickly finishes the pancakes, gives her a kiss, and pats both Tegan and Sara on her way out the door.

A tall white recyclable coffee cup plonks onto the desk beside Claire’s hand.

““Did you just get here? Work started an hour ago?” she asks, but Alex just takes a long sip of his iced coffee.

“Yeah, I was getting your coffee,” he says. “Happy birthday by the way.” Claire quickly shushes him and looks around the office to make sure no one heard. Alex watches her with a furrowed brow and asks, “what?”

“I’d prefer everyone around here not to know,” Claire whispers. Alex rolls his eyes and says,

“I don’t know why. It’s the one time you don’t have to feel guilty about demanding attention.”

“I just don’t need everyone making a fuss about it,” she says. Alex looks at her as if she just grew a second mouth in the back of her head.

“Anyway,” he says with a shake of his head. “What are you doing to celebrate?”

“Nothing hopefully.” Alex takes a sip of his drink.

“What do you mean nothing? You can’t do nothing.”

“I can and I will,” Claire says shortly, taking Alex by surprise.

“Alright, you do you babe. Just try and not work too hard at least today. Leave some work for the rest of us.”

“That would be easier if you did any,” Claire says as he walks away. But when she looks down at her checklist which has eight out of the ten things already ticked off, she realises he may have a point. Claire then happens to glance out the office window at a sky blanketed in clouds, holding back the sunlight. As her eyes drop to the street below, Claire spies three individuals. Two women and a young girl, probably about eight years old. The young girl walks along with a spring in her step, playing with her two barbies, making them kiss. One of the women affectionately plays with the girl’s hair before pulling her in for a little hug. Claire watches them for a long time, a wistful look in her eye, until they become a blur down on the street and she quickly turns back to her work before her mind can drift to even more unpleasant thoughts.

A cold breeze whips through Claire’s hair, but she doesn’t even stir. She stares vacantly at the waves as they roll towards the shore while her mind wanders down a lane of memories.

“Fancy seeing you here,” says a voice. Claire blinks a few times as her mind rushes back to the present, then looks up to see a woman with big hair, lots of makeup and a purple pant suit.

“Miss Violetta? What are you doing here?” asks Claire.

“I was going to ask you the same thing.” Miss Violetta looks out at the rolling waves and the gray sky above, then back at Claire. “Not exactly where I’d expect someone to be celebrating their birthday.” Claire scowls and turns back to the ocean.

“You know I hate celebrating my birthday.” Miss Violetta makes a thoughtful noise and then they both watch the waves roll in silence, until eventually Miss Violetta says,

“You know, you’ve never told me why that is.” She turns to Claire, watching her closely.

“That’s right I haven’t.” Silence returns, but Violetta just continues to look at Claire. Eventually, caving to the simple pressure of Miss Violetta’s gaze she sighs. “It was on my birthday that I came out to my parents.”

“Ahh,” Miss Violetta says with a nod. “I see now.”

“Yeah, so now every birthday it just reminds me of the day I lost my family.” Claire blinks back the tears building in her eyes.

“What is a family?” This makes Claire look at her with a furrowed brow.

“What?”

“What is a family?” she asks again, as if the question makes perfect sense.

“It’s your parents and any siblings, the people you grew up with,” Claire answers. Miss Violetta purses her lips.

“That just sounds like relatives to me.” She turns to Claire with that intense look. “What do you think makes someone family?” Claire stares back at Miss Violetta, then down at the ground as she contemplates. She lifts her gaze back to Miss Violetta and says,

“Family are people who support and care for you. People who love you.” Miss Violetta smiles sadly.

“And your parents weren’t able to do that for you.” There is the slightest change in Claire’s face as the words bounce around her head.

“No, they couldn’t. And it hurts, when the people who are meant to love you turn their back on you.” Miss Violetta sighs now.

“It’s a sad fact of life that no one is meant to love you. Loving people is a choice we make every day, which is why it's so hard when someone you love chooses not to love you back.”

She puts a hand gently on Claire’s shoulder. “I won’t lie to you; it will hurt for a long time. Maybe forever. You were denied something very special and it’s not fair.” Tears begin to run down Claire’s face. She wraps her arms around Miss Violetta and buries her face into her chest. Miss Violetta pats Claire on the back gently and adds, “It doesn’t have to define you though. A family you choose, made of people who will celebrate the person you are, can fill that void if you let them.” After a few sniffles Claire leans back and looks at Miss Violetta with a meek smile.

“You’re probably right,” she mumbles.

“I usually am,” Violetta says, then her demeanour shifts slightly. “Now let’s get you home. It’s so damn cold I’m going to be stuck to this corset.”

The lock clicks as Claire turns her key. She opens the door and is surprised to find it pitch black. Where is Naomi? She flicks the lights on.

“SURPRISE!” splits the air and causes Claire to jump, crying out,

“Holy crap!” She holds a hand over her chest as she looks at the crowd of people that fill her dainty kitchen and living room. There is Alex and others from work, then Amanda and her other friends, and of course Naomi standing at the front of the group. She rushes over and says,

“Happy birthday babe.” Her eyes search Claire’s face, looking for some indication of either joy or anger. With a great big smile Claire says,

“Thank you,” and plants a kiss firmly on her lips. She then turns to the crowd and says,

“Let me jump into something a little more comfortable and we can get this party started.” The crowd cheers as she heads for the bedroom. Then Naomi chimes in,

“You know she’s talking about her flannel.”

“So how did you go moving in?” asks Amanda, Claire’s best friend. “It was only last weekend, wasn’t it?” She looks around the apartment.

“Yeah, but you know me. I had all the furniture assembled within two hours,” Claire says with a laugh.

“It looks great,” adds Rachel, Amanda’s new girlfriend. “And when did you and Naomi meet?” With a grin Claire says,

“Oh, the day before we moved in.” When Rachel says nothing both Claire and Amanda laugh loudly. “I’m kidding. We’ve been dating for about six months.” Claire leaves Amanda and Rachel to move amongst the rest of her friends. She passes Miss Violetta speaking to Alex.

“What happened to that guy you brought into Café Slay a few weeks ago?” Alex asks.

“I have no idea,” says Miss Violetta a little loudly. “I swear he actually sunk down into the ground. Crazy!” She then finds Tegan and Sara cuddled up on the couch and gives both a good scratch behind the ears. Suddenly the lights dim, and Claire looks over as Naomi approaches with a large, beautifully decorated cake topped with candles burning brightly. Everyone begins to chant the birthday song and Claire looks around at them all. She smiles and tears begin to build in the corners of her eyes as she feels a warmth in her chest. Each of these people she realises, love and want to celebrate her. It finally occurs to her that her family has been right there all along. Naomi sets the cake down in front of Claire and everyone claps as she blows out the candles.

About Corey Patten

is an Australian short story writer who spent 2023 traveling around Europe, concluding his journey by volunteering with Fighting Fear, where he supported LGBTQ+ forced migrants. His work has earned special mentions in various literary competitions, with his piece "I Don't Know How to Be Gay" gaining recognition in 2024. Corey, a Gay man, is passionate about telling the untold stories of Queer lives. His series, "Tales from Rainbow City," builds a unique universe where diverse LGBTQIA+ characters’ lives intersect as they navigate their identities and confront the challenges they face. For more information about his work follow him @astorywithcorey on Instagram.

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