Robert

When 20-year-old Robert comes out as bisexual and reveals he’s pregnant to his parent, he must navigate the challenges of love, family, and identity—learning that honesty can be both terrifying and liberating. 

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"So, err, Mam, I've got something to tell you."

Robert sat nervously opposite his mother at the dining table. His hands were slick with sweat. The cutlery slipped and skittered across the plate. After a failed attempt to skewer a mushroom, he set the fork down.

"Yes?"

"Yeah. I'm bisexual."

She looked at him, unfazed, and for a moment, she laughed.

"Oh, honey, is that it? We already know, love. I was worried it would be something more serious—"

"There's more. I'm... I'm... I'm..."

"You're what? In love? Involved with someone? Dating?

"Pregnant."

"Oh..."

Her face hung open mid-laugh.

"Oh... Oh, honey, are you sure?"

"I'm sure," he said quickly, staring at a particularly engaging fungus.

She looked from Robert to his father. He removed his glasses and wiped them on his T-shirt, saying nothing.

"How far along?"

"Wh... What?"

"How far along are you?"

"Oh... erm, a month and a half."

"A month and a half."

His mother exhaled slowly.

"Jan, Ari, can you give us a moment with your brother?"

Jan and Ari didn't need to be told twice. They were gone. As they disappeared around the door, they gave him a nervous thumbs-up.

"Mam, I... I'm sorry."

"Sorry? Why? You're twenty years old. I assumed you were... You know, sexually active."

"Mam!"

"Well, we're all adults here."

Her tone was light and conversational, which made Robert feel even more apprehensive.

He'd prepared for fireworks. Raised voices. Stern words.

It wouldn't be the first time.

He still remembered the infamous Wreckingball incident. His parents caught Ari looking up topless pictures of Miley Cyrus on the family computer.

But this frank, open conversation about his sex life? This was new, uncharted territory.

"Who's the...?" his dad asked, gesticulating with his hands.

"You know..."

"Father? Well... me, obviously. Ha. Sorry."

Robert swallowed.

"His name is Flint. I met him on Tinder. He's lovely."

"And he knows?"

"Yeah. He knows I'm trans. It's in my bio."

"No. Does he know you're pregnant?"

"Oh... Yeah, he does."

"And?"

"He wants to be in the baby's life."

"Good. Good."

"And you're happy?" his mother asked.

"Yes," Robert said, joy and relief flooding his voice.

"So very happy. We both are."

"Oh, come here."

His father pulled him into a hug.

"I'm proud of you, kiddo."

"Thanks, Da."

His mother stood, squeezing Robert's shoulder as she passed.

"I'll put the kettle on. Love you, Pickle."

"Love you too, Mam."