Walter’s secret

Amy:

I worked hard on teaching Coral how to speak.

Words were the best gift to teach a child and I worked hard to teach  her how to say each word properly.

My younger brother, Walter and I had gotten along well over the past few years. He always offered to babysit Coral so Ali and I could spend quality time together.

I think he also just loved kids, I knew he’d be a great dad someday. Though I have to admit I wasn’t surprised when he asked me if we could talk. Walter then gushed to me that he had feelings for guys. I have to admit for a second I choked on my cobbler as I said “What?”

Walter got up and sighed “Forget it.”

” Walter wait..” I said staring at my little brother.

He stopped and stood in his tracks, “What Ame?”

I got up and put my hand on Walter’s shoulder. “Talk to me Walt.”

Walter sighed and said “Amy…I like guys. I have always liked guys. I love fashion and rock music. I’m everything dad doesn’t want. I know he wants me to join the army like him and be his mini-me. I just want to be me!” Walter said hurriedly, the words seems to flow from his mouth. Almost as if he had practicing this speech for years.

I felt sad that Walter had been feeling this way this whole time and I had never noticed. I gave him a hug and said come with me. We went through various closets until I found what I was looking for….Cooper’s( Jewel’s brother) guitar.

Walter began to immediately start playing. He had a natural talent and hopefully his dad would see that. I had to see to that..I tiptoed to the computer room and grabbed Sam’s arm. He chuckled and said “What’s going on Amy?” I whispered “Follow me!!”. As I led Sam to the living room he stood and stared as Walter played.

It took a long time before Walter could utter the words to his father. “We need to talk.” When they finally talked, Sam took it hard that his precious little boy wouldn’t be an army brat but I think he got over it. After all Walter was his son.

Before I knew it …it was time for Coral’s 5th birthday. The years of diapers and potty training flew by. My little girl was growing up.

She was a beautiful little girl and I brought her tons of clothes. I knew I would eventually end of spoiling her since she was my only child.

Sam eventually accepted Walter and encouraged him to be himself, which Walt took as a go-ahead to change his look to make it edgier.

My younger siblings watched out for Coral even though they were seniors and she was in pre-school. T.J. was very protective of Coral just like Juno had been of me.

Walter usually sat alone on the bus, he was deep into the loner phase of teenager-ness. Hopefully it would wear off.

After all…our family would be moving when Coral became a teenager. That might cheer him up…maybe it would be good for all of us.

Advertisement