Chapter 33: The Prince and The Frog
Mary Margret wanted to cry.
She knew she was wrong in how she acted when Henry told her his secret, but she couldn't help herself.
And he couldn't be that way.
She didn't know what to say to him. She saw the TV shows. She knew she should've embraced him. Told him she loved him regardless of his feelings, but she couldn't. She just couldn't.
He had duties.
He might've not been born in the Enchanted Forest, but he was still a prince. And she tried to explain that to him and it just made the entire situation worse.
And then she told him to get out.
She was the worst grandma ever.
Why couldn't she be accepting?
Not that David was much better. He just sat there staring at Henry like he couldn't believe what was coming out his mouth.
Their grandson was gay.
Or claimed to be so.
He wasn't even twelve yet, she kept telling herself. Kids could change. Henry wasn't going to be like Titus.
She hadn't thought about Titus in years. She tried not to. There was no use. He was gone from her life. He made that choice. But she wasn't going to let her grandson do the same thing.
She kept telling herself he was eleven. There were places that could handle these things. But nothing was helping.
"Snow!"
David had been knocking on the bathroom door for the past half hour. He finally woke up from his stupor. But Snow couldn't talk. She honestly didn't know what to say. And she felt bad about kicking Henry out, even though it was the right—no, only thing to do.
She put her fingers through her short hair. Remembering how Henry had told her he had something to say. That he was different.
She had reassured that whatever he said she'd be fine with. But she didn't think he was going to tell her he was gay and that he had a crush on Belle's son of all things.
Not that anything had happened between him and Harry, according to Henry. And that nothing ever would since Harry French was straight and didn't even really like Henry (Henry's words not Mary Margret's, though she did notice that Harry seemed more eager to stare at her chest than Henry—thank God, the last thing she needed was for Henry to have a boyfriend. If he found his true love and it was a boy…she shuddered at the thought).
"Snow, please. Open up. We can get through this."
She sighed. She didn't even know what they were going to get through. It wasn't like they were Henry's parents. And it wasn't likely Emma would care. She knew nothing about court life and she was more concerned with getting her morning sugar than even trying to learn royal protocol.
Resigned she answered the door. She was glad to see that David looked just as crappy as she did.
"That didn't go well." He said.
"You think." She said. "I don't know what to do."
"Maybe contact Emma?" He suggested.
Snow shook her head. "I really don't think that would do any good, David."
"What about Regina?"
She sighed. "Regina is in Augusta dealing the Moe French thing. Reception is bad enough there and I don't want her involved in this. She'll make me look like the bad guy."
"You only did what was right." David said.
"I probably shouldn't have kicked him out." She said, "He's only eleven. But he can't be gay, Charming, he can't. It won't do."
"It was a bit of a shock."
"The kingdom, can't survive that way." She said, "And I don't want Henry to end up like Titus."
"He won't end up like Titus. Henry's only eleven."
But Snow shook her head.
"I used the Google." Charming said. "I saw some places. Some really awesome places that might be able to help him. One I think is in Utah and there's one in Montana."
Mary Margret shook her head. She knew about those places and she thought about it too, but Utah was just so far away for an eleven year-old.
David sighed. "Well, we'll talk to him. He's just confused. He probably hasn't found a girl he likes. Probably got friendship confused with something more. We all do that from time to time."
Snow nodded. "And Harry doesn't like him, not like that."
Charming nodded. "That will work in our favor. Rejection can do wonders. You know, maybe we should invite Paige to dinner. I hear she's quite the commodity amongst the eleven-year-old set."
Snow raised an eyebrow.
"Granny's sundae hour." David said, "You'd be surprised what happens in Little Storybrooke."
"Be that as it may, Paige is Jefferson's. And he sort of kidnapped me. And I don't want to even think about the mother, if there is one.'
David sighed, "Oh, yes. Wonderland."
"That place…" Snow shuddered.
"Well, she seems perfectly normal. And I haven't heard anything bizarre about Jefferson, save for his homicidal tendencies."
"Still, Wonderland, David. And I wouldn't even care, if this wasn't Henry."
David nodded.
Snow was lucky. He was so understanding, and so eager to take on the royal role. She wished Emma was the same.
God, Emma.
"She's going to be mad at me." Snow said.
"Who?"
Emma. Regina. Everyone. She hated how she treated Henry, she really did, but what was Snow suppose to do?
Embrace him, the little voice in the back of her head said.
She couldn't though. She just couldn't.
She sighed.
"You did what you had to do, sweetie." David said.
"I still feel bad," Snow said. "So, so, bad."
"He's eleven he doesn't even know what he's talking about." David said. "Well, get this straightened out."
But what if they didn't? What if Henry ended up like Titus.
Titus. Her sweet, sweet, brother. The true heir to the throne. Well, until he abdicated for that frog prince.
Snow scowled. She still couldn't believe the whole thing. No one could. It was why they never talked about. Her father never even acknowledged he had a son, after Titus abdicated.
Regina didn't even know about him.
Well, Snow doubted she did. If she knew, she'd probably be mocked to no end. That was just Regina.
After Titus abdicated it was like he never existed, and Snow didn't want that to happen to Henry.
She couldn't lose him.
But she knew that would happen. She hadn't seen her brother after the curse, because he hadn't came over. She didn't know if he was alive and in the land that wasn't affected by Regina's malevolence. Or dead.
She hadn't had the courage to talk to Naveen. Or Nathan as he was called here, she saw him looking at her like he wanted to say something.
But what was there to say?
Snow never had really talked to him, herself. Just heard things about how her brother and the kingdom.
That stupid frog.
She didn't know what made her brother to kiss Naveen in the first place. What could've justified the idea? It wasn't a good one. Not by any means.
She really didn't remember much of that time anyway. Just that Titus was gone for a long period of time, and when he came back he was with Naveen.
And he then left for good.
She couldn't let that happen to Henry, there had to be some way to stop him. He was only eleven after all.
"Do you think if we talk to him?" She asked David.
He shrugged. "Maybe. It will be okay, Snow. Whatever happens."
"What's going on?"
Emma.
Of all the times.
Snow really didn't know what to do. Should she tell her daughter the truth? That would be the smart thing to do, but she didn't to rehash the entire thing. It was horrible. Terrible.
So, she did the stupid thing. She smiled and said. "Nothing's wrong, sweetie. What would give you that idea?"
"You're lying." Emma said. "Super power. And please, just let me know. Is Regina doing something screwy in Augusta? I knew I should've asked for a transfer."
Snow sighed. "I don't think you could've gotten a transfer for a DWI in another county."
"I still don't get why she won't come home." Emma said, "There's something weird about the entire situation. And the Gold and his crew are gone too."
"Thank God." Mary Margret was glad Harry French was gone. Maybe Henry would start get his head in the right place.
Emma shook her head. "Don't you find it suspicious?"
"They're gone. This town is free of villains, Emma. That in itself is a blessing."
Her daughter rolled her eyes. "Why are you crying in the bathroom, Mary Margret? Don't lie this time."
Mary Margret bit her lip. "I don't want to talk about it."
Emma shrugged. "Okay then. I really hate doing this, but can you please exit the facilities. I had some tacos at lunch and…"
Mary Margret got the point. "I'm going to order take out. I'm thinking Granny's."
Emma shrugged. "I'm not that hungry, re tacos. I guess you should call Henry and see what he wants."
Mary Margret bit her lip. The not so observant detective caught this.
"What?" Emma said. "Did you and Henry get in a fight?"
"Emma," David said trying to distract her. "Why don't you tell me about those tacos?"
"They caused stomach problems. They're not worth ordering. Mary Margret, answer me? Did you and Henry get in a fight?"
She sighed heavily. "You'll need to sit down."
Emma sighed as she looked at the toilet—her stomach still hurt. "Fine, but I need to get an Ex-Lax first."
That was something Snow White did not want to hear. Just like she didn't want to leave the bathroom. She knew it was sort of gross, but that room provided her with slice of some kind. Maybe because the lavender air freshner? Lavender was known to be relaxing. But Snow knew more than likely it was because she didn't want to face her daughter. She didn't want to tell her that she threw her eleven-year-old son out.
God, it sounded so bad.
But that's what her father did and Leopold was a good king.
She still couldn't help but feel some guilt, maybe because of how she felt when Titus left all those years ago.
"Okay," Emma said. "Spill. What did the kid do?"
Mary Margret blew her nose.
"That is so disgusting." Emma said, "But don't think that's going to get me to change the subject."
Mary Margret shook her head. "It wasn't anything he did, Emma?"
"Then what did he say? Did he make fun of your hair again? Because I told him, you didn't get to pick out that cut that's pure Regina. And it does not look like a chili bowl."
"He said I had a chili bowl hair cut?" Mary Margret said touching her pixie.
"He didn't mean it." Emma said, "Wait, it wasn't about that?"
God, she wished her daughter had her brains. "No. Henry told me something about himself that I just…I just…"
"What did he say?" Emma asked.
"Oh, God, Emma. He's gay. You're little boy is gay. I'm sorry."
Emma blinked at her.
"I know it's a shock, sweetie. But we'll get through it. David found a camp on the internets and…"
"Hold it," Emma said. "You're freaked out because Henry's gay?"
Mary Margret nodded. "Of course, the state of the kingdom, Emma. Wait, did you know he was gay?"
She shrugged. "Well, he did stare at Hook's butt a lot. It wasn't exactly that big of a surprise. I'm going to use the bathroom now."
"I can't believe you!" Snow said.
Emma looked at her, "You're making a mountain out of a mole hill, Mary Margret. It really isn't a big deal. So, Henry likes boys. He's still Henry."
"But Emma…the kingdom."
"The kingdom is in another realm, and it's not like we're going to get back there anytime soon. Besides, I don't get what the big deal if Henry rules if he's gay. Seriously."
Snow shook her head. "It's not natural."
"Oh God," Emma said. "Look, you better not tell Henry that. I get that you're old fashion, but he is my son. And I'm going to support him."
"He has his duties." Mary Margret said.
Emma shook her head, "He left, didn't he?"
"I sort of might've told him to go." Mary Margret added.
"Oh God, Mother." Emma said.
It was the first time she had ever called Mary Margret mom, but it wasn't how Mary Margret wanted the moment to be. Instead, of Emma's voice being full of love, she sounded borderline angry. In fact, with the way how she got up and snatched her purse from the coffee table seemed to signify this more.
"There's no need to leave, Emma." David said, "Henry knows he can come here when he sees reason."
"He's eleven." Emma said. "You kicked out an eleven year-old. That has to be illegal. I'm sure if Gold was here he could tell me what it was. But regardless, I should arrest you."
"Oh, don't do that, Emma. Henry's in the wrong here."
"No." Emma said. "You two are. I don't know how things are in the Enchanted Forest, but here we don't dump people because of their sexuality. Or send them to weirdo camps in the desert. Seriously, one of those camps?"
"You're not making much sense, honey." Mary Margret said.
"No," Emma said. "You're not making much sense. And you better hope I find Henry, before he gets in contact with Regina."
"Regina knows the rules." Snow said.
Emma shook her head. "I don't think she'd care. She doesn't care about other Enchanted Forest protocol, does she?"
Mary Margret looked down.
Emma just shook her head. "If being straight is required for being an heir to the kingdom, then I'm out as well."
"But you're not gay!" Mary Margret exclaimed.
"That doesn't mean I didn't experiment." Emma said. Before adding, "Not that I'd tell you if I did."
"Emma!" Mary Margret called.
Her daughter had already slammed the door shut.
And Mary Margret felt more alone than ever before.