As the evening unfolded, Mr. and Mrs. Williams sat down to dinner, their conversation turning to their son, Joden. Mrs. Williams expressed her concern about Joden's well-being, fearing he might fall for the wrong person. Mr. Williams reassured her that Joden was open with him and that he didn't keep secrets.
Mrs. Williams persisted, urging her husband to talk to Joden about his love life. Mr. Williams reluctantly agreed, but only if Mrs. Williams acknowledged that it might backfire. She accepted the condition, emphasizing the importance of Joden finding love and not dying alone.
As they discussed their son's future, Joden entered the room, looking troubled. He excused himself, citing a long day and a desire to rest. Mrs. Williams sensed something was amiss and followed him to his room, determined to uncover the truth.
Despite Joden's initial resistance, Mrs. Williams eventually gained entry into his room, where she discovered her son's distress. He confided in her about his struggles with a guy he was interested in, who continued to turn him down. Mrs. Williams offered words of encouragement, urging Joden to follow his heart.
However, their conversation took a tumultuous turn when Mrs. Williams suggested Joden consider exploring relationships with women.
Joden's frustration boiled over as he declared, "Mother, I don't have any feelings for girls. They don't increase my heartbeat or make my blood giddy. Men do."
Mrs. Williams, still struggling to accept her son's sexuality, persisted in her misguided attempts to change his orientation. "You'll never know until you try," she said, her tone laced with a mix of desperation and denial. "All I'm saying is try the apples from other trees. You might like them."
Joden's exasperation reached its peak as he snapped, "That's the reason I don't talk to you about these kinds of things. It's useless!" The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with unspoken words.
Mrs. Williams, finally acknowledging her own discomfort, offered a halfhearted apology. "I'm sorry. It's not easy seeing you with a boy."
But her words came too late, and Joden's response was firm. "That's enough, mother. Get out!" He pushed her gently but firmly out of the room, the door closing behind her with a soft click.
As she stood outside, Mrs. Williams called out, "Come down for dinner," her voice laced with a mix of concern and resignation. The distance between them seemed to grow, a chasm of misunderstanding that threatened to swallow their relationship whole.