She slid silently through the front door, inching it shut behind her. Her eyes fell on the row of hooks nailed to the wall next to the door, then she looked down at the keys in her hand. Hers was the only empty hook. There were four hooks on the plaque that read, ‘Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.’ Each of the hooks was labeled with a name above it: a representation of belonging and acceptance into this home. Guests and visitors did not hang their keys here; these hooks were reserved for family. Katie placed her keys quietly on the table below the key holder and tiptoed, moving slowly through the hall. A floorboard creaked softly beneath her feet, and she paused her forward movement, recoiling into herself, trying to become invisible: a possum in the headlights. Her eyes squeezed shut, and she held her breath, listening for the sound of movement within the house. That’s when her ear caught the slight voice that floated through the silence of the living room, “Katherine, come here please.” Katie relaxed her taut muscles, let out the breath she’d been holding, and resigned herself to the impending punishment. It wasn’t the punishment for being late that she feared. She knew she needed to come clean with her mom, but was tonight the night for it? How would mom react to the news? She’d asked herself these questions countless times. Katie took in one more deep breath and let it out in a whoosh as she prepared to defend herself. She turned around and stepped into the living room where her mother’s shadow loomed in the faint glow of the hall nightlight. “Katherine Anne, where have you been?” Katie couldn’t see her mother’s facial expressions, but she knew they were dire. She imagined the look, taut lipped, furrowed brow and unblinking stare. It cut like a razor through the darkness. “Mom, I … Sydney and I were just talking and lost track of time,” Katie pleaded with her mother. It wasn’t a lie, she’d been raised not to lie. “Come sit,” mom gestured to an open seat across from her. Katie did as she was bid, heart racing, and she tried to maintain her calm with deep breaths. The punishment for being late wouldn’t be terrible. It’s not like she’d done this before. She considered once again whether or not to tell her mom what she and Sydney had been talking about, the topic that had caused her to return home late. Katie knew mom would eventually find out, but maybe if they could just get it out of the way, Katie wouldn't be so consumed with it all the time. Mom flipped on the table lamp, illuminating her facial features. Katie could see that her mom’s eyes were red, and her guilt made her stomach tighten as she dropped her head into her hands, “Ma, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you or get you upset.” Mom’s brow furrowed and she looked solemnly at her daughter, “Katie, I just want you to be honest with me. What is going on? This isn’t like you.” Katie looked into her mother’s pained eyes, and the tears began to flow. She looked down at the floor as she spoke, “Mom, I…” the words got caught, and a lump of cotton nestled itself inside her throat. “Katie?” Her mother pleaded for an answer. Katie recalled her conversation with Sydney that evening. Sydney had been so supportive. She knew that this was something Katie needed to do. She needed to get it out. “Mom, I’m… Sydney and I, we’re... I was late because we were talking about something that’s been bothering me. I want to tell you, I just didn’t know how.” Katie’s mom replied, dropping the hurt tone in her voice, and adopting one of worry and dread in its place, “Katherine, what? What’s happened?” Katie didn’t reply. “Katie? Are you… are you pregnant?” Katie’s head jerked up, and she met eyes with her mother, “Mom! God, no!” Mom’s face muscles tightened and her eyes narrowed, “Don’t talk like that,” she scolded. Katie hung her head once again, looking at the floor as tears dripped silently down her cheeks. She wiped a hand across her brow, took in a deep breath, and let it out: “Mom, I’m gay.” Katie sucked in a deep breath and held it, squeezing her eyes shut as she awaited the reply. “My word, Katie,” her mom said, “Is that all this is about? I’ve known that for months.” Katie picked her head up and looked at her mother. Her mother’s face hadn’t softened, and the look was still one of frustration and impatience. “Katherine Anne, I don’t care if you’re gay, straight, pregnant, whatever. Don’t come into this house past curfew ever again. You had me worried sick!” Katie’s mom got out of her chair and began walking towards the bedroom. She turned back to look at her daughter, “I love you. Turn the light out before you go to bed.” Katie sat, eyes fixed on the outline of her mother as it moved slowly down the hall and out of sight. She breathed a sigh of relief feeling the fear, guilt, and shame melt away: she was free. Katie stood, walked to the front door, and placed her keys on the hook that bore her name.