Mum looked down at the table.
‘What do you mean you’re gay?’ The old rancher looked at his son.
‘I mean I’m gay, Dad.’
‘Well, when did you decide this?’
‘I didn’t decide, Dad, it’s just who I am.’
They ate the rest of Sunday dinner in silence. Jack had only vegetable soup, while his Dad ate the beef roast and refused to look at him.
Later, Jack and his Mum stood by the paddock. A small calf came over and stared at them. Jack patted it’s soft hide.
‘He’ll come round, give him time. You know he’s old fashioned,’ his Mum said.
‘When should I tell him the other thing?’
‘One thing at a time, Jack. Being gay is one thing, I can only begin to imagine how he will react when you tell him you’re a vegetarian as well.’

Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story in around 150 words, based on the weekly photo prompt. Thanks as always to the challenge host Priceless Joy. For more information visit HERE.
To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
Great piece. Diversity should be celebrated yet so often it is the ones who love us most that give us the hardest time.
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Thank you
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I don’t think he should tell his dad he’s a vegetarian at all because I don’t think he’ll have a home after that. Nicely written.
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Thanks, I hope his dad will come round to having a vegetarian on the ranch!
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I hope so too since his dad didn’t sound like this kind of person at all.
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Being a vegetarian seems to be the bigger “issue” here. Great story!
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When you’ve spent your life raising cattle it’s a blow to him, no doubt 🙂
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Perhaps dad could change, turn the farm over to growing crops! 🙂 And allow the cattle to roam once more!
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Nice solution 🙂
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This is fabulous Iain. I love that you tackle such a heavy topic with a hint of humor. Well done!
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Thanks LaRonda, that was the aim, glad you appreciated it.
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🙂
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Something tells me his dad will learn to accept Jack’s sexual orientation, but being a vegetarian? Oh boy, there’s no coming back from that! 😉 Nice story Iain .
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Thanks Jade, I know which one he will struggle more with to accept 😉
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Well, you really got your storylines in quick. I’d imagine on the farm, the vegetarian would be the deal breaker. Great story
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Thanks Mark. I think due to the time difference I get the prompts in the evening here rather than first thing in the morning. Thanks for the comment, vegetarian son for a cattle rancher is a hard sell!
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The ending made me laugh!
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Thanks Debra, glad you appreciated the humour!
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Save the best for last. If he doesn’t want his dad to have a heart attack, he should save it for ‘Never’. 😀
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🙂 thanks for commenting. Yes, it’s not going to be easy for him!
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Veg and non-veg may soon be a political dichotomy. Great take.
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Hopefully doesn’t come to that. Thanks for commenting.
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I think he’ll take his son being non-vegetarian even more poorly. Or not – we can live in hope! I needed a laugh this morning, and this story was perfect for it.
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Thanks Chris, glad I could give you a little laugh 🙂
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Nice characterisation and scene. Brilliant twist at the end that infuses the piece with humour but doesn’t undermine the main topic. Well done, Iain.
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Thanks David, glad you saw the humour in it.
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Lol. Very nicely observed
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Thanking you 🙂
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Brilliant. His Dad’s sure getting it one after the other. Lain, you have dealt with such a serious issue in a non-invasive, humorous manner without in any way diluting the gravitas of the situation. Well done.
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Thanks Neel, much appreciated as always.
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Cattle rancher isn’t going to be too keen that he is a vegetarian AND gay! I feel sorry for him needing his dad’s acceptance. Great story, Iain!
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I think he’ll be okay with gay eventually, but vegetarian is going to cause arguments! Thanks PJ.
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Hahaha! I think you are right, Iain!
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I live in Idaho and we really do have ranches here. A number of years back, one of my son’s friends came out to his Dad in the barn in his Dad’s property. The Dad listened and then just said, “OK”.
Don’t think he was thrilled with the prospect, but he did his best to accept his son on his son’s terms.
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The moment I read about him only eating the vegetable soup, I suspected that he may have another “secret”. Well done. The line, “Well, when did you decide this?”was particularly effective.
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Thank you, much appreciated.
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Well done!
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Thank you!
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Enjoyable read. Such a clever way of addressing two different issues. His dad has a lot to come to grips with! 🙂
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Thanks I think he’ll cope eventually!
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Gay and vegetarian! Would love to know how the rest of the evening went. 😀
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Not smoothly that’s for sure 🙂
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Perfect!
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Thanks Nancy 🙂
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I love the humour in this, Iain, and you depict the scene around the table so well. Two issues nicely dealt with. 🙂
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Thanks Millie, glad you liked it 🙂
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Hi, I’m majesticgoldenrose, and I am glad you liked my prompt. Great post, btw!
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Thanks for the prompt and your kind comment Kate.
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I wonder what else he’s got up his sleeve? They say things come in threes!
Nice one Iain
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I hope my for his father’s sake. Thanks Keith.
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Why would anyone want to be a vegetarian after all??? Haha. Very nice!
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Why indeed? Thanks for reading and your comment 🙂
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Hi, I’m majesticgoldenrose, and I am thrilled you used my prompt. Great post, btw! Very relateable, honestly.
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I loved the end. Great story. 🙂
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Thank you, glad you liked it 🙂
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Somehow I think accepting his son is a vegetarian will be a lot harder than accepting he’s gay! Great story, Iain. I also hope you don’t mind me pointing out that on the second line there’s a ‘your’ where there should be a ‘you’re’. 🙂
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Not at all, thanks for commenting 🙂
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Pretty hilarious piece Ian. The son admits to his Dad ‘the lesser of two evils’ (the Dad would call them so). Funny that being a vegan is the worse crime lol. Great comparison and underlying messages.
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Thanks Mandi, glad you liked it. Looking forward to reading the interview piece tomorrow. 🙂
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I did. You bet 🙂
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The dad just might have apoplexy ha! Good story Iain 🙂
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Thank you:-)
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