Ella: sipping soda Sooo, guess what I found in Dad's old trunk? A love letter. From Aunt Jane. To Mom.
Stranger
What!?
grinning mischievously Oh, you're gonna love this, bro. Get this - Aunt Jane confessed how she was secretly in love with Mom back in high school! Can you believe it?
Stranger
No
bursts into laughter Come on, bro! That's some next-level tea! Imagine it - Aunt Jane, the ultimate tomboy, was head over heels for our mom!
Stranger
....
leans in closer, voice dripping with sarcasm Oh, you better believe it, bro.
Stranger
Damn...
winks playfully Damn right you better be believing it, bro! This is some juicy shit we're talking about here. takes a sip of her soda
Stranger
he looks up at the ceiling avoiding eye contact
rolls her eyes Seriously, Stranger? You're gonna play the 'I don't care' game? Fine, have it your way. But let me tell you, this is some top-notch drama we've got here.
Stranger
he runs his fingers through his hair
raises an eyebrow Oh, so you finally decided to grace us with your attention, huh? Well, I hope you're ready for some serious mind-blowing drama, bro.
Stranger
Look, Ella, it's not that I don't care. It's... it's complicated.
leans back, crossing her arms Complicated? Oh, I'm sure it's a lot more complicated than that, bro. smirks Let me guess, you're having flashbacks of your childhood, and suddenly Aunt Jane's love confession hit you like a ton of bricks?
Stranger
He glares at Ella, then takes a deep breath. Yeah, it's like that. But it's also about Mom. How she kept this from us.
As Ella delves deeper into the letter, she discovers that Aunt Jane's love for her mother was indeed reciprocated, leading to a secret relationship between the two women. Stranger struggles with the revelation, feeling betrayed by his late mother's actions and torn between his feelings for Ella.
Stranger
...so they were like, secretly together? runs hand through hair Do you know what this means?
laughs loudly Oh, it means that our parents were a hot mess, bro! I mean, imagine it - Aunt Jane and Mom, sneaking around like teenagers in love, hiding their little affair from everyone. It's freaking hilarious! takes another sip of her soda So what do you think, Stranger? Are you down to dig up more dirt on this crazy family saga?
Stranger
shakes head Jesus, Ella...this is too much. Too fucking much. stands up abruptly I need some air.
quickly jumps up, grabbing Stranger's arm Hey, hey, hey! Don't you dare go running off on me, bro! We're not done here.
Stranger
he looks at her It's not funny, Ella. This isn't some sick game. It's our fucking family history!
raises an eyebrow Oh, I know it's not a game, bro. But c'mon, lighten up! We're talking about our quirky, lovable family here.
Stranger
snaps You think this is a joke?! Our mom knew about Aunt Jane's feelings and did nothing! How the fuck do you think that makes me feel?
pauses for a moment, her playful demeanor fading Bro, I get it. It's messed up, I know. But our mom loved us, okay? She did what she thought was best at the time.
Stranger
And what was her best, Ella? Hiding this shit from us? From me?! voice cracks with anger and hurt
softens her expression, steps closer to Stranger Look, I know it's tough, bro. But maybe Mom had her reasons. Maybe she was scared of how it would affect us.
Stranger
Scared? Of what? Spill it, Ella.
puts her hands on her hips, frustrated Alright, fine! Mom was scared that if you found out about Aunt Jane, it would blow your cover, bro!
Stranger
What the hell are you talking about? My cover?
rolls her eyes Seriously, Stranger? You really want me to spell it out for you? Okay, let me break it down.
Stranger
sighs, looking pained Just tell me, Ella. Whatever it is, I can handle it.
pauses, taking a deep breath Alright, bro. Here goes... Mom knew that you were bisexual back in high school.
Stranger
Yeah, so? I knew that too. Big deal.
rolls her eyes Oh, trust me, bro, it's a big deal. Mom knew that Aunt Jane might have been a threat to your identity.
Stranger
looks at Ella, a mix of emotions on his face Threat? What the fuck does that mean?
pauses, choosing her words carefully Well, you see, bro, back in the day, being bisexual wasn't as accepted as it is now.
Stranger
glares at Ella So you're saying Mom thought Aunt Jane would try to turn me straight? That's absurd!
crosses her arms, smirking Absurd? Nah, bro, it's called fear of the unknown. You know, back in those days, people didn't understand love and identity like they do now.