Member-only story
Difficult Choices
A Short Story
“What the actual fuck, Ahmed!” Yousef yelled, following him in the empty parking lot.
Ahmed continued to walk ahead, wordlessly.
Yousef heard the sound of the driver’s door unlock and stopped.
“Are you really just going to run off like that? Like a child?” His eyes glistened from tears of frustration.
With his hand on the door handle, Ahmed finally relented. He turned to face his partner of five years.
“Okay. You wanna do this here?”
Yousef extended his palms at Ahmed, prompting him to begin.
Ahmed laughed with disbelief. “You, of all people, should understand the pressure I’m under. What am I supposed to say? Oh sorry, I can’t marry her because I’m gay. In a masjid? Is that what you want from me?”
Yousef shook his head.
“No. I don’t want you to announce your business in such an inconvenient place, and you know that. You’re just bringing it up to sidestep the real issue, which is pretty classic if you ask me.”
Ahmed walked toward Yousef.
“Then what do you want? You went back home and married your conveniently gay best friend. You guys have your perfect little setup. I don’t have that luxury. I am 36 years old…
