Love is the Answer
The SEEDS of hatred were planted early. Ashley's parents would make examples out of people from the LGBTQ+ community whenever they appeared on the news. "Those people live blasphemous lifestyles. Men belong with women and vice versa. That is how God intended it. He doesn't make mistakes. The body you have is the one God intended for you. To tamper with it in any way is a sin against Him." These beliefs were the WATER which caused poisonous ivy vines to GROW and encase her heart in a vice-like grip.
Something else was FLOWERING alongside it. A pink rosebud. This was the happiness, love and affection she felt for her best friend, Olivia. These were feelings she should have for a boy, not another girl.
Even so, Ashley allowed curiosity to tempt her. One night, during her high school years, Ashley and Olivia were alone in her room, watching a romance movie. Ashley wondered aloud, "Do you want to try kissing?"
Ashley had gotten a taste of the forbidden FRUIT.
Her parents noticed how happy she'd gotten. Ashley lied, told them what they wanted to hear. She had gotten a boyfriend. That lie became truth.
Olivia found out. Called a SPADE a spade. Called Ashley a HOE. Gave her an ultimatum: "PICK me or him." Ashley chose him.
The poison killed the rosebud.
Desperately, Ashley searched for that feeling again in many boys and eventually men. The poison spread more and more. Made her sick inside.
It wasn't TILL she was living on her own that she began to DIG deep, upROOT it all. With help from those her parents condemned, she rid herself of the HARDY plant. Their love, acceptance and understanding created the antidote, which slowly but steadily healed her.
She could love again. With her whole heart.