(April 10, 2008) — Pierce: to run a sharp metal piece through flesh in order to cause as much pain as possible. For about half a year, I’ve wanted to pierce my tongue, but every time I brought up the subject, my mother would say some thing like, “I’m busy… eat something,” or “Don’t you have homework to do?” She wasn’t ready to discuss anything that was out of the ordinary or unusual. Then a month went by and our arguments grew louder and louder – our communication was deteriorating. We had only exchanged a couple of words with each other that were not fueled by anger. Then I had the worst day of my life. First thing in the morning I stepped in poop, then I managed to fall down a flight of stairs and I busted my lip with a camera. To finish off the day, I tripped over a cord in publications, thankfully not breaking anything. This not only weakened my good judgment, but it also made me make a very rash decision. In my emotionally unstable condition, I thought it would be swell idea to tell her my darkest secret. Something that I have kept to myself for a long time—some thing deep and personal. That I, Gustavo Endara, her only son was gay. Gay as in homosexual. Her only response was, “It’s ok, you’ll grow out of it.” What she didn’t realize was that I didn’t want to grow out of it. I’m gay, and I’ll never change. That day I learned that if I had the choice I would stay the way I am. Coincidentally, later that day I was watching some television when I heard a woman say that, “People don’t choose to be gay…they’re chosen.” So my life continued as usual and I went along with my school career when I realized that my mother and I hadn’t discussed that fact that I wanted my tongue pierced. So when I went home I asked her again, “Mom, can I pierce my tongue?” She turned slowly with a thoughtful expression and pondered this question for a long while. At last I thought after a hellish week maybe I’d have some luck. Then I realized she was taking longer to decide than was necessary and was staring at me. Then she couldn’t contain herself and began laughing. When she finally got under control, she replied quickly and with a smile said, “No.”