Bette: “oh…, is nothing…, well, almost nothing…, I decided to study science in college, and my grades are very high, I think I would like to apply to MIT or Harvard, with my grades I may get a scholarship, so you won’t have to worry about my expenses…”

The reaction of both parents was very different, while Maxine was excited and happy, Melvin change her face to a resentful look

Maxine: “baby, this is wonderful, you were always very smart, I’ll try to help with some savings I have”

Melvin didn’t answer, he looked at his wife in disbelieve, how she dares to encourage his child to ‘leave the family tradition”

Bette: “you haven’t said anything daddy”

Melvin: (standing and walking away) “do whatever you want”

Maxine consoled her daughter, Bette was shocked, was it so bad to want to pursue a science career?

That night Maxine talked to Melvin.

Maxine: “you shouldn’t leave Bette sad with her decision of studying science; she is very smart and wants to pursue her dreams”

Melvin: “well…, maybe you are right, but I was hurt by her decision, she has a beautiful voice and amazing talent to play the instruments”

Maxine: “she prefers to use her hands in something else”

Melvin: “you mean, to be a lesbian…, I’m okay with that, of course, the only problem is she won’t give me grandchildren, but everything else is fine with me in that respect”

Maxine: “I wasn’t talking about ‘that use for her hands’, I was thinking about her abilities in a lab to dissect biological specimens, produce chemical reactions; and she can have children if she wants, she can get pregnant using a donor, or her partner could if they decide to do that; well this is one to go; have you thought on Marcus?”

Melvin: “what about him?”

Maxine: “he has the same tendency than Bette”

Melvin: “what…? He wants to study science too?”

Maxine: “no that, didn’t you noticed he has a boyfriend?”

Melvin: (with relief) “oh…, you are talking about Anthony, well…, it is fine with me”

Maxine: “if he doesn’t talk to us, we should talk to him”

Melvin: “why…? If the young man wants to keep it secret let him do it”

Maxine: “he is suffering silently; we should tell him that it is fine; and that you are okay with both of them in that respect…, because, it runs in the family”