Something inside of Skyler snapped. The combination of hir deadname, being misgendered, AND told that shi was a failure as a child was just too much. "That does it, Mom! Now it's MY turn to yell!"
Warren J. Bentley dropped his newspaper, unable to believe what he was hearing.
Suzanne was taken aback. "Stella!"
Skyler rounded on her. "For starters, my name isn't Stella! It's Skyler! If you can't deal with that, fucking tough! And I am TOTALLY one of those 'Gen-Z nutcases,' Mom! I've known I was non-binary since I was thirteen, and my pronouns are 'shi' and 'hir!' Got it?!"
Suzanne rolled her eyes. "There's no such thing, and you know it, Stella. The human race is divided into men and women. Anyone who says they aren't one of those two options is either out of her goddamn mind or else some pretentious snowflake trying to feel special."
"Trying to erase my identity will do you no good!" Skyler shouted. "I know who I am, and I won't let a bigoted, queerphobic bitch like you talk me out of being me just because you wish I'd been someone different!"
"Stella Isabelle Bentley!" gasped Suzanne. "Remember who you're talking to!"
Skyler snorted. "Oh, you mean the woman who forced me to pretend to be a girl my whole life? You mean the woman who taught me I had to be a heartless, tyrannical bitch like her to achieve anything in life? You mean the woman who just point blank told me her love is conditional? Oho, I know, EXACTLY who I'm talking to, Mom! I'm talking to Suzanne York Bentley, ruthless lawyer, shady politician, and the bitch who made my life a living hell! Forgive me if I don't sound fucking worshipful!"
"THAT'S IT!!!" Suzanne screamed. "I have HAD it!! You have crossed so many lines the morning, young lady! You don't want to be my daughter?! Fucking fine! Don't be! From now on, no more allowance money, ever! And you can forget about that nest egg after graduation! And I'm writing you out of the will! Fucking chew on that, you ungrateful little cunt!"
"Hold it right there, Suzanne!" said Warren, rising from his seat. "I've put up with a lot of crap from you, but I will NOT tolerate you calling our daughter a cunt!"
Suzanne nearly jumped out of her skin. "Warren! What's gotten into you?!"
Warren Bentley grimaced. "I've had it up to HERE, that's what! For years, I've watched you pressurize and intimidate Stella! You've laid impossible expectations of perfection on her and forced her to live in terror of not meeting them! And you're goddamn surprised that she's rebelling?! I say to hell with your standards! You know what they've got Stella in life? A pile of notes from teachers accusing her of harassing her classmates! That's what trying to be like you's got her!"
"Stay out of my business with Stella!" Suzanne hissed icily. "I know what I'm talking about."
"Oh, and I don't?!" Warren shouted. "I'm Stella's father but I'm too stupid to understand what's best for her, is that it? Forgive me, I only built a retail empire that stretches from Plentywood, Montana, to San Diego, California! Maybe I've let you push me out of my own kid's life until now, but that end's today, Suzanne! Fine, cut Stella off from your money. Just remember that she's still the heiress to the Bentley's fortune. I'll pay her allowance myself. I'll pay the whole $900,000 she was supposed to get on graduation. And she's definitely staying in MY will. I may just consider cutting YOU out, though."
Suzanne stormed off in a huff, muttering curses under her breath.
Warren walked over to Skyler. "You doing okay, baby?"
"Wow, Dad!" gasped Skyler. "I've never heard you talk that way to Mom before!"
"I've let her get away with too much for too long," said Warren. "Anything else I can do to make life a bit easier for you, Stella?"
"You could start by calling me Skyler," said Skyler. "I'm not a girl, and that's my name now."
"Whatever makes you feel comfortable," Warren smiled. "I don't entirely understand this non-binary deal myself, but I'm all for it if it makes you feel good, baby."
Skyler hugged hir dad. "Thanks, Dad! You're actually amazing!"
Warren hugged hir back. "Thanks. From now on, you can always count on me for help... Skyler."