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again, nervously this time. “Look at me. The English major

with nothing to say. I’m trying to tell you that I am also only

interested in women. So I do understand. I know that it’s hard

to try to figure that out. I know exactly how hard it is to tell

everyone. I did it when I was just out of high school. I knew

way before then, but I just couldn’t face getting shredded apart

and having to deal with that on top of all the other high school

crap. It’s not easy.”

“No. It’s not.” That’s all I can say, because now I am

definitely the one with a blank, shocked face. I’m completely

blindsided. Tildy is Adley’s niece. She’s also a lesbian. She

really does understand in a way that I never could have

imagined.

“I told everyone after. I was scared too. Of all the stuff.

Losing people’s respect. Having people see me a certain way.

Losing friends. My family was awesome. My mom and dad.

My sister. I was so scared that I made myself believe Mandy

wouldn’t want to hang out with me anymore. She’s four years

older anyway, but I just thought that she’d never want to have

a relationship with me again. We were always pretty close,

despite the age gap. I really looked up to her. She was

amazing. Everyone made sure I knew that I was loved no

matter what and that it was totally fine to be me. I lost a few

friends, but they probably would have drifted off anyway after

high school. That just happens.”

“It does.”

“I can’t imagine how hard it was for you, all this time.

I wasn’t fully sure for a while, and then I only had a few years

where I had to fake it. I wasn’t trying to make it. Just trying to

get by until things were easier. I guess that’s how I thought