9781250209153

“You loved it.”
“Yeah, okay,” she says dryly.
Whatever she says, I can tell she’s as pleased—and as tired—as I am.
We get into her car and flop against our headrests, sighing at the same time.
“Coming out is exhausting,” Irene says suddenly.
I look over at her. Her eyes are glazed and she’s breathing slowly.
“For what it’s worth, I think you handled it well,” I say neutrally. “Was
anyone a dick?”
“A few people asked how you ‘turned me.’”
“Morons.”
She stretches back, yawning. “I just wish people could be more creative
with their ignorance.”
I laugh without meaning to, but I stifle it by turning it into a cough.
“Does this mean you have to come out to your parents?”
She answers like she’s swatting a fly. “My parents already know.”
“They do?”
She blinks at me. “Why is that so surprising? Don’t your parents
know?”
“Yeah, but … I didn’t realize you were this far along in your, you know,
journey.”
“Ah yes, my big fat gay journey,” she says with false reverence. “Just
because I didn’t tell our whole school, doesn’t mean I’m not open at home.
It’s not just white kids who come out to their parents.”
I set my mouth. “I didn’t say that.”
“And yet your ears are turning red,” she says, eyebrows raised.
“I’m just surprised because … I don’t know, your mom…”
“Has a constant stick up her ass?” Irene rolls her head against the
headrest. I notice the damp baby hairs at the back of her neck. “Yeah, she’s
a piece of work, but she’s a good person. She donated to PFLAG after I
came out.”
I don’t know if I’m pushing my luck, but I try anyway. “So why does
she hate cheerleading?”
Irene’s eyes flicker toward me. I try to show that I’m asking sincerely,
but I don’t know if it’s working.