AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Marta squinted harder. “Oh, in the background. I see. Hmm. Well, putting your homophobia aside, what do you think of the photo? The framing, the choices?”
Todd’s mouth worked hard. I thought he might spit. “The framing is good. The shadows pop. The whites shine. It’s dynamic. The composition goes beyond textbook.”
Marta nodded along, peering at the photo as Todd bit out the compliments. “I see, so your only suggestion for improvement is for the photographer to cater to your delicate sensibilities?”
Todd’s jaw flexed. “Yes.”
“All right then. I have one thing to add for improvement.”
My gut tightened.
“Learn to embrace the lens flare a bit more. It’s not always your enemy.” She pushed her glasses back up and moved on. “Photo 12.”
After class, as I packed up my things, Marta crossed to me after Todd had left the room. “You handled that well.”
I hefted my backpack onto my shoulders. “Homophobia is par for the course around here.”
“Exactly. But you’re not going to just take it, are you?”
My lips twisted into a small smirk.
“I thought not. I fully expect photos ofnakedmen kissing to be in your next batch for class critique. I’ll be disappointed if I don’t get them.”
“I’ll have to learn to live with your disappointment, then,” I laughed. “I can’t submit naked photos for an assignment.”
We exited the class together.
“I notice you didn’t say you don’t have any naked photos,” she teased. “Do what you think is best, but I’m a fan of challenging small minds. I’d be happy if over the course of the semester you blew Todd’s.”
“I’ll do my best.”
On my way to meet Minty and Jennifer, I swung by McClung Tower and rode the elevator up to my dad’s office. He wasn’t there, so I left a note on his desk for him.
Stopped by, but you’re teaching. One day I’ll learn your schedule. Just in time for it to change. Love, P
In the UC, after locating Jennifer and Minty and finding an empty booth in the back of the cafeteria, we picked at our soggy French fries and soy burgers. I’d just taken my first bite when Jennifer burst out with, “Guess what!”
“What?” Minty asked with less enthusiasm than Jennifer’s injunction begged for. I had assumed his mood would have improved by lunch, but he still had a brittle air about him, like he might snap.
“Bernie and I went to Tilt-a-Whirl last night on our own.”
Minty shrugged. I took another bite of soy burger and waited.
“So…we kissed.” Jennifer went on, describing how after a night of dancing and drinking, she and her best friend had ended up kissing and touching and sliding fingers into vaginas.
“Oh my God!” Minty exclaimed, covering his ears. “That’s disgusting!”
Jennifer rolled her eyes. “Well, you came out of one, you know. They’re beautiful things. Givers of life.”
“My mother most certainlydoes nothave one of those,” Minty insisted. “She’s like Barbie. I was delivered by a fairy in the middle of the night. Covered in fairy stamps.”
“Fairy stamps?” I dunked a fry in ketchup and tossed it into my mouth.
“Glitter. Duh.”
Jennifer waved her hands around. “Whatever. Forget about that. The important thing is I made her come like four times, but this morning she didn’t say anything about it. What’s up with that? Do you think she’s mad?”
“How would I know?” Minty said, flapping his hands around like he could wave away her words. “Askher!” He rubbed his temples like he was getting a headache.
