Everyone at the table protested loudly.
“You can’t go! We need you to tell us about all the sheep things you’re doing on the farm! We love sheep, don’t we, Kevin? Tell us a yarn! Not the one about brain worms, though, since we’re eating.”
Nev caught the waitress’s eye, mouthed, ‘to go,’ and mimed the shape of a takeaway box.
“Can I ride Brighty?” Rainbow asked. Ronnie wiggled her pointer finger.
Ronnie’s aunt with the purple hair said, “Nev, I always knew you were a lesbian because you look like Tig Notaro.”
Relatives burst into an argument over whether this was accurate or not.
“What’s a lesbian?” Nev asked.
The Madonnas stared at her. In her usual uniform of bargains from the men’s clearance rack at the farm supply depot, she was the butchest person Ronnie had ever seen, and Ronnie had been to pride.
Ronnie patted her friend’s shoulder.
“I could be straight or bi for all they know.”
Ronnie refrained from mentioning the dog-eared copy ofStone Butch Blueson Nev’s bookshelf. “We can talk about this later. No one’s trying to out you.”
Nev frowned.
Ronnie felt guilty. She reached for her friend’s hand, but stopped herself. Nev was already embarrassed. Ronnie noticed everyone watching them. “In other news, Rainbow’s on the rag.”
“Mum!”
Aunties erupted into gasps and cheers, clapping wildly, leaping up out of their chairs and hugging the girl. All conversation turned to Rainbow, who found herself in the hotseat.
Nev stood, reached into the back pocket of her jeans for her wallet, dropped bills on the table. Ronnie swiveled sideways in her chair and pushed herself upright with her arms.
They slipped out. It wasn’t a fast escape. Ronnie had to stop several times to catch her breath, but was relieved when they were finally alone in the truck. She slumped sweating in the passenger seat, laughing.
Ow... Laughing hurts…
She watched Nev put the truck in reverse, back out of the parking space, then put it in drive and turn left onto the Gillies Range Road west towards Lionheart. Nev rummaged behind the seat before handing her a cold Fanta.
“Bless you,” Ronnie said, cracking it open.
“Don’t get used to it. I’m nursing you back to life.”
“Yes, and. Lean into that.”
“You threw your kid under the bus.”
“She deserved it,” Ronnie said.
“That’s debatable.” Nev kept her eyes on the road. “I like your family.”
“But?”
“Are they always that open?”
She thought about that for a minute. “Yeah, generally. I’m guessing your family isn’t.”
Nev shook her head. “Less so now that they’re dead.”
“That’ll do it.” She watched her friend drive. “Why did you get offended when they asked if you were a lesbian?”
