Me
I hate to say this but I’m proud of you, kid.
Me
I just wish you didn’t have to feel the need to defend me. It’s supposed to be the other way around.
Avery
We’re family. We defend each other.
Me
I love you.
Avery
Love you too, Aunt Pres.
I pick up the phone in the library and dial my boss’ extension.
“Hey, Presley. What’s up?”
“Avery got into a fight at school. Any way I can leave a little early today?”
“Oh, no. Is he okay?”
I rub my temple with my fingers. “Yeah, he’s okay.”
“Hmm, let me see your schedule.” I hear the faint sound of his computer mouse clicking in the background. “I can switch your free period at one-thirty, and you can leave at two-thirty. Does that work?”
“Absolutely. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”
“Of course.”
I hang up, and prepare for my next class. Being a school librarian isn’t my dream job, but it allows me to have the same schedule as the kids. When I was presented with the opportunity, I jumped at the chance. This school paid for me to get my master’s degree in order to take this position, and I was able to take online classes. It wasn’t easy while simultaneously juggling two children full-time, and dealing with the loss of my sister—all while grieving my own broken heart after leaving the two loves of my life in college. Looking back, I don’t know how I made it through that sad, stressful time. But these kids mean everything to me, and I was determined to make it work.
I might not love this job, but I need it. And the fact that Molly is trying to come for it is personal. She’s trying to take food out of my niece and nephew’s mouths, and I won’t stand for it. Ideas have been bouncing around my mind all week. I want to do more than create a book display in this library. I want to create something that will help bridge the gap between children and the LGBTQ community. I want to teach kids about kindness, and diversity, and acceptance.
With the support of my school, my friends, and my men, I’m going to make sure Molly knows that there’s no place in this town for her hatred and discrimination. The same goes for Avery’s bullies.
It seems everyone needs to be taught a lesson, and punching people in the face isn’t going to cut it.
Much to my dismay.
Dominique snapsher fingers in front of my face. “Hey, you with me?”
“Sorry. I’ve been in my own head a lot lately.”
“Thinking about what? Not wasting your time on Miserable Molly, I hope.”
I chuckle. “No, not at all. I’ve actually been thinking about starting some kind of group for children where they can experience people in the LGBTQ community—kind of like how Drag Queens were reading books to kids in Manhattan—just to have them be in an inclusive and accepting safe space together.”
Dominique’s eyes widen. “I love that. Let’s do it.”
My smile widens. Whenever I want to do something, Dominique always sayslet’s, as if it’s an automatic given that she’s going to do whatever it is with me. I’m never alone, and she’s always by my side.
“I love you, Dom.” I cover her hand with mine. “Thank you for being my friend.”
