Page 27 of Cherry Moon

“Bad time?” my brother asked. “Of course it is. I’ll go. Sorry. This really doesn’t matter right now.”

“I’m fine. This does matter.”

He scuffed at the floor with his left trainer, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Are you sure you want me to read this?” I signed.

“I’m sure. Please read it.”

So, I did, unfolding the crinkly lined paper.

After I broke up with Melinda last summer, I kind of went on a journey.

Crap. This is hard.

He’d drawn a picture of a drunk-looking face with mad curly hair before continuing.

I went out a few weeks later. After she blocked me. I was hurting so badly I just needed to get out of the house.

Went clubbing. Didn’t drink any booze, only lemonade. Met this guy. Danced.

Laughed. Felt good about myself again.

Kissed him.

Went back to his place.

Both sober.

We kissed. No sex. But what a kiss.

“Oh,” I said, looking up at him.

His eye gleamed with fear.

I folded the paper, handing it back to him.

When he took it, I thought he’d bolt. By the tenshi, the man looked so scared, so bewildered.

I smiled. “Firstly, thanks for telling me that. I’m honored you felt comfortable enough to share it with me.”

He nodded, then dipped his head.

Moving forward a few steps, I caught his attention. “I’m glad you had some fun.”

He practically swallowed his bottom lip, barely blinking.

I didn’t want to push or force him to say anything he didn’t want to. I just waited, making sure he knew this was a safe space for him to speak about anything. Signed it twice to make it clear.

It took him five minutes to say, “I think I’m bi.”

I nodded, giving him the space to offload.

He continued. “I still like women, but I’ve realized I like men, too. It wasn’t some passing fancy. Kissing him kicked an unseen door down. Hard.”

“A good snog can turn the world upside down.”

He snorted. “Dickhead.”