Killing Samuel and Moving On

Letter Four

Dear Page,

NO TITTY GANG!

That's what your dad had stitched into your black binder.
A pretty swirl of white cursive and warm yellow lining.
I couldn't help the laugh I let loose as you told me the story
of your coming out.

The day you came home with all nine inches chopped off.
A makeup free face after you threw all your cosmetics away.
Gender neutral and slightly more masculine clothes weighing down your arms.
The fear in your heart when you said those words to your father.

The single man who'd given his life to raise you alone after your mother abandoned the two of you.

You laughed and said, I don't know what the fuck I was so scared about.
Should've known he wouldn't give a damn.
All he ever cared about was that I was happy.

It was him that bought you
your first binder.
Him who joked, I never wanted a daughter anyway.
A nonbi was always on my list
of kids I wanted.
Nonbi was the joke
between you two
when people asked
if he had any kids.

Yeah!
He'd smile.
I've got a nonbi.
The best nonbi there is!
How 'bout you?
You got a nonbi too?

And he'd laugh because he knew,
not everyone's ignorance
could be changed.
Not everyone's hate
could be turned to love.
Some could and some couldn't.

He'd gone and figured that out
the hard way.

So the ones that could be changed,
he tried.
And the ones that couldn't,
he made fun of.
His humor had a wit to him that was sharp and decisive.
He knew exactly what to say that would confuse them in seconds.

Your dad,
he always had your back like that.
Page, I love that for you.

I also loved it even more when you first brought me home.
And he asked you, Nonbi?
And you said no.
Just, she.
She.
Page, you gave me she
when Quill forced they.
You were the first to call me she.
The first to give Stella she.

And he said, Cool!
Before wrapping me in a tight hug.
You're a family of huggers and I adore that about you two.
He was the one who gave me the courage to one day come out
to my parents.
And even though they accepted Stella, I'll never forget what your dad said to me:

If it doesn't work out, I'm here.
You smiled.
After all, I always wanted a cool daughter like you!

Hey!

🏳️‍🌈

Vote and/or Comment if you enjoyed this part!

🏳️‍🌈