Page 115 of August Lane
Emma:
As a queer woman, I’ve gotten used to being shoved into margins. I’m sure you have, too.
Jojo:
No, we expect it. But we don’t like it any more than they do. Black folks who have never heard me before get excited about the idea of a Black country singer. But then they put my song on and that pedal steel winds up the intro and I lose them. They decide it’s not for them before two words come out of my mouth.
Emma:
Does that bother you?
Jojo:
No. Or… I don’t know, sometimes. Like I wish more people heard “Invisible” the way I sing it first. Then they might have heard what I was saying. Who I was talking to.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
2009
Luke went to the farm to see Ethan. But he drank whiskey before he left because he hadn’t been there since he woke up bleeding on the floor. By the time he arrived, he felt good enough to saunter up the steps. It was Tuesday, a Bible study night for Ava and her sanctified boyfriend. Ethan opened the door, and when Luke saw his little brother’s face, healthy and clear of visible injuries, it was a relief.
“Luke!” Ethan threw his arms around his waist. Luke held on tight and rocked a little before stepping back.
“How are things going?”
“I’m okay. I mean, as okay as possible. She’s using more. I think she misses you.”
Resentment and despair bubbled up together, but Luke easily choked them down thanks to the magic of Jim Beam. “I’ll call her once I’m settled.”
Ethan’s face brightened. “Right. Hold on.” He went to his bedroom. Luke remained standing, unwilling to sit on a couch with bloodstained cushions. Someone had tried to clean the floral fabric, but there were pink splotches between the pastel petals.
Ethan returned with an overstuffed backpack. “I wasn’t sure when you’d come for me, so I figured it was good to be prepared.” He gave Luke a flyer. It was an advertisement forCountry Starauditions. Ethan had written notes on the back, lists of bus routes and Nashville hostels.
Coming back this soon had been a mistake. He should have given his brother more time to cool off after everything that had happened. Ethan still had that look in his eyes, like plan B was burning the house down.
“I know you said you didn’t want to be on TV, but what if we tried together? Two Black kids has to be different enough to get some attention, right? I can do a cowbell and I’ve been working on spoons—”
“You’re not going anywhere.” Luke tried to give the flyer back, but Ethan refused to take it. Luke stuffed it into his jeans. “Not until you head off to college.”
“I’m not staying here with her.”
“You’re too young.” Ethan ignored him and grabbed his backpack. Luke snatched it from his hand. “They’d come after me for taking you. Accuse me of kidnapping.”
