Page 34 of The Black Flamingo

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“Queerdo and weirdo. Why are youalways

together? Are you two girlfriends or

boyfriends?”

“Neither, not that it would be any of your

business,” I reply.

Daisy stares Grace down, like Goddess Barbie

would, unblinking.

“So are you both gay?” asks Grace, sneering.

“We’re not judging you.”

“Only God can judge you,” says Destiny.

“Yeah, only God,” repeats Faith, with a wink.

“Do you three share one brain?” asks Daisy

as she pushes past them and gets on the bus.

“Go with your boyfriend,” Grace says to me.

When I get on the bus,

Daisy has already put her bag on the seat

next to her.

I laugh. “I’m having déjà vu, Daisy! Move

the bag so I can sit down.”

“Just leave me alone, Michael.”

I stand over her, not moving. “It’s not my fault.”

“You hardly defended me, did you?”

“You can clearly defend yourself, Daisy.

What did you want me to say?”

“I don’t know. Something. Anything.

Not just stand there and take abuse.”

“I said it was none of their business, didn’t I?”

I look at her pleadingly.

The bus jolts forward; I grab the railing.

Daisy moves her bag, so I can sit down.

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