Page 47 of The Black Flamingo

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“Don’t worry, you can’t score every time

but you still gotta take the shot.

Respect for taking the risk, bro.

I’ve got a question for you: Why did you

ask out the whitest boy in school?

Why not give a brother a chance?”

I laugh, through my tears. “You’re funny.”

“Yeah,” Kieran sighs, “so are you.

I should go but if anyone gives you any trouble,

you let me know.”

He squeezes my shoulder,

walks to the door.

He turns back. “Did you know

the first openly gay professional soccer player

was Justin Fashanu? He was the first

black soccer player to get a million-quid

transfer fee, which is nothing today,

but in the eighties it was a really big deal.”

Kieran hovers at the door for a second more,

then leaves.

I take out my phone.

I Google: “Justin Fashanu.”

What Kieran said is true

but it looks like life was hell

after he came out. He killed himself.

I wonder if Kieran knows that?

I have English after lunch

and when I walk in, I’m sure

people are talking about me.

Daisy’s chair is empty.

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