Page 54 of The Black Flamingo

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and do those things.

I call her downstairs

and say:

“I need to tell you,

I’m gay.”

She laughs. “I know.” Then asks,

“Have you got a boyfriend?”

DAISY:HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Let’s go out after school?

MICHAEL:I can’t. Sry

DAISY:I know you’re funny about your birthday but it would be nice to hang out. Cinema?

DAISY:My treat. There’s a really cool-looking film I want to see called The Lobster

MICHAEL:I’m going for a drive with Uncle B

MUM:I’m making shepherd’s pie tonight as a birthday treat

MICHAEL:That stopped being my favorite years ago

MICHAEL:I’m going to the cinema with Daisy

MUM:Okay. Have fun. I’ll have it ready for when you’re back

At school, I sit in the toilets.

In my bag are the condoms

that Mum bought me,

along with a new, thick, black

notebook and special pen.

The notebook is Moleskine

and the pen is Cross.

I’m nervous bringing them to school

in case I lose them.

I’m nervous taking the condoms

in case someone sees them.

I download an app

that allows me to talk

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