Page 128 of The Black Flamingo

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sheet to reveal I am wearing a tutu

and ballet pointe shoes. I go en pointe.

Everyone at the party begins to sing

“Happy Birthday.” Kieran appears holding

a cake with just one candle. I look closer

at the candle and it’s not a candle.

It’s Rowan, in miniature, his red hair standing

upright like a flickering flame. I make a wish as

I blow and Rowan disappears

and so does everyone else except for Kieran.

He says, “Happy birthday, Michael.”

He leans in to kiss me and I close my eyes.

His lips feel light as a feather and I open

my eyes to find one black feather on my lips

and no Kieran and I cough and I cough

and I cough up black feather after black

feather.

I leave the house party

and decide to go to

Omen,

the gay club in town,

dumping my white sheet

in the dustbin on my way

to the bus stop.

I’m wearing my Converse,

navy blue Levi’s jeans,

and a light blue Levi’s shirt.

I think a club is better than

an app. It’s real life

and I can dance there.

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