Page 106 of I Can't Even Think Straight

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and got stopped by the police.

You promised me

no more getting into trouble.

I feel like such a fool

for not coming down harder on you.”

“But, Mum, I promise, this was different.

Please, will you just listen to me?”

Mum sighs a heavy Mum sigh.

She wipes the tears from her eyes.

She runs her fingers

through her long, straight hair

and scratches her skull

as if to settle her thoughts.

She does this twice more,

then shakes off her anger

with a shudder of her shoulders.

Mum doesn’t say anything for a few long seconds.

Then she fixes her eyes on me

and says, “Go on, I’m listening.”

I know I’m lying

as I hear myself say,

“Mr. Ndour is picking on me

because I’m gay...”

Eye for an Eye

MATT:Why did you have to lie to your mum? The truth would’ve been enough. I could’ve backed you up as well. You could’ve called me. I would’ve spoken to Auntie Irína. I was there and I know you didn’t swear directly at Mr. Ndour. And I saw how your chair fell over.

KAI:He lied about me first. He said I swore at him and threw the chair across his classroom. So, he’s getting a taste of his own medicine. My mum’s taking tomorrow morning off work. And she’s coming into school to speak to Ms. Sarpong.

MATT:You went too far to say you think he’s targeting you for being gay. I don’t think he was being homophobic.

KAI:You don’t know for sure, do you? You’ve not come out, so you don’t face the discrimination I do.

MATT:You’re weaponizing your sexuality to get your way. What if Mr. Ndour loses his job?

KAI:He’s not gonna lose his job.

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