Page 46 of I Can't Even Think Straight

---

than my local chip shop.

“You two are boyfriends, right?”

Nathan asks me and Matt

in front of the rest of The Boys.

“No,” I say instantly.

“No,” Matt echoes me.

“But you’re both gay, aren’t you?”

Kwesi’s voice is gentle,

with a hint of confusion.

This isn’t an accusation,

he seems to know, but

he’s seeking confirmation.

Kwesi’s eyes search mine

as if to say,It’s okay.

Does Kwesi wanna know if I’m gay

because he’s into me?

I wanna say yes but I know Matt

isn’t ready to come out.

Nathan jumps in:

“It’s okay if you are gay,

bisexual, pansexual,

queer, or whatever.

My sister’s a lesbian.”

Kwesi offers: “My uncle’s gay

but you couldn’t tell if you met him.

He’s just, like, a regular guy.”

This shatters my illusion that

Kwesi is into me.

Kwesi is clearly

a well-meaning straight boy.

---