Page 5 of I Can't Even Think Straight

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Vass puts out a hand,

which Local Boy takes

and slowly shakes.

“And my pronouns are

they, them, theirs.”

Local Boy eyes up

Vass’s long, aurora-manicured nails,

like Vass is an exotic

sea creature washed ashore.

“Nice to meet you, Vass.

I don’t think I’ve met

a nonbinary person before.”

“There’s a first time

for everything,” says Vass,

stretching out on their sun lounger

like a relaxed cat.

“So, what’s your name?”

The devil on my shoulder tells me

I should be angry

Vass hasn’t introduced me,

but my angel tells me

this is Vass’s moment.

“I’m Adonis,

and my pronouns are

he, him, his.”

Adonis turns to me

with an expectant smile.

“And you are?”

For a moment I forget I’m really here,

beside my best friend,

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