understands.
 
 “I will say that when I’m with your auntie, I feel very
 
 good and I’m very happy.”
 
 Tildy thinks about that for a minute. “If you’re both
 
 girls, how do you have a baby? I thought only boys and girls
 
 could have a baby together.”
 
 “Okay!” Adley breaks into the room, an overly
 
 cheerful look on her face. “Mac and cheese is just about
 
 ready!”
 
 I wonder how much of that conversation she just heard.
 
 Probably everything. I hope she did. It’s hard to tell her those
 
 things, put labels on things. I’m scared that I’ll scare her off or
 
 that she’ll think that I’m pushing her when I’m not. I’m
 
 content to just be with her. Everything else will come in time. I
 
 spent my whole life waiting for this time, a time when I didn’t
 
 have to pretend or hide, so I can be patient.
 
 “But I want to know…” Tildy starts, but Adley cuts in.
 
 “Ask your mom, honey. She’ll explain it to you. I don’t
 
 know how much she would like me to tell you about where
 
 babies come from and how they can be, so ask her about it.
 
 Ask her to explain all of it to you. I’m sure that she will, but I
 
 don’t want to give you information you might not need yet
 
 because you’re too young for it.”
 
 “But she wouldn’t mind…”
 
 “Just ask her.” Adley winks. “I’ll be right back with the
 
 mac and cheese. Want to go sit down at the table?”
 
 “Okay,” Tildy sighs. “Should I take off my dress?”
 
 “Right! I’ll get you a t-shirt. Hold on.” Adley rushes
 
 off down the hall and appears again with a huge plain gray t-
 
 shirt. She gets Tildy into it and helps her up to the table, which