We all had to go to someone else’s house for something related to a family wedding; I reluctantly went because I was needed; mom drove but it was through a maze of waterways. Once there I said, “So this means I can’t wait in the car until you’re done?” and she said no. So I went in with her. She disappeared with the others somewhere in the house and left me in a living room filled with strangers… all straight men older and younger than me. I could see my much older brother in the kitchen cooking with what were the other older folks totally ignoring me and I was feeling left out. I had never felt so out of place.

Then a little girl came over to me and pulled on my finger asking if wanted to come and listen to her iPod. She took me to a sort of playroom that overlooked everything that was going on. I sat sideways in a chair with my legs up over the arms and felt more comfortable and she handed me her iPod and some of her favorite books and when I looked up she had gone. Everyone was going for food and Mom and I caught eyes with a gaze that inquired if I was ready to go – like you have to ask? So we made our way to the door to leave. I set the books aside but the iPod remained in one hand while I fiddled with a gay pride key ring in the other, being careful to keep the rainbow from view. I could see the little girl again off behind all the people picking up the books smiling at me as I left.