Chapter 40

“Sorry, lesbian,” he retorted, his tongue languishing over the word meant as an epithet.

“Shut the fuck up, Frank,” I shot back before I could stop myself.

Frank laughed, and I returned to staring straight ahead, determined to be invisible while I retained an ounce of dignity. Suddenly, Jessica was at my right, bending near me and bringing her voice low below the buzz of our classmates’ cross conversations. A hand on my shoulder.

“So, is it true?”

When I glanced sidelong at her, I noticed a twinkle in her eye.

“Is what true?” I asked.

She squeezed my shoulder, winked.

“Youknow.”

I could have told her the truth—just her candor made me want to. But no matter how much part of me was screaming out to tell someone—anyone—most of me just wasn’t brave enough.

“Well, is it?”

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Closed it. Opened it again. A loaded, nine-months-pregnant pause, my mouth left hanging halfway open.

“No, Jess.” Still blushing. “It’s not.”