AllFreeNovel
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Just like that, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Not the kind that signals the end of your life, but the kind that shows you the way out.
I never thought about having the ability to choose who knows me and who doesn’t. That power has always been taken away from me.
“What do I do now?”
“Take your power back. Be yourself on your terms.”
All his words make sense. I don’t want to hide anymore. I want to be free. I want to have a choice.
The market is just as busy as ever with people trying to sell their products to make a living.
Art. They are making art.
Sure, there are the food product vendors that come here from the neighboring farms, but my eye is drawn to the jewelry, the clothes, and the canvases of unfamiliar landscapes.
The inside of the Louvre on a busy day. The Great Wall of China. Even just a simple meadow. Looks just like the same one Oliver and I frolicked through on our all-nighter. The way the sun rose and gave the flowers a glittering look from the dew. It was like a disco ball sparkling around us.
The same day, I decided to trust him with my body.
“How much for the meadow canvas?”
“That one is twenty.” The vendor gives me a wary look. Maybe I’m his first sale of the day.
“Are you the artist?” I try to offer my best reassuring smile. It feels fake. I’m still not great at comforting people. Type D personality and all.
“I am,” he says.
He swipes his hair to the side, giving me a perfect view of his features. He’s young, probably only a few years older than me, and he’s out here trying to make it with his passion.
Do I have a passion? I’m going to college for film, but the more I think about it, the more I realize I just like my video journal. The same journal I’ve been ignoring all summer.
I pull out thirty from my purse and hand it to the man.
“It’s only twenty.” He tries to hand the money back, but I don’t take it.
“Tip the artist, am I right?” I try to laugh, but something catches in my throat at his glistening eyes. “Do you have an Instagram? I’d love to follow and commission some pieces.”
I bet a family portrait of all the Reeds together would be a great Christmas present for Moms.
The man just nods and lists off his handle. With a quick follow, I’m walking away with a piece of art that can remind me of my time here and one of the few good memories I’ll ever have.
We really are a tenacious existence, using everything we can to survive. These people are doing everything in their power to survive and maybe someday thrive.
My body just wanders the market for another thirty minutes, but nothing else catches my eye. At least, not until I see a couple giving me what I assume is a disapproving look.
I’ve never pushed myself to be unapologetically out. Even in Darien, being in public was nerve-wracking.
But if I want to truly move forward, I need to be okay with people knowing I’m trans. Living in fear means never moving forward, and I want to live for the future.
I refuse to hide myself anymore.
“Sally.”
I turn to find Dalton standing just a few feet from me. I was so absorbed in my thoughts that he snuck up on me for a third time. My feet take a step back before reassessing the surrounding area. It’s light out, so he wouldn’t try anything. Not in front of all these people. Not when he was so afraid of people knowing we have a past.
“What do you want?” The question burns my mind. “Haven’t you hurt me enough?”
“No,” he says like I’m dumb for even thinking this was over. We were over.
