CHAPTER 37
Keisha leaned forward—eyes half-lidded—so her bow tie could be adjusted. Mindy leaned back to consider her work before brushing down the lapels of the rented tuxedo that Keisha wore. Only then did she seem satisfied.
“Very dashing.”
“Thank you,” Keisha replied.
“Wait until you see Anthony.” Mindy walked over to the vanity near her bed and began straightening up. “It’s some of my best work.”
“I’m certain the evening will be especially magical because of you.”
“I hope so.” Mindy spun around, her eyes shimmering. “I am so jealous. I wish I was going with you guys.”
“You should have made my brother take you.”
Mindy stiffened. “Vonn? Why him, of all people? That’s so random!”
“Uh-huh.” Keisha smirked. “You know how Clark Kent would always make an excuse and rush off shortly before Superman showed up on the scene?”
“I don’t read comics,” Mindy said cagily.
“Funny how vague your plans were on nights that I was busy. If that wasn’t hint enough, you’d both clam up when in the same room and refuse to look at each other.
Now if you’d flirted openly, I would have been less suspicious, thinking it was all in jest. The awkward silence told me it was more serious than that. ”
Mindy’s shoulders slumped. “It’s already over between us.”
“I figured or else Vonn wouldn’t keep finding the most obtuse excuses to ask how you’re doing.”
Mindy perked up again. “Really?”
Keisha narrowed her eyes. “I thought you said it was over.”
“It is, but I like the idea of a boy being filled with longing for me.”
Keisha laughed. “You’re a real piece of work.”
Mindy grimaced. “Do you hate me?”
“Quite the opposite.”
“I’m sorry for going behind your back. I thought it would gross you out.”
“The thought of anyone kissing my brother—or doing whatever—grosses me out. I just don’t think friends should keep secrets from each other.”
Mindy raised her eyebrows with a judgmental air before she resumed straightening. “I guess we’re even now.”
“For what?”
“The secret relationships you had.”
Keisha gasped. “I was still in the closet!”
Mindy smirked. “Secrets don’t make friends.”
“I think someone needs a spanking.”
“You wish!”
“I do. And it’s about to come true!”
She lunged. Mindy shrieked. Keisha began chasing her around.
They both stopped when a beautiful woman walked into the room.
That was her first impression anyway. Anthony’s blond hair was tousled around fine features, his skin unblemished perfection, the pink lips full and sensuous.
Mascara was artfully smeared beneath both eyes, as if he’d been crying over a lost love—a tribute to Cameron perhaps.
The rest of the outfit continued this narrative.
In the center of a skillfully stuffed bra was a blob of red paint that ran down, like streaks of blood, implying someone had ripped the heart from his chest. Keisha wasn’t as fond of the leather vest, but the tattered edges did give the impression that he’d marched through hell. In combat boots.
“Damn!” she said, pushing Mindy away. “Get thee gone, woman! I have a new crush!”
“Isn’t she beautiful?” Mindy said with a sigh.
“Indeed he—Wait, do I detect a change of pronouns?”
“Not yet,” Anthony said shyly. “But maybe eventually.”
“Simply say the word and I’ll update my file.” Keisha swept up a clear plastic container that she’d left on the bed and presented it to him. “This is for you.”
Anthony clasped his hands together. “You got me a corsage?”
“I know how to treat a lady,” she said, before shooting a mischievous gaze in Mindy’s direction. “Unlike my brother.”
She placed the floral bracelet on Anthony’s wrist, wishing that she’d known his theme, because wilted flowers would have suited him better.
Then again, that would happen naturally as the evening progressed.
They went downstairs to the entryway, where Mindy took photos with a disposable camera.
Her father watched, completely at a loss while trying his best to be supportive.
Mindy played the role of a proud parent when walking them outside. Then they were on their way. Keisha considered him anew from behind the wheel of her Bronco when they idled at a stoplight.
“You sure are pretty,” she murmured.
“And you look smoking hot in that tuxedo,” Anthony replied. “It’s kind of confusing.”
“It is.” Keisha had leaned into her boyishness more than usual. She wasn’t wearing any makeup, just men’s deodorant and cologne. “This could be the start of something beautiful.”
Anthony nodded. “I think we just figured out a way for gay people to reproduce. We’ll build an army this way and take over the world!”
“Worth a shot. Wait, do you have a uterus?”
Anthony patted himself down. “I’m not sure. Where do girls keep those?”
Keisha sighed. “Back to the drawing board.”
Prom was being held downtown at a historic hotel, which was just a fancy way of saying that the building was old and small.
There was a dedicated ballroom at least, which Omar had assured her was very nice, since his family danced there on occasion.
Talk about a silver spoon. Her own family was more likely to kick up their heels in a barn.
The parking lot was already nearing capacity when they arrived, but they managed to find a spot. Then they followed the flow of formally dressed teenagers to the entrance, where a line had formed.
“Uh-oh,” Anthony said when noticing the same thing she had.
Faith Song was one of the people checking tickets.
“Think she’ll let us in?” Anthony asked in concern.
Keisha stared a second longer. Faith wasn’t wearing a fancy dress. She looked miserable instead of delighting in being a literal gatekeeper.
“Maybe we should try our luck on the other side,” Anthony said, nodding at Jenny Keats, the student council president ever since Cameron had stepped down.
She was a mousey girl with a bell-shaped bob of brown hair, who always raised her hand enthusiastically in the science classes Keisha had shared with her over the years.
“I think we’ll be fine either way,” Keisha said, returning her attention to “Faith” with renewed certainty as they neared. This was of course her twin sister, probably put here to make sure she didn’t run off and have a nice evening with Abigail.
Hope did a double take when they presented their tickets, her eyes lingering on Anthony. “Umm… I don’t think…”
“Still doing whatever your sister tells you?” Keisha challenged.
Hope’s face flushed.
“You look lovely!” she heard Jenny say. “Both of you.”
This drew Keisha’s attention. She saw a blush of another kind. Jenny hastily averted her gaze.
“Thank you,” Anthony murmured. “Can we go in now?”
“Of course!” Jenny said. “Have fun!”
Keisha spared a glance for Hope. “This could have been our night,” she murmured before taking Anthony’s arm and escorting him inside.
Flowers were the theme. The dance was called the Garden of Delight or something equally silly, which translated to lattice dressing screens along the perimeter of the ballroom adorned with fake roses.
Which was a shame, because they obscured the antique mirrors that covered the walls.
They stopped to have their photo taken before braving the crowd.
Anthony was attracting stares, mostly from girls who were curious about his outfit. In the limited light, Keisha didn’t think most people could tell who was the boy and who was the girl. Folks seemed more interested in having a good time, the vibe rowdy and the music pumping.
Of course there were those dedicated to making others miserable. Keisha and Anthony were standing near the refreshments table and looking around for their friends when a voice laced with venom drew their attention.
“What are you doing here?”
Faith marched over to them, lithe in a tight black dress with a split in the front that provided tantalizing flashes of her legs.
The sex appeal was off the charts, torturously so, because it provided a glimpse of how Hope might have looked in an alternate dimension.
A nightmarish one, considering the tall red-headed guy at her side.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Troy said in disgust.
Keisha stepped protectively in front of Anthony. “Is there a problem?”
“Yes,” Faith spat. “This dance is for couples only.”
“Oh, but we are,” Keisha said. “You clearly know nothing about gay people. I’m attracted to women. He’s attracted to men. We’re more than compatible.”
“That’s right,” Anthony said, moving forward to stand at her side. “I’m going to have Keisha’s baby.” He placed a hand over his stomach.
Troy rolled his eyes. “I’m past the point of caring what you freaks do.” He took Faith’s arm. “Let’s go.”
His girlfriend didn’t budge. “What are you wearing?"
This was directed at Anthony. Surely she didn’t just now realize that he was wearing a dress. The ballroom wasn’t that dark!
“Don’t worry about it,” Anthony murmured.
Faith shook Troy off. “Where did you get that jacket?” She grabbed the leather where the sleeves were cut off and pulled it closer to see. “This was my jacket!”
“Wait,” Troy said, his face twisting up. “You’re wearing her jacket?”
“She only had it on during rehearsals,” Anthony said. “It belongs to Mindy.”
Troy gritted his teeth, his nostrils flaring. “You’re dressing up like my girlfriend now?”
“She didn’t wear it on stage!” Anthony shot back. “It’s not her jacket!”
“I don’t care,” Troy said, getting up in his face. “Take it off.”
“What?”
“You heard me! Take it off!”
“Now hold on a minute,” Keisha said, aware of how tense the situation had become. They were already attracting an audience as people stopped to see how this would play out.
Anthony scowled in defiance. Then his features relaxed. “Okay.”
“What?” Keisha cried in dismay.
“It’s not a big deal,” Anthony said when slipping off the jacket.
Troy snatched it from him. “Stay away from us!”
“You’ve got it,” Anthony said easily.
The most hateful couple in school disappeared into the crowd.
Keisha turned to Anthony in shock. “He had no right!”