Early Birds

Young female starting on a journey to find her place in the world

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She walked along the outdoor mall of stores that included her personal favourites, Starbucks

and The Gap. She wore her usual beat up jeans and a NASA tee shirt from Target. She

remembered splurging on the tee shirt because she loved NASA. Typically, she would have

grabbed whatever outerwear was available at the local thrift shops. Her meager pay increase

the previous week encouraged her to spend money on fun items. At least for that week. She

had to find a new living arrangement after a battle in her Aunt's apartment. It started out like so:

"I don't like those girls you hang out with," Aunt said with her Mexican accent.

"They're just friends. We don't get into any trouble if that is what your worried about," said

Lola.

"It's not that. The older one ...what's her name? Glenda? Rita?" asked Auntie.

"Cindy. And she's like 19 ...a year older than me," said Lola.

"Mom! Why don't you just leave her alone? Lola's friends are ok. I've hung out with them at the movies,"

said Pablo, Lola's same age cousin.

"Oh and you too. Stop hanging out with them I'm telling you. That's final," said Auntie.

Lola suspected that her Aunt did not like Cindy because she was an out and proud lesbian.

She took Lola and Pablo to the Pride Festival down in the Florida Keys that Summer. Cindy was

always talking about how the large cities had more opportunities for the LGBTQ+ folks. She was

always asking Lola if she would move to Miami with her. Lola liked women. She knew that Cindy

wanted to get with her, and the feelings were not reciprocal.

Later that Summer Lola's Aunt caught her with a Maxin's glow stamp on her hand.

"I asked you to stop hanging out with those girls. Am I talking to a wall? And you Pablo. What

did I tell you last week? Does anyone listen to what I say?" asked Auntie.

"I do mom," said Cousin Carlos, who had been kissing up to her throughout dinner. He was

clearly after the car keys that night.

"If your gonna live in this house ...," said Auntie.

"Look Auntie, I respect your house. Almost all my checks go back into this house. I'm not out

every night. We don't get in any trouble. I'm not ditching my friends ...ok?" said Lola. She could

see Pablo giving her a thumbs up from the kitchen.

"No, not OK. If your going to disobey me in my own house, and choose a certain lifestyle than

you can find another place to live," said Auntie.

"Fine, I will," said Lola. She could see Pablo from the kitchen trying to wave her off. "I will save up and find someplace else."

"Fine," said Auntie, with a puzzled expression.

Lola knew her Aunt meant well. She knew that her Aunt was puffing her feathers in

suggesting that she move. Lola also knew that her lifestyle was, or soon would be, in conflict

with her Catholic upbringing.

"Why did you tell her you would move? Why do that when things are good here?" said Pablo.

"Look your mom suspects about me. How long before one of us brings home a friend who is

more than a friend? What then? You know how she feels about gays. Do you want to still be

here when you come out?" said Lola.

"I know. Your right. I mean I'm only seventeen and I don't think she suspects anything with

me being the awesome ball player I am. No pun intended. I just think maybe she'll come around,

you know," said Pablo.

"You just want me to go first to break her into the idea," said Lola smirking.

"Yeah that to. But really I'm going to miss you not here," said Pablo.

"Well I'm not gone yet. I can give Cindy a call and have us meet down at the Bear Cave or

Maxine's later?" said Lola.

"Yeah, that's sound like a plan. I will tell her (looking towards the dining room) that we are

playing Foosball over in Trent's garage," said Pablo.

Lola spent the next few months checking the adds and saving up her money for a new place

to live. She continued to hang out with Cindy and their friends after work and on the weekends

unbeknownst to her Aunt. She perused the classifieds for something that clicked.

"You know you don't have to move out," said Auntie in late October.

"No Auntie. You were right. I should be out in the world (no pun intended she thought) I mean

it is so comfortable here and all. Your meals are the best ever. I'm not really motivated to

change anything. I mean I have to move eventually, right? And this way Pablo can finally have

his own room," said Lola.

"That's what I'm afraid of. I mean you at least keep the room clean, and who knows what kind

of girls he will try to bring over," said Auntie.

"Yeah. I'm sure you have less to worry about than you think," said Lola.

Lola was looking through the online classifieds, at the library, when Cindy sat down next to

her.

"Why didn't you tell me you're looking for a place? You know I've been trying to find a

roommate for Miami," said Cindy.

"I know that, but I don't want to live in Miami. So I didn't tell you. Because I'm looking

elsewhere," said Lola.

"Whatever. So ...what are your plans?" asked Cindy.

"Honestly, I don't have a clue. It doesn't look like most people move in the winter. Besides I

might be looking to do something else ...I applied to UCLA, but it would be less expensive if I lived in state," said Lola.

"Why would you want to go way over there? There are many good schools here in Florida,"

said Cindy.

"I know. I'm just thinking about it that's all," said Lola.

"Yeah, well don't think to hard on it. Loans are horrendous these days. I have a cousin paying

off the forty thousand he borrowed for the rest of his life in interest," said Cindy.

"I know I said. It was just an idea," said Lola.

"I have an idea why don't we go to Maxine's tonight? Text Pablo to see if we should swing by

to pick him up," said Cindy.

"I'll just tell him to meet us there," said Lola.

Later that night Lola and Pablo sat on the dull yellow lawn chairs in the front of the apartment

complex.

"So ...Cindy seems pretty upset that you said your moving to LA. I'm upset too, that idea is

ridiculous. Your whole family is here," said Pablo.

"I'm not moving to L.A., geez, and no, my whole family is not here," said Lola.

"Oh that again. Look no one knows where your daddy headed to after his five year stint for

dealing. I doubt it was L.A. I just don't want you to go so far away. That's all. I mean who else

knows I'm gay? Who else can I be myself around?" said Pablo.

"Maybe Trent. I know he's straight and all, but you've been friends for, like, your entire lives,"

said Lola.

"I'm just not ready to tell anyone that's all," said Pablo.

"Yeah, but like the whole gay community knows already," said Lola.

"I know ...but that's like a second family, and you're the only one who knows in my first family.

Don't you feel the same way?" said Pablo.

"I never really thought of it like that, but I see what you mean. It will work out," said Lola.

They sat silently together for a few minutes while sipping their beers.

"So L.A. You know they have the Dodgers, right? I guess that's kind of cool. It would give me

a place to stay if I visit. Who knows maybe I could try out for them?" said Pablo.

"Try? I'll bet they'd pick you right up," said Lola.

The next week while looking through the classifieds Lola came across an add for a twenty

year old Toyota with low miles. She checked the price to make sure she had read it correctly.

She could easily buy the car and get to L.A., within the week. The day she left her Aunt cried,

she cried and her cousins cheered.

"Now this is the last address of your Aunt Rita and Uncle Rico who live in Pasadena. We

haven't spoken in years. They're distant relatives through marriage, but they won't leave you out

in the cold," said Auntie.

"I don't think it gets really cold there Auntie," said Lola.

"Well then ...they won't leave you out in the heat either," said Auntie.

Lola carried a box with personal items, some books, her pillows and linens down to the car.

Pablo gently carried her cat and cat items. They hugged for what felt like forever.

"This summer I'm coming out there for the Pride Festival, and to watch the Dodgers play.

Don't forget us now that you're off to become a successful college graduate," said Pablo.

"You're still my favourite cousin," said Lola.

The next morning Lola arose to an amazing sunrise coming over the Tennessee mountains

off of interstate 40. She ate some cereal in complete solitude. She listened to the morning birds who were just beginning to settle after their early morning vocalizations.

By Alex Almeida

From: United States

Website: https://www.alexathebard.blogspot.com

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