another summer
So time passes. So she graduates with honours. So she has a beautiful wonderful girlfriend who, in two years, becomes a doctor. So she has an amazing best friend who runs around the city photographing it’s best and brightest who she is so, so proud of at all times. He came to her graduation and jumped on his chair and screeched with all his might and sobbed with joy because he was so proud. He is so proud. So it’s the summer of 1978 and she is the happiest she’s ever been. So she cycles round the city on Whizzer’s old bike which they finally got out of hoc. So she gets promoted at the bakery. Head of production. So she’s pleased with herself. So she’s happy. So she watches him grow and change. So she watches him come home at four in the morning, limping. So he hasn’t had a proper boyfriend in four years. So he shrinks into himself if any guy tries to properly flirt with him. So she still harbours some resting resentment for A Certain Man. But it’s okay. Whizzer will be fine. She’s not sure when, but she’s sure he will.
She goes for jogs around central park in the summer sun. Watches the world spin. Smiles at the kids who gawp at how long her hair is. It’s down to her hips now and still the brightest natural shade of blonde. She loves her hair. She sprints across the centre of the park and then does some stretches under a tree. She sits down on the grass and looks up at the sky. There’s no clouds. She feels so clear.
That night she lies in bed with Charlotte, being cuddled and cuddling. Charlotte is pressing kisses to the side of her cheek. She’s laughing. Life is good. She turns over, pecks Charlotte’s lips and shuts her eyes. She feels good. She feels real. She’s okay.