Peggy
Peggy had never been the one in the spotlight. Of course ze was a cherished member of zir family and friend group but ze existed always in the background. Even after ze had come out as genderfluid it had been a week tops of special attention and once everyone had mostly adjusted ze was relegated to the background again. And boy did it hurt. Angelica was the oldest, wittiest, and most shrewd of the Schuyler siblings. Eliza was the sweet one who was always known for the best hugs and baked goods and always smelling nice. And Peggy was just Peggy. Peggy the youngest Schuyler sibling. Peggy the tagalong. ‘And Peggy’.
And then ze met Maria. The world didn’t suddenly stop spinning when she walked through the door of the women’s center. There were no fireworks or feelings of love at first sight. There was simply the ache of yearning to help when Maria timidly approached the desk and began to speak, almost too quietly to hear. “I’m sorry to bother you, but I don’t know where to go. I’m alone,” she’d said. “My boyfriend constantly beats and mistreats me and I can’t go on like this.”
And Peggy had smiled gently and given her over to Eliza’s care, hoping that, whatever her past, she’d be able to find a brighter future. What Peggy hadn’t done was expect to see her again but the next day the van driver wasn’t feeling up to navigating traffic so ze, the alternate volunteer for whatever needed doing, ended up behind the wheel and there she was in the back seat, quietly observing the interactions between Hercules, Catherine, and Dolly. And then she wasn’t just a (absolutely stunning) picture in the rearview but a solid presence by Peggy’s side as they wandered through the store, picking out things Maria needed and laughing at each other’s terrible jokes.
“I used to hate math,” Peggy says as the group begins to check out, “but I realized that decimals have a point.” The entire group, sans Maria who’s in absolute stitches, groans at the pun. The sappy thought of wanting hear Maria’s laugh on a loop goes through Peggy’s head and ze squashes it, instead pretending to scowl at the rest of the faux unappreciative group. “None of you have a sense of humor except for Maria,” ze grumbles, suppressing a smile. Even the cashier rolls his eyes.
‘If only the lightheartedness could’ve lasted,’ thinks Peggy as ze watches the man who is apparently Maria’s abusive ex approach them with murder in his eyes. Hercules stands, keeps him from grabbing her, asks the man if there’s a problem. His tune changes immediately in Hercules’ shadow and grip. He begs a shaking Maria to come back home with meaningless words and promises. Peggy knows ze can’t intervene but ze looks over at her and when she turns and their eyes meet, Maria’s resolve hardens just a little. She tells him no, Hercules shoos him away, and, the second he’s gone, Maria shatters. And if Peggy’s heart breaks a little too, then that’s certainly no one else’s business.
They reach the shelter without another incident and having calmed Maria on the way. Peggy is almost afraid Maria will break when she first jumps out of the van but there’s that steel again and before Peggy’s even found zir footing on the pavement, Maria’s got four of the heaviest bags on her arms and is headed for the front door. Peggy exhales with relief.
Dinner is a quiet affair. Everyone knows something happened with the outing group and while there’s the barest tension in the air, no one quite feels uncomfortable. Just reflective. Peggy stays close to Maria throughout (or maybe Maria stays close to zir, no one really knows) and after dinner, they retire to a sitting room with a couple books on it. Maria has her head on Peggy’s shoulder for the second time that day and they both are getting way too sleepy to stay sitting there so Peggy writes zir number for Maria and hopes for a call. Maria hugs Peggy with all her might before pulling away and apologizing.
And Peggy’s brain freezes while zir heart blooms. Ze realizes ze is not just ‘and Peggy’. Never has been. Ze bades Maria not apologize and then good night. And if ze feels the first stirrings of love for not one, but two people that night, well, no one has to know just yet.