Dear Simon,

Resolution

     Dear Ethan Marrows,

     Some days will royally suck. Everything will go wrong and your clothes will get soaked with rain. And then some days - some days will be the absolute greatest. You'll look back at your freshman year and think "damn, that's crazy". You made friends, helped friends through crazy drama, and even came out of the closet. Who knows what will happen during your Sophomore year? Maybe you'll even get a girlfriend or a boyfriend! Anyway, remember to focus on yourself. You are handsome. You are loved. You matter.

     Sincerely,

     Me.

     The school year is at a close. I came out to my family as bisexual and, later on, transgender. Eventually, I also came out to my school. They were all accepting except for the bigoted few. I started going to gender therapy and began my social transition. I go by Ethan now.

     Harry moved in with us permanently. He passed his semester exams with high A's, and due to our constant studying, so did I. Harry started going to therapy to help with the trauma his dad caused. He sleepwalks occasionally, but he's getting better. His dad was sentenced to ten years in prison for child abuse and Harry has put a No-Contact order against him.

     Simon and I still text every now and then to update each other on major events in our lives. He and his fiance, Bram, are getting married next month. He's invited me to the wedding. I'm really happy for him.

     Claira came out as a lesbian and now proudly hangs her pride flag over her bedroom window. Her girlfriend is a sweet girl named Leanne. They meet every Saturday for "Date Night", which is basically just eating popcorn in the livingroom while watching movies.

     Abreala found a community in gaming, her favorite being story-line games like Detroit: Become Human and The Last of Us. She's become rather fond of cursing like a sailor when she loses a game. Mom isn't fond of it though.

     Mom works hard, like always, but she's gotten better at balancing work and home. I'm really proud of her efforts. She even has a boyfriend now. His name is John. He's a good man and has a job as an accountant.

     Caitlyn told me in the hallway yesterday about how she joined the school's band and found a love for music that she never knew existed. She loves the hard work and dedication that marching band demands, the feeling of pride after a good halftime show, and the feeling of hours of working in the heat learning music and routines were all worth it. I'm really happy that she's found her passion.

     Aaron and Alisa are still going strong, even though they made the mistake of unprotected sex. They're naming their child Bailey Alex Saphline. Aaron works two jobs to support his small but new family. They rent an apartment near the school because Alisa's parents kicked her out.

     Jackie and Alonzo broke up, but they're still good friends. They just weren't happy with each other as romantic partners. Jackie joined a drag show that performs every Friday night at Barlow's. Alonzo got a job at a local supermarket to save up for college.

     Overall, life hasn't changed and it has changed simultaneously.

                                                                                              (0.0)

     My eyes open to the light is streaming through my bedroom window. It's Saturday. I lay in bed for a few minutes until I smell the aroma of coffee. I stand. The scar on my leg is less vibrant than the cut that caused it, but it's a large enough scar to be seen from halfway across a room. I look in my mirror and cringe. My chest is too obvious, so I throw on a hoodie over my baggy shirt. I'd put on a binder but I've worn one all week and I need a break.

     I trek down the stairs and to the kitchen. The coffee scent is mixed with the smells of bacon and pancakes. It's delicious.

     "Goodmorning, Sleeping Beauty," Mom is frying bacon on the stove as I pour a cup of Joe into a semi-large blue mug.

     "Morning," I mix creamer and sugar into the mug until the coffee is a light tan color and take a sip.

     "How did you sleep last night, son?"

     Son. I smile.

     "I slept like a rock," I take another sip before continuing, "unmoving."

     "That's good. I slept great too. I had a dream about meeting Benedict Cumberbatch, but don't tell John." Mom laughs.

     "I wouldn't dream of it." I smile into my coffee.

     One by one people filed into the kitchen for coffee or tea or to see what was for breakfast. Abreala and I are told to set the table in the dining room for breakfast. We comply.

     Harry comes in with a pan of scrambled eggs and Mom follows him with a plate of crisp bacon. It smells amazing. Claira joins with pitchers of orange juice and milk.

     We talk about our plans today and what we dreamed of last night and various other things. Our family is at the healthiest it has been in years since Mom and Dad divorced. It genuinely makes me smile. It fills me with hope that I've not felt in years. A warm light shining through a darkened tunnel. Maybe everything will be alright.