Tosiek and Leon drove for hours to get to the beach.
Tosiek was excited, but also so nervous. it was his first time going out after top surgery, and as happy as the experience had been, it had also left him groggy and in pain.
"you ready?" Leon asked as he parked Tosiek's dad's car.
Tosiek nodded, and they got out and made their way down to the beach.
it was absolutely beautiful. water lapped at the shore, sand shined and shimmered, it was the perfect weather.
Leon pulled off his shirt like it was second nature. Tosiek wondered if he would ever be that comfortable.
he grabbed the hems off his shirt, and with his heart beating out of his newly reconstructed chest, he pulled his shirt up over his head and dropped it onto the sand.
he closed his eyes and let it all wash over him.
the feeling of the wind on his bare chest, the sound of people laughing and splashing in the water, and mostly, the euphoria he felt, finally being able to live as his true self.
"how do you feel?" Leon asked, wrapping his arms around Tosiek's shoulders.
"I feel..." Tosiek choked back the emotion in his voice. "I feel at peace."
and he was.
finally, he could stop warring with his body. he knew the hard times weren't over, but he had done it.
he was truly,
and honestly,
at peace.
