ODDS OF LOVE

Episode Thirty Four

                                                                           ( Texts )

Sol : Hey , Luci. Wanna go swimming with me at the Y tomorrow ?MeeMaw said she'd drive us and pick us  up after. 

Luci : Sorry. I can't swim. So I guess not. 

Sol : You don't gotta swim if you don't wanna. They gotta snack bar too. We can get some ice cream or something. I just got my allowance so I can treat you. 

Luci : Well ok. If I don't have to swim. I'll come. But I gotta ask Uncle D first ok ? Sol ? I need to tell you something. 

Sol : Yeah ? What ? That you not a girl ? I know that lol. MeeMaw is friends with Mrs. Hensen down the street. Anyway Mrs. Hensen said Mr. Potts was at the barber shop when you and your uncle was there and you told everyone you was transgender. I had to google what that was lol. Google said you want to be a girl. I don't know why you want to wear makeup and nail polish and all that yucky girl stuff but it's ok. I don't care. you seem cool. I ain't perfect. My Pa was a drunk and dumb like me. My Ma ain't really missing. She's in jail. I ain't gonna tell what for. maybe one day. I ain't got no friends. I would like you to be my friend. I like you. Unless you don't wanna because I'm just poor White trash. It's ok if you don't. 

Luci : OMG I don't think you're poor White trash ! That's awful. Don't talk about yourself like that. I like you , Sol Klein. I'm sorry about your parents. 

Sol : It's ok. MeeMaw is better than them. She don't drink or smoke or cuss. And the house is always clean. We always got food too. I like Maryland. She nice to me and Jim. So what you say , girl ? We pals or what ? Friends forever and ever ? 

Luci : Yeah. Pals. Friends forever and ever. I'd like that. 

Luci leaned back against the big fluffy pillow on the single bed in the room at her uncles' house. She closed her pensive eyes and smiled. Friend. She had a friend named Sol Klein. 

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Spencer : How are things ?

DuBuis : Going ok. Luci is settling in the house good. Trying to get used to calling her Luci. I've had to bite my tongue a couple times because Eddie was about to come out my mouth. Trying to get used to having a niece instead of a nephew. But lol I'm a fast learner. We stopped by the barber shop before picking up pizza. I forgot you weren't at the house and put mushrooms on it. Got a quick trim from Mark. As usual he won't take my money lol. How are you ? Roomie nice ? I saw him over there checking us out. 

Spencer : Yes. He's fine. 

DuBuis : You ok ?

Spencer : I'm fine. 

DuBuis : No. You're not. Baby , I know you. Are you ok ? Seriously ? I'm about to call you. I don't care if you like texting over calling. I want to hear your voice. I need to hear your voice. 

Spencer : I really am fine. Just tired. Just came back from dinner. Undercooked chicken breast and ice cold green beans. Some Paris trained chef. I left most of it on my plate. Dessert was jello salad. I hate jello. My roommate shared a bag of M&Ms with me. I miss real food. I miss your barbecued ribs and mac 'n cheese. Although I have to admit that your cooking isn't as good as your mother's. What was that delicious creation she fixed last Christmas ? 

DuBuis : For the one billion time they were chitlins. If your mother only knew you had ever ate chitlins. Want to know what they really are , Genius ?

Spencer : No ! Do not spoil my enjoyment of them. They were good with the hot sauce. I miss you. 

DuBuis : I miss you too. It won't be forever. You'll be home soon. I promise. Learn what you need to. And please stay out of trouble. Ok ?

Spencer : I will try. I emailed you a very good article on raising transgender children. The woman who wrote it has a transgender son. I also found a support group for transgender children near us that Luci might want to attend. But only if she wants to. I read an article that parents should not force children to do what they don't feel comfortable doing. It will stifle their creativity and emotional growth. Parenting looks hard. You'll be better than me at it. 

DuBuis : I love you. I adore you. 

Spencer : I love you too , sweetheart.