Back To You

Classroom Matters

Malakai Davis

"Thank you for taking me to school today." I thanked my mother as she parked the car.

I would have driven myself to school but she had to borrow my car. Luckily she gave me a ride to school or else I would've chosen to stay home.

"No problem," My mom smiled a bit but she seemed to be a bit concerned. "Are you okay Mal? You haven't been at home much."

I didn't even need to rack my brain for a lie. I told the same one every time. "I've just been hanging out and studying with a friend."

She beamed and leaned in closer. "Oh, my baby's in love. What's his name?"

"He doesn't have a name." I shrugged.

"Then what's her name?" My mom booped my nose. I blinked in surprise. I hadn't come out to anyone let alone my mother. Not because I was ashamed, but because it was no one's business. "I'm not blind baby. I know you're a part of the queer community."

"How?"

"You dress like a dyke." She said.

My mouth gaped open, I was very surprised by her choice of words. "Mama, you're not supposed to say that word."

"Then what do I say?" She asked.

"I dress masculine." I corrected.

"You dress masculine. Do you even like men? Do men like you?" My mom questioned.

"Well, I've had a few boyfriends in the past. So I think I like men. I haven't really questioned it. And I'm not sure if men like me." I knew they did or else I wouldn't have made any money at the strip club. But I wasn't going to tell her that.

"It's probably because you dress like them. You haven't worn a skirt in two years." She commented.

"I don't own a skirt that still fits me." All of them wouldn't fit over my ass. It had grown since the last time I went skirt shopping.

"Mmm. So you're not having sex?" My mom's tone implied she already had an answer in mind.

"Mama!"

She threw her hands up. "I'm just asking. You know, sophomore year you started getting thicker. Usually, that means you're either pregnant or doing things."

"It's called puberty and hormones," I said.

We were silent for a while before my mom spoke. "Well, I support you and the BLT community."

"That's a sandwich. It's LGBTQIA." I informed her.

She kissed her teeth and rolled her eyes. "All them damn letters... It doesn't matter, I am an ally. I'm the A."

"Mama the A is for asexual-" She pushed my shoulder and I fell into the window, laughing.

"Just get out of my car. It's time your gay ass goes to school anyways." She pulled me into a hug. "I love you, Baby."

"I love you too." I gathered my stuff and left.

I made it to class early as usual. Ms. Montgomery was too busy writing the agenda to even know that I had shown up. So I took advantage of that and I perched myself on her desk. "Do you need help?"

Ms. Montgomery turned around, completely startled by my presence. "I'm almost done, but you could pass out those papers." She pointed to a stack of papers sitting in the corner of her desk.

I had just finished passing out all the papers when Wynn and Hiraeth walked into class. "Oh, so we aren't the only ones early to class."

"Please, not today girls. Save those silly catfights for the hallways." Ms. Montgomery said, without even sparing us a glance.