Invisible String Of Love

A Shoulder To Lean On

Amidst the clamor of the television and the persistent barking of her dog, Clementine leaned wearily against the sectional sofa. Her thoughts raced like her dog around the house, unable to settle. Memories of what had transpired with Kiara a week ago flickered in her mind, each moment blurred by the uncertainty that had hung between them that day. She buried her face in her hands, vividly recalling the moment they had turned to look at each other under the starry night sky, only to quickly avert their gazes-a moment that had prompted their retreat back to Innerleithen.

Suddenly, Clementine's dog, Weather, jumped onto her lap, snapping her attention back from the show she was watching. "Weather!" she exclaimed, half-surprised and half-amused. She laughed softly as she began to pet her dog.

"Don't do that! You almost gave me a heart attack!" Clementine scolded lightly, though her tone softened as she looked down at Weather. The dog whimpered at her scolding, looking up at her with big, teary eyes that quickly melted both her frustration and her heart.

"Mommy won't put you in time out, but please don't do that..." Clemmy said in a calm and affectionate tone, aiming to reassure Weather and dispel any anxiety or fear.

She continued to shower him with kisses and gentle pets. "Who's a good boy?" she murmured playfully, using baby-talk that prompted Weather to wag his tail and perk up his ears, as if proudly declaring 'me! me! me!'

"Mommy is going to tell you a secret, okay?" Weather looked up at her eagerly, his tail wagging in anticipation.

"Mommy met this girl, she was quite intimidating, but she made me feel... nervous," Clemmy whispered to her dog, feeling that familiar sensation creep over her again at the thought of the girl.

"Not in a scary way, but... uh, in a weird way. Very weird," she continued, her words stumbling slightly. She whispered the last sentence so softly that only she could hear it.

"Anyway, let's go for a walk!" Clemmy exclaimed with a chuckle, watching Weather immediately dart towards the door at the sound of her voice. Her suggestion wasn't about physically walking with her dog or leaving the house, but about clearing Kai from her mind and easing the tension in her chest.

ᡣ𐭩・・・・・・・・・ ・・・・・・ ᡣ𐭩

Walking her dog along the pavement of her subdivision, memories of Kai finally began to fade from Clemmy's mind, replaced by the unsettling stares of her neighbors. As a Black transgender woman, being out in her community wasn't without its challenges. She took pride in her identity, but the malicious gazes often left her feeling vulnerable and misunderstood. Enduring these glances was the price she paid to escape her parents' home, a constant reminder of the complexities of being herself in front of judgmental eyes.

While it's not her fault, the reality is that racism and transphobia persist no matter where you go. Even in seemingly welcoming places, discrimination lurks. She understood this reality all too well, though it weighed heavily on her spirit.

ᡣ𐭩・・・・・・・・・ ・・・・・・ ᡣ𐭩

As Clemmy strolled with Weather, who was engrossed in sniffing the ground, he suddenly sensed something and began pulling her in a different direction. "Weather! Stop!" she exclaimed, trying to rein him in. Despite her efforts, he persisted, leading her towards the end of the subdivision where a gap in the wall separated them from a row of apartments.

"Jesus, Weather! Bad dog!" she scolded, though he paid no mind as he finally began to relieve himself.

She sighed heavily, watching him strain before her gaze lifted to the wall. There, she noticed the distinctive pink and red color scheme of a particular apartment. Inside, two girls were energetically dancing hip-hop, prompting a soft chuckle from Clemmy but also stirring a pang of longing. I wish I had a best friend, she thought wistfully, glancing down at her dog as he finished burying his waste.