Social Anxiety

Chapter 13: Visitation Rights

Everybody met at Shawna's apartment for an officers' meeting. They invited Tamara because she was the pledges' activities director, and Keisha needed to plan the fall social. Tamara was in awe when she arrived because she didn't expect Shawna's apartment to be so big.

"This is a loft, not an apartment," Tamara said. "Can you afford this working at the ice cream counter?"

"The job at the ice cream counter is for fun. It keeps me busy, and I can interact with people. I don't need it because have money from my inheritance," Shawna explained.

"Inheritance? I didn't realize..." Tamara started but stopped because she didn't want to make Shawna uncomfortable.

"It's okay. I figured Kennedy would have told you," Shawna said, not meeting Tamara's gaze.

"She didn't tell me anything."

"Good for her. I'll have to thank her later," Shawna said. Then, she added, "I don't like many people knowing I have money. It makes me uncomfortable. Don't tell everyone."

"Your secret is safe with me. Would I be able to have my visit with you today?"

"You can visit with her after our meeting," Keisha said, pointing at the kitchen table. Everybody sat before Keisha continued. "Now, we need to pick a theme for the fall social. Do you guys want a hootenanny, shindig, or jamboree?"

These words greatly amused Tamara, but Barb wasn't as impressed. 

"You made those words up!" Barb said.

"No, I didn't. My Grammy used them all the time."

"What's a hootenanny?" Barb asked.

"It's a western theme. We would wear cowboy boots and hats and..."

"Cows?"

"Yes, we could have cows."

When Barb heard this, her eyes lit up. Hailey groaned, but she said, "Okay, Barb. You can have this. Go crazy."

"Yes!" Barb said, throwing her arms in the air.

"Hootenanny it is," Keisha laughed.

"Can we have line dancing?" Barb asked.

"Sure," Keisha replied. "Do you have a date?"

"Right, I forgot about that. I don't know who to ask," Barb said.

"What about your naked friend?" Hailey asked.

"Ben? I don't know."

"He was cute."

"I'll think about it. For now, let's plan."

They spent the next hour ironing out the details for the social and felt pretty satisfied. Once they finished, Shawna agreed to a visit with Tamara, who seemed nervous. Shawna sensed this and smiled.

"Relax, Tam-Tam. I'm off-duty right now. Ask your questions," Shawna said.

"Okay, what's your full name, and how old are you?"

"Shawna Marie Davidson, and I'm nineteen. Are you only going to ask boring questions?"

"I didn't know if you wanted me to start with the personal stuff."

"Why not? I'm mostly an open book. If I think the question is too personal, I'll tell you to piss off," Shawna laughed, earning a worried look from Tamara. "I'm joking—kind of."

"Okay, well, I..." Tamara stammered.

"Go ahead. Ask the obvious one. Everybody does. Yes, I'm gay, and I'm open about it."