Emme Lund

“Soon his denial of Gail was somewhat of a comfort to him, a shawl he could wear out in the world. He grew easier while eating dinner with a plate on his lap next to the fire pit, easier on his hikes with Tennessee. The hardest part was first thing in the morning when he was truly relaxed, the moment just after waking up when he felt regular, normal, no pretending. It felt like everyone knew he had a bird in his chest and no one cared. A twitch from Tennessee while she slept or the screen door slamming behind Bob on his way out, and the feeling was gone.”
― Emme Lund, The Boy With a Bird in His Chest