Her Name in the Sky

by Kelly Quindlen

And then she whispers a word without meaning to. “Gay.” She opens her eyes in surprise. She tastes the echo of the word on her tongue, raises her head to the statues of Mary and Joseph to see if they heard. They stare back at her serenely. “Gay,” she says again, louder this time. The life-size statue of Mary Magdalene, the one that stands in the corner of the chapel, shimmers with morning sunlight. “Gay,” Hannah says, her voice at its normal volume now. “Gay.” The chapel stays silent. The statues do not reprimand her. She raises her eyes to the Crucifix that hangs above the altar and stares beseechingly at it. “Gay,” she says, her voice swelling in her throat. “Gay! I’m gay!” The Jesus on the Crucifix stays motionless. His face stays anguished. “Did you hear me?!” Hannah says, shouting now. “I’m gay! I’m gay!”

I'M SO PROUD OF HER