Find Layla

by Meg Elison

“Oh my god, you’re doing that YouTube meme thing about gay kids.” I’m drinking her tea. She doesn’t stop me. “Yeah, I am.” She fiddles with her tablet again. “But it’s not just about being gay. It’s about getting bullied or being poor or being just really weird.

I wasn’t allowed to cry in front of Mom since I was a baby, so it always feels like a hot octopus is ripping my feelings out of my throat.

“Just the two of you against the world.” So far the world is winning.