Page 154 of The Black Flamingo

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MICHAEL:

In the queue for the club, it’s me,

Daisy, Sienna, Lennie, and Lennie’s cousin

Kim. We had pre-drinks at Kim’s flat

and everyone is getting on.

Looking down the queue, I realize

I’m a bit too smartly dressed for this place.

I’m wearing the pink shirt, black trousers,

and black shoes that Mum bought me.

Daisy is wearing a sequin rainbow dress.

Kim, who is softly spoken and petite,

is wearing an oversized black tracksuit

and fitted cap, and looks like a teenage boy.

Sienna asked her earlier if she’s a trans man,

to which she replied, “Nah, I’m a soft butch.”

Sienna is wearing her green dress

and Lennie is wearing his green tracksuit.

We get into the club and there’s a lot

of people dressed like Kim. But

there are also people of all shapes and sizes

in tight, figure-hugging dresses

and short shorts with crop tops

showing off flat stomachs, abs,

and bouncing bellies.It’s beautiful!

Most of the people are black. Everyone

is dancing. It’s not a song I recognize but

I feel the beat and nod my head to it.

“Let’s get a round of drinks,” says Lennie.

“Good idea,” replies Sienna. “To the bar!”

And we all move toward it together,

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