Page 183 of The Black Flamingo

---

I wish Jack had changed,

I wish he had apologized,

but I’m satisfied having

given him a piece of my mind.

I attempt to return

the borrowed items that

my costume is made of.

“Keep them,” says Katy.

“Even the coat?” I ask.

“Especially the coat.” She laughs.

“An ice-cold queen like you,

you’re gonna need to wrap up.”

Everyone cackles at this.

Katy continues, “Merry Christmas!”

When I try to hand back

the boa to Mzz B, they say,

“It’s yours. You were born

to wear those feathers!”

“Thank you,” I say, “and I’m sorry

for shouting at you earlier.”

Mzz B says, “I knew that anger

was nothing to do with me.”

Epilogue

How to Come Out as Gay

Don’t.

Don’t come out unless you want to.

Don’t come out for anyone else’s sake.

Don’t come out because you think

society expects you to.

Come out for yourself.

---