Page 86 of Pride High 3: Yellow
Silvia smiled. “It’s a nice idea, but I couldn’t handle seeing animals suffer, even if I could help. They’re my escape from the harsh realities of the world. If that makes sense.”
“It does. Animals don’t practice politics, and that makes them so much more loveable. Could you imagine if they held a tedious election every four years? Literal donkeys versus elephants trying to out-slander each other?”
Silvia laughed. “That would indeed ruin much of their appeal.”
“So we’ll keep the animals on a sacred pedestal. What else? Can you think of any lightning bolt moments in your life?”
“Yes,” Silvia said almost instantly, surprising even herself. “Volunteering here on Christmas Day. Nothing has made me feel that good since.”
Keisha feigned shock. “Not even Omar’s wiener?
“Shut up,” Silvia said, shoving her playfully.
“Never,” Keisha replied before growing serious again. “So helping other people made you feel fulfilled.”
“Yes,” Silvia said, emotion joining her conviction. “I only need your parents to start paying me for it.”
“That’s never going to happen,” Keisha said in exasperation. “Believe me, my siblings and I have tried, because you saw how many chores it creates. But you liked it anyway, huh? How about a social worker? Or a therapist?”
“I hope this doesn’t sound terrible, but I’m not sure I’d like getting that involved in people’s personal problems.”
“Fair enough. Some sort of charity work instead?”
“Maybe. I like that direction.”
“Start your own charity then. Who does the Saint Silvia Foundation benefit the most?”
“Families,” she said without really thinking about it. Maybe because she had faced the threat of losing her own for so long. “I’d like to help them stay together. I’m not sure how yet. But I’ll keep thinking about it.”
Keisha was looking at her funny. “I’m crushing on you so hard right now!”
Silvia laughed. “Would you stop?”
“I can’t,” Keisha said, her tone dead serious. “You need to start a charity for wayward lesbians, because I’m losing control.”
“Thank you,” Silvia said demurely. “You’re very sweet.”
“Can I ask you something about that? Since you brought it up all on your own?”
“Of course,” Silvia said while wiping at her eyes.
“You told me before that you’re used to keeping a low profile. Now that I know why, I can’t help but wonder how much of that factored into your decision. Are you with Omar because nobody will question that relationship? Would I have had a better chance if I was a boy?”
Silvia shook her head. “It really was just bad timing. You showed up in my life at the same time my feelings for him did.”
“What if Omar had never been in the picture? Or isn’t someday in the future. Would you ever let yourself be with a woman, knowing that it might attract unwanted attention?”
“I don’t know,” Silvia admitted.
“Because you’re unsure?”
“Because I’ve never thought about it.”
Keisha groaned in frustration. “You know what? You’re repressed.”
“Repressed?” Silvia repeated indignantly.
“I know it sounds like an insult. I don’t mean it that way. You have averygood reason for being repressed. But you definitely are. How else would you describe someone who hasn’t thought of their future, or who is so out of touch with their own feelings?” Keisha raised her hands to ward her off. “Again, not trying to be a bitch here. Just telling it like it is.”
