Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit

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Authors: Jaye Robin Brown
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catches up. “What are you doing, sister?” His ever-present smile is a scowl when he looks at Chaz. There is some serious backstory here.
    Mary Carlson puts her hand up on her brother’s shoulder. “Just talking about the game. Nothing more.”
    â€œHate football,” he mutters and turns red in the face.
    Chaz clocks him on the shoulder. “Ah, B.T.B., you still sore about that tryout? That was in middle school. We didn’t mean nothing by it.”
    â€œDon’t care about football. Don’t like your words.”
    Chaz lifts his hands. “Whatever, man. Listen.” He drops his arm over Mary Carlson’s shoulder. “I like your sister. I want us to be friends. I need you to let that old mistake go.”
    B.T.B. shakes his head in tight little movements. I take his hand to try to help him calm down. I don’t know what these guys did to him, but I hate them for it already.
    Mary Carlson deftly maneuvers out from under Chaz’s arm. “Barnum. You know what Pastor Hank says about forgiveness. And look.” She smiles at Chaz and my heart plummets, because I swear it’s the same you and me against the world, babe smile she’s flashed at me. “Chaz and I are friends now.”
    Chaz gloats, then gives Mary Carlson a head-to-toe checking-out. “No, man. Your sis here grew up. I have, too.” He calls to the guy holding Jessica’s hand. “Right? Bully no more.”
    â€œYeah, man, you’re the heart and soul of political correctness and charity.” Jessica’s football player laughs as he answers.
    Chaz holds up his hand for a high five with B.T.B. “See, man? I’m cool.”
    B.T.B. leaves him hanging.
    I lean in and whisper, “Buddy, I know you’re like your elephants with that memory and all, but your sister is right. People can change.” If I’m going to be my father’s daughter, then I have to be the bigger girl even when I don’t want to be.
    â€œStill don’t like Chaz.”
    â€œCome on.” I tug him away from the girls and the football players. “You get to ride in my car and give me directions.” One look back and my gut clinches.
    Chaz has stopped Mary Carlson, a hand on each of her shoulders, his handsome face staring down at her. They are the all-American couple crowned for every high school event. Sure, it’s easy when I’m hanging out with Dana and all the out kids in Atlanta to pretend like there might be two prom queens or two prom kings at any high school across America. But this image is the cold, hard reality.
    A kick of fear reverberates up my rib cage. Fuck. I can’t keep doing this. What was I thinking saying yes to an overnight with a bunch of youth group kids? I can’t pretend to be something I’m not. Even if I’m not pretending, omitting is damn close to a full-blown lie. I can’t believe I agreed to this. I can’t believe Dad asked. I can’t believe fucking Three and her uptight homophobic mother. There’s no way I’ll be able to keep pulling this off.
    â€œAre you coming, Jo . . . anna?” B.T.B. is smiling again and waiting for me to unlock my car doors.
    I take a deep breath. Ten months, only ten months, and then I’ll surround myself with people who accept me. None of this fear or uncertainty. Even as I think it, I know it’s bullshit. But at least it won’t be high school.
    At the game, it’s just us girls again. Gemma holds to her word and has her cell phone snapping pic after pic after pic, and when I look at the screen that she passes down therow, I can’t even. Other than the fact I’m the only one with short hair, it’s your prototypical five-girl selfie.
    â€œYou want to go with me to get something to drink?” Mary Carlson asks.
    I look behind me, thinking she’s talking to one of the other girls.
    She laughs. “Yes, you.” She grabs my hand.

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