Down to the Bone Read Online Free Page B

ask for the piece of paper back and write Soli’s work number on it. “My friend is the wildest haircutter in Miami.” And it’s true. Soli’s a beast when it comes to ’do’s. She’s so popular she’s got lines of people waiting for her at the shop every Friday after school, Saturday mornings and all summer long. I lift the ends of my long hair. “Don’t go by me. I just let her trim the tips.”
    She stuffs the paper inside her pocket. “Your hair is gorgeous.” I look away. Her statement makes my cheeks feel hot. She notices and changes the topic. “You sure know lots of peeps. I’ll give her a call.”
    It’s true. I know thousands of people and their grandmothers!
    She points to a fancy hotel with a large flashing pink neon sign. “That’s a gay club. They throw outrageous parties there, out by the pool, with live merengue and salsa bands. Want to come with me this Saturday night? We’ll celebrate the beginning of summer vacation. It’ll be a blast.”
    I feel like she’s opening a gate for me, but I can’t go through it. I’ve got way too many challenges to solve.
    I shouldn’t have come to a gay beach. That’s “queer” of me (pun intended). Here I am, terrified of more people finding out about me. I was thrown out of school and my house for texts from another girl and what do I do? I come to a gay beach for the first time in my life. I’m just the most brilliant kid on the block, a typical genie-ass!
    “I can’t, really. I have a boyfriend, and he hates me going out without him.” I continue to lie for me and for Marlena. What else can I do? Hang out with a butch dyke who looks like a hot guy and have people start asking me if I’m homo. Marlena would never forgive me, and I’d only get into deeper trouble.
    I need to stay focused on my mom’s and Marlena’s feelings and never get swept away by wanting a different life for myself.
    “No problem,” Tazer says with an easygoing smile.
    I stare out past a couple of girls, holding hands. I wish that could be Marlena and me. I look to two other girls taking off their bike gear and helmets, undressing down to their bathing suits. They’re so lucky to be able to be free to express their love in public.
    Tazer squints. “I love this beach. I’ve never seen you here.”
    “It’s my first time. I came by mistake.”
    “Oh.” Tazer’s bangs fall across her face, obscuring her surprised look.
    Suddenly, I realize I came looking for a place to belong. I wish I could tell her I felt a need to come and see girls together for strength. It’s refreshing to find everyone on this beach looking so joyous.
    “Do your parents know you come here?” I’m curious.
    “My mom died giving birth to me.”
    I lower my eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
    “It’s all right. It happened seventeen years ago.”
    “How about your dad?”
    “Pipo’s never home. He doesn’t know a thing about me and never asks. He doesn’t even know I’m genderqueer.”
    “How long have you been trans?”
    “Ever since I can remember, I’ve seen myself as a b-o-i into girls.”
    “Have you transitioned?” He looks so much like a guy that I wonder . . .
    “No. I’m scared of the health consequences of operations and hormone shots. When you first saw me, did you think I was a girl or a guy?”
    “A typical guy, but with a leftover tinge of a girl I’m sure will disappear as you get older. I guess you look like a b-o-i.”
    His smile widens and gleams something amazing.
    The beach fills up with kids bringing in blasting music. The guys show off their muscles to other boys while playing Frisbee. Girls take off their tight, expensive jeans and shoes. They have on makeup and shiny gold jewelry. You’d think they were going out to a club.
    Tazer glances at his watch. “Hey, my friend Tokyo’s been waiting for me. He’s having a barbecue at his apartment. We get together y descargamos on congas, write lyrics, and eat puerco asado till midnight. Just like we did in