South of Sunshine (25 page)
Authors: Dana Elmendorf
Tags: #Young Adult Fiction, #Lgbt, #Social Themes, #Friendship
I see my fellow classmates riding ahead with their rainbow-decorated cars, gay pride signs hanging on their car doors. A few months ago, I wouldn’t have believed one person—besides Van—would support me. Now a small clan of people, made up of classmates who aren’t even gay, has joined our cause. As we move up Main Street, with the support of our friends all around us, I stake claim to my gay pride and vow to never hide from it again. Like Van told me before, there will always be haters. But if I open my heart up to loving and accepting myself, I open it up to beautiful people like Bren too.
As we make our way around the courthouse, Kappy’s Diner comes into sight. All dressed in his Sunday’s best, Mr. Bobby waves a rainbow flag with his right hand. Standing next to him, holding his left, is Ms. Doris Carver with a matching colorful feather boa draped around her neck. I smile hugely at the two of them holding hands. Next door, in front of Hot Flix, Arthur stands with a big smile. I snap a shocked look to Van, who blushes. Mrs. Betty waves at us like a chicken flapping its wings. She has painted a Band-Aid over the broken heart on their rainbow window.
Next to her store is Mother’s shop. I hold my breath.
I’m not sure what I expected really. Colorful streamers in the window maybe? A rainbow flag? Balloons? A sign? But there’s nothing on the outside of the building from my mother to show support for her daughter. As the float drives past, my heart sinks. I crane my neck as we get farther away, praying for the tiniest sign.
And just about the time the store is almost out of sight, Mother steps into the window’s view real quiet like. A smile spreads across her face, and a shaky hand tosses me a light kiss. We disappear around the corner. I close my eyes and hold on tight to the image.
It’s something. As tiny as it was, it’s all I needed to feel her love. Okay, so it wasn’t a bold window display, complete with rainbow-spewing heart, like the one Van’s mom made for Hot Flix’s storefront window, but she didn’t lock her doors in protest like other businesses. It’s middle of the road. I can accept middle-of-the road. Middle of the road means no telling where we might go.
For the first time in my life, I feel like I can truly be myself.
I use the sleeve of my sweater to wipe my tears.
Bren jumps out of the slow-moving truck and hops onto the float. It seesaws from her weight.
“You did it, baby.” She reaches toward me like she’s about to hug me but then holds back. “You survived.”
“Yep, I did.”
Bren stuffs her hands in her pockets and creates a fair amount of space between us, the gap signifying we are only friends.
“I’ll be having none of that.” I pull one of her hands out of its pocket and clasp it in mine.
“But … what about all these people?”
I laugh. “I’m holding your hand, Bren. It’s not like we’re making out. Besides, cat’s out of the bag now. No sense hiding.”
The crowd thins as the float turns off of Main Street. The sound of screaming children dies down. I tug Bren a little closer.
“You know, the day ain’t over yet. We still have to survive tonight’s homecoming football game and the cornfield after-party.”
“Cornfield party? You southerners and your traditions.” She shakes her head.
“Yes, cornfield party. Don’t tell me you’ve never been to a cornfield party, because you haven’t lived until—” The sweetest lips I’ve ever tasted shut. Me. Right. Up.
Bren pulls back and speaks across my lips. “If I want any lip out of you, I’ll just take it.”
I smile against her mouth. “I’m counting on it.”
Bren peers past my shoulder and points. “Look.”
In the distance, at the end of the parade route, is the Wildcats’s giant silver-and-blue balloon arch. The juniors’ giant feather quill has snagged the arch, making the middle droop and turning it into a big fat heart.
“Love note,” Bren says, then kisses me again.
Acknowledgments
To my incredible agent, Lauren MacLeod, thank you for dealing with my overactive type A personality, for being as passionate about this book as I am, and above all, for believing in my story.
To my editor, Wendy McClure, thank you for your in-depth insight and your spot-on tightening and tweaks. Thanks to Kristin Zelazko, for keeping my characters in charge of their own body parts and allowing me to disindumbedify my story with made-up words. I am grateful to the entire Albert Whitman team. I have found my home.
To the fierce and wonderfully inspiring Ellen Hopkins, thank you for pointing your finger at me at that SCBWI conference so long ago and telling me to “Write that. Write that book. Write what scares you.”
To Tim Whittington, who was my Van that one faithful summer, I hope you find your one true love someday.
To my OLBFF Nicole McLaughlin, we made it! I’m so happy we had each other to lean on.
To my indisputably awesome girlies, Kathryn Rose, Rachel Searles, Jessica Love, and Elizabeth Briggs: “Started from the bottom, now we’re here. Started from the bottom, now my whole team’s here.” Thank you for the writing retreat laughter, for being my conference compadres, for your encouragement, love, advice, and support—but, most importantly, for your friendship. I could not have traveled this road without you by my side. Extra chocolate for Rachel, Liz, and Jessica for critiquing those fledgling drafts.
To Ara Burklund, thank you for all our many hikes to reassure and guide me through my publishing journey and for always reading my raw first drafts and seeing my story’s potential with enthusiastic support.
To my mother, Steva Banks, you’ve always said I should write a children’s book. Here it is. Though it’s not a picture book, I hope I’ve made you proud. I love you, Momma.
To my boys, Luke and Jackson, thank you for being the beautiful chaos in my life.
And finally to my husband, Chris Elmendorf, you are my love, my soul, and my best friend. Everything you give to this family made my dream possible. I love you, honey.
About the Author
Dana Elmendorf was born and raised in a small town in Tennessee, and now lives in southern California with her husband, two boys, and her tiny dog.
South of Sunshine
(2016) is her first book.
All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this ebook or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2016 by Dana Elmendorf
Cover photo © Shutterstock.com
978-1-5040-3180-6
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