gifts.

she speaks to me tentatively, her voice shy and uncertain.

‘should i return some of the more feminine holiday gifts?’ she asks me, ‘i want to make sure that you get what you like, that it’s not too girly for a girl of your…identification.’

her words wiggle warmly into my brain, seeking solitude in my captivated cerebrum. she asked me so sweetly, so shyly, a sigh of resignation and recognition on her breath.

‘i will love it no matter what. it’s basically that i have more options, more interests,’ i say softly, cautiously.

she huffs and dusts off the disapproval, reigns it in tightly, close to her soul like so many mothers hold their children when they hurt. i hear it anyway- words are not always her weapon of choice.

but, she says nothing nasty and simply shrugs her shoulders.

‘okay, whatever you say.’