“They’re probably only friends,” Mindy said. “I could barely think of anything to say to Troy on our date. I’ve noticed lots of couples today who weren’t talking to each other. Maybe that’s just how it is. Friends are for good conversation. Lovers are for the rest.”
“My parents talk a lot,” Keisha said. “Mostly about me and my siblings. Or they talk at us, when we aren’t doing what they want. But I’ve overheard some of their private conversations. It’s never very juicy, but they sure seem to enjoy each other’s company.”
Mindy sighed. “I would love a guy who wanted to talk all day. Wouldn’t you?”
Keisha seemed to hesitate before answering. “If it was the right person, then yes.”
Mindy thwapped her friend’s knee in excitement. “Pretend we’re out of time and we have to find someone right now.” She glanced around at the available options, already searching. “We’ve only got five minutes until the world ends, and whoever you choose, you have to spend the rest of eternity with.”
“Hmm…” Keisha said, her head slowly panning left and right. “This is hard.”
“That one!” Mindy said, pointing at a guy with creamy brown skin and broad shoulders.
“He looks like he’s in college,” Keisha said, sounding surprised.
“I’m not going to spend the rest of eternity with someone who hasn’t graduated high school,” Mindy chastised. “I need a guy with deep thoughts. Did you notice that he’s carrying a bag from Waldenbooks? I bet he’s got a great big brain. Among other things,” she added with a titter.
Keisha chuckled. “Maybe you should find out what he’s got in that bag first, in case he bought a bunch of Sports Illustrated magazines.”
“Ew!” Mindy said, crinkling her nose. “Even so, at least he’s easy on the eyes. What about you?”
“I haven’t had any complaints,” Keisha drawled.
“I mean who would you choose?” Mindy said with a giggle. “Hurry! The clock is ticking!”
Keisha kept glancing around without reaching a decision, which was odd, because they were spoiled for choice. The mall was filled with people of all varieties. And yet, she never seemed to settle on anyone for long. “Ten,” Mindy said, deciding to motivate her with a countdown. “Nine. Eight.”
“Do they have to be available?”
“Nope!”
“Good.” Keisha pointed to a couple who were browsing a perfume kiosk.
Mindy blinked. They were both in their twenties. The man wasn’t traditionally handsome. He had a potbelly and acne scars on his cheeks, but he definitely had something going for him, judging from how pretty his girlfriend was. She had long dark hair and bronze skin. Mindy’s attention returned to the man. Maybe he had a great personality or was successful. That could be the point that Keisha was trying to make. Then again, they were playing a silly game and Keisha loved to joke around. When her eyes flicked to check on her friend, she sure seemed serious enough.
That raised Mindy’s suspicions, and not for the first time, because Keisha was normally so direct. Except when the topic of boys came up. Her responses then were often cagey and left room for doubt. As if she had something to hide. Some of their friends had behaved that way recently. Before coming out.
“I respect your choice,” Mindy said. Then she blanched. “Not that it’s a choice. Umm. Because I pressured you, I mean. Ha ha!”
Keisha raised an eyebrow. “Thank you?”
Mindy pretended to look elsewhere so her blush was hidden. How could she broach the subject discreetly while still showing her support? “Cameron is taking Anthony to the botanic garden today,” she said. “Isn’t that romantic? I used to have a crush on him. Cameron, I mean. Now l love him. And I’ve always loved Anthony. I’m so glad they found each other. What they have together is beautiful.”
“I envy them,” Keisha said evenly. “And I worry about them.”
“How come?”
“Because not everyone is so understanding about that sort of thing. Straight guys especially. Unless it’s two women. Then they think it’s hot.”
“I hate double standards,” Mindy said with a huff.
“So do I, but girls can be just as mean about lesbians. I guess people feel more threatened when members of their own tribe defect.”
“That’s so wrong!”
“Do you think so?” Keisha asked, turning to meet her eye. “Because I still remember how you pretended to gag when KD Lang came out.”
Mindy gasped. “Did I?”
“Yes.”
“That had to be back in junior high!”
“It was last year.”
Mindy placed a hand over her heart. “No! How stupid of me. I didn’t mean it, I swear! I love all gay people, even lesbians.”
Keisha looked away.
“I’m serious!” Mindy said, grabbing her hand. She was surprised by how sweaty it was, when Keisha normally kept her cool in most situations. “I’m really sorry.”
“For what?” Keisha asked, turning to her with a guarded expression.
“If I offended you. For any reason.”
Keisha searched her eyes before she sighed. “Silvia told you, didn’t she?”
Mindy’s eyes went wide. “Told me what?”
Keisha matched her expression. “Nothing.”
Mindy’s jaw dropped. “Wait, you came out to her before me?”
Keisha rolled her eyes. “So she did tell you!”
“She didn’t tell me anything, I swear!”
Keisha stared at her a moment. “Are you really okay with it?”
“Yes! Oh my god, are you kidding?” Mindy leaned against her friend while squeezing her hand. “I love you just the way you are. Which you still haven’t said out loud. Not to me, anyway.”
Keisha leaned close with half lidded eyes, like she intended to show Mindy exactly what she was. “I’m a lesbian.”
“Good,” she said, her cheeks flushing in response. “I’m not, but you make me wish I was.”
Keisha smiled and pulled back. “That’s just about the nicest valentine I could have hoped for. And for the record, I only told Silvia first because I thought…” She sighed. “Actually, it was the most embarrassing moment of my life.”
“What happened?”
Keisha released her hand and stood, nodding toward the flow of traffic. “I had a terrible crush on her. And still do.”
Mindy hurried to follow her, the pieces clicking into place. “So that’s why you two finally started hanging out after all these years! But wait, Silvia isn’t… I mean, I wondered sometimes.”
“She’s not,” Keisha confirmed. “But I was into her enough to convince myself otherwise. Even though she has a boyfriend.” She shook her head at herself. “Love is blind. And has a big mouth.”
“Wait, you told Silvia how you feel about her?”
Keisha winced, as if in pain. “I thought it was going to be our big moment. I bared my heart, expecting her to do the same. Instead she got distracted and wandered off. I wish I was exaggerating, but I’m not.”