Coming Soon by Rachel Kramer Bussel

Author:Rachel Kramer Bussel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Coming Soon
ISBN: 9781627785181
Publisher: Cleis Press
Published: 2021-02-12T00:00:00+00:00

HOUSE

OF FINGERS

Sienna Saint-Cyr

Poppy Johnson took a deep breath as they counted the stairs leading to the front door. There were fifteen, though there might as well have been a hundred. The house was a lovely periwinkle with a wraparound deck and glowing sconces adorned the sides of the oversized door, setting it apart from the newer homes in the Hawthorn district of Portland. Everything about the house called out to them, begging them to come inside. Yet there they stood, the all too familiar dread slowly creeping up their back. One step at a time, Poppy. Just go.

“Hey,” a voice came from behind, “you joining us?”

Poppy jumped and turned quickly to find bright, captivating, sea green eyes looking right into them. Poppy blinked.

“I’m sorry. Did I startle you?” There was a long pause as Poppy stood there, speechless. “I’m Emilee.”

Answer, you idiot!

“I’m Poppy; and yes, you did.”

“I get a little excited when these parties roll around,” Emilee said as she slipped by Poppy and ascended the stairs.

“These parties are regular events?” They didn’t mean to, but they’d shouted their question. Emilee turned around and lowered her gaze.

“This is your first time.” It wasn’t a question.

Poppy nodded.

“Come on,” Emilee smiled and reached out her hand. “We can go in together.”

The rock in Poppy’s stomach eased a bit, and they began to ascend the stairs as well. When they reached Emilee, they took her hand. They made it to the door together and Poppy raised their free hand to knock.

“You don’t need to do that. I live here.”

Poppy dropped their hand; back suddenly tense. “I’m sorry”—they kept their gaze on the door—“I didn’t mean to offend you with my party frequency comm—”

“Hey . . .” Emilee tugged on their hand until Poppy looked at her. “It’s okay. There’s no need to apologize. I know these shindigs can sound a little weird, even be a little scary, but they’re really quite helpful. And . . .” —she paused and winked— “they’re quite fun. I mean, that’s the whole point.”

They didn’t know how to respond. “Let’s go inside before my flight response kicks in.”

Emilee opened the door and held Poppy’s hand until they were across the threshold. Then Emilee got mobbed with hugs and hellos. Poppy backed up awkwardly, as usual, and watched as the strangers—all seeming to know one another, but no one them—greeted and smiled. Before Poppy could turn around and escape out the door, Emilee kicked her foot backward and shut it.

“Hey everyone, this is my new friend Poppy.” She turned around and reached for Poppy again.

Before Poppy knew what was happening, bodies of all sizes and shapes and ages and nationalities and styles were heading toward them, each asking if they were okay with hugs or handshakes or asking their preference. They were all kind, friendly, unafraid; they even asked for the proper pronoun, which Poppy wasn’t used to. They greeted the crowd, and learned a ton of names they promptly forgot the moment they’d been spoken.

“Come on,” Emilee said. “I’ll show you around.

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