A Murder of Crows by Dharma Kelleher

Author:Dharma Kelleher [Kelleher, Dharma]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781952128356
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 26

CLOSER TO FEIN

AVERY ARRIVED at La Dolce Vita at exactly seven. She’d had time to change into her favorite low-cut midnight-blue dress, which showed off her cleavage. She toned down the goth makeup, but just a smidge.

“Will someone be joining the lady this evening?” asked a heavyset maître d’ with a thin mustache and even thinner hair.

“Yes, my… uh, a friend of mine.” She’d almost said girlfriend.

Jumping the gun, aren’t you? she thought.

The door behind her jingled. Avery turned to see Roz, again dressed in a white button-down shirt, a bolo tie, and a black silk jacket that looked stunning on her.

“You made it.” Roz’s smile sent shivers of excitement down Avery’s spine.

“I did.”

“I didn’t see the Batmobile out there.”

“Gothmobile,” Avery corrected. “It’s at the shop. Engine’s been overheating.”

“Bummer.” Roz turned to the maître d’. “Two for dinner. Reservation’s under Fein.”

The man checked the calendar. “Ah, yes. Your table awaits. Right this way, ladies.”

After their server had taken their drinks order, Roz again flashed that million-dollar smile. “So, what’s the big secret that you couldn’t tell me over the phone?”

Avery drew in a big breath. “Roz, when I was thirteen, my birth father kicked me out of the house.”

Roz’s eyes widened. “What a putz! Was it because you’re lesbian?”

Avery wanted more than anything to say it was because she was trans. But again, her courage failed her. “Something like that.”

“How horrible! What did you do?”

“Lived on the streets for a while. Then me and some other homeless teens squatted in an empty house for a few years until Bobby and his wife, Melissa, took me in.”

“Wow, I can’t imagine. That must’ve been so scary. What did you do for money?”

Avery stared down at her drink. “Whatever I had to.”

“Yeah, you don’t have to give me the gory details.” Roz put her warm, gentle hand on Avery’s. “I’m just glad you survived. And now here we are, having a nice dinner together.”

“What was it like when you came out?” Avery asked, desperate to change the subject.

A chuckle escaped Roz. “Well, it was a week before my bat mitzvah. I was going into an emotional tailspin. Finally, my folks sat me down to ask me what was wrong. They were afraid I’d been raped or bullied. When I finally told them, my dad laughed and said he already knew. Being a PI, he didn’t miss much. Mom insisted that my being a lesbian didn’t mean I didn’t have to practice safe sex. My brothers didn’t care. I’d grown up playing football with them. They already considered me a tomboy. ”

“I’m glad it went so well. We should all be so lucky.”

“I agree.”

“So this job offer… it’s still… valid?”

“In all fifty states. Avery, I can only imagine the horrible things you’ve been through. But let me assure you, I would never judge you for any of it. You are sexy and weird—in a good way—and funny and wickedly talented and have awesome taste in music, and I like your mind. And I’d like to be your girlfriend.

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