Almost Perfect - Brian Katcher [113]
I set the box on a bare bed. In fact, the entire right side of the room was empty.
My neighbor jingled her keys in an irritating manner. “I was assigned a roommate, but she joined a sorority.”
“So you got a single. Good job.”
“Yeah. I guess.” She didn’t look happy.
I nodded and started to leave.
“Wait!” she suddenly squeaked. I turned.
“Would you like a soda? It’s warm, and all I have is diet Sprite and … and …”
Her eyes were almost ungodly huge. She was a thousand miles from home and didn’t know anyone. And not every new student made friends as easily as Sage.
I smiled at her. “You hungry? Want to check out the dining hall?”
“Yes!” She threw up her hands, causing her keys to fly across the room. As she retrieved them, I laughed inside. I’d just gotten to college and had already made a friend. Cute in a lost-puppy kind of way, though I really wasn’t interested in that end of things.
“I’m Logan,” I told her as we left the building.
“I’m Chris.”
Chris chattered the whole walk to the dining hall. She had a pleasant voice and was rather articulate once she calmed down. I was glad to get to know her. Her half-empty room might be a good place to hang out when I wanted to get away from Jack. She wasn’t a girl who would turn heads, but that wasn’t important. All we were doing was having lunch.
And what if it did turn into something more? If not with Chris, then the next Erin. I knew someday I’d start feeling lonely enough to date again.
There was no point in worrying about the next girl in my life right now. All I knew was that she would have a hard time measuring up to Sage.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
This novel wouldn’t have been possible without all the real-life Sages who were willing to share their personal tales with me. I was hurt by the stories of those whose parents rejected them even more harshly than Sage’s father rejected her, and I was inspired by those who had their own Tammis and Logans to lean on. I have nothing but respect for those of you who must follow a difficult path.
So for any of you who are walking in Sage’s shoes, what now? Where can you turn? While researching this novel, I found that the one common feeling among transgender teens was that of being completely alone. Well, you’re not. There are others like you, and there are people out there who can help you make sense of your feelings and decide what to do next.
If you can’t discuss your feelings with a parent, counselor, clergyperson, or family friend, I’d suggest contacting Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). Go to www.communitypflag.org.netcommunity and check for a chapter in your area. PFLAG also provides a lot of information for gay, bisexual, and transgender people, as well as those who just have questions. Its Transgender Network (TNET) can help point you to a sympathetic counselor.
The Gender Public Advocacy Coalition is an American grassroots organization dedicated to helping transgender youth cope in school and in the community. You can find the coalition at www.gpac.org/youth. Antijen, at www.antijen.org, is another transgender youth site that offers some good, practical information and stories. The Transsexual Road Map is a nuts-and-bolts site that discusses transitioning and legal issues, and networking opportunities to families of trans-gender youth. It’s at www.tsroadmap.com.
The Internet is full of great resources for transgender people. It’s also full of creeps who would love to meet a sexually confused teenager and take advantage of him or her. Please remember, if you contact anyone online, NEVER GIVE YOUR REAL NAME OR HOME STATE. Things are not always as they seem. No matter how sincere someone sounds online, do not give them the benefit of the doubt.
Also, if you are concerned about privacy on Internet Explorer and use a Mac, click Tools, Delete Browsing History, and Delete History. On a PC, click Tools, Internet Options, General, Clear History, and Okay. (My boss still doesn’t know that I spent most of my workday reading Wikipedia.)
If you find yourself trying to understand a transgender friend