I let out a shaky breath as I stare down at the papers scattered across the table. “I need to narrow down the purpose of this organization. I feel like my thoughts are all over the place.”
Kourtney nods. “Something concrete. A specific and direct plan.”
“Exactly.”
After Stephen told me all about Kourtney’s website and how she started her business from scratch, I knew I wanted to have her on board for this. She was able to take her vision and bring it to fruition. And I need all the help I can get.
I clear my throat as I attempt to articulate my thoughts. “I want this to be about education: Educating children, and their families as well. I want it to be a safe space for them to ask questions, to clear up any misconceptions. I want to teach them why this matters.”
Cassidy nods. “We also need to focus on the other side of that coin, and make sure it’s a safe space for the queer people who are volunteering their time for this. It should be a give and take, something that benefits both parties.”
“I agree.” I suck in a deep breath. “But I don’t want it to be so formal, like a class.”
Celeste grins. “I don’t know.Queer People 101has a nice ring to it.”
We all chuckle. Aarya leans forward, her dark hair falling around her shoulders. “Do you want this to be something you take into schools? Or something that people go to outside of school hours?”
“I think we should start with something outside of school. We might have a better turnout if peoplewantto be there, instead of forcing it down their kids’ throats.”
“Let’s start with something once a month,” Aarya says. “You can do it at the gallery I work at, so you don’t have to worry about finding a space.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Really? That’d be okay with your boss?”
She flips her hair over her shoulder. “I’m the events coordinator, so he’ll be on board with whatever I bring to the table.”
“Each month could be a different theme.” Kourtney’s brown eyes light up as she speaks. “One month, a kid-friendly paint-and-sip at the gallery; another month could be playing kickball at the local park; another month could be a cooking class at my parents’ catering kitchen.”
My heart picks up speed as jot down everyone’s ideas. “Wow, this is great. There will be something for everyone.”
“You need to come up with a name,” Celeste says. “Then I can help get the word out, and start marketing it around town; local media outlets too. I have a bunch of contacts from my PR days.”
“And I can help you set up a website,” Kourtney chimes in.
My eyes fill with tears as I glance around the table. “I really appreciate your help. I know we’re not really friends yet, but?—”
Cassidy holds up her hand to stop me. “We absolutely are friends, and this is what friends do. They help each other.”
Kourtney reaches out and covers my hand with hers. “Mac told us a little bit about what happened with your sister, and how you raised these kids on your own. You don’t have to be alone anymore, Presley. The boys are a team, and so are we. We all have each other’s backs no matter what.”
My vision blurs as I dab at the corner of my eye, and smile. “Thank you.”
My sister was always my best friend, and after she passed, I found it difficult to connect with people. Nobody knew me the way Allie did, and I didn’t have the time or desire to go out and socialize. Dominique was the only one who made the effort to form a friendship with me once I moved here—she didn’t exactly take no for an answer, and I’m grateful for that.
It feels good to have a core friend group now; it feels like I’m getting back yet another piece of myself.
I’m finally setting down the weight of grief and looking forward to the new life I’m building.
Is that a power tool?
I drop the grocery bags on the counter in the kitchen, and bolt up the stairs. “Why do I hear the sound of a drill?”
“It’s fine,” Avery calls.
Nothing about this sounds fine.
The kids’ rooms are empty, but the bathroom door is slightly ajar. I tap my knuckles against the frame and stick my head through the opening.
Avery is sitting on a giant hockey player’s shoulders, drilling in a new light fixture above the sink.