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It was finally time. Time to finally come out of the closet! Or in Aphra's case out of the museum. Just as she was on the way home, she decided it was time to tell her loved ones who she really is. To open to them completely and to not hide any more secrets. It was finally time!
***
First I should call my father and see how he reacts to the news I was about to unravel to him. The phone was trying to reach my father for more than fifteen minutes, when it gave up and slammed the call down. Well it wasn't that surprising. My father is a very busy man, and could not always pick up the phone on the first try. Let's call him again. The call started and finished in the same way as my last call, without my father answering. Third times the charm I thought and called him up again. Well this time to my surprise he answered.
- Hello?
- Hello, pops. What's happening? Still doing research?
- Oh, hey Aphra. Yeah, I am still in the nick of it. What is happening in your life. Is there a reason you called?
- Yeah, I wanted to tell you something important.
- What is it?
- I am a lesbian.
- Oh, really? That is nice. Now do you have Professor Nadim's books about the samurai code? I can't find it anywhere and I am sure I had that copy with me at some point. Is it with you?
- I am not sure. I will look into it.
We started to talk about his research and a part of my work, so the big reveal got a bit pushed to the background. After I disconnected the call, the weight of my decision was lifted and I felt a bit lighter. And a bit disappointed too, but that was nothing new when it came to father. At least he hadn't reacted negatively right? I was wondering how my mother would have reacted to these news, and concluded that it probably would have been an okay reception. My mother was a smart woman, though not a saint so it probably wouldn't have been anything too dramatic. Probably.
***
The next one I call is Trippie a friend from a project we collaborated on.
- Yes?
- Hey Trippie. It's me. Aphra.
- Aha, yes Doctor Chelli Lona Aphra. What can I do for you doctor? Do you have someone I can torture?
- Uh, no not yet. But I do have something to tell you.
- Does it have anything to do with torture?
- Not really, except if you count it as me torturing myself by not telling you. Or by telling you. Then it can be kinda taken as torture. Kinda.
- I see. Well let's hear it, so I can judge the worth of your statement and see if it is just a waste of time or something actually important.
- Well you see I am a lesbian.
- And? What does that have to do with me?
- Uh, well nothing really. I just thought you should know.
- Well, I really don't see why you told me because we really are not friends. I was made to work with you for a time period and I did not enjoy it. And there is also the fact that I do not care. So goodbye, Doctor Chelli Lona Aphra in hopes of never hearing from you again.
And he cuts the call, and leaves me hanging. Well he was always an asshole, so I really didn't expect anything else from him. At least he actually had a conversation with me, so I can count that as a plus right?
***
Next up I call on is my boss, who I have an amicable enough relationship for those kinds of reveals. Probably.
- Heya, boss. Wanna hear something funny?
He just breathes loudly and doesn't say anything.
- Well here goes nothing. I am a lesbian.
Total silence over the other side of the line.
- Hello? Anybody there?
- I am present. And I have heard what you said.
- Aaaanddd? What do you say to that?
- I say that I was expecting it.
- Wait. How could you expect it, I just decided to call you, like two hours ago.
- I know everything. Even when you don't know it yourself.
- Then what about that game.
- What game?
- You know the one.
Complete silence over the phone.
- I know more important things. And your sexual preference was one of them.
- Really? Awwww, shame. I really wanted to surprise you.
- You did not succeed. I find your lack of faith in my clairvoyant abilities disturbing.
- Well I am a sceptic at heart.
- Did you want anything else? Anything I actually did not know already?
- Uh, no that is it.
And the line is cut from his side abruptly.
Well he was always a weirdly knowledgeable guy. Though I never understood that breathing thing. What's up with that?
***
The next on my list of contacts was Kristan or whatever he was called already.
- Hey, Krrstin! How has it been? Having a good day?
- Uhhhhrrawwwwrruuu
- Yeah I am of the same opinion
We had a pleasant small talk. And when I told him he actually seemed supportive. Or at least I think so. Still haven't totally caught up with his weird growling language that he uses. But yeah that was a success.
***
- Hey Kho! How is your research of the dark arts going?
- Go suck a pussy and die.
- ......................
- ......................
- Well that was fast.
She apparently was not in the mood for me or my persona. Can't really blame her. We never got along after I did some things to her at the university. And I don't mean anything sexual by that just plain bad I suppose. Nobody called me a good person anyway, and the one who did was dead wrong, so yeah. This one was on me. I probably shouldn't have called her and brought up bad memories. But I always liked to poke the tiger in the eye and see what happens so, it is in my blood to play with fire? Yeah let's leave it at that.
***
- Hey Sana. You know what?
- Uh, what is it Aphra? What do you want now?
- That was mean. Anyway I wanted to tell you..... I am a lesbian.
- Realllyyy? Couldn't have guessed while you shoved your tongue in my mouth...
- All right! All right I get it! You are not in the mood.
- No, I am really not in the mood for your bullshit. Did you actually need something or did you call just to bother me.
- Sheesh, you really did not become better with time. It's fine Sana I just wanted to see if you wanted to hang out with me this weekend. We can go hunting for unsuspecting hot meat, what do you say?
- Hmmmm tempting. Will you run away and leave me to pay everything like you did last time?
- What? Of course I won't! We will split it evenly now. Cross my heart.
- No, you will pay for all of it.
- Come on Sana, you are killing me.
- That's the point.
- Ha, ha. So funny. Okay what do you say I buy drinks for the first three bars and then we can share the rest of the debt we incur during that time?
- Sounds reasonable. Depends if you will actually abide to it.
- I will! From now on I am a newborn woman, who respects her own words! Honest! I even told all my friends I am a lesbian, so you know I am serious.
- You have friends?
- Ouch. Sana you are ruthless today. Of course I do! There is Trippie and his weird little sidekick, Krostanin, the big boss, Kho...
- Please don't tell me you called Kho.
- Uhhh, I kinda did.
- Aphra.
- Yeah, yeah I know, I just couldn't resist it.
- One day you are going to drown in your own shit so much, you will never be able to get out. And I will not be the naive person to go rescue you. I will not, mark my words. It would probably get me killed before I come to that point.
- Awwww you wouldn't rescue me? What kind of friend are you?
- Not yours, that is for sure.
- Then what are we if not friends?
- Pretty good acquaintances.
- Well I will take it.
- You better.
- So see you near the Red Oyster at ten o'clock?
- Yes, see you on Saturday.
- See ya.
***
I huffed down at my phone and put it back in the pocket when I saw someone approaching me.
- Hey, Tolvan. How is it going?
Tolvan answers my greeting with a small smile and she really is so cute.
- Why do you look so bummed, Aphra? Had a hard day?
- Eh not really. I am just surprised by the way some people reacted to the news I gave them. Or well not really surprised, but it was just unexpected you know. They mostly reacted positively I think. And nothing changed. I am not sure if I am completely satisfied with that. Or maybe I am? Who knows.
- What news did you tell them?
- That I am a lesbian you know. And I thought I hid it well, but apparently everyone already knew! It seems I am not as sneaky as I thought!
- You- you are a lesbian?
- Uh, yeah. I thought everyone already knew.
- Um, I didn't. Does that mean....
Magna starts but does not finish, and her cheeks turn a bright shade of red. Oh-ho-ho what is this? Finally an unexpected and surprised reaction!
- Does that mean what?
- ...... That I have a chance?
- The chance in what?
- The chance to date you!?
She shouts out quickly and I blink in answer.
- Uh, yeah sure. We can date if you want.
- Really?
- Yes, really.
Tolvan gingerly takes Aphra's hand like she is afraid Aphra will snatch it away and they stay standing like that for a couple of minutes, holding hands until Magna asks for her number and then excuses herself to go back to work.
Well this coming out idea was not so bad after all. I got a girlfriend out of it, so that is a plus.
Oh, no shit I will have to cancel the plans with Sana on Saturday. She is so going to be pissed.
Eh it wouldn't be the first time. I will deal with it when it comes.