Work Text:
The Ramseys’ stunning home was still dark. Outside, the skies were starting to lighten, but it was still more night than day. The only sounds were the fridge humming and the floor creaking occasionally. It felt like the whole world was holding its breath.
Ruben Ramsey had far too much on his mind to sleep past dawn. So very quietly, he flipped on his bedroom lamp and pulled his journal from the drawer of his bedside table. He propped himself up and began writing in a mix of Spanish and English, recording his thoughts.
Talking to Jamie ayer was harder than I thought, but also kind of a alivio. Just having someone listen made the heavy stuff inside me feel a little lighter. I still don’t fully understand what’s happening inside mi cabeza. Some feelings are fuzzy or stuck in a lugar oscuro that I don’t want to think about. But maybe I’m not roto. Maybe I’m just sanando slowly.
Changing my last name was a big deal. The old one was tied to cosas I want to olvidar, to people who hurt me. Ramsey feels like a fresh start, like I get to decidir who I am, even if I don’t know exactly who I am yet.
Maybe I’m ace, or aro, or somewhere in between. No tengo que tener todas las respuestas now. What matters is I’m finally trying to be honesto with myself.
The young teen closed his journal and slid it back into the desk drawer. He sat there for a moment, thinking about what kind of kosher breakfast his mom had made that day. She always found a way to mix in something Latino—maybe challah con canela, or huevos rancheros made kosher-style. Whatever it was, it was always warm and felt like home.
With a small, happy smile, Ruben got out of bed and headed downstairs, ready to start the day.