Brave Enough to Say Her Name

This happened last week, and I’m still not over it. I’d been hiding

my relationship for months. Not because I didn’t care — because I cared too much.

My friends judge. My family overanalyzes. So I kept us private. My partner has a twin.

That matters. I finally brought her to a get-together with my friends and family.

I didn’t introduce her right away. People started asking questions. Someone laughed

and said, “Wait, aren’t you dating her twin?” And I panicked.

Instead of correcting them, I laughed and said, “Yeah.” I said the wrong

name. In front of everyone. In front of her. I didn’t even realize what I’d done until