So you mean they’re married?
The simple question leads to a complex answer of an eight year old
girl,
a long explanation which she is tired of answering
she has nothing to be ashamed of, right?
So why does the cute boy sitting next to her on the bus not
understand?
He isn’t dead.
The eleven year old girl stumbles on the heteronormativity of society
as she struggles to articulate.
I just don’t have a dad,
the friendship bracelet weaving halts for a moment in the slender
white fingers as the newfound friend looks at the girl somewhat out of pity and somewhat in confusion.
Yes they actually are legally married now,
at fourteen the answers to those inevitable questions become easier
to answer.
Isn’t that exciting?
the girl thought that meant normal,
she thought the law finally saw her family as she did
because love is all it takes to make a family… right?
Her naive idealism of perfection is shot down,
an overheard conversation,
she is my daughters partner’s daughter
aren’t they wives now?
So the girl asks,
“Isn’t mama my legal mom now?”
Well, technically no,
the process of turning mama into mama
is as sticky and tough as its history.
The fines must be paid,
the bureaucrat hired,
and don’t forget
an interview and home inspection from your local DSS,
because why would you be good parents,
you only had children on your own accord,
you only taught them how to think but, more importantly, question,
hide those things while you are interviewed,
they are good moms,
they love us,
Is it official yet?
