One month later
“Great work this week, Francine. Enjoy those glorious two days off!” The middle aged Sicilian owner of my new workplace, Joey Alfonsi, looked up from the cash he was counting to watch me scurry out the back doors before anyone could ask me for another favor. I’d already been here an hour past quitting time as it was. I took a bite out of my baguette and gave him a two finger salute. I already loved working here, and looked forward to many pleasant years with the small business.
“Thanks! See you on Tuesday.” My first morning shift at Joey’s Italian Paradise— which didn’t open until 2:00 P.M for lunch, meant I wasn’t due in until 11:00 A.M after my long weekend.
Swell enough for me!
Jogging briskly over to my used 2002 white Pontiac Grand Am, I unlocked it and slid into the driver’s side. I’d gotten over my fear of driving and worked hard tow
Four months later“It’s so big!” Vasha looked around Indian Steele Park in amazement as hoards of people stood around eating, listening to live music, and dancing their hearts out to the vibrating beat. Gay Pride was in full swing, and for once I didn’t care that it was hotter than the devil’s ass crack outside. I hadn’t been to one of these celebrations in three years, and I wanted Vasha to have the experience. She tugged on the hem of my high-waisted white skater skirt, and motioned at Brody and Liza, who were grinding up against each other sensually. “It finally happened.”“About time.” I grinned and waved when Liza looked over. She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted.“COME DANCE!”“PHOENIX PRIDE, HOW WE DOIN!?” The DJ boomed enthusiastically. The crowd erupted in cheers and cat calls. Suddenly, “Anna Sun&
You made it! The end to “Our Young Funny Voices.” I just wanted to take the time to thank you for coming along Francine and Vasilisa’s journey. I began writing this novel in January of 2019, but didn’t start really plowing through it until April 2019. My characters are loosely based off my own experiences, and the experiences of people in my life. I’m dedicating this book to those in the LGBTQ community without a voice. We still have a long way to go in our fight towards equality for all- and while Vasilisa’s decision won’t be everyone’s, I’m hoping wherever you are it gets better. Remember, we all have the right to love and be loved. ❤️If you enjoyed “Our Young Funny Voices”, please let me know your thoughts. This is my first finished novel, and would love to know who my fans are. If you want to co
Prologue“...I’m not giving up on you.” I was almost yelling into the phone. Vasha’s radio silence sent chills down my spine.“Please say something...” I pleaded softly. I heard her sigh in exasperation.“You already have. Farewell.”The line disconnected and I dropped to the floor, wallowing in my own grief. My heart pounded so hard I thought it’d jump out of my chest any second. Tasting my own salty tears, I made no effort to stop crying.Command me to be wellAmen, Amen, Amen....Take me to churchI’ll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies;I’ll tell you my sins so you can sharpen your knifeOffer me that deathless death;Good God, let me give you my life...- Hozier********************
I met Vasilisa about four months ago on a stupid dating app for lesbians. It’s not necessarily used for that purpose, but it’s something to do while I juggle work, Liza’s constant bitching and the bitterness I harbored toward Katie. That’s what I’m best at. Distracting myself. Honestly though, I never thought I’d get acquainted with someone actually worth meeting.Vasha is from Siberia, Russia and resides in the smaller town of Tobolsk. It’s cold, dreary and miserable even when the sun is out. Vasha says the sun mocks her as it shines bright in the sky, but never warms her pale skin. I wish I could let her borrow Arizona’s sun. I’m sure we could all use a break from heat stroke out here.I didn’t respond to the message right away. She always bums me out, leaving me hanging for days before popping back up. We’ve been friends for a minute, now, but I always feel something else when I talk to her.
The days that followed were pretty weird, and that's putting it lightly.After Liza swore up and down she was getting rid of Max since he backed out of the engagement the night we caught a flick at the Theaters, she came crawling back to the apartment on her knees begging him to reconsider. I didn’t get it, but she didn’t get my life either. I suppose separating yourself from the situation really comes in handy when you need it to. Which is exactly what I’d been doing. Pulling doubles at work, getting lost in any task involving bathing, drying, and primping up dogs for their doting owners. Katie was constantly blowing my phone up, and ignoring her was getting to be a massive pain in my ass.We hadn't spoken much since the last time we fucked, and I wasn't looking forward to exchanging words. Couldn't she just leave me alone? That'd be worlds easier than having to dodge her constantly.“Any plans this weekend, Franie?&rdq
I didn't sleep that great, and was dragging ass to get ready for work the next afternoon. The truth was, I felt guilty and didn't feel like concentrating on anything except for my racing thoughts. Despite everything that happened, I couldn't help but feel like this was all my fault. I knew Katie and I weren’t good together and had no business continuing any type of contact after we broke up. Especially not a sexual arrangement, but here I was several months later. Doing just that. She’d made the last four 1/2 years of my life a living hell and I'd been more than happy to move out once it was all said and done.So what was I doing? Why couldn’t I just call her and end it, like Liza suggested multiple times? Was I afraid of confrontation?No, it's because I’m a coward. No way around it. I took a deep breath, smoothing out my bather’s smock as I began walking out of my room in a hurry. I wasn'
I considered playing dumb, but I knew it was useless. If Liza was asking you something, she already knew the answer. I didn’t doubt she knew exactly who Vasha was. I felt my cheeks get hot, and I fiddled with a frayed string near the pocket of my checkered pajama bottoms. Keeping my back turned, I replied; “What's to tell? She's a friend. A good friend...” I sounded a lot more collected than I felt.“Really, that's it? Weeeeelll, she’s liking a lot of your pictures on Facebook, for being “just a friend.” Liza teased playfully, and handed me her Samsung Galaxy to see for myself.I snatched the phone out of her hand so fast, then.What gives? Vasha said she didn’t have a Facebook.I immediately clicked on her profile. It was empty, aside from a few hilarious looking cat videos. Must’ve been made recently. I clicked on her profile picture, and Liza craned her n
Roughly a week later, I finally had some time to Skype Vasha without interruption. We'd been almost inseparable since the night she asked me to keep our video chat running through sweet WhatsApp messages, and I'd gotten in the habit of sending most of mine through voice since she was always asking to hear it. In general, we both knew we were growing closer but rather than point it out we were just enjoying it for now. I couldn't complain and wouldn't anyway. Aside from working, eating, and sleeping when I could, Vasilisa was quickly becoming the center of my Universe.“How do you curse in English, detka?” Vasha covered her growing smile with a pale hand and giggled into it. I loved how the corners of her striking green eyes turned up slightly when she smiled.“If I tell you, you can’t laugh.” I teased, making light of the fact she couldn’t stop laughing at any English words I had been trying to teach her for