“To answer your roundabout question. I’m a proud bisexual man. I believe love is love and it doesn’t matter if it's a man or a woman that sets your soul on fire, you shouldn’t restrict yourself from loving that person the way you want just because of their sex. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and their choice. All I ask is that you respect each other and each other’s opinions in my classroom.”
That quiets down the room, except for the hand signaling between Hannah and Ethan that I try to ignore but they blare louder than any words could.
“This is bullshit,”Ethan signs.
“It’s going to be okay.”
“I can’t listen to him for an entire semester. He’s a liar and a cheat.”
What the fuck?
I’m a lot of things, but a liar and a cheat is not one of them.
“I need this class.”
“We’re dropping this class.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Stop!”I slam the side of my palm into my open one and yell the word at the same time.
Hannah’s eyes blow wide and Ethan cranes back in his chair.
“I’ve had enough of your side conversation. If you have something to say, say it to the class.” I speak the words as I walk toward the two of them, also signing each and every word clearly.
My heart is pounding hard behind my ribcage and I don’t know if it’s the fact that I’m yelling in the middle of my class or if it’s because I’m so close to both of them I can hardly think straight.
Hannah stands with her chin held high, jaw tight and eyes hard. The confidence she’s grown to show in moments of confrontation radiating from every cell in her body.
“Can you read this?”
Her hand movements are soft and skeptical, like she doesn’t really want the answer.
I shut my eyes, knowing my answer is going to throw me straight into the category of a liar, just like they said.
Maybe I am one and the realization hits me hard. Reopening my eyes, she’s scowling now because she knows the answer but needs me to admit it.
“Answer me.”
Lifting my chin, I clench my palm in front of me, nodding with both my head and closed palm, signing,“Yes.”
It’s as if her entire body loses its foundation. Her shoulders sag and her chin drops as her eyes bounce from side-to-side recalling all their nonverbal conversations.
She shares a look with Ethan before looking back at me, fury burning in her eyes, but her expression is pained.
“The whole time? The whole time!”
Ethan stands but I point at him not taking my eyes of Hannah. “Sit. Both of you.”
His fists clench as he side-eyes Hannah. I know he wants to say something but I don’t give him the chance before turning around, glancing at my watch and excusing the class.
It’s almost an hour early but I don’t give a shit.
“Class is dismissed, I’ll upload your assignments in the portal and see you next week.” A few of the students hoot and holler with the early dismal, a couple others look between me and Hannah before standing and making their way out.
The shuffling of papers and bags blend with the squeaking of rubber soles on the tile floor as the students rush out, almost as if they need to exit before I change my mind.
