Ivy didn’t say anything. I could tell this conversation was weighing heavily on him. I wondered how long he’d wanted to bring it up.
To answer your question, my gender changes when I shift. I have feminine forms and masculine forms,Oberi explained.I’m a he when I’m a he, and a she when I’m a she.
“Mm…” Ivy mused after Ava translated. “That makes a lot of sense.”
Maybe you have different forms, too,Oberi suggested.
“I don’t know,” Ivy said. “Icould. I’m intrigued.”
“In a lot of indigenous cultures, including the Hawkei, we have something called Two-Spirit people. It’s a broad term for LGBTQ people, but stems from the idea of a third gender role in our societies. Kind of like people who are considered to have a feminine and masculine spirit in one body,” Ava explained. “That sounds like you.”
“It could be,” Ivy said reluctantly. “What do Two-Spirit peopledo?”
“They were super important to our tribe. They were often shamans and other kinds of religious and spiritual leaders, because they could see things from two different perspectives,” Ava explained. “In indigenous society, we focus on what peopledofor our tribe rather than how they identify. Gender is fluid to the Hawkei.”
“Maybe it’s like that for your tribe, but my dad was really rigid on that kind of thing,” Ivy said nervously. “He insisted men and women were different, that they think and do things differently, and people were either one or the other.”
Wellof coursemen and women are different, but some of us just don’t fit in either category, and can shift between the two, Oberi said.That’s the gift of being like us. We all carry feminine and masculine energy inside, and while many people favor one over the other, some of us ride the middle.
“Are you sure?” Ivy asked after Ava had translated. He sounded skeptical.
Yes. Gender isn’t what you’re born with, but who you feel you are and who you want to be. We are free to carve our own destinies and our own paths, and you are free to expand and create yourself in any way you desire, without the influence of others weighing you down.
I translated, and Ivy drummed his fingers against the table. “Would it be okay if you guys called meshetoday? Just to try it out? I’m thinking that today I might be a girl.”
“Sure, Ivy,” I told him— I mean,her.
The chatter faded as the last few people left the room. Chancey was the only one remaining.
“Everything okay over here?” Chancey asked. He must’ve sensed we were having a serious conversation.
Ivy didn’t answer for a beat, so I spoke up. “Everything’s fine. In fact, I think we should head to the Villain’s Den for a game of foosball. What do you say? Guys against girls?”
“Sounds fun,” Chancey said, without missing a beat.
I think you just made Ivy’s day, Ava said through the bond.She’s beaming.
Good, I replied.If she’s happy, then I’m happy.
“So, you’re a girl today?” Chancey asked Ivy curiously as we left The Devil’s Playground.It was obvious Ivy had brought this up with Chancey before. He sounded really understanding about it.
“I’m trying it out,” Ivy said timidly.
“I think it’s hot,” Chancey flirted.
Ava snorted. “Okay,nowwho needs a room?”
Ivy snickered. “We got one. This morning.Wejust know how to watch the time so we’re not late for breakfast.”
“Or it’s over quickly,” I cracked. “I like to take my time.”
“Oh, believe me,” Chancey replied. “This girl soaks up every minute.”
Ivy snickered under her breath.
She’s blushing so hard, Ava told me.
Are we embarrassing her?I asked.
