Pain
the bandages tight on his chest
covering the mistake
that hurt him more than his scarred body showed.
he walked
with the loose-hipped swagger
he had adopted long ago,
a lonely ten year old
wanting nothing more than to be exactly like
the teenage boys who hung out across the street.
now, spotting his girlfriend,
he smiles.
he loves her more than anything.
she comes up to him,
kissing him,
complaining
"rosemary.
they're bullying me
because
i would never,
*ever*
date a guy."