*****This episode contains discussions about homophobia, conversion therapy, and mild themes of sexual assault.
A twelve year old didn't know what it meant to be gay. They didn't know the social and political implications that came along with the affection that came so naturally to them.
So when twelve year old Melody told twelve year old me she thought girls were pretty, I didn't think much of it. I also didn't think much of it when she suddenly stopped showing up at school.
I asked about her, of course I did. She was my closest friend back then. But the adults told me she'd gone to a special mental health retreat. I accepted their answer readily and didn't look into it further.
When she finally returned, two months after my thirteenth birthday, I didn't notice the signs. I was thrilled to have her back. I eagerly filled her in on all the shows she'd missed and gossip from school. She listened to me but it didn't feel like she really heard me.
