Beacon

Frankie had left home after a confrontational argument with his relatives. With others that’d told him he needed to be something he wasn’t. Adam (his dad) had died six months prior. He’d been figuring everything out since then. He’d been struggling to find a job. It was a small town after all. Misleading job posts ran rampant most of the time. He’d decided to leave at the end of his lease. Until the argument anyway. He’d put everything in storage and left. He’d told the Realty company before leaving obviously. He never looked back. His life was brighter after that.

He’d reflected on the argument one last time during the train ride to South Florida. A reminder of why he was leaving. Their ignorance, bigotry, and everything in between that’d become apparent to them after calling them out. He’d been an openly Transgender Man since Adam’s death. Conversations he had with others that’d not helped at all. People who’d never practiced what they preached either. He’d not let their hateful bigotry get in the way of his life. So he’d kept to himself far more until he left. A jolt back to reality from the train arriving at its final stop (Miami) that’d reminded him that he was doing the right thing.

He’d booked a room at an extended stay for the next two months. He’d spent nothing aside from the bare essentials for the last six months. He’d spent the majority of his time drawing while he was looking for a job. One he knew one that may likely not come while living in a town that never once loved him. Its denizens proved that. He’d gone no contact with nearly everyone. People who’d let their actions speak for them. So he’d begun doing the same. To everyone’s behest.

He’d become a Public Speaker over the next six months. He’d wandered around South Florida in the meantime. He’d never imagined he’d be as successful as he had become. That people wanted to hear him speak. People were shocked to hear what he’d been through. They were even more shocked to hear what he was currently going through. He’d sold his drawings over the last six months. He’d rather wander around than stay in one place. He’d planned on moving to Colorado at some point. He wasn’t sure when. He wanted more time in South Florida before his departure though.

“I’m proud of you” Remi smiled
“Thank you. That means a lot” Frankie said
“Are you really going to leave though?” Remi answered
“Yeah, there’s nothing left for me here. Literally nothing left” Frankie said
“But-” Remi began
“I’m leaving. Soon. I’ve got more than enough to leave. I know I’ll be happier there. Far happier than I’ve ever been” Frankie replied

Remi knew Frankie was right. That Frankie was going to be okay. Finally. That he was going to be far happier in Colorado. Far away from a highly bigoted state. A new life he’d wanted for a while. He’d spent most mornings watching the sunrise from his month to month rental. The money he’d made from selling his drawings afforded him this studio apartment. It wasn’t much. It was his thought. He’d contemplated more than a few things as time passed. People from his past had reached out. People who no longer had a place in his life. Those from his past that were still in his life were the only ones with access to him. People who’d not let it be known they were still in contact with him. People he told about his move to Colorado.

He’d made his move a year after moving to South Florida. The money he’d moved to South Florida was mostly spent. The little he had left being what he moved with. He had made more than he ever thought he would from his speaking engagements along with his drawings. Ones some high end restaurants had bought for more money than he’d ever seen. He’d been living a far happier life. The first month of his time in Colorado was spent wandering. He’d gotten a job as Budtender. Along with speaking engagements he procured. His life was better than ever before.