Forward

Reagan had been an openly Trans Man living in South Florida for the last few years. A decision that’d come easy for him. Far easier than he’d thought. Having it out with his relatives, his dad included, had made the decision easier. He didn’t care that he was going to be homeless when he got there. That he’d have nowhere near enough money to survive. Or do much of anything. He’d mass applied to everywhere he could while on the train to Miami. He knew there was enough for a Hostel stay for at least three weeks. Hopefully so anyway.

He’d let his unfiltered thoughts out during the “family intervention” his relatives wanted to have for Reagans “unsavory behavior” recently. Behavior they didn’t like because of him telling the truth when people asked questions about recent happenings he knew nothing about. Reagan had called them out on everything. Past and present. He’d never felt part of the family. They’d not once checked on him after he’d begun having health issues. They’d let their actions speak for them so he’d begun doing the same. They’d been put on the spot more than once and unsure of how to respond when asked about his health issues.

“I’m proud of you” Gio smiled
“Thanks. I am also” Reagan replied
“Life is getting better for me since I did that” Reagan smiled
“Have they tried-” Gio began
“They have. I’m not giving them what they want” Reagan finished for him
“They don’t deserve it” Gio pointed out
“They haven’t. For a while. I’ve been truthful about what happened when people have asked since then” Reagan confirmed
“I can only imagine the reactions” Gio laughed
“Priceless. Absolutely priceless” Reagan chuckled
”Consequences of their actions” Gio smirked
”Exactly. They made their bed. They now have to lie in it” Reagan sighed

It was no secret that Gio had been Reagans best friend since High School. They’d been practically inseparable. Even when Gio had moved an hour and a half away for College. He’d come back just to see Reagan. He’d come for Reagan after the argument with Jackson happened. Jackson’s comments had been something Reagan had wanted to call out. For a while. He’d not felt safe enough financially to do so. A comment Jackson made about an anti LGBTQ bill that’d been passed that’d led to the fight. Reagan had already packed nearly everything by then.

Gio had more than enough to say to Jackson while Reagan was putting everything in the car. That he it had been no secret that he (Gio) had been an openly Gay man for the last decade. That he was ashamed of Jackson for being homophobic. Reagan made a point to tell Jackson how ashamed Maddie would be of him. That she’d likely divorce him because of it. She’d been openly accepting of LGBTQ people. That she practiced what she’d preached prior to her untimely death. That her being a devout Christian included loving everyone for who they are.

Reagan had become a Memoirist in South Florida in the months after leaving. He hadn’t cared that he’d been homeless at first. He’d managed to find a job as a Dishwasher in the few days after arriving there. He’d applied for the writing position at Gingerly Magazine out of curiosity. He wasn’t expecting to get hired. Until he was getting a phone call from Constantine asking him to come in for an Interview. Until he was being handed a contract to become a Columnist by the end of that interview. He was in shock the entire way back to his Hotel room

“I’m happy you’ve been doing as well as you have” Constantine smiled
“Thank you for making it happen” Reagan smiled back
“Oh please, I’m just a small part of the story. I cultivated some things. It was all you after that” Constantine replied
“Good point. My story has reached far more people than I ever thought because of the places my work is being published it” Reagan mentioned
“It’s only going to get better from here. There’s something else I want to tell you before you get back to work” Constantine said

He’d become a Memoirist by happenstance after that. Constantine had let people know of Reagans talents and story. That sharing his story wasn’t meant to be solely at Gingerly. That it should be shared. Something Reagan appreciated. His dreams were finally coming true. He was sharing his story in the only way that made sense to do full time. It’d led to an opportunity in Colorado. Constantine had been the one that’d encouraged it. He’d encouraged Reagan to take a chance on it. A leap of faith that may very well pay off. That he’d have more opportunities in Colorado even if it didn’t work out.