Insight

Actions speak louder than words. Talia knew that all too well. People in her life had let their actions speak far louder than anything they’d ever say. People who’d let their bigotry and ignorance show when they’d post on Social Media. She’d distanced herself from nearly everyone as time went on. She’d realized their ignorance, bigotry, and hatred prevented them from being able to understand how people within the LGBTQ community lived their lives. She’d begun speaking out more knowing what would likely happen. She no longer cared. She’d rather speak up, share her own story, and go no contact than stay silent like she had been. 

She moved to Atlanta after going no contact with nearly everyone she’d once called friends. People who’d let their actions speak far louder. People who tried arguing with her when she’d make comments. Her responses left them unable to say anything after a while. She’d called people out on everything. It’d left them thinking. She made one last Social Media post before she left for Atlanta. One that made her stance on various things very clear. Her decision to stay off Social Media while she adjusted to life in Atlanta had been the best decision for her. 

Her job in Marketing had been successful. She’d been living in an extended stay hotel the first three months. The savings she had dwindled in that time. She was nearing homelessness. Until an unexpected raise for the progress she’d made in the short time she’d been with the company, along with various things she’d been doing that boosted the company’s reputation that had helped her get into the loft she’d kept an eye on. She’d been able to pay for the fees along with the first two months rent in one days time as a result. 

She’d kept her distance from her co-workers. She’d befriended them. She hadn’t let them get too close though. The innovative insight she brought with her baffled everyone. It’d also brought new opportunities for the company to expand. Talia had taken the lead in marketing toward the LGBTQ community as well as the Disabled community. The company hadn’t known how to effectively accommodate the Disabled community. Talia’s pitch helped everyone understand how. Her pitch was from the perspective of someone who is LGBTQ and Disabled. She’d opened up about her Epilepsy and being Lesbian. Her pitch turned into a successful part of the company. 

A year had passed since her move to Atlanta. She’d decided to take some time off to take an actual vacation for once. She’d taken off to New York City for a month. To look into her paternal roots. To wander New York. To meet family. To reflect on the last year of her life. How far she’d come. The life she now had. She’d become far happier in the last year of her life. She’d become successful. She’d been living as an openly Lesbian woman. The life she’d made for herself was one she’d become happy with.