“Weren’t you scared that someone would figure out you were a girl?”

“All the time. A few guys did and I got beat up pretty good.” Shane doesn’t like to think about those times.

“How long did you do it?”

“A little over two years. Longest two years of my life.”

“And why did you stop?”

“I met Bette.”

“Bette?” Harper is surprised.

“Yeah, she had this art gallery next to a coffee shop I hung out at. I was always sitting outside smoking and drinking my coffee. And I would see her coming in and out of the place. Or standing outside her gallery sneaking a cigarette. I had a little crush on her. And every time I saw her I would just smile at her and pray she would talk to me. Then one day she sat down at my table and starting talking to me. I was in awe. Here was this beautiful woman sitting across from me talking to me like I was a human. I was so used to John’s and the guys I hung out with. She asked me if I had a job because she always saw me at the coffee shop. I made up some story about working at night. Next thing I knew I was working in her gallery and living in the store room.”

“So Bette’s like your guardian angel.”

“She saved my life.” Shane looks at her. “I’ve never told that to any one but Bette.”

Harper puts her hand on Shane’s and looks at her, “Wow… this might sound weird but, I’m honored that you told me all of this.”

“Do you ever want to talk to me again?” Shane is scared to ask.

“Of course I do. Shane we all have things in our past that we aren’t too proud of. But it’s what makes us who we are. It teaches us things and makes us grow. Most people aren’t perfect. I know I’m not. Our lives took us on different paths, but mine easily could’ve taken me down the one you took.”

“Can I ask you something?” Shane looks into her eyes.

“Anything.”

“Did I just scare you off?” She scans Harper’s eyes for honesty.

“Can I ask you something first, before I answer?”