“I don’t want to know how the hand jive went,” Aunt Lil jokes.

“Who are you auditioning for, August?” Terry asks.

I look around, wondering what they will think. “I’m actually going for Betty Rizzo,” I say, even though I might be going for Kenickie. Jury’s still out. The group is quiet for a second. Taking it in? Are they going to judge me? They are feminists. They might have a problem with me playing a female part. “Why Rizzo?” Ginger asks.

I look at Aunt Lil, who gives me a nod. “’Cause my parents are coming up for the show. And they think I’m still living as a girl, and if they know the truth, I might have to go to conversion therapy.”

I look down at the floor, ashamed. But it does feel good to finally be honest. Janet the nurse nods. “When I was in high school, my family wouldn’t allow me to date girls.”

“What did you do?” I ask.

She laughs to herself. “I had a best friend and she could spend the night. That worked out nicely, actually.”

“I think,” Ginger begins, “I can speak for the table and assure you that keeping a part of yourself private to protect yourself and keep safe is something we have all done.”

“My girlfriend is so wise,” Celeste says.

“Do you have a girlfriend or boyfriend?” Judy asks me.

My cheeks go red. “You’re embarrassing him,” my aunt says.

“There’s a girl,” I say proudly. “But it’s complicated. She’s awesome. When she walks into a room, I feel things.”

“He’s got it bad,” Celeste says.

“Do not,” I elegantly defend myself.

“What’s complicated about it?” Davina asks. This is all news to Aunt Lil and Davina.

“She’s got a boyfriend, but I think she likes me.”

“The drama!” Ginger says.

I continue, “She asked me not to audition for Rizzo. She wants me to be her Kenickie.”

“And not in her way,” Janet adds.

“My turn to give advice,” Celeste says. “August, your life has just begun. There will be more . . .” She trails off, realizing she doesn’t know her name.

“Yazmin.”

“Oh, what a nice name. But there will be more Yazmins. Does that help?”

“It does,” I lie.

Celeste and Ginger high-five, then kiss. “My hero,” Celeste says. They are really enjoying bestowing the younger generation with wisdom.

I spend another hour with the book club. They tell me about the history of gay culture in New York, but the brownies must be working because the story gets derailed by tangents. I politely excuse myself, say goodbye to everyone, and head upstairs.

After everyone leaves, Aunt Lil peeks in my room. “Hey, kid, you asleep?”

“Not really,” I admit. I’m lying in bed mindlessly scrolling on my phone and trying to decide between Rizzo and Kenickie. My parents and Yazmin.