When Cary received a light buzz on her phone, with Serafine’s name flashing across the screen, she found her thoughts were less of wow, a pop star is texting me and more of wow, they aren’t just barging in unannounced for once. Even more so when the text was actually about finding a job.

Wondrous news, Cary! I have been contacted with a request for an interview at Ferris City Middle School! However, I am in desperate need of counsel on a sensitive subject matter. Would there be any way that I could arrange a moment of your time to speak in person? --S

To her own shock, Cary continued to take the request on good faith--after all, Serafine was so far the only member of Dream Come True who’d actually called ahead for an empty slot. So of course, as Cary looked over her calendar for the day, she couldn’t find a single open hour for an impromptu appointment. She picked up her phone, feeling an oddly depressed sink in her stomach.

I’m sorry Serafine; I’m completely booked for the day. Do you need to see me before your appointment on Friday?

Wow, I almost signed my name on that text, Cary thought with a smile. The phone buzzed again almost immediately.

I would like to say yes, though I’m afraid the matter is unrelated to my career. Is there any way I could trouble you for a moment of your time after work? I would not let you leave without proper compensation, of course. --S

Whoa, no, you do not need to pay me for anything. I’ll just meet up with you and talk. Is that fine?

My God, Cary thought, I just offered to hang out with a pop star and didn’t even think about it. Her own burgeoning social confidence was beginning to astound her when her phone buzzed once more.

Then at least let me offer my generous friend a light meal for her time. Shall we meet at my apartment with some sandwiches of your choice? --S

Cary felt a small pulse in her stomach once more, which tended to be a side effect of Serafine’s natural confidence. I’ve spent too much time on the internet, Cary thought to herself. There are plenty of people who invite people over to their house without the intent of. Stuff. Well, Cary thought, just in case…

That sounds fine, but I can’t stay for too long. I’ve got a date to swap pictures of sad looking dogs with my mom tonight.

There, Cary thought, that’ll definitely curb any feelers for sexual interest. She barely had any time to gloat over her own sabotage before she received a response text.

Good heavens! I’d not rest easy knowing I’ve gotten between Mother and Daughter bonding! Forgive me for encroaching on your time.

No, no no, it’s totally fine. I’ll come over. It was just a heads up.

I’d be perfectly happy to wait until Friday. May your friendship with your mother blossom, and may you find the most charming of morose dogs of all stripes and walks. --S

Seriously. It’s cool. That was just saying I can’t be there all night is all.

Cary found herself in a several texts back and forth assuring Serafine that, no, there were no great plans that she was intruding on. She couldn’t help but be proud of how quick she was in diffusing what could have been awkward, but now came to another revelation: Serafine was a charming folk, but she was also too honest. Honest, Cary thought, to the point of being a bit oblivious.

---

“I apologize again for the mess,” Serafine said as she handed Cary a glass of ice water. “Considering my living arrangements are short term, I don’t have the proper means to entertain company.”

“It’s really fine,” Cary said, sitting at a small table at the opposite end of Serafine’s kitchen. For one thing, there was no mess to speak of. For another thing, Cary could already see the apartment was picked with Serafine’s tastes in mind. It was very small, maybe four rooms maximum, but the breakfast nook was surrounded by tall, open windows, directly overlooking the sunset over a distant city skyline. It gave a warm illumination to the cluttered trophies and photographs Serafine kept presumably from her real home, organized by in discernible way on rows of shelves, but somehow having a rainbow pattern of love and care.

“And here is your portobello and red pepper sandwich, as requested,” said Serafine, gently placing a small package wrapped in wax paper in front of Cary. “Are you sure there isn’t anything else I can get you? I can put on some hot water if you’d like.”

“I’m good, but thank you,” Cary said. “So what’s on your mind? You made it sound like there was some personal trouble.”

“Personal trouble is a bit strong, but I suppose I am uneasy,” said Serafine, carrying the other wrapped parcel to the seat across from her. “I’ve told you I have an interview, right? I suppose I was seeking advice on how to broach matters my interviewer may find uncomfortable.”

“Uncomfortable?” Cary asked before she had time to catch her own nosiness. “Well the Golden Rule of interviews is that if they don’t ask you outright, don’t bring it up. And keep in mind there are certain things they’re legally prohibited from asking, so you can decline to answer questions that are too personal.”

Cary took a bite of her sandwich as if to stop her own policy rant. “But I have a hard time seeing something about you that would make others uncomfortable,” she said.

“You are a good soul,” said Serafine, cupping one of her hands and resting them on the table, “but I think, in the long run, there will be plenty. Especially if I’m planning on staying there long term.”

“What kind of job are you going for?” Cary asked, swallowing a mouthful of grilled vegetables.

“An administrative job,” said Serafine. “I’d be working with the general office coordinating between higher supervisors and the offices closer to the actual faculty, as I understand it.”

“I think you’d be way overqualified for something like that,” said Cary. “Those are the jobs that people can’t get rid of. I think with your chops, you could at least get something a little closer toward what you’d really like.”

“And I suppose such begins my conundrum,” said Serafine. She took a very long sip of water, before looking Cary directly into the eye. Cary suddenly noticed Serafine hadn’t eaten through the whole conversation. “Cary, does there seem to be anything peculiar about me?”

Even the air had a hard time filling the ensuing silence.

“That was a poor question. Let me try again,” Serafine said. “Cary, I am a man.”

“...actually, I could really go for a cup of coffee,” said Cary.

“I shall put the pot on immediately.”

---

“I suppose I’ve always enjoyed the mixed blessings of not fitting a layman’s definition of masculinity,” said Serafine. Cary dipped her lips into her drink as he continued, wondering why she ever turned it down, ever. “What you see is very much who I am. So much so that I’m not sure how to explain it to others.”

“And you came to me to learn how to come out at a potential interview?” Cary asked with another sip.

“Hmm? Oh, yes,” said Serafine, tapping his chin thoughtfully. “Now that I think about it, that would be a worry, wouldn’t it?.”

“Wait, so it’s not why you brought me over?” Cary said. “Oh, were you just...thank you for telling me all this Serafine. And putting up with my work-mode, solution-finding--er, should I be calling you something else now?”

“It’s fine for now. Such a lovely name, isn’t it?” Serafine said. “My parents put quite a lot of love into it. I’m not sure I’m at the point where I can comfortably cast it aside.”

Well, Cary thought, they did name you after angels. “Then let me know if that ever changes,” Cary said. “I’ll be happy to correct myself.”

“Thank you Cary! You’re truly kind,” said Serafine with a chuckle. “I hope this gives me a touch of confidence in telling the others.”

“Wait, do you mean DCT?” said Cary incredulously. “They don’t know?”

“I’m mortified to admit it, but yes,” said Serafine. “I’ve no doubt they’ll welcome me with open arms, but...I worry now isn’t a good time.”

“You don’t have to put something like this on a timetable for anyone else. It’s just as important as anything they’ve got going on.”

“Ah, but what person would want to burden others so while their friends are in crisis?” said Serafine, shaking his head sadly. “For one thing, I don’t want to trouble Dusty when her situation is sensitive. And I’d be burdening poor Lori as well.”

“How would you be burdening Lori?” Cary asked. “I think she’d be more open to this than anyone.”

“She is weighed by her own troubles, too,” said Serafine, looking sadly off into a sunset that was now fading to a dusky twilit blue. “And I’m not sure she’d appreciate the support I’ve given her if she knew I was a man at heart.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t you know?” Serafine asked, giving a curious look at Cary’s equally puzzled silence. His eyes shone with a deep thought, before closing and blossoming into a familiar Serafine smile. “Then I’ve said enough for now. Perhaps I should keep my eye on the good friend in front of me.”