“them, she could see them. But for once it didn’t seem to matter. She was in costume, among welcoming hearts. At least for this little stretch of time, it felt safe to stop thinking about how she looked to the world. For once it felt like she could just be. Zenobia July took in and blew out three long breaths. She smiled at herself in the mirror, then smiled more at how pretty the smile was. She checked her costume one more time. She reached up and gently touched the beautiful old earrings her grandmother had given her. Then she put her shoulders back, lifted her chin, turned to the door, opened it, and stepped back out among the people she loved, to be with them and one of them, into the warmth and music and joy of what was starting to feel very much like a family.”