You Leave Me Speechless

Penny Barber’s jaw drops the second Alexis Tae steps out in that killer green dress. They’re supposed to be practicing judge questions, but Penny can’t stop staring. Alexis stands dead-center in the living room, cool as you please, while Penny fires off cue-card prompts from the couch. The answers are flawless—then Alexis hits the part about fighting for LGBTQ+ rights if she wins, and Penny’s eyes go glassy. Alexis is on her in a heartbeat, worried she said something wrong. Penny shakes her head, voice thick, admits she wishes she’d had half that spine back when she was competing. Alexis leans in close, smiles, tells her the courage came from everything Penny taught her. And right now she’s ready to show it—with her mouth and her hands—because words only go so far.