You Leave Me Speechless

Penny Barber taught Alexis Tae everything she knows about pageants. Now Alexis wore a knockout green dress for rehearsal the day before the big show, and the sight of her knocked the wind out of Penny. They ran questions like the judges would fire them tomorrow, Penny firing from the couch while Alexis stood center stage. Alexis nailed every answer until one hit deep; she said if she won she’d fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Penny’s eyes watered. Alexis rushed over, worried. Penny waved it off, said the answer ruled and that she wished she’d had that spine back when she wore crowns. Alexis smiled slow and said she learned that spine from Penny. Then she proved it with her mouth and her hands right there in the living room.