ACT II: Building Something Real

Chapter 11: A Life Split in Two

I breezed through the front door. “I’m home!” I called out to my parents in the kitchen. “Dinner in 10 minutes, Honey!” came Mom’s answer. She’d made me promise to be home tonight—first family dinner this week.

I rushed upstairs. I’d swapped my denim skirt after rehearsal, but still wore an embroidered tee and padded bra under my coat, makeup faint but noticeable. I needed full boy-mode before they saw me. I spent a minute or two searching for my makeup remover in my bedroom before realizing I’d left it in the bathroom down the hall—sloppy, but I was the only one who used that bathroom, so no big deal. As I cleaned off the mascara and changed, I was still buzzing from rehearsal. We’d decided to start rehearsing five times a week instead of three, and yet it still seemed like there was so much to do! Integrating Jeannie’s keyboard and vocals into our songs, adding new material to suit the changes in the band—it was both exciting and exhausting at the same time. If only I could take a couple of quarters off from school. I shook my head—Dad would lose his mind.

I pulled my gig outfit from my bag: the tartan skirt and black peasant blouse, thrift store gold from Jeannie’s and my last trip. Jeannie had been so excited to find a dark red top with intricate lacing for herself that coordinated with my outfit. I hurriedly shoved them deep in the closet, boy clothes up front to hide them, and barely finished when Mom called, “Danny, dinner’s ready!” I tugged my baseball cap low, boy-mode mask back on.

“Hope you’re hungry.” Mom said, smiling as I walked into the kitchen. The meatloaf and potatoes smelled incredible. My stomach growled.

Dad sat at the table, glancing at his phone and letting out a derisive chuckle. “New mayor of Bellevue, goes by ‘they/them’ apparently. It’s a mental disorder, is what it is, but we’re all expected to go along with it.” He shook his head, setting the phone down. I froze, my excitement fading. Usually, I ignored his jabs at “transgenderism,” but tonight it felt personal. I stared at my plate, pulse quickening.

“They’re not hurting anyone,” Mom said, her tone calm but pointed, catching me off guard—she rarely countered him.

“Yeah.” I said nodding. It came out before I could think about it – think about the consequences of defying Dad openly.

Dad’s head snapped up, looking at me sharply. “Yeah, what?”

About to sit down, I stopped, arrested by his sudden scrutiny. “Uh… yeah, I’m hungry… starved. – Sure smells good, Mom.” I’m such a coward. I thought to myself.

Dad nodded and reached for the meatloaf, taking a thick slice before passing it to me.

“Another rehearsal today, Danny?” Mom asked.

“Yeah,” I said, keeping it light. “New stuff, new band member—Jeannie, on keyboard. It’s going well.”

Dad’s eyes narrowed. “You’re out late a lot. College comes first—this band’s just a hobby.”

“I know,” I mumbled, avoiding his gaze. “School’s fine.” A lie, but safer than the truth.

Mom smiled gently. “When do we get to see you play? We’d love to hear it.”

My heart slammed against my ribs. “It’s just small gigs,” I said, too fast. “Loud, smoky bars—not your thing.” If they show up, they’ll see me in a skirt, singing as Dani. Dad’ll freak—Mom might too. I can’t let that happen.

“We’d like to support you,” she pressed, her tone soft but firm.

“Maybe sometime,” I said, forcing a shrug. Dad grunted, his skepticism a low rumble. The clink of forks filled the silence, my chest tight with the secret I couldn’t shake.

“I’m done,” I said, pushing my chair back. “Got reading to do.” I bolted upstairs, shutting my door and locking it. As I opened my laptop to start on my reading, I glanced at the closet door. It would only take a few minutes to change, I thought. I’d be more relaxed—it’d be easier to focus. It generally went this way lately. In the evening, alone in my room, I enjoyed being Daniele, even for just a couple of hours by myself.

Just as I pushed my boy clothes aside, my phone buzzed. A text from Logan: Urgent band meeting on Discord – offer from The Firehouse. Does 8:00 work? I exhaled and smiled. Now I had a reason to put on a cute top and makeup—a video meeting with the band.

After quickly changing into my denim skirt and white top, I sat at my desk to touch up my makeup. As I opened Discord on my laptop, a new friend request popped up from Charlie Chañteshkalu. I clicked on the message: Hey there, rock goddess! See you at the meeting tonight! My heart skipped a beat as I accepted, a smile spreading across my face. I grabbed my eyeliner, tracing a dark line over my eyes—second time today, but the practice was good for me. Charlie’s words echoed in my mind as I made it a little heavier, a little sexier, my anticipation building for the call.