Fresh Ink: An Anthology

Content Warning: These stories depict instances of racism and hate crimes, bullying, drug use, gun violence, sexual harassment, abuse, anti-gay bias, bias against transgender people, and suicidal ideation.

In Brooklyn, Shay and Dante sit on the stoop of Shay’s apartment building as her mother moves their belongings from the apartment. The apartment was Shay’s mother’s home for more than 20 years, as well as Shay’s childhood home, until someone purchased the building and forced them to move out. While Shay’s mother and Dante are devastated, Shay dreams of becoming a marine biologist, which the move to North Carolina could help make possible.

Dante and Shay recall how their relationship began as friendship from age five until Dante admitted in ninth grade that he loved her. While they reminisce, Shay gives Dante an “eraser tattoo,” using an eraser to burn her initials into his arm.

They’re regularly interrupted by the new family moving in. Shay’s mother notes that their family hadn’t even made it out of the house before the new, white family started moving in. Even though they repeatedly move over for the people moving in, the people rudely attempt to push them over further, interrupting their conversation. Dante angrily snaps at them, remarking under his breath that they could have just politely asked Dante and Shay to move.