"But not of you." It's not enough, his hand on theirs. "It's very hard to explain. It reminds me of something. But I don't like you so far away. I want you to touch me. I want you to be here."
They take a breath and briefly look down; sustained eye contact is so difficult, especially now. "I have been doing some reading. I'm not sure but... I think — I think I'm a transsexual." Saying that word makes it sound so ugly and medical, like a condition. They're not so sure it's the right one. "I feel weird sometimes about being touched. That's why."