Miranda isn’t sure if she is transgendered or a lesbian. When Cal, a gay boy her age comes to stay next door for the summer, they become close. Even though they are opposites, they are both outsiders, and their friendship blossoms over the summer. Could there be romance despite their differences?<br><br>Then twins Ada and Van move into the neighborhood, and Miranda finds herself torn between them. She can’t decide who she’s more attracted to -- Ada, who may be lesbian, or Van, who is transgendered. Will she find love with one of them instead?

A Rare and Beautiful Thing

“I’m sorry,” I read. “I can’t…you two kept me going all this time; you two are the only reason I could keep at it, but I can’t anymore. I’m so sorry, so very sorry. Goodbye, and Curly, watch out when you cross the street, okay?”


I was trying so hard, and failing so hard, not to sob. Tears were running down my face and off Curly’s cheeks as well. It felt like Cal was right there with us; I could almost feel him, almost see his laughing face, his deep-set beautiful eyes. But not quite.


“I want you, Curly, to have my old Rowdy doll. It belonged to my grandfather. Remember how much you liked that puppet when you were little? Maybe someday you’ll have a little boy of your own and he’ll like it, too. And Miranda…I hid something for you inside Rowdy where the stuffing was coming loose. Curly will see that you get it. It’s just a little something that only I know about you, and maybe, by now, Van.”


Chapter 13