“Thank God, there’s a bar.” It was a little early, but Sylvie needed to take the edge off her nerves. “I’ll get the drinks while you get a seat. Don’t venture outside: that’s just for tourists.”
Isa glanced at her watch. “Why not? I’ll have a Kir.”
Sylvie bought their drinks and returned from the bar. She stepped over several backpacks, taking care not to spill the filled glasses, and collapsed into a low seat.
“You know what I didn’t grasp?” Isa asked. “Why that woman back at the conference was so angry.”
Sylvie raised her eyebrow. “I think they’d prefer ‘person’ rather than ‘woman.’ That was the point. They felt that historical feminism didn’t represent the whole story. It’s too narrowly focused on the gender construct of ‘being a woman.’” She sighed. “I get it. I do. So much of the old narrative is about protecting women against the prejudices of men. But it’s much more nuanced than that. Now traditional theory is being weaponized by some groups to attackother queer people.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Not in my name,” Sylvie said, squeezing her hands together with the frustration of not getting her point across well enough back at the conference. “You know, Ade would’ve totally gotten where that delegate was coming from. She’s really opened up my eyes to the flawed binary.”
“In what way? Is Ade non-binary?”
“She’s whatever she wants to be.” Sylvie swirled her drink, smiling to herself at Ade’s unique, mysterious magnetism. “I like that in a way I never expected to.”
“She’s never mentioned it.” Isa’s brow furrowed.
“I guess it’s easier to let these things go than address them head on. Ade doesn’t like to attract conflict.” Sylvie gulped her flavored wine.
“But why are people using old theory to create even more prejudice?” Isa asked. “I don’t know why everyone just can’t support each other, whatever their identity.”
Sylvie closed her eyes, allowing the boat’s rocking motion to calm her. “I don’t know. Older women, many of them lesbian, fought long and hard for women’s rights. I guess they see themselves and their hard-fought identity being diluted by a kaleidoscope of genders.” She coughed. “I don’t agree with it. I think it’s flawed and wrong. But having digested a lot of feminist theory, I can see why people are pissed off sometimes. And misinformed.”
“Are you feeling better?”
“About my speech? I suppose so. But it doesn’t make me feel better about the world. What the fuck is wrong with people?”
“I don’t think we’re going to fix that this evening.” Isa tilted her head. “But I’ll allow you to escort me somewhere special so we can take our minds off it.”
“Deal.” Sylvie sank into the seat and watched the Parisian landmarks float by. “I’m sorry that I’m being such terrible company.”
“It’s no big deal. To be honest, you’ve been out of sorts for awhile now. I thought it might be just work stuff, but you seem to be turning yourself inside out with this Ade business. What is it with you and her?”
Sylvie couldn’t find the words to explain how she was feeling. She’d gotten far too close to her new colleague than she ever should have, and her heart ached.
“I really like her,” Sylvie said, accepting that honesty might be the best option.
“My God, we’ve had a breakthrough.” Isa’s laugh rattled through the hull of the boat, attracting the attention of the passing tourists.
“Shh.” Sylvie waved her hands, trying to temper her reaction. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, I’m glad we can finally have a proper conversation about it. It’s been so painfully obvious to anyone who’s been around you the past couple of months.”
“It has?” Sylvie shrank. That stung. She’d been so convinced in her performance that even when she doubted herself, she never thought anyone else would see her true feelings. “Do you think Ade knows?”
“Unless she lives under a rock, it’s pretty clear that you have a thing for her.” Isa’s brow furrowed. “Except, she is kind of oblivious to even the most basic of vibes.”
“Oh God, yeah. She needs things completely spelled out. No doubt.” Sylvie laughed, her body aching with a magical blend of pride, intrigue, fear, and lust for her new friend. “I think that gives me an edge.”
“An edge on what? Are you trying to hide this from her?” Isa asked.
“Well, yeah, of course. It would be extremely awkward if it became a thing between us.”
Isa looked baffled. “Would it?”
“Absolutely.” Sylvie exhaled, growing impatient with Isa’s questions.
