Neither Sarai nor Jenny was sure who started the kiss, but they were sure they had loved each other long before it, they just hadn’t had the words. They were outside that early fall morning. The trees were all brilliant colors.

“Did you know leaves aren’t really green?â€? Jenny asked. “Their real colors only show when they die.â€?

“Weird,â€? Sarai agreed, fondling a leaf. Jenny leaned over to pull one out of her hair, and just like that, the girls’ mouths seemed to connect. Their bodies each found a place in each others arms. America’s not so bad after all, Sarai found herself thinking.

Jenny’s mother, watching them from the kitchen window, stormed out. “What do you two think you’re doing?â€? She cried.

“Nothing!â€? Jenny said, afraid to look at Sarai.

“That’s perverted! You’re perverted!â€? She screamed. “If you want to be that way, then…then get out of my house!â€?

“You could just say it was an accident,â€? Sarai suggested.

“No. I love you.â€?

And that’s how they found themselves under the bridge.