During the summer of 2018, Bratty McBratFace enjoyed yet another lazy summer after she graduated and was waiting for the start of her post-bac program.  Most people would try to work and use the opportunity to earn a little money.  Not Bratty of course.  With SO paying her rent and food, why bother?  Besides, Bratty had more important things to spend her time on.

Bratty was required to complete a Calculus course as a condition of her acceptance to the post-bac program.  Bratty enrolled in a summer course at the local community college, and also signed up for a Spanish class.  Although Bratty was born in the US, as were both parents, Bratty’s maternal grandmother was Colombian and therefore Bratty decided to identify as Latina.  She posted this on Facebook and one day SO’s sister-in-law called him and asked him why Bratty was posting about being Latina when she was clearly not.  SO gave sister-in-law an explanation but she hung up still confused.  As was I, since Bratty certainly did not come across as immersed in Latin culture.  SO said she did grow up learning a little Spanish from her mother (who taught Spanish in the local high school).  And Bratty liked Shakira.  Apparently, that was enough for Bratty to identify as Latina – even though she was no longer speaking with her BM.

But I digress.  Getting back to her summer coursework, Bratty took a Spanish class ‘to practice’ along with her required Calculus class.  I was confused as to why she would need to practice if she grew up practicing Latin culture and speaking Spanish, but as long as she wasn’t living with me I could have cared less what classes she was taking.

In addition to her 2 classes, Bratty told SO she had a ‘special friend’.  SO asked for details and Bratty said ‘they’ were a non-binary asexual person just like she was.  SO said if you’re both asexual how do you have a relationship?  Bratty said they hung out, held hands, and cuddled.  SO said, ok well whatever makes you happy then.  Over the summer Bratty posted pictures of her special friend and her doing all kinds of stuff together, a happy couple. 

Now Bratty also told SO that she would like to be referred to with ‘they/them’ pronouns as she identified as non-binary as well.  SO asked her why and Bratty said she hated labels and didn’t feel that the traditional gender constructs represented her complex and special identity.  SO said he didn’t get it but he was happy to try.  When SO told me about this later, I laughed and said good luck.  I didn’t think I could really change how I spoke, and since Bratty and I didn’t really communicate directly anyway, I wouldn’t bother making any changes.  SO said sure.  [Note:  Bratty does continue to identify as non-binary and prefers they/them pronouns.  For simplicity I am continuing to use her/hers pronouns to refer to Bratty – she is not reading this and therefore I don’t see any harm in doing so.  In real life, I don’t speak to Bratty anymore but do make an effort to use the requested pronouns if Bratty is present or in front of SO.]

For Bratty’s birthday that summer she texted SO and asked him to order her an Uber for her to meet up with friends.  SO looked baffled – on the one hand it was nice that she was doing things socially with others.  Yet on the other hand – why was she ordering him to order her an Uber?  Bratty claimed her phone was working.  Even SO thought that was a load of crap and told her to figure it out herself.  Never heard what her ultimate solution was but was happy SO said no.

Ultimately Bratty finished her Calculus and Spanish classes and her fun fling (whatever that means for Bratty) with Special Friend #1 ended as they both moved away at the end of summer.  Bratty bragged all over her social media about her pre-med status and her goal to become a future Dr. McBratFace.  Towards the end of summer, Bratty rented a room in a house close to the school where her post-bac program was to begin in the fall. 

In our next Chapter, we’ll see how Bratty fared in her post-bac program where it was Bratty vs. Physics 101.