MAY'S WINNER: Unexpected

In the safety of the empty house, still too exposed, he stood in front of the mirror. He slipped into the panties; he thought about his dad watching standup, the comedian joking about “poofters.” He clasped the bra; “Are you gay?” his mother had asked, which was insane and insulting, he’d always been attracted to women. The dress hugged his wide hips, flattering his curvy frame; a parade of men throughout his thirty years, all calling him names and slurs and inexplicably worse—a woman. Heat surfaced on his cheeks and all the lifelong protest melted away.

She didn’t expect this.