No Matter the Result: Pinky Promise

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"Ouch!" Mara hissed, louder than she meant.

People in the waiting room stared, mildly annoyed. But Mara was more bothered. Her thumb throbbed. She’d bitten through another nail. A fresh crescent of red peeked out from under the polish Doreen had painted just an hour ago.

"It’ll help with the nerves," Doreen had said gently, brushing the last stroke of glittery plum across Mara’s pinky. She smiled then, brightly, like summer lightning. "And remember: no matter the result, I love you."

She’d softly kissed Mara, and the memory hit like déjà vu.

Behind her closed eyelids, Mara saw their third anniversary by the lake: forest berries that stained their lips and denim shorts. The bruised indigo sky, blossoming with stars. The promise of forever under a meteor shower.

The universe could not have said it louder: they belonged together.

Click.

The psychiatrist’s door creaked open, and Mara jolted back to the present.

Why are you so stupid? Just focus, she thought. I can't be daydreaming again.

“Mara Gilbert?” the clinician called.

Inside the office, everything smelled like laminate and printer ink. Mara perched on the edge of the chair, hands damp in her lap.

She couldn’t bear it anymore, blurting, “What’s wrong with me?”

Dr. Bérczes smiled, shaking his head.

Doreen stood the moment Mara stepped into the hallway.

“Well?”

“I’m autistic,” Mara said. “Officially.”

Doreen’s eyes softened. “How does that feel?”

Mara paused. “Honestly? Great! Understood... like who I am has been translated.”

Doreen smiled and linked their pinkies. “I can take some language classes for you.”

Outside, rain misted the pavement. Cars passed, headlights flickering like fireflies.

“I can't believe I've been so hard on myself all this time,” Mara mused.

Doreen leaned in, kissed her temple.

"Now the world has some catching up to do."

*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

Thank you so much for reading!

Author's Note:

This piece is my entry for Vocal’s May Micro Maker Challenge, hosted by the incredible QVV. Writing a powerful story in 300 words, was both a joyful and challenging experience indeed. I wanted to explore the kind of pride that comes from knowing, loving, and finally understanding yourself and each other. We are just as human and normal as anyone else!

Dedicated to someone whose presence made this story possible.

Happy Pride! Here’s to soft love, late diagnoses, pinky promises, and never being “too much” to be understood. 🌈

With love, Dalma

If you enjoyed this story, feel free to read another sapphic short of mine: