Lily and Dunkin

“I’m not sure one other person going to Gator Lake Middle School is dealing with what I am, probably not one other person in the entire state of Florida. Statistically, I know that’s not true, because I looked up a lot of information on the Internet, but it feels that way sometimes.” 

Both Lily and Dunkin feel isolated and alone. Each of them wonders whether people will accept them if they know the truth, and they believe that other teens have it easier. However, as Lily and Dunkin learn more about each other’s struggles, they come to realize that they are not alone. While their experiences might not be identical, everyone has insecurities and challenges that they must overcome, which helps both Lily and Dunkin put their own challenges in perspective. 

“I hold my breath, hoping that Dad understands how much this means to me. Hoping that this time will be different, that—

‘Timothy! What the hell are you doing?’

I deflate like a week-old balloon. Practicing, Dad. I’m practicing being me.” 

Lily’s dad struggles to understand his daughter and lashes out at her when she presents as female. His initial reactions suggest that he wishes Lily would just be a boy as she was born, and he experiences anger and embarrassment when she discusses or acts upon being female. Those types of reactions result in Lily’s deflation, feeling like her father doesn’t accept or love her for the person she truly is. 

“Her words ‘just the two of us’ should be happy, together words, but all I hear is the one of us who’s missing. Dad.” 

Gephart chooses to avoid providing readers any information regarding the fate of Dunkin’s dad. Dunkin reveals small snippets, making readers aware of his father’s bipolar disorder and his mother’s sadness at his absence. Though Dunkin repeatedly reveals that he is sad without his dad in Florida, Gephart uses Dunkin’s purposeful evasion of the topic of his dad, forcing himself to think of other things, to highlight the lengths to which Dunkin goes for self-protection.