Caleb couldn’t wait tojoin him and play volleyball—yet another thing he’d be doing forthe first time in his life.
Acknowledgments
This book was difficult towrite, not only because it was my first attempt at an LGBT story,but also because I started writing this during the early stages ofmy pregnancy. Thankfully, when the morning sickness wore off, I wasable to jump right into it and finish it before I gavebirth.
My heartfelt thanks to thefollowing:
Jigs for allowing me tointerview you one sunny lunchtime in a restaurant in Taguig. I’m sofortunate to have such a passionate, articulate friend and resourceperson like you. I’m sure you can recognize bits and pieces of yourstory in this book. Thank you for the inspiration.
Gio for taking the time toanswer my questions. I really appreciate your openness.
Deliza and Candy whosewedding video provided the much-needed spark for me to continue thestory. I love you, girls. May your love continue to flourish andinspire.
Ron for agreeing tobeta-read this. Your thoughts mattered to me the most, which waswhy I immediately asked for your help even if I hadn’t begun thebook.
Chris, dear friend,beta-reader and editor, whose exacting yet gentle ways alwayspushed me to do better without snuffing out myconfidence.
Caryn, who agreed to createthe book cover. Despite your initial misgivings, I knew you’d pullit off! You’re an amazing artist.
Jay for giving the storyone final sweep to make sure it was fit for publication. Youdeserve all the tablea cheesecakes in the world, my friend. Yourock.
To the Sweet Girls forgiving me the push I needed.
To everyone who read thedraft on Wattpad.
To those who reacted to myposts while I wrote this book— your “likes” and encouragementfueled me to keep on going until I typed The End.
And to you, dearest reader,for taking on this journey with me.
About theAuthor
Agay Llanera is afreelance writer for television and a published writer ofchildren’s books. She took piano lessons when she was a kid, andwished she hadn’t given them up.
Her New Adultnovellas Vintage Love, Once upon a Playerand This Side ofSunny, as well as her first Young Adultnovella, Choco ChipHips, areavailable on e-bookstores (Amazon, Kobo, Buqo,Smashwords).
Contact the author:[email protected]
http://agayisagirl.blogspot.com
Twitter:agayskee
Facebook: AgayLlanera
Wattpad:AgayLlanera
Glossary
Ah vous dirai-je, Maman– Ah, Mother, if I could tellyou
Bahay kubo– nipa hut
Bayot and bakla –derogatory terms for gay
Balikbayanbox – box filled with items sent by overseasFilipinos to their families
Carinderia –eatery serving home-cooked viands
Chinito– person having slanted eyes
Crispy pata– deep-fried pig’s knuckles
Ginisang munggo– mung bean soup
Guwapo – good-looking
Jeepney– sometimes called jeep, a form of publictransport
Lola – grandmother
Muscovado– unrefined sugar
Kare-kare– stew of meat and vegetables in peanutsauce
Mahal – my love
Makahiya– creeping herb whose leaves fold inward whentouched
Mamang sorbetero– ambulant ice cream vendor
Mangga at bagoong– green mango and shrimp paste
Mestizo –person having fair skin
Muscovado– unrefined sugar
Palitaw– flat, sweet rice cake
Po – affixed to the end of a sentence to show respect
Pork binagoongan – pork cooked in shrimppaste
Pork sinigang – pork and vegetablescooked in sour broth
Puto Bumbong– glutinous rice steamed in bamboo
Taho – snack of silken tofu and sugar syrup
Tita – aunt
Tito – uncle
Tricycle– motorcycle attached to a cart, a form of publictransport
Ube halaya– dessert made from boiled and mashed purpleyam
Tunay na YamanTrue Wealth (lyrics)
Kagandahang likasIn awe of your beauty
Pagmamahal na wagasAnd everlasting love
Nag-uumapaw na sayaMy happiness overflows
Tuwing kapiling kaWhen I am with you
Ang aking tunay nayaman My true wealth
Ikaw na akingsandigan is you, my rock.
