In their inaugural contest, Jerboa Lit asked writers to write a RomCom featuring a fire extinguisher as an object and using the phrase, “What was I saying?”

My usual answer to a RomCom is to subvert reader expectations by moving into the queer community. Instead of a meet-cute starring a trite white hetero + monogamous couple, I try to challenge the norm with gender-bending LGBTQI characters in polyamorous or open relationships. Go Find Your Sunshine and Switching Gears are great examples.

Why, you ask? Because in my old age, I grow weary of Hallmark interpretations of love and lust. I live in Portland, Oregon, and see myself as a member of its polyamorous community. Part of these stories play on the crazy situational comedy offered by Pacific Northwest culture (Kombucha, anyone?), but another part of these stories serve to remind readers that there’s more than just trite heterosexual, monogamous love stories. Love is bigger than that.

This story features Dani, a queer freelance graphic designer, and Ivy, a woman undergoing a life transition and exploring her bi-sexuality. I set the meet-cute up in a goat yoga session and have dialogue carry the comedy. It explores themes of sexual independence from men while touching on Ivy’s insecurities and trust issues. She’s a “beginner at this,” referring to goat yoga classes and meeting and dating women. Dani, though, knows exactly where Ivy’s coming from and shows affection in the form of sassy reinforcing courage. I build romantic tension and connection through their dialogue, ending in a situational comedy involving the fire extinguisher required by the prompt.

My only concern is the fire extinguisher. I elude to it rather than play with the object outright in the prose. I’m hoping I won’t be disqualified! Anyway, we’ll see! Fingers crossed! I hope the story does well!

R