The Ellipses

Abstract

The novel follows Ezra, a trans person who returns to their hometown of Austin, Texas to complete a Masters in Social Work. Bored and socially isolated, they decide to take a mixed martial arts class. They are shocked to discover that their first love from high school is the instructor. Fabrizio doesn’t recognize them. It soon becomes clear that due to a pre-existing brain injury, he’s forgotten his teenage years and the romantic relationship. Ezra chooses to pursue a friendship with him anyway without revealing the nature of their connection in high school. The work explores their motivations for doing so, as well as the complex relationship that develops as a result.