Summary

In “Before,” even after Obie transitions, his swim coach, Coach Bolton, calls him by his old name, Sarah. Telling Obie he is “never going to be a real man,” Bolton kicks him off the Barracudas team (1).

On the drive home, Obie fears he will lose all of his swim friends, including Lucy, his childhood best friend. Through tears, Obie tells Mom what happened. She is furious. Back home, Obie races to his room. Crying, Obie sees the photo of him, Lucy, Clyde, Bolton, and Dad. Ever since Clyde started bullying Obie for transitioning, Obie considered removing the photo. He tears it down now.

Obie’s brother Jae-sung checks on him. He says Bolton “is trash” and he has his back (5).

Obie believed he needed Bolton to get to Nationals. Staring at the torn photo, he remembers past swim experiences.

Mom tells Obie...