I'm not sure if I read this when it was first published since it is so short, I would have probably read it online instead of my usual dine and dash (copy and paste to my word processor). But I just read it and I can see why your group was impressed. I've read several of your stories and they are good, but this one has an underlying story that many people can connect with on so many different levels.

Those of us here, I'm sure, identify with the secret... the one we've kept from our family and friends and have been in denial about even to ourselves. But trans isn't the only secret that people keep. Many people have secret demons that they struggle with and won't share that struggle with the world.

This story is one that, if it were included in the required reading for a lit class, would inspire a myriad interpretations as to the meaning of the metaphor and just what the author was trying to tell us. It's understandable that your group was impressed. I'm impressed... and a bit jealous that I can't write something with that kind of wide appeal.