by Phenomenon
“Are we moving too fast?” Kenisha asked as she placed her head on Taurus’ chest. “No.” Taurus replied. “According to what I comprehended in the spirit we aren’t moving fast enough.” Taurus kissed Kenisha and went to start the shower. “We should get some rest. We do have to marry each other tomorrow.” Kenisha laughed as Taurus closed the bathroom door behind her. Kenisha pulled out the veil that Ginger had purchased for her earlier. She stretched it across the bed and cried tears of joy. She finally had a life. Thank God, she was about to get herself a life.
Chapter 17: Give All the Secrets Away
Taurus
The next morning Kenisha took a cab to the church where the wedding was to be held. Corey stayed at the hotel to help Taurus get dressed. “I can’t believe that this is happening.” Taurus said as Corey helped tie her effeminate champagne colored bow tie.
“Where’d you learn how to tie a bow tie anyway?” She asked Corey.
“One of the lil homies on the block taught me how actually.” Corey confessed and laughed to himself. “I was going on prom and wanted to be different from the other dudes so I said I was gonna rock me a bowtie on some Pee Wee Herman type shit. But I didn’t have no pops or nothing so the lil homie’s pops had taught him how to do it so he came on over and showed me.”
The mention of their dad made Taurus want to say something about the secret that Kenisha shared but she didn’t know how Corey would take it. She took a shot anyway hoping that it would bring them closer rather than push them further apart. “I’m sorry about your dad. Kenisha told me what happened. That was pretty messed up what he did to you guys.”
Corey stopped tying the tie partially because he was done with it and partially because he was shocked that Kenisha had told Taurus about their past. “She told you…everything?” Corey asked. “Yea, everything.” Taurus said. “But I mean my pops wasn’t a drunk that beat us but he did wait until I was grown, slept with my girlfriend, cheated on his wife and drove a wedge between my mother and I for years so I guess that kinda evens it out a little bit.”
Corey was shocked at Taurus’ confession. He didn’t understand how women were just able to talk about their pains so freely. He’d never told anyone about what happened. He didn’t even discuss it with his sister too much. That was pretty traumatic to lose a woman to your father, Corey thought to himself. “Damn. Your pops banged your woman? That’s probably why you almost did her in, huh?” Corey asked about the situation further. Taurus hesitated as she put on her cream colored tuxedo jacket. “Naw playa. That wasn’t even the final straw. I gave her another shot after that. She got caught in my house with another man while she locked me outside to listen.” Taurus moved toward the door motioning that she was ready to leave the hotel room, as well the experiences with Billie, her father and that uncomfortable conversation behind.
Corey understood. He noticed that Taurus and he weren’t much different. She could open up to a certain point but eventually she just wanted to keep on living. The conversation, though it was short, made him trust her even more with his sister. If Taurus could keep her cool in all of those blatantly disrespectful situations, she would definitely be patient with Kenisha. She wouldn’t dare do all of those bad things to Taurus. Corey gathered his things, gave himself one more onceover in the mirror and moved out of the door toward the downstairs limo awaiting their departure.
Kenisha
“You knew!” Kenisha blurted out as soon as she saw Ginger enter the room. “You knew all along this was happening! You are so wrong Ginger.” Kenisha laughed as the hairstylist pinned her hair up in an elegant bun. Ginger laughed and smiled while moving rapidly toward Kenisha sitting at the vanity mirror in the back of the church hall. She reached out and hugged her and smiled looking at their reflections in the mirror. “Look at us, the two brides! We need to take a picture for Facebook.” Ginger pulled out her phone and snapped a shot of the two. She added Kenisha to her friends list, posted the picture, then tagged Kenisha and Taurus in the photo. She added the caption. “Double weddings! Who does it like us? Me and my beautiful future daughter in law getting all dolled up…like a boss!”
“And I didn’t know until Taurus texted me yesterday while we were at the bridal shop so I met her while you were getting dressed after we came back and gave her the ring. Of course that’s why I made you get the veil. Every bride needs a veil, child.” Ginger said as she sat down to let the makeup artist complete her look. Her hair had been done by her private beautician earlier that morning and the makeup would finish the deed. The first wedding was kept private to not invite unwanted attention and animosity to Kenisha and Taurus’ union. The only attendees would be Pastor Fillmore, Ginger, Corey and Minister Knight who was already present and going over his speech. The first wedding was only an hour away.
Taurus
Taurus, who’d recently added her mother on Facebook, saw her mother’s photo on her Facebook page and was shocked that Kenisha had allowed it to be placed on her Facebook page as well. She really was proud that Kenisha was embracing their love without fear of what others would say. Taurus was so overcome with emotion in the limo that she responded immediately to the Facebook picture and wrote underneath it, “I will love this woman forever. In one hour our lives will become that much greater. I love you baby! And I love you too momma! You almost look as great as us.” Then Taurus posted a picture of she and Corey dressed to perfection standing in front of the church. The limo driver took the picture when they arrived and Taurus posted it immediately along with adding a life event on Facebook that she was engaged to Kenisha. She then turned her phone off and walked into the church.
It was time. Corey was shown where to find his sister’s room as Pastor Fillmore escorted Taurus to the main church hall where the ceremony would take place. Corey opened the door to see his sister standing alone in the mirror. His heart skipped a beat. She was breathtaking. His eyes welled up with tears and it took him 30 seconds to even enter the doorway. Kenisha looked at her brother and fought back her own tears. “Sis.” Corey managed to get out of his mouth. “You’re so…you look just… oh my God I can’t breathe. Woman you are killing me.” Corey laughed and grabbed his chest. Kenisha knew what he was trying to say. He’d never been great with emotions but he always found a way to communicate with her in a way that she understood. “You look beautiful.” He finally said. “Are you ready?” Kenisha nodded. Corey pulled the veil over his sister’s face to prepare her for the transition.
Minister Knight stood in the center of the stage area of the church. Ginger sat in the front pew of the church in her reception gown that she’d planned to wear at her own wedding reception. Upon seeing the doors open in the back of the church, she gave the nod for the technician to begin the music. The song entitled Secrets by the band One Republic blared melodically from the speakers filling the elegantly decorated room. It was one of Kenisha’s favorite songs to describe what she had with Taurus.
First through the doors was Pastor Fillmore, arm in arm with Taurus escorting her down the aisle. Ginger had no idea that this was how Taurus had planned her entrance. It solidified her acceptance of Reggie as a father figure in her life. They moved down the aisle slowly just as a bride should. Ginger thought of all of the hard words and actions that she’d given to her only daughter over the years. She remembered how she thought this day would never come and if it did how it’d be ruined by the unacceptable pseudo sin of her not being in a dress. Ginger remembered shouting hateful words toward Taurus all throughout her high school years because Taurus didn’t want a boyfriend or anything pink in her bedroom. Ginger was riddled with guilt. She’d spent almost two decades not showing love to her daughter according to her own judgment and the prejudices that society said was acceptable. She’d lost so much time away from the beautiful soul that was walking down that aisle.
Ginger just started to cry. She grabbed her stomach to halt an ache that came from deep within as the music played.
“Tell me what you want to
hear,
Something that’ll light those ears,
Sick of all the insincere
So I’m gonna give allllll my secrets away.”
As they continued to walk down the aisle smiling at each other and smiling at Ginger, Ginger played a movie in her head that gave her a well deserved cramp in her soul. The movie was of Taurus being in pain over the years with women and failed relationships. She recalled how hurt Taurus was over Billie’s actions and how Ginger was so selfish and consumed with her own discomfort that she never comforted Taurus. Not one tear that her daughter cried over a woman was acknowledged. Ginger hurled insults at her and beat her down with verbal abuse all because of who she’d been attracted to since she was 12 years old. She realized that she hadn’t been a good mother. She realized it as she cried watching her lying, cheating, blasphemous, manipulating thief of a fiancé walk her daughter down the aisle at her wedding and Taurus accepted him and loved him because Ginger loved him. She didn’t curse her mother for who she’d chosen to love and how wayward they had been living. She was able to extend love without judgment. Ginger cried because she hadn’t been as kind to her daughter and in that moment all she wanted to do was take it all back, but she couldn’t.
When they’d made it to the front of the church, Taurus kissed her mother and hugged her. Ginger squeezed her tight and cried out saying “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for everything. I hope you can forgive me. You look stunning. I’m so happy for you and I’m a terrible mother. I’m so sorry.” Taurus was beyond surprised by Ginger who’d never been so emotional nor was she one to admit to her own faults. “Momma, it’s ok. I love you. I forgive you, my love. I forgive you. We all make mistakes. I hear you. Just forgive yourself cause I love you like nothing ever happened, you hear me.” Taurus whispered in her ear as she took her place next to Reggie on the left side of the minister.
Next came Kenisha down the aisle, arm in arm with her handsome little brother Corey. Taurus couldn’t see Kenisha’s face but only a bright light surrounding her. It was so bright that it lit up the entire church. Taurus wondered if anyone else could see how bright it had gotten when Kenisha entered. Taurus’ body became numb with a tingling feeling. She felt goose bumps appearing on her arms but she wasn’t cold. As Kenisha moved forward Taurus felt her life changing. She saw purpose being fulfilled in a champagne gown walking toward her. She remembered how much she’d cried over Billie and how she never thought God was going to bless her with someone that she wanted to be with. Taurus had always imagined God giving her a man to be with and how unhappy she was going to be even though that would’ve been what God had wanted for her. She had no idea that God had been caring about what she wanted. The world had always told Taurus that God was like them. The people in the world said that He had laws, that He was unwavering, unforgiving and could care less about what she wanted because she was a heathen and would die unhappy because of her attractions that she couldn’t control. Taurus was so glad that the world was wrong because she knew God was in attendance. He was happy for them and was blessing them. He was the light that surrounded Kenisha. His mercy poured out on them as the song played.
“This time,
Don’t need another perfect lie, Don’t care if critics ever jump in line. I’m gonna give allll my secrets away.”
When Kenisha made it to the front of the church Ginger hugged her and released her to take her place. The ceremony went forward. Reggie gave Taurus away, Corey gave Kenisha away and the vows were exchanged. After the sand was mixed and the flames of the candles were combined, the minister pronounced them married and told them that it was ok to kiss. Taurus never thought that she would be able to kiss a woman in a church, especially her wife but she did kiss her deeply and it was followed by applause.
Kenisha
Hours later after Ginger and Fillmore had tied the knot as well, the invite only crowd made their way to the dining hall for the reception. At the bride and groom’s table Kenisha and Taurus sat beside them along with Corey. There were plenty of pictures, food, speeches and toasts. The shocking toast came from Pastor Fillmore who congratulated his two new daughters on their vows that they took earlier that day. Some of the invited guest gasped at the thought of accepting lesbians in his church, letting them marry there and even inviting them to his wedding. They were insulted that Pastor Fillmore would even acknowledge their wickedness with pride. Other wedding guest that weren’t affiliated with the church congratulated them, clapped and showed heaps of love toward the new married couple.
Kenisha enjoying the reception began dancing with a very nice older man that tried to grab her butt countless times. She laughed as she ended the dance thinking that at his age he wouldn’t know what to do with all of her butt anyway. Taurus looking from across the room laughed knowing exactly what Kenisha was thinking because the two hadn’t taken their eyes off of each other all night. Kenisha went to the cocktail station to get another glass of champagne. There was a black woman perhaps in her 40’s standing there. Kenisha politely smiled and complimented her dress. “I saw you at the church last week right?” Kenisha smiled and said to the lady. The woman responded with snide.
“Yes you did and had I known that you were a homosexual I wouldn’t have listened to a thing you said. Now I have to find out like this that you’re knowledge came from the deceiver. The good book told us that there would be false prophets like you performing signs in His name. I’m so confused at you young people who just don’t give a darn about making it into heaven.”
Kenisha felt stabbed in the heart. Why would someone say such mean things about someone that they didn’t even know? Kenisha started to walk away like a wounded animal when she heard. “Say this!” in her spirit. She wasn’t sure if she was correct. Then she heard it a second time and there was no mistaking that it was God. “Say this!”
Kenisha turned to face the woman leaning on the bar. “The nerve of you, Sandra!” The woman looked at her with awe wondering how Kenisha knew her name. “God loves me too! His mercy and favor rains more in my life than yours because I’m humble and I repent. I know that I fall short of the Glory but you run around terrorizing your entire household based on your own rules, telling your family that you’re enforcing them in Jesus’ name. You’re the false prophet boo boo! That’s why your son doesn’t tell you that he’s moving to California in eight days. Everyone knows but you. He’s gonna run away from you and never go to a church again because of your lies about what God wanted him to do. No YOU wanted him to play the piano. You wanted him to be a minister and be famous for your glory not God’s glory. I’m not a false prophet at all. God uses me in my brokenness so that you’ll know it’s actually Him and not me faking perfection. Know this. Once your son leaves your house, God’s will is that you will never see him again in person. You have run him away from the very God you claim to serve and for THAT you will feel God’s wrath. This is your fate. Now swallow it.”
Kenisha immediately ran to the bathroom and fell into worship. How could she be so worthy? She praised God for a full 25 minutes until the Holy Spirit left her and she returned to the party.
Taurus
Taurus was so enchanted with getting to know her mother again that she hadn’t noticed that Kenisha was gone for so long. Ginger draped her arms around her daughter’s neck and they danced to the music, both gleaming with joy. “Would you ever have thought?” Ginger asked. Taurus smiled and looked around the room. “No I wouldn’t have ever thought that I would share my wedding day with my mother and she would accept my wife or that you’d be marrying a pastor. No honey, I would’ve never guessed it in a million years. But you know that we have to leave tomorrow. That’s as far as we can extend our return tickets.”
Ginger gave a selfish pout and then nodded with acceptance. “I understand baby. That just means that me and Reggie are gonna have to come and visit you two once you get the house in order. Kenisha’s moving in with you right?”
Taurus smiled at the thought of her mother making a
special trip just to see her. She’d lost her father to the scandal and hadn’t had contact with her mother for years. All Taurus had ever wanted was a woman to love her. Now she had two women to love her at the same time and it felt supernatural. “Yes. Kenisha is gonna sublease her apartment to Corey.” Taurus said as she exhaled and placed her head on her mother’s shoulder. “I feel indescribable right now.” Taurus continued speaking while gripping her mother’s waist. Ginger flashed a grin in anticipation of her daughter expressing herself freely as she hadn’t been allowed to do in the past to Ginger.
“I know you would’ve preferred me to be with a man but momma your love and Kenisha’s love is all I need. Being loved by a woman feels supernatural. It's unexplainable to know that someone that can give life, feed whole nations from her breasts and end wars with just words finds me worthy enough to love. It’s an ego boost of a million. A woman's love builds dynasties and destroys kings. Man I promise, a woman's love feels supernatural. Next to my worship on the altar her love makes me feel closer to God. Your love makes me feel closer to God. Now how they gon' compete with that?”
Taurus pulled back and looked her mother in the eyes only to reveal them leaking. Taurus’ truth was so beautifully described. All that time that Ginger wouldn’t allow her to speak about her desires assuming that she knew that they were purely carnal. All along Taurus had this passion inside of her that was nothing like what Ginger thought. She secretly blamed herself thinking that if she had been a more emotionally present mother, Taurus wouldn’t have grown up with the desire for a woman in her life because she would’ve had one already. Ginger kissed her daughter’s forehead and said something that was long over do. “I’m proud of you Taurus. I’m so proud of everything about you. You were my blessing and I promise to treat you better and be a better mother to you in the future. From this point on I will always be here for you. Regardless.”
