by AnDerecco
JACOB
What is going on?
IAN
Jeremy is cheating on me. I came home the other day and found a condom in the toilet; I got a text from him that was meant for someone else. I don’t know what to do. I remember when I fell in love with him. I knew he was the one that I wanted to spend my days with.
JACOB
Did you talk with him about it?
IAN
Yes, but I don’t know if I believe him.
JACOB
You have to give him a chance.
IAN
I am trying. He cooked my favorite meal after he came from therapy. He hasn’t done that in a long time. That is so out of the norm for him. Oh I almost forgot.
Ian stands up and reaches into his pocket. After struggling to get the item out, he then slams something on the coffee table. Jacob is shocked by what he sees. He reaches out for it and quickly changes his mind.
JACOB
Well….
IAN
Now explain this to me.
JACOB
I can’t. Why do you have this?
IAN
The question is why does he have a damn dildo?
JACOB
So this is not yours?
IAN
Hell no. I found it in his car along with these small packages of personal lube. Now if this ain’t cheating, what is? Jeremy has always been the top in our relationship. If he is using this on himself I will be so hurt. If he is using it on someone else I am going to kill him.
JACOB
I am at a loss for words. I don’t know what to tell you.
IAN
There is nothing you can say. The condom, the text, this damn red dildo; I am done.
JACOB
Don’t just throw your relationship away because of these small things. True enough it is grounds for a divorce but you two love each other. I don’t agree with what he is doing, if he is doing anything.
IAN
I need to talk to my girl. She would tell me exactly what to do.
JACOB
Well, call her. She should be home later tonight.
IAN
I am glad she moved to D.C. but I need her now. I am going to Time Out for a drink or two or several.
JACOB
Don’t go get drunk because that will not solve anything. When you wake up from that – the problem will still be there.
IAN
I won’t get drunk, just to the point to where I can forget about this for a few hours.
Ian stood up from the couch. He walked over to Jacob to give him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Jacob returned the embrace and reminded Ian to be careful.
Jacob escorted Ian to the door. Just when he opened it there was Dennis about to place his key into the lock. Dennis and Ian hugged and greeted each other. Ian explained that he was going out for a few drinks to ease his mind. Dennis came on into the house with Jacob.
X
After dinner Jacob and Dennis settled in the living room to watch the news. News anchor Melissa Walker was doing a special report on same-sex marriage in Jackson.
MELISSA WALKER
A gay couple wanted to rent a church building at the Agriculture and Forestry Museum, located in Jackson, for a commitment ceremony. At the time of their request, they indicated it would be for a marriage. Since Mississippi law bans marriage equality, the Museum had already checked with the state’s Attorney General, in 2009, for a similar request.
In an article in the newspaper, it reports the AG told the museum “We are of the opinion that the Department (of Agriculture and Commerce) is certainly authorized to restrict the use of museum property for events and functions that are legal under state law,” he wrote. “Therefore, (the department) is authorized to prohibit same gender marriages on museum property.”
The newspaper also reports a spokesperson for the Agriculture and Commerce Department referred to the opinion when asked about the request.
“Commitment events, as far as the state goes, are a representation of a union, and state law says that a union can only be between a man and a woman. Even though the couple’s ceremony wouldn’t produce a legally recognized marriage, it is their intention in holding such a ceremony and that would violate the law.”
“So it’s not just the actual legal contract or a religious ceremony that’s at issue here, it’s the nerve of those terrible gays wanting to rent public property to have a ‘gay wedding!’” said a woman interviewed. No law would be broken, since no actual marriage under Mississippi statute would occur. The mere “intention” of “marriage” is enough to refuse adult citizens of their state the right to rent a public facility. As a man who was questioned about the ceremony stated, “I don’t know what the difference is between our scenario and a barbeque. Mississippi won’t stand for a gay barbeque. It’s against the law.”
JACOB
I don’t understand what all the hoopla is about. If two people love each other why can’t they get married?
DENNIS
You know that we live in the Bible Belt of the nation. These people are not going to go for that. But we are making progress, our President has already shown his support, he said that he support same-sex marriages. Also consider he instructed the Department of Justice to stop defending DOMA, the law that prevents federal recognition of gay marriage and prevents people from getting married in one state and having it be valid in another; he publicly opposed an amendment in North Carolina that would have banned gay marriage, the first time he’s ever taken a public stance on a state gay marriage issue; he’s officially directed all U.S. agencies to “promote and protect” LGBT rights through diplomatic means, including foreign aid; he directed the Secretary of State to tell the UN, “Gay rights are human rights and human rights are gay rights.”; he expanded benefits to same sex partners of federal employees; he ended Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, allowing gays to serve openly in the military; the first lady states that the President’s appointees to the Supreme Court will uphold the right to “love whomever we choose.” That is saying a lot from which we come. Mississippi is on its way to recognizing it.
JACOB
I understand all of that. But if homosexuality was the great sin that caused the demise of Sodom, don’t you think God would have personally taken the opportunity to say that in Ezekiel 16:48-50.
DENNIS
Well let me ask you something?
JACOB
What Puppy?
Dennis placed his glass of red wine on the coffee table. He walked to the bedroom and quickly returned. He grabbed the remote control to the TV and pressed mute. He walked over to the chair were Jacob was sitting and squatted between his legs. Jacob looked at him with a certain contentment on his face. Dennis held up a box and opened it slightly. He closed it briskly. He stood and walked back over to the couch. Jacob raised one eye brow and lowered the other one.
Dennis let out a hearty laugh and came back to his “ACE”. Dennis described his feelings for Jacob. Jacob looked down at Dennis. While he was talking, his mind raced back to years ago when he was with his ex.
Jacob heard a voice tell him: You have a good man in front of you. You know what he is about to ask you. Why are you dwelling on Gerald? That is your past. Let it go. You cannot successfully move forward if you constantly think about your past. True, you had some good times and some not so good times. Remember he put his hands on you. You got the scars physically and mentally to remind you of that.
Jacob told the voice: I wasn’t thinking about Gerald. I was thinking about Ellis. You know that I loved Ellis with all my being. I don’t know if I can truly give my heart to someone again.
VOICE TO JACOB
So you are going to stop your life because he is gone. Life is a gamble. You take it one day at a time. Ellis was a great man. He loved you and you loved him. But he is gone. You have got to live.
By this time Dennis had repeatedly called to Jacob. Jacob snapped out of his trance with a smile.
/> JACOB
I’m sorry. What?!
DENNIS
Damn. After me spilling my heart out to you.
JACOB
Puppy I heard you. The answer is yes.
DENNIS
So you will marry me.
JACOB
Yes. Yesterday, today and forever more.
They both jumped up and hugged each other tightly. They kissed each other passionately. Dennis let go of Jacob and placed the ring on his finger. They both stared at the ring for a few seconds. Dennis took Jacob by the hand and led him to the bedroom.
XI
Ian was playing pool and nursing his fourth glass of a “Grateful Dead” drink. He was playing with a guy by the name of Deacon that frequented the sport’s bar. The guy was an older gentleman; one that you could tell was set in his ways, but was there for you when you needed him.
Ian was up to shoot and he scratched. Deacon had a smile on his face as he walked around to the cue ball. He aimed the stick at the cue and struck it with a force that caused his ball to go in. The cue then bounced back and hit another one of his balls in. Now it was time for him to hit the 8-ball to win the game.
Deacon struck the ball and made the shot. Game over.
Ian knew that by Deacon’s win meant he had to take three shot of tequila because it was the third game he lost.
DEACON
You played a good game.
Ian took the three shots and made the ugly face as the liquor went down.
IAN
You say that. (Sarcastically) You knew that you could play.
DEACON
I didn’t say that I couldn’t. I just saw you practicing. I figured that you needed some company.
IAN
Yeah, sure. Look. I enjoyed the games but I have got to get home.
DEACON
So soon…stay and play another game.
IAN
Can I get a rain check? I am tired and sleepy.
DEACON
Well, do you think that you need to drive?
IAN
Yeah, I will be okay.
DEACON
Let’s exchange numbers. You call me or text me when you get home so that I will know that you made it safely.
Ian pulled out his phone and entered Deacon’s number as he called it out.
Deacon walked Ian to his car and told him to drive carefully. Deacon closed Ian door and gave him a nod and a wink.
Ian pulled off and blasted the radio. He wondered about Deacon. Ian enjoyed himself and the company. His phone began to ring and the caller id popped up on the Bluetooth GPS. He noticed that it was Deacon calling him. He pressed the speaker button on the GPS.
IAN
Hello
DEACON
I was just checking on you. Making sure that your drive was going safely.
Ian could not help but smile.
IAN
It’s going good. I thought that I was supposed to call you when I got home.
DEACON
Yeah, but I wanted to check on you, tell you that I enjoyed your company and hope that we can do it again soon. Like maybe tomorrow.
IAN
I don’t know about tomorrow. I will have to see if my husband has anything planned.
DEACON
Oh you are married? I didn’t know. How long?
IAN
Almost a year
DEACON
OK, congratulations. Well you give me a call when you can get out again.
Ian thought about the issues that he and Jeremy were having. He made a spontaneous decision that he would meet with Deacon on tomorrow evening for drinks.
They went ahead and made the arrangements to meet.
___________________________________
Ian drove into his drive way and saw Jeremy’s car was not there. He glanced over at the clock to see that it showed 10:47 p.m. “Now where could he be?” Ian thought. He walked into the house and turned on the kitchen light. He called out for Jeremy but there was no response. Ian walked to the bedroom and began to undress. He got into the shower and heard his phone start to ring once again; he did not get out answering it.
As he was washing his back the shower curtain was snatched back. It was Jeremy. Ian splashed water on him for surprising him.
Jeremy smiled at him and rubbed the water into his shirt. Jeremy undressed and got in the shower with Ian. Ian was not enthused by this. Jeremy took the luffa sponge and squeezed some bathe gel into it. He began to rub it into Ian’s back and over the rest of his body. Jeremy turned Ian to face him. Jeremy saw the look on his face.
JEREMY
You don’t want me to do this?
IAN
I am fine. Go ahead and finish.
JEREMY
Why would I finish this and you look like you don’t want me to touch you.
Ian stepped under the water to wash off the lather. He placed his wash cloth on the hanger and stepped out of the shower.
Jeremy could not believe what was happening. He began to take his shower and wash his hair. He decided that when he finished his shower he was going to talk to Ian.
When he stepped out he heard Ian on the phone. Jeremy took the time to dry off and moisturize his skin. He brushed his teeth and then took a long look into the mirror. He could not recognize who was staring back at him. He wondered why he was going through this in his relationship. In his heart and mind he knew that he loved his husband.
He stepped out of the bathroom into the bedroom. Ian was still on the phone. Jeremy took the pillows off of the bed and pulled the covers back. To his surprise, there lay the red rubber dildo.
XII
Dennis was in his office when he decided to call Matt in Washington D.C. about the workshop that he and Jacob were to present. It was a brief conversation. Dennis explained that they had training seminars that were easy to incorporate into personal and professional life. Unlike other training programs, the staff would never leave one of the workshops feeling inadequate regarding their ability to execute the material.
Matt was quick to oblige and asked that Dennis email him the contracts and he would return them as soon as he got them.
Matt wanted to have the workshop in two weeks.
Dennis took the time to complete a packet so that he could email it to Matt. In doing so he got side tracked by the news that was playing on the TV.
REPORTER
Thomas Bennett, a gay 15-year-old student from Waynesboro, Mississippi, committed suicide on Friday. The 10th grade student documented his life, including his depression and the hardships of being a gay teen, in a blog. It featured posts with numerous references to and photos of self harm and cutting, pictures of guys kissing and mentions of wanting a boyfriend, and bleak, ominous messages like "Sometimes I wish the breeze would just take me with it," "The only thing worse than being hated is being ignored. At least when they hate you they treat you like you exist and "Suicide is always an option."
The disturbing rash of LGBT teen suicides began receiving attention last fall. Among those who took their own life was an 18-year-old college student who jumped off the George Washington Bridge between New Jersey and New York after his roommate allegedly filmed him having sex with another man.
Dennis thought to himself how sad this was for teens to have to endure the pain of not being accepted for who they are, feeling that they have no one to turn to. Some families have been known to disown members because of their sexuality. He wished that there was something that he could do. Something to make their fears and pain go away.
He quickly began to scribble down notes that were flowing through his head about bullying, sexuality, church, community, family, and love.
XIII
Ian took it upon himself to invite Eric out to dinner. He wanted to get some understanding and closure about all of the things that were going on.
Eric arrived around 3:15 dressed in jeans, with a button-down strip shirt and dark shades on. Ian looked at him with disgust i
n his mind, but only pleasure on his face. Once Eric spotted Ian sitting in the corner booth he walked over as if he owned the restaurant.
They exchanged the general greeting that consisted of a hand shake and a pat on the back with a quick peck on the jaw.
IAN
I am glad that you could make it.
ERIC
I wasn’t doing anything else this afternoon. So how have you been?
IAN
Great. Just working and living. How about you?
ERIC
I am good.
By this time the waitress came and introduced herself as their server for the afternoon, Ian and Eric both decided that they were just going to have drinks and no dinner. Ian’s reason was because he didn’t want any food to make him sluggish just in case he had to tag Eric.
ERIC
Where is Jeremy?
“Already this wasn’t going to be good” Ian thought.
IAN
He’s at the gym. That is one reason that I called you here this evening.
Eric took his shades that he had placed on top of his head and laid them on the table. He locked his fingers together and gave Ian his undivided attention.
ERIC (with concern in his voice)
Don’t tell me that there in trouble in paradise already. The last time I talked to him he told me everything was good. How long have you two been married?
IAN
We, have been married almost a year and everything is good. I just wanted to speak with you about the other night when he came over to your house.
ERIC
Let me stop you…You know that Jeremy and I are friends. I am not going to discuss with you what he may or may not have told me.
This struck a chord with Ian. Evidently they had been talking about a lot of things. Ian wanted to blow up but he kept his professionalism.
