~~~~~~~~~~~~
“What is Jeff doing here?” I asked.
“Sam, he is your brother,” Dad said.
“I hope you explained the rules about religion in my home,” I said.
“We explained your rules Sam, he said he understood and didn't have a problem with them,” Dad said.
“Is that what your wearing tonight?” Mom asked with a look of total disgust on her face.
“No mother this isn't what I'm wearing tonight, but since we are planning on leaving in an hour I do need to get ready,” I said just as snotty as she had asked.
I didn't want to ruin my dress so stripped down to my undies and pulled on a robe while I did my make-up.
“May I come in?” Jeff asked.
“The door's open and I have a robe on,” I said.
The door opened slowly and Jeff stepped inside.
“Is this a good time to talk?” he asked.
“That depends Jeff on what you want to talk about. As soon as I finish my make-up I need to finish getting dressed,” I said.
“I was hoping we could talk about why I'm home already,” he said.
I turned toward him and stared. I hadn't thought there was a special reason he was home, but I didn't really know much about what he had left for in the first place. While I had learned the lies that religion taught saying it was the truth I didn't know much about things like their missions.
“I thought you were home because you're time of spreading lies was over,” I said.
“You may be right. Sam I didn't want to believe it was lies. I still have six more months before I was supposed to be home,” he said.
I didn't say anything, what was I supposed to say, gee brother I'm glad you finally woke up?
“Sam I was send home because I got married,” he said.
“You got married? If your married where is your other half?” I asked.
“Jim is in a motel, Sam I married a man,” he said.
It all made sense now. If there was one thing that religion hated it was equality for those they saw as damned, and homosexuals and transgender were the most damned of all.
“Aren't you going to say anything?” he asked.
“What am I supposed to say Jeff? Am I supposed to say you just made yourself one of the damned? Hell so am I, so why should I care. I will say congratulations if you're sure this is what you want. I'll say I wish you and Jim the best. I will say that as long as you never bring that damned religion into my home you and Jim will always be welcome,” I said.
“You don't hate me?” he asked.
A concept I never really understood. How could anyone hate someone else? I understood disliking someone, but hate was reserved for things not people, and especially not family.
“Jeff you're my brother, why would I ever hate you?” I asked.
“I hated you for what you said when you found out I was going. I thought you hated me because I wasn't willing to listen to you about me going,” he said.
“I was disappointed that your mind was so closed you wouldn't listen to the reasons I thought your going was wrong, but there is a big difference between being disappointed and hating. I hate religion, and I do so for valid reasons, chief among them being the way they exert control on peoples lives. I don't hate people though,” I said.
“I guess I should let you finish getting dressed so you aren't late for your dinner,” he said,
The Hidden Rose Page 47
