by Phenomenon
Kenisha couldn’t believe the dedication of her neighbors. They were all ages and races helping to clean her house of the evil words. Taurus was stuck behind the wheel. Her neighbors were trying to remove it before she’d returned home. Some of them were her Facebook friends and knew that she’d gotten married. So they weren’t curious about what had provoked the hateful act. They just didn’t want Taurus to have to see it.
She slowly pulled herself from the car and walked toward them. “We tried to get it off yesterday but I had to get the industrial paint thinner from the job so we’re giving it another go today. It’s coming off. Don’t you worry sis,” said the older veteran man that lived across the street.
“We just didn’t want you to have to see this.” The nosey lady from next door said regrettably as she kneeled on her bad knees scrubbing away at the base of the house. Taurus quietly walked over to her and pulled her up. She stood face to face with her, pulled her close and hugged her tight. Taurus was lost for words and so was everyone else. Eventually Kenisha exited the car. Just as Taurus had spoken for her when she had no words to say Kenisha then returned the favor. “We want to thank all of you for coming out to help Taurus. We’re all so thankful because you didn’t have to. We’re gonna call some cleaners out to do this tomorrow so you guys can be with your families for dinner. Thank you so much. You’re just out here loving on folks through service and…” Kenisha felt her voice crack. She was about to cry.
“Taurus is our family!” One of the residents yelled out with a smile. Kenisha couldn’t take it anymore. Her face just flooded with water. The residents smiled at the genuineness of the woman that Taurus had chosen to marry. Kenisha finally pulled herself together with Corey rubbing her arm. She told them all. “I can’t wait to cook for all of you when we get settled in. I’m gonna make all of you dinner.”
Taurus smiled with pride helping the neighbors gather their things. One of the younger residents that was maybe 16 or 17 years old exclaimed. “You better know how to cook girl, cause my momma said that I shouldn’t eat everybody’s greens, spaghetti and macaroni and cheese.” The young lady’s mother on the other side of the house with scrubbing materials confirmed with a finger in the air. Everyone laughed and hugged as they found their way to their individual homes.
Corey
Corey hadn’t spoke much since they‘d gone inside the house. The mood was surprisingly light for the unfortunate incidents that they’d encountered throughout the day but Corey was in distress. Something in him knew what had happened. He’d blamed himself in that moment. While Kenisha and Taurus oven heated frozen lasagna Corey slowly walked into kitchen.
“I’m sorry.” He said.
Taurus smiled light heartedly and responded. “Oh baby bruh, it’s nobody’s fault really. It’s just the world that we live in.”
Corey moved closer to his sisters. “No. Really. I’m sorry because I know what happened. It was Drew.” Kenisha asked. “Your friend that always takes momma grocery shopping?”
Corey shook his head. “He drove me over here that night when you were crying and I thought that Taurus had hurt you. He knew where you lived and he told momma and she probably told the church people.”
Taurus was baffled. “Why would he tell your momma? What’s that about?”
Corey stared blankly ashamed of what he’d allowed to happen. It wasn’t as if there was anything that he could’ve done about it other than lose a person that he’d valued as a good friend.
Kenisha pressed. “What the hell Corey? What?!”
“Momma’s sleeping with Drew.” Corey confessed. “That’s why he’s always buying her grocery and clothes and stuff.”
Kenisha who had found a seat in the dining chair hopped to her feet. “You let your friend screw momma?”
Corey became defensive. “What was I supposed to do? They didn’t ask me. It just happened. And you know how she is to any man that got a few dollars. I’m supposed to quit messin’ with him because she’s slutty?”
Taurus placed her hand on Kenisha’s wrist. A heated calm shot through her body. She eased back into the seat. Taurus smiled at her brother. “This still isn’t your fault. I actually feel a little bad for you.” Taurus laughed, causing Corey and Kenisha to laugh. “I mean, your momma is banging a dude that’s young enough to be your brother. Damn. Do you want the big piece of lasagna? You need it huh?” Taurus poked fun at Corey pitying him with humor. They agreed to address the trouble in the morning and enjoy the evening as a family watching re-runs of Scandal with everyone’s favorite actress, Kerry Washington.
Kenisha
Kenisha woke up in her new bed for the first time. She opened her eyes to meet the sun rays peeking through the blinds. She inhaled and smiled only to roll over and meet the eyes of her wife who was also taking in the perfect scenery. Their eyes silently touched. Kenisha sat up on her elbow and kissed Taurus good morning. The environment bowed to their joy. The birds sang and the sun shined and Corey cursed. Both Kenisha and Taurus sat up in their beautiful canopy bed with the wind from the crack in the window blowing the canopy curtains around them. They listened through the walls to Corey argue on the phone with Drew.
Corey
“Why would you tell her where Taurus lived?” Corey asked.
“Look I just told her the address. How was I supposed to know they would go all Women of Brewster Place on the house? It was a surprise to me too considering some of the stuff that I know about YOUR momma. I don’t even see why Caroll’s as mad as she is. Plus I can’t believe you’re even ok with your sister being a dyke anyway. She’s too cute for that.” Drew said without shame.
“Don’t you ever call my sister a dyke again, neither of them!” Corey warned. “Now you owe me. Either that or I’m gonna beat the hell outta you EVERY time I see you and we won’t be cool nomore because you’ve crossed the line playboy. Know that!”
Drew knew that Corey wasn’t one to make idol threats. They’d been friends long enough for Drew to value what they had. He knew that he’d been a bad friend in the past by sleeping with his mother and carrying about as if it wasn’t abnormal and disrespectful nor did he ever want to end up on opposite sides of a fight with Corey. Drew knew that he would never win that fight so he humbled himself and agreed to be in debt to his friend.
Kenisha who enjoyed the thrill of snooping was bright eyed throughout the entire conversation. Taurus laughed at how much fun Kenisha thought it was to be nosey. She was going to fit in perfectly on the cul de sac, just perfectly.
Something about being a man made Corey feel responsible to fix the situation with Taurus’ house. He called in the best brick washers in town and paid them to acid wash the outside of the house. They also sprayed a protector on the brick just in case it was to happen again the spray paint would be easier to remove. He gathered his things so that his sisters could drop him off to his car and head over to meet with the landlord and lawyers. The three braced themselves for the arrival at Caroll’s house where Corey’s car and belongings were. When they pulled up to the house Caroll was sitting on the front porch appearing to be waiting on someone. She had an obvious black eye that could be seen from the street. No one had hit her during the confrontation the day before so there was a story behind that injury that no one in the car cared to even ask about.
Corey exited the car and walked toward the porch. “I’m moving out.” Corey said as he ignored the rainbow ring plastering the top of her cheekbone. Caroll looked at the car where Taurus and Kenisha sat. “So you’re leaving me too?!” Caroll asked him. “You’re not even gonna ask what happened to my eye? I was beat up. Aren’t you gonna do anything about it? You took up for that heathen that isn’t even related to you and now you won’t even pretend to want to avenge me.”
Corey chuckled as he fiddled with his keys. “Well momma, you let dad punch me a few times. When you can bring him back to life and avenge me, then I’ll be concerned about who punched you. Until then you can taste that delicious karma. Excuse me.
” Corey stepped around his mother, gave a nod to his sisters and went into the house. Caroll sat on the porch for hours waiting for Drew to come and check on her but he never showed.
Kenisha
The closing on the apartment was clear cut and to the point. It didn’t take long. Both lawyers understood what was offered. With a few alterations of the contracts both sides were satisfied. The landlord also provided a generous check that covered the cost of the damaged furniture and electronics and the refunded rent payments that Kenisha had paid in advance.
While driving back to the apartment Kenisha began thoroughly checking her Facebook. She couldn’t believe the menacing comments from people that were once nice to her. It was like they’d never seen a lesbian couple before. There were tons of lesbian couples all over Facebook so why were the people that were on her friends list being so mean? She had some friends that were surprised but encouraging. They left comments on the wedding photos such as, “Wow. I had no idea. Congrats girl. You look so happy.” However, those comments seemed to be lost in the idiotic hateful tyrants of insecure men and hateful women that she’d once called friends. One Facebook friend wrote “An abomination. I hope you both die. You’re the problem with the world today. I can’t believe I thought you were cool in high school.” Another person wrote, “So you’ve flipped gay? Another one bites the dust. God save us.” A guy that she’d gone on a few dates with commented on her page saying, “Dang Kenisha, I didn’t know you were that hard up for some D. I could’ve given you some. LOL”
Kenisha began to feel overwhelmed but found strength from the woman that was in the car sitting next to her. So she went comment by comment deleting negative remarks and the people that made them. She deleted her mother’s comments and her mother from her Facebook page. After she was done, Kenisha had gone from 440 Facebook friends to 318 Facebook friends. She then made her wedding photo her main picture and informed anyone that had a problem with who she was to virtually kick rocks.
Chapter 20: R.E.P.A.I.R.S.
Taurus
Taurus was extremely proud of how gracefully Kenisha was handling the discrimination. It was a bit harder for her because she had no experience with it. She didn’t know how judgmental and hypocritical most heterosexual people were in real life. If they claimed to be Christian they were even worse. They felt like it was a golden ticket for them to stone you publicly and swear before the cross that they were doing it in the name of Jesus. Taurus thought of how funny it was going to be at the entry gates of heaven when she, Kenisha and a group of others were in the heaven “express entry lane” and those people that claimed to be perfect would be in a long line trying to explain their hateful behavior over the open book of life.
The next day was Sunday and Taurus couldn’t wait to introduce Kenisha to the church that she frequented from time to time. It was an overall loving place but gays were never truly welcomed in churches, especially the black churches. Taurus didn’t fret because she’d never had any problems at the church that she attended because she stayed to herself. She came to worship and so she did.
The next morning Kenisha put on her prettiest dress ready for their first day in church at home. When they arrived the service was already under way. They found their seats and joined in with singing. The service was wonderful. The Word was strong and they both felt light with the Spirit of God. The pastor announced that there was food for sale to benefit the clothing drive for the homeless. After service Kenisha and Taurus went to the cafeteria to buy two plates of food to help the cause.
One of the male members of the church noticed Taurus and spoke to her. “Hey there stranger. I haven’t seen you in a while. I usually looked over to you to help me find my bible verses faster. You know how slow I am with finding the scriptures.” He joked. Taurus laughed along and replied. “That just means that you need to study your bible more. Don’t blame that on my absence.”
Kenisha received her food first and told Taurus that she would find them a seat. As she walked away the male church member asked Taurus who Kenisha was. Taurus responded. “That’s my wife.” The male member was thrown back. He gave an awkward look. It wasn’t so much as offensive but indifferent. He said. “You married a woman so you’re a lesbian. Really? But you’re so cute. I mean I don’t mean to offend you but you know God doesn’t recognize that, right?” Taurus took a deep breath in and exhaled silently. She simply gave a nod as to say, “I hear ya.” She said nothing but smiled politely. She was hoping that the line would move faster but it seemed to be at an uncomfortable halt because the male church member wouldn’t stop talking. “Listen I’ve always been so curious about why women do that, you know; being with another woman. Cause see, I’m a man right.” Oh no, Taurus thought, please don’t go there but he did and it got worse. He became more expressive with hand motions. “Everything about me says man. Look at my arms see they’re rugged with rough hair on them. I have a beard with manly features you know. You know toys and stuff; it’s not the real thing you know. I have a penis and it stands erect. It’s hard and warm and it fits into the woman perfectly.”
Taurus nodded with understanding and said. “Wow. You seem really proud of that thing huh.” The man was silent. Taurus was disgusted, irritated and confused to know that this is what worked with straight women. Did he think she didn’t know what a penis looked like? Was the simple description supposed to make her want it any more than she already didn’t? Taurus educated him as she finally made her way up to order. “Listen, everything that you just described with such pride is the exact reason that lesbian women don’t want you. But I’m sure you’re an animal with the ladies…I mean the straight ones. Enjoy your day.” Taurus finally made her escape over to her loving wife who sat with eager ears to know what the church pervert was saying. Her nosiness repaired Taurus’ mood from the weird encounter.
“What’d he say babe?” Kenisha asked with a smiling mouth full of potato salad. Taurus couldn’t help but to say, “Shut up nosey!” Kenisha pried until Taurus gave the dirt. Kenisha couldn’t believe that the guy went there but it did explain why he was staring at them from across the room at the adjacent table. The creepy look made them uncomfortable so they took their food to go.
As they walked through the corridor a lady that was seen talking to “creepy church man” stopped them before they exited. “Hello sisters.” She said. “My name is Sister Rochelle and I’m on the programs board. I wanted to know if I could pray with you ladies?” Taurus was proud that someone at the church had made a good first impression on her new wife. However, Taurus’ pride diminished as Sister Rochelle kept flapping her big mouth. “I wanted to invite you to the new group we just started. It’s called R.E.P.A.I.R.S. Here’s a pamphlet for the both of you. We would love to see you there. There are so many people that have some amazing testimonies already.”
As Taurus looked over the pamphlet her polite smile diminished as she learned what the acronym of R.E.P.A.I.R.S. actually stood for.
Repenting in Everlasting Prayer About Intimate Relationships of Sin It was one of those church groups that try to de-gay people and teach them heterosexual behavior. Taurus was reaching her limit. “I’m sorry lady. Is this a homosexual reform group that’s supposed to fix you from being gay?”
Sister Rochelle who was probably used to that type of reaction responded with the same pasted smile that she’d managed to maintain throughout the entire conversation.
“No sister, fix is such a strong word. But we do help you become the person God really wants you to be. We teach you how to love according to the bible and how intimacy should really be shared, between man and woman. Without the sin, of course you two can attend the training together and still stay friends with each other after you’ve step into your rightful place in the Body of Christ.”
Taurus was pissed. There was no other way to put it so she shared her frustration through logic. “Wow Sister Rochelle you sound like you really encourage people to stop living in sin and you’re on the board of prog
ramming so let me ask you. Do you have a program for women and men that are having premarital sex?”
Sister Rochelle shook her head to say no with the same pasted smile. So Taurus continued. “Well do you have a domestic violence counseling program? A drug counseling program? An ex-convict rehabilitation program? An after school program?” Sister Rochelle shook her head to say no, still with the pasted smile which no longer impressed Taurus because she lit into “Sister No-Sin” with all of her words. “So basically what you’re saying is that the most pressing issue in the church is the reform of homosexuals above reforming drug addicts, woman beaters, and convicted killers? Because we’re the most immediate problem in the world?! Just kill yourself Rochelle. Kill yourself! ”
Taurus threw the pamphlet in her face and stomped out of the church with her wife never to return again.
Chapter 21: In the Struggle She’ll Show Her True Colors
Kenisha
Kenisha knew that Taurus was in no mood for foolery and even though Kenisha wanted to make it better she understood that there was an unspoken beauty about a woman that knew when to stop talking; so Kenisha exercised that beauty in silence. As they drove home the weight of the world was on Taurus’ shoulders. The actions of the week were beginning to show on her beautiful face and the strength that she displayed so prominently had begun to tire.
When they’d arrived home Kenisha ran Taurus’ bath water and poured her a drink. She lit candles and incense in the bathroom to provide a soothing atmosphere. Taurus stepped into the tub and sank. For some reason the drink just didn’t seem strong enough. Taurus beckoned Kenisha to refill her glass twice. After the third scotch on the rocks Taurus finally began to relax. Kenisha came into the bathroom, grabbed the sponge and without a word began washing Taurus’ back. The water on her back felt great. She bobbled around in the tube under the influence sighing with relief every time Kenisha would touch her with the sponge. Kenisha giggled under her breath. “You must not know how good this feels.” Taurus finally spoke.