Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 22709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
“Enlighten me,” he replied in a flat tone.
I took a deep breath, wondering where to begin. “Will you sit with me?” I wanted him to be comfortable for what would most likely be a difficult conversation. But also, I hoped if we were seated together, he would be less likely to kick me out of his home. And I just longed to be closer to him.
Geo stared at me for a moment before sighing and taking a seat on the couch. When I did the same, he scooted as far away from me as possible, dashing my hopes of closeness. I hoped my explanation would change that, and needed to jump right in.
“I told you that I didn’t want you to come to my neighborhood because I was embarrassed, which is partly true, but there’s more to it than that. There are things about me that my neighbors aren’t aware of.”
“Clearly,” he replied in a flat tone.
“But that’s not because I’m embarrassed of who I am, or of you. It’s for safety.” Geo didn’t respond; he only arched an eyebrow. “When I was younger, there was a man who lived two doors down from me named Mr. Cade. He was such a nice man; he always had a smile on his face and had kind words for everyone. He even looked after me some nights when my mom had to work late at the hospital, and I wasn’t old enough to stay alone yet. He would even help me with my homework.
“One night, some other neighbors saw him out with his boyfriend. They were just walking down the sidewalk, holding hands, not hurting anyone. But the group was so disgusted, so enraged by his lifestyle that they jumped them. They beat the two men within an inch of their lives and left them lying there like garbage.”
As I spoke, Geo’s hand raised to cover his mouth, and his eyes watered once more. I continued, “Passersby eventually called an ambulance and the men were taken to the hospital, where they stayed for weeks due to their injuries. My mom visited Mr. Cade on her breaks, sitting with him even though he was unconscious for days.
“When he finally woke up, my mom tried to convince him to talk to the police. He knew who his attackers were; he saw them nearly every day. He could have easily picked them out of a lineup or described them to the police; hell, he could have given their names. But he was too scared. He never gave them up. Whenever he and his boyfriend were well enough, they moved away. Mr. Cade didn’t even gather his things from his apartment; he was too terrified to go back.”
“Those poor men,” Geo whispered from behind his fingers. “I’m glad they survived, but that had to be so painful and scary.”
I nodded sadly. “As I got older and discovered some things about myself, I couldn’t help but remember Mr. Cade’s story. I vowed to never tell anyone in the neighborhood. I couldn’t handle the thought of my mother sitting next to my bedside in the hospital.”
“Did your mom know about you?”
“She did. I could never hide anything from her even if I wanted to; she could read me like a book. She understood why I wanted to keep my orientation a secret. She even agreed, having seen firsthand what could happen to me if I didn’t, but she hated the fact that I couldn’t be myself, or openly pursue a relationship. She was so excited for the day I would graduate, move out of the area, and be free to build my life.”
“I’m sorry she never got that chance.”
“Me too.” My mother was aware of some flings or secret trysts I’d had, but she never got to see me in a healthy relationship. I wished she could have met Geo. She would have loved him.
Irritation crept over his face again. “So what about Sharice? I’m not exactly a fan of hers, but you can’t keep her in the dark if she’s expecting more from you.”
He probably didn’t want to see it, but I couldn’t stop my smile at his words. He really was a treasure. “She isn’t expecting anything. Like I said, we’ve been friends nearly our whole lives. Sharice knows who I am. She’s the only person from my neighborhood whom I trust, and she’d never do anything to hurt me. That’s why she acts as sort of a cover for me.”
I explained, “If the guys from the neighborhood think Sharice and I are together, they have no reason to suspect otherwise. It also keeps the guys from hitting on her as much.” I didn’t want to betray Sharice’s trust, but I knew she would understand, and I thought it would help soothe my lover when I told him, “She doesn’t want male attention.”