Love To Luv (18 page)

Openly
lesbian
and
gay
members of the US military were previously subjected to the US
’
s
“
Don
’
t ask, don
’
t tell
”
policy. However, on December 18, 2010, The U. S. Senate voted 65-31 in favor of the
Don
’
t Ask, Don
’
t Tell Repeal Act of 2010
permitting homosexual men and women to serve openly in the armed forces. It
’
s one of the most debated topics in gay marriage rights, but currently gay marriage in the US does not entitle couples to the same benefits as heterosexual marriage. Part of the reasoning behind the struggle for gay marriage to be legalized is to ensure gay couples have gay marriage rights, such as inheritance rights, property rights and next-of-kin rights should one partner become ill. States that allow same-sex civil unions provide most of the benefits of marriage to registered gay couples. However, these benefits only apply to state law, and couples may not be entitled to benefits that are under federal realm. In Canada, as well as gaining rights through marriage, cohabiting same-sex couples are entitled to many of the same legal and financial benefits as married opposite-sex couples.

Everyone stood and look at Nike with amazement.

JEREMY

How do you know all of this?

NIKE

I had to do a paper on it in one of my sociology class.

NICOLE

Well at least I know that my money isn’t going to waste.

JEREMY

Look I am going to marry Ian no matter what a law says. As far as our personal property we will handle that accordingly. What I do in the privacy of my own house is my business. If people don’t agree with it, they don’t have to visit and trust
me,
we won’t lose sleep over it. I am not here to please these people. Marriage is not a piece of paper to me. It is my love for Ian.

NICOLE

Well son sound like your mind is made up.

JEREMY

It is.

NICOLE

Baby I am behind you whole heartedly.

JEREMY (as he hugs her)

Thanks Mom.

IAN
This
is the best Christmas gift anyone could ask for.

MONIQUE (yelling as she came in the house from school)

Pop!

JACOB

What?

MONIQUE

I have a huge favor to ask you.

JACOB

Ok go ahead.

MONIQUE

Well you know that Teddy and I went to
Kandi’s
concert a few months ago in Jackson. I want to do something special for his birthday next weekend.

JACOB

What did you have in mind?

MONIQUE

I am not sure. I wanted your opinion.

JACOB

Buy him a shirt, jewelry, or take him out to eat.

MONIQUE

I am going to take him out to eat but I need a gift.

JACOB

You know him better than I do.

MONIQUE

Pop come on help me. What would you want?

JACOB

IDK.

MONIQUE

Yes you do know.

JACOB

Buy him an outfit and some cologne. That always makes him happy.

MONIQUE

What are you getting him?

JACOB

A gift card or some cash.
I am keeping it simple.

MONIQUE (sarcastically)

Thanks Pop for you help.

Monique walks off into her room. She pulled her web tablet out of her book bag. She had no idea what she was going to get him.

             
The doorbell rings. I walked over to answer it. There stood Ian with
a
arm full of catalogs.

JACOB

Come on in Ian. How are you?

IAN

I am great. I have some spectacular news.

JACOB

What is that?

IAN

I am getting married.

JACOB (giving him a handshake and hug)

Congratulations. Have you guys set a date?

IAN

Yeah. Jeremy wants to get married next month. I told him I wanted to do it in May. I think that we are going to do it next month. I don’t want to cut out graduations and wedding gifts.

JACOB

You guy are always plotting. What did your parents say?

IAN

My parents are happy. Dad wasn’t at first but he told me that he loves me still. Jeremy’s mom is excited.

JACOB

Great I am happy for you.

IAN

Is Monique home?

JACOB

Yeah she is in her room. (Yelling) Monique you have company.

Monique came out of her room to the living room.

IAN

Girl I didn’t realize how funny you walked at five months. I can’t imagine how you will be at eight or nine months.

Monique gives Ian the middle finger while I wasn’t looking. She and Ian started to laugh.

MONIQUE

Did you bring the catalogs I told you to get?

IAN

Yeah. Now I don’t want this to be a big to do.

There was another ringing of the doorbell. I got up from my chair to answer it. It was Aunt Aretha. She came into the house.

ARETHA

What is going on in here?

JACOB

I am watching the last few episodes of Oprah. You know her show is going off the air week after next.

ARETHA

Yes
chile
. So many people are going to be lost.

IAN (interrupting)

I know I am. But at least we have OWN. You know her network.

ARETHA

True. I heard that Tyler Perry was going to start his own network.

JACOB

What is he going to air - his shows and movies?

ARETHA

More than likely.
It could be a major move.

JACOB

I wish them all the best. I remember I wanted to have my own network.

MONIQUE

He was going to air all the old TV shows and cartoons from his day.

JACOB

That’s right when TV was good back in the 80’s and 90’s.

Aretha walks over to the table where Monique and Ian were planning out his wedding.

ARETHA
What
are all of these tuxedo books for – prom?

MONIQUE

We are not going to our prom. We have made other plans for that. We are planning Ian and Jeremy’s wedding.

ARETHA
What?!

IAN

Yes ma’am. We are getting married next month.

ARETHA

Well I am happy for you.

IAN

Thanks.

ARETHA (walking back into the living area where I was)

What is it with all of these kids getting married? They haven’t lived yet.

JACOB

Well if that is what they want to do. The only thing that we can do is talk to them, explain the options, and let them decide.

ARETHA

What has gotten into you? You didn’t use to think like this.

JACOB

Is it wrong?

ARETHA

No, just refreshing.
So when are you getting married?

JACOB (I cocked my head over to her)

I don’t know. I am content right now. I have a good life. My daughter is married. I have a grandbaby on the way. Life is good.

ARETHA

Speaking of grandbaby…Monique do you know what you are having?

MONIQUE

No ma’am. Teddy and I decided that we didn’t want to know.

ARETHA

Well don’t you think that you need to know so that you can start buying
things.

MONIQUE

We have bought some things already. The only reason we would need to know what they baby is, is for clothes.

ARETHA

Ok.

(
turning
to me)

You need to talk to her.

JACOB

I am out of it. She is married now. That is her and her husband’s decision.

ARETHA

What about Ian and
Jeremy’s
wedding? I don’t have anything against two men or two women getting married but these children are young. They have not experienced life. Why would you buy the first car you see without test driving other
ones.

JACOB

Auntie, once you sit in a car and the seat fits right then you don’t have to worry about other cars.

ARETHA

If you say so.
I made that same mistake years ago.

             
I was in my office when I received a strange phone call from Teddy. There was nervousness in his voice. He spoke very hurriedly about windows being busted out of his car. I asked him where was he. He told me that he was about to leave school to go to work. I told him to call the police so that they could do a report for his insurance and not to leave until I got there.

             
I pondered who would do this and why. My next thoughts were about Monique’s safety. I pressed her picture on my phone to call her. I did not get an answer. I assumed that she was still in class. I sent her a quick text that told her to call me ASAP.

             
Within ten minutes she called.

JACOB

Monique where are you?

MONIQUE

Standing in the parking lot with Teddy.
Are you on your way here?

JACOB

Yes. Actually I am turning now. Have the police arrived?

MONIQUE

Yeah they are questioning him now. Principle McFarland is out here also.

I pulled into the parking lot and saw everyone standing around. I jumped out of my truck and ran over. Monique met me half way. We both walked over to Teddy and the police. The police was wrapping up the last few questions.

JACOB

When will he get a copy of the report?

POLICE OFFICER

And you are?

TEDDY

This is my father-in-law.

POLICE OFFICER

I have to put this in the system. I will give you a record number that you can give to the clerk downtown and they will give you a copy of the report.

JACOB

How long will it take you to input this information?

POLICE OFFICER

Maybe two to three days.

JACOB

No it won’t. Maybe this afternoon you will have it entered.

POLICE OFFICER

Sir, we have other things that we have to do.

JACOB

Ok I will call my cousin, Sheriff Keith Bell, or my cousin Judge
MiAsia
Bell and see if I can get this expedited.

POLICE OFFICER (frustrated)

Sir, here is my cell number. Call me about 4:30 this afternoon. I should have it entered.

TEDDY

Thank you.

As the police officer returned to his motorcycle I could see the anger in Teddy’s eyes. I grabbed him by his shoulders and told him that everything was going to be ok. I assured him that we would get the windows replaced.

             
I walked over to Principal McFarland to ask him about security. Were there any cameras in the parking area? He responded with a shape
“NO.”

             
I told him maybe he should consider it.

JACOB

Teddy do you have any idea who could have done this?