The Secrets You Keep

Keeping You Close

My alarm notification is going off for the second time already, I reach over to check to my phone and it's 10:45am. The sun is so blinding but it's been a while since I've enjoyed looking at the sun this early in the morning.

"Good morning Cam." Geneva says while wrapping her arms around my waist and holding me tightly.

"Good morning, did you sleep good?" I ask.

"Yes, I did." She leans over and places a soft kiss on my cheek and smiles.

"I'm gonna take another shower then I probably should get going since I know the Doc is touching down today."

Instantly, sadness washes over Geneva's face. I know she doesn't want me to leave, hell, I don't want to leave either but I would hate to kill a good thing and blow up our little secret by David finding me with his wife. She hugs me tighter once more but loosens her grip to let me go into the bathroom and shower.

I finish getting cleaned up and head back to the bedroom to get my clothes back on. Geneva still has a sad, puppy look on her face so I give her a kiss on the forehead and reassure her before I leave.

"G, don't worry, you know everything will work out in the end and you will be alright, okay?"

"I know Cam, I just wish you didn't have to leave so soon." "You made me feel so good and loved last night and you gave me everything that I've been craving for a while."

I run my fingers through her curly red and light gray hair, kiss her neck one last time, and look her deeply in the eyes before getting up and heading for the door. She follows me and we stop at the door and both look down at the floor.

Geneva quickly lifts up my chin, kisses my lips and says, "I'll miss you so much please call me when you make it back to Travis' place, okay?"

"I'll call you as soon as I walk through the door." "We'll meet up again on Sunday after your sermon if that's alright with you."

"That works just fine." Geneva smiles.

I leave the condo and make my way downstairs and out to my Uber waiting for me outside. After a quick drive, I finally make it back to Travis' place and check the mailbox. I see a letter addressed from my parents to me and I automatically begin to feel anger. What could they possibly want from me now? I take the elevator upstairs and greet Travis as soon as open the door.

"Hey, what's up T?"

"Nothing much, last night went well I'm guessin'?"

"Yeah we had a really good time."

He looks down at the small pile of mail I have in my hand and asks, "Anything important come in?"

"Nothing too crazy, I got a letter from my parents tho."

"You gonna read it?" He asks.

"Nah, I don't want anything this early in the morning that has the potential to make me angry."

"Well I hate to be that guy this early in the morning but..." Travis says before pausing and looking at me.

"What? What is it?"

"When you were gone, you mom came over last night and had a message for me to give you."

I've spent the last few weeks trying to avoid my mother because I don't want her to inject her venom into me and try to continuously pass her skewed judgement at me. However, she's found her way into my new life and is trying to bring me right back down to where I was before. I hated that place, feeling like I was getting attacked from multiple angles, hating Geneva, and trying to figure out my place in this world without pleasing people and compromising my happiness.

"Your mom basically said that she has people praying for you and that she would like to see you delivered from your "spirit of lesbianism and pride."

Laughing, I shake my head and walk into my room to call Geneva and let her know that I've made it back.

"Hey G, I'm just calling to let you know that I made back."

"Good." "Cameron, I wanted to ask you something about tomorrow."

"Sure what's up?"

"Well after I give my sermon, I'm planning to go to shopping for a few outfits at Neiman Marcus, would you like to come with me?" "After that, you could come back home with me for the weekend if you want."

"G, I don't have Neiman Marcus money." I laugh.

"Well I have Neiman Marcus money, and if I have it then that means you have it too."

"That's sweet, but I don't want you spending any crazy loads of money on me." "Besides, we just met."

"Why not, I want to spoil you just for the hell of it." "You should let someone spoil you for a change." Geneva chuckles.

"Because G, I don't care about money." "I don't mind if you buy me small thoughtful gifts but, clothes and shoes don't really mean a whole lot to me."

"I understand baby." "Just know though, I will always be looking out for you when as long as you're with me."

"Thanks, I appreciate it and I'll keep that in mind." "Listen I gotta go, I'll see you during service tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow Cameron."

We end our call and I go out to run some errands before the stores close. On my way back to the apartment, I see a flyer with Dr.Mitchell on it promoting a revival that the church is having. I look down at the date and to see what time is it tomorrow. I walk past the flyer trying to keep myself from getting too upset. I only agreed to go to the church to see Geneva and only Geneva, not listen to her husband preach and two other irrelevant preachers speak. Once I get back to the apartment I try to call her for an explanation.

"G, why didn't you tell me your husband was preaching tomorrow!?"

She's whispering which means that the doctor is home. I automatically start to regret even dealing with her.

"I'm sorry Cam, I really just want to see you again that's why I didn't tell you." "I'm sorry, please don't be mad."

"G, I really want to make this thing work out with you but I don't want us to start out like this. I need you to be honest with me about things like this."

"I understand Cameron, please forgive me. "Will I still see you tomorrow? I'm so ready to see your beautiful face again, I miss it."

I pause to collect my thoughts and answer. "Sure, but I don't plan on staying long because I know my parents will be there."

"Okay, listen, I have to go David is asking for me." "I'll call you back in a little while okay baby?"

"Alright fine."

Travis walks out of his room and passes me my mail before sitting across from me and asking about Geneva.

"Problems with the preacher already?" He jokes.

"Shut up." I say jokingly. "It's just that she invited me to the church tomorrow for service but, she left out the fact that her husband is preaching tomorrow in fear of me not wanting to come."

"Are you serious?" Travis asks.

"Dead fucking serious, and on top of all that I'm about 99.9% sure my parents are gonna be there too."

Travis shakes his head and looks at me wondering what I'm going to do next. Shit, I don't even know what I'm going to do next. I want to be with Geneva but not with all these stressful ass strings attached. However, I really have to sit down and figure out how to deal with this situation with Geneva and how I'm going to face my parents all before tomorrow morning.