Agent Jane Doe 1: The Catalyst

Supermarket Flowers

A few days later, we arrived in the little town where Grey and Joseph's house is. Today is the funeral of Grey Sharize. I walk inside the bedroom he shared with Joseph to find him holding a purple plushie in his hands while pouting. Next to him is a bouquet of roses and a bunch of cards.

"What's that in your hands?" I point at the purple plushie.

"This?" Joseph holds up the plushie. "It's a Pokemon named Gengar. Grey gave it to me on my birthday,"

"What's a Pokemon?"

"Pokemon was a popular video game series way before I was born. Grey wasn't too fond of it but he knew how much I love the Ghost type Pokemon, especially Gengar,"

"I see," I pick up a card from the top of the pile and open it. It said, 'You are in my heart, Mr. Perry. My condolences on the passing of your husband.'

I never really experienced a devastating loss in my life, so I don't really understand what Joseph is going through right now. I hear grief is an emotional roller coaster.

"Let's go," Joseph gets off the bed and puts on a black cloak. I follow suit as we head out of the house. If I am to rate Joseph's pain on a scale from one to ten...I would give it a twelve. I've observed him the past few days and he's been real quiet and pouty. I rarely give things a ten because there are few things that deserve a ten...but I won't deny that being betrayed by your friend definitely deserves that rating.

Joseph and I make our way to the cemetery, where the attendees are wearing black cloaks just like us. In front of us is the coffin in which Grey has been placed in. I could see Joseph tremble as he inches closer to the coffin. I accompany him and observe Grey's body. He looks like he's sleeping, actually. Peaceful. At ease. I glance Joseph's way. Tears are streaming down his face.

Right before the funeral service starts, we take front row seats. The funeral orator drones on and on about death and the like. Joseph puts his face in his hands and leans forward. Trevan, who is next to us, notices this and puts his arm around Joseph's shoulder. At this time, the funeral orator closes the coffin and places a bunch of white flowers on top of it.

"Grey Sharize has been an influential figure in modern American history. The LGBT community reveres him for what he and his husband Joseph Perry did to ensure they are treated with respect. Grey was a martyr for Trevan and his crusade. He was murdered by President Wills," the funeral orator states. Murmurs among the crowd.

"I heard you watched him get murdered," a man whispers in Joseph's ear. "Him getting killed by the President is fucked up. I'm sorry, Joseph,"

"If we do not overthrow President Wills and the superficial and discriminatory values he imposes on society, then Grey's death will be in vain. We, the LGBT community, especially, should rise up and show that this tragedy has not shaken us, divided us. If done right, it will unite us. It is time that we rise up and show President Wills what we are capable of doing.

"Now, we are going to hear a eulogy from Grey's husband, Joseph Perry,"

Joseph reluctantly stands up and makes his way to the front of the crowd. Trevan pats his back. Once he's in front of the coffin, he puts the bouquet of roses among the white flowers on top of the coffin.

"For anybody who doesn't know me, Grey Sharize was my husband. He was a great man who was loved dearly by everybody he met, especially the LGBT community. Although he came from simple beginnings, Grey worked his way through college and eventually became the first gay president of America. Hard work and kindness characterized this strong and loving man.

"Grey Sharize was born to Herbert and Pam Sharize on November 8, 1997 in Hawaii. He had a quiet and happy childhood..." Joseph drones on and on about Grey Sharize. It's hard to pay attention with a baby crying next to me.