Uncharted Territory

Chapter 2

“So, how are you feeling? You look nervous” Charity, my soror and maid of honor, says walking in. The wedding is being hosted by the family church. They’ve done everything possible to ensure I’m as comfortable as possible. The room for my ladies and I are using to get dressed in is just off the main entrance, not too far from the main entrance to the sanctuary. “You know, I figured I’d be nervous but I never imagined I’d feel like this. My heart is racing. Is this normal?” I pant. “Hey, no need to be nervous. Before you know it, you’ll be walking down that aisle saying “I do” to the love of your life.” “You’re right…you’re right. I’m letting my nerves get the best of me.” “Yes, now, just breathe. All will be fine, soror, I promise. By this time tomorrow you’ll look back and laugh at your nerves. Come on, let’s get your makeup and hair together.” “So you never told me who was doing my hair. I guess you’re going to tell me now?” “Yeah, I guess I can go ahead and tell you.” “Ok, heffa, don’t keep me in suspense. Who the heck is it!?” “Come on in, baby!” Charity says aloud, looking back at the door. I turn and look to see who’s coming through. ​“What’s uuuupppp!” “Noooo!!!!! What!? How did you, How are you here!?” I jump up from my seat. “I flew in late last night, just for you!” I run to Jamir, arms open wide. “Oh, girl, how I have missed you” he says, holding me tightly. “I’ve missed you, too, Jamir! I didn’t think you would be able to make it. You never RSVP’d for the wedding!” I shout, filled with excitement. “I know, I know. I hate I had to keep this a secret, but I wanted to surprise you. We haven’t seen one another in ages. I knew I couldn’t miss this. Charity’s been keeping me in the loop though.” “The Lord is on my side today!” I shout, jumping up and down. “Alright, sit down right over here and let me situate myself. I brought everything I could possibly think of to make sure you are the most beautiful bride anyone has ever seen. Terrance won’t be able to deny you today.” “Ok, I’m ready” I squeal, wiggling in my seat. Jamir and I practically grew up together. We lived two houses away from one another, going to the same schools, playing the same sports, etc. He’s my very best friend in this entire world. When we were in the 9th grade, he decided to tell everyone that he was gay. He’s not your typical gay guy, he prefers to keep his masculine side intact. We grew up in a predominantly black community, so being gay wasn’t exactly acceptable. The following school year, Jamir and I got off the school bus to find his house swarmed with police. Alarmed, we ran inside discovering his mother, Carolyn, lying dead on the floor, propped against the living room sofa. Someone stabbed her to death. According to the police, it wasn’t forced entry so it had to have been someone that she trusted enough to allow inside the home. My mother and Carolyn were very close, as Jamir and I are. Knowing that Jamir didn’t have any family; his father walked out on his mother years before, my mother went through the process to become a foster parent and eventually adopted Jamir. He’s been with us since.  He’s my best friend. He’s the brother I never had. We have an inseparable bond. “There, have a look” Jamir says softly, finishing my makeup and hair in just over two hours. He hands over a mirror. “Oh, wow! I look…” “Breathtaking” Jamir says, kissing me on the cheek. “Yes, thank you brother. Now I see why those Hollywood people always have you on the go. You’ve done a great job on me. I look like a princess” I sob. “Whoa, hold the waterworks until the end. We gotta keep this face perfect until after you’ve walked down that aisle.” I sniff and pat away my tears with a Kleenex that he’s handed me. “You’re right” I sniffle once more. “Oh, my! Don’t you just look precious!” my mother shrieks, coming into the room with Charity. They’re both dressed and ready to walk down the aisle with me today. “Don’t cry, Mama” I reach out for her. “Jamir, son, you’ve done a beautiful job! Let’s get you two dressed so we can get our baby girl down the aisle” “I’ll see you soon, sis” Jamir smiles, leaving me with a kiss on the cheek. I nod and watch as he and Charity walk out. “What’s wrong sweetie? Are you having second thoughts?” “No, it’s nothing.” “Well it looks a little more than nothing to me. You know you can tell me anything, right?” Mama kneels down in front of me. “Yeah, I know…” “Well, talk to me” “I just wish that Daddy could be here to walk me down the aisle, that’s all” I tear up. I look at Mama and she looks away from me, sighing loudly. “Robyn, if your dad had made better choices in life he would be here with you today. We all have consequences to our actions. You know this.” “Yeah, I know. That still doesn’t change the fact that he’s my father and I want him here.” “I know. Look, it’s your day and I want you to be happy.” “I know…” “Ok, well, let’s get you in this dress then, huh?” ↔ The wooden double doors leading into the sanctuary open and all eyes are on me as I prepare to walk down the aisle. I look over at my grandfather, Rick, and nod to let him know that I’m ready to walk down the aisle. As I walk toward the altar, I feel as If I’m gliding on a cloud, like my feet aren’t touching the ground. It’s like a magic carpet right all the way to Terrance. As we approach the altar, my grandfather stops. “​Who gives this woman to this man?” Bishop Reddick asks loudly in front of the congregation. “I do” my grandfather smiles, kissing me on the forehead. “Thank you, Paw Paw.” “You’re welcome, baby girl. I love you.” He releases my hand, allowing Terrance to grab it and help me onto the altar. “Family and friends, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Terrance Moore and Robyn Davis in marriage…” Bishop Reddick speaks to the congregation. As Bishop speaks, Terrance and I stand hand in hand, gazing lovingly into one another’s eyes. We’ve been waiting for this moment for quite some time now. Jamir introduced us in 10th grade and the three of us just clicked. Everyone called us “three peas in a pod.” Terrance and I have been joined at the hip since. I love Terrance with every fiber of my being. I can’t wait to see where the rest of our lives takes us. “If there is anyone here that does not agree with this union, speak now or forever hold your peace” Bishop Reddick states. Terrance and I look around into the congregation. My eyes go straight to my mother. She has the look of such grace and tenderness written all over her face. Then, I look over at Jamir. He’s crying. I blow him a kiss and mouth “I love you.” He stands. “Jamir, what are you doing?” my mother whispers as quietly as she can. “Oh, nothing, I just got excited” Jamir says, quietly sitting back down. He looks so embarrassed. “Allllright? If there’s nothing else, we’ll move forward.” Terrance and I face one another once again, smiling, just waiting for Bishop Reddick to pronounce us husband and wife. “Stop” someone shouts. I look out into the crowd and Jamir is standing. I lean toward him a bit, squinting, asking “What is wrong with you?” He throws his arms into the air as if he’s fighting himself. “Jamir, do you need a minute?” my mom asks, attempting to escort him out. “No, no, I don’t need a minute. I have something I want to say” “What do you need to say, son?” Bishop Reddick asks sternly. “Robyn, I can’t let you do this. I can’t let you marry him.” Everyone in the church gasps. Hell, so do I. Why would he wait until now to say something to me? What could he be talking about? “Let’s go out, now!” my mother grits at Jamir. “No, we can talk right here!” “Jamir, what are you doing?” Terrance asks, stepping down off the altar toward him. Terrance stands face to face with him, having a few words between one another that only they can hear. “No! No more!” Jamir shouts, causing everyone to gasp again. “What’s the big deal here? This is my wedding day and you’re messing it up. Say what you have to say! Right now, Jamir, or walk away!” I scream, frustrated out of my mind. Something just told me that this day was not going to go as planned. “Fine, Terrance isn’t man enough to tell you about his faults, so I’ll tell you.” “Faults?” I ask, walking to Jamir. “Jamir, what are you talking about?” Mama asks. “Terrance has been cheating on Robyn…” Jamir says, shaking from head to toe. “What!? How’d you come up with this?” “Oh, I know!” Jamir laughs nervously. “Terrance?” I ask, turning to him, wanting an explanation. “I don’t know what he’s talking about, Robyn. Jamir, why are you doing this?” he glares at Jamir. “He’s lying! God, Terrance, for once just tell the truth! Lying doesn’t suit you!” “Terrance, what is it?” my mother asks, looking fed up. “I know that Terrance has been cheating because he’s been sleeping with me” “What? Jamir, really? That’s absurd!” Mama shouts, now pissed. Everyone in the church is watching and whispering. My God, I’m so embarrassed. “No, it’s true. We’ve been messing around since I came out in the 9th grade! He was my first!” I immediately grow dizzy, finding it hard to swallow or move. “Terrance? Tell me this isn’t true!” I ask, gritting me teeth together. Terrance looks down at me, not able to mutter a word. In a panic and state of shock, I start to tremble. Terrence drops his head between his shoulders, shedding a few tears. “Terrance!” I shout, staring him down. “It’s true” he mumbles. The church congregation goes wild. “How could you!? Both of you!?” I snap with tears pouring from my eyes. “Sis, I just couldn’t let you do this knowing the situation…” Jamir starts to speak. “No, don’t “sis” me! Both of you have had ample opportunity to tell me over the years and no one spoke up! Shame on both of you!” I sob. “I’m so sorry baby…” Terrance cries, reaching out for me. SMACK “Don’t you touch me!” I snap, slapping him across the face. I gather my wedding gown into my hands and run for the room I got dressed in. I go straight for my mother’s purse and grab her keys. I’m sure she’ll find a way. I snatch up my things and walk out the side entrance of the church, as the door is just down the hallway from the room I dressed in.