Page 37 of D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding

“Seriously?!”

D’Vaughn nodded. “I told her and she told them. They were really great about it.”

“Well, that’s good, at least.” Sighing, D’Niesha blew her nose one last time before tossing the balled-up paper into the garbage and going to the sink to wash her hands. As she dried them on a fresh paper towel, she tossed us a look over her shoulder. “We’d better get out there or Mama is gonna call the cavalry on us.”

As if summoned, Ms. Miller’s voice sounded.

“Are y’all eating in the kitchen today?”

D’Niesha gave us a look that said told ya so and motioned for D’Vaughn to finish fixing the plate she’d now twice abandoned. After adding a second scoop of greens to what she’d already had—mac & cheese, pot roast in a creamy brown gravy with potatoes, carrots and pearl onions—a generous triangle of corn bread with a golden-brown crust courtesy of the cast iron skillet it was baked in completed the meal. With two hands, she held the plate out to me.

“Here,” she said, “go have a seat. I’ll be right out.”

Taking the plate overloaded with food that had my stomach grumbling in anticipation, I dropped a kiss on her cheek. “Thank you, preciosa, but I’ll wait for you.”

She gave me a look like she wanted to protest, but D’Niesha elbowed her in the side.

“Aht, aht! Hurry up and fix your food so you can walk in the dining room with your fiancée.”

D’Vaughn pursed her lips but did as she was told, and soon we were walking into the dining room together. Ms. Miller sat at the round, glass-top table, her fingers steepled in front of her, her eyes zeroed in on us as we entered and sat at the table. From all of D’Vaughn’s frequent scolding of what I wasn’t allowed to say, I figured that there wasn’t too much real talk taking place at the dinner table. The tension in the air was thick and oppressive, and once everyone took a seat and began eating, it became apparent that the conversation from earlier had ended.

It didn’t sit well with me to just pretend that everything was fine, that nothing had happened, like lives hadn’t changed, but when I glanced at D’Vaughn, she gave me a subtle shake of the head before returning her attention to her plate. This was just one visit and the circumstances were extreme, but if this is how it was whenever a hard topic was broached, no wonder D’Vaughn hadn’t felt comfortable being free. Without a doubt, the hardest part of the next few weeks would come from the people at that table, and I was not looking forward to it.

Jitter Cam 04-D’Vaughn

Well. I guess it’s safe to say that, that went better than I expected.

Was it perfect? Not at all. Not even a little bit.

Could it have been better? Absolutely.

Did I expect my siblings to jump on board and immediately root for me to win? No, but...also yes? I know that doesn’t make sense; just let me cook, please.

Was I surprised by my mama’s response? Honestly, no. Actually...that’s not completely true. I wasn’t surprised that she wasn’t immediately on board with my sexuality, but I was shocked with how she came at Kris. Accusing her family of being racist? That threw me! I never knew my mama to think like that; had never known her to—

Oh gosh, what am I saying? If there was a chance that she was homophobic, then of course there’s a chance she’s a bigot. I can’t—this isn’t... Nobody wants to admit their mama isn’t perfect, but I can’t deny that I never would have expected that from her.

And Kris was just...amazing.

Having her there with me was like wearing a strap-on battery pack. For some reason, her presence gave me the boost to take on my mama without fear of disrespecting her. I think... I don’t know. I love my mama, but I knew there would be some...ignorance afoot. In a way, I kinda felt like I had to protect Kris from that. Like...I had to be stronger because we were dealing with a monster she didn’t know. You know what I mean?

I don’t even know if I’m making sense.

She’s a grown woman, and is unquestionably more confident in who she is than I’ve ever been; she definitely doesn’t need me to protect her.

But the way she was there for me today? At church this morning, and then at my mama’s? She did so much more for me than any of my exes had ever deigned to do. Kris not only supported me as I came out, but—God. Sometimes it seemed like she could see right through me and knew the exact thing to say to give me the comfort I needed. I mean...I know she had to be there for the show, and she definitely knows how to put on a believable performance, but there were a few times today that it didn’t feel fake. I don’t know. Obviously, I barely know Kris, but at those times it felt so natural to defend her in any way that I could. It felt like second nature to reciprocate her energy.

Am I buggin’? Are you allowed to give me feedback, Kevin? Tell me the truth. Does it seem like I’m reading too deeply into something that wasn’t there?

Wow. Is that blank stare a yes? You’re not going to answer me? Well, that’s wack. And on that note, I think I’m going to wrap this up and head home.

Week Two

D’Vaughn and Kris,

Congratulations on making it to week two! Now that your families know you’re getting married, it’s time to start planning your wedding! Listed below are the tasks you must complete within the next seven days. Remember, you have to include your loved ones on every decision you make.

Good luck!