#777 Commitment- Thomas Glave
In less than twenty-four hours, Ricky, the youngest of seven boys, will marry Renee. The marriage is not a welcomed blessing for Ricky, he doesn’t want to get married, especially not to a woman. He sits in the bedroom, of his long-time lover, Lou Jay and laments the lie that his future will become. Renee is pregnant, and his father has threatened him about getting married, and he doesn’t want to go against his family or social norms for that matter. He is afraid, confused and only eighteen.
“I just don’t see that y’all got much choice now. You know Daddy Malcolm ain’t playing. I think he would rather see you dead. He don’t want him no sissy son no matter what.”
They argue about it, having the back and forth of guilt, promise, resentment and passive aggressiveness that one can imagine given the circumstances. Lou Jay is more secure with himself and what he wants, although he isn’t the one under pressure. They struggle with the unfairness of having to live a lie, and wonder, as many have who they think they are fooling:
“Do they know. Do they know. The disgust in his face and voice cruel enough to slash cane.”
In the end, how far can a soul be pushed? How far can you repress true feelings before they bust out? When they finally do, they often come out as anger and violence. Tough subject here but well written.
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