Butterflies

New Places, New Faces

Victor chose to take the bus to Georgia from New York. After a few hours, he deeply regretted his choice, but decided to make the best of it. He stared out the window and took pictures of the highway signs of major cities to post on Instagram. He slept often to help the time pass. Seventeen hours later someone was nudging him from his sleep and asking if this was his stop.

As he stepped off the bus he saw a dark skinned girl with a colorful head wrap and sun dress on waving a sign with his name on it. As he approached her she literally began to jump up and down.

"Ahhh!" She screamed and ran to him as she realized who he was. The woman wrapped him in a hug and grabbed one of his bags.

"You look tired, but that's ok. The house is only a few blocks from here and I have the perfect scented candles for you in your suite! You can use them while you take a bubble bath. I know that's not a man's thing, but trust me, every man that tries it, loves it. I'm making momma's walleye, greens and okra, blackeye peas, and cornbread for dinner. Real cornbread. Not that Jiffy mess y'all like up North either." This woman was walking and talking at lightening speed and Victor was having a hard time keeping up with her. She had gotten so far ahead of him as they headed towards her car that he was having trouble hearing what she was saying.

"We're having peach cobbler for dessert," she continued. "You lactose?"

"Huh?" Victor responded as he finally caught up with the conversation.

"Lactose," she repeated. "Are you?"

"No, I'm not," Victor responded when he realized she was asking if he was lactose intolerant.

"Great! I make homemade ice cream every now and then and I made a fresh batch to go with the cobbler," she explained. "Plus, ice cream is even better when you're going through a break up you know...I mean...I'm sorry. You don't mind do you? Shannon called me right after you left and explained what was going on. I just want you to enjoy your stay, ok? Stay as long as you like. I've got some things planned for you for tomorrow. I made a reservation with a friend to give you a tour of the city, which you'll love! Then Friday..." Victor cut the woman off.

"Delta, I really don't want to do anything right now. I just want to be left alone," he said. There was an awkward silence for a moment, but Delta bounced back ready to make another suggestion.

"Ok, well um, you know I know..." she started, but Victor cut her off again.

"No, I don't know and I don't want to know Delta, damn!" Victor couldn't hold back his frustration. "Maybe this isn't going to work," he began. But this time he was the one being interrupted.

"Now you wait just a damned minute," Delta said slowly. As she began to speak, Delta pulled her car into a parking spot in front of a quaint shop. "Ok, I get it. Maybe I'm coming on too strong with the hospitality. Fine, but let's get one thing straight right now. That," Delta emphasized as she pointed at a beautiful home just up the block, "that is my home. This is my city. You are a man and I am a woman. You are my customer and I will do my best to make your stay enjoyable. But, if you ever cuss me again or disrespect me or my home this experience will go bad real fast. Got it?" Delta said this looking long and hard into Victor's eyes. He had the sense that she was itching for him to challenge her. There was a fire behind those amber eyes that said "Try Me." He did not want to try her. So, he took a deep breath instead.

"You're right. I'm sorry. I'm just really tired and in no mood for all the bells and whistles right now. Maybe in a few days after I've settled in we can revisit your ideas. What do you think?" he said while adding a little smile.

Delta didn't respond. She pulled her car into the driveway of the bed and breakfast and drove behind the home to park in the garage. They followed the wraparound porch back to the front entrance and Delta opened the door for him. As he entered, she waved her hand and flatly proclaimed "Welcome to Forever Charming Bed & Breakfast."

Victor carried his bags up the arched staircase and headed down the hall to his left. His room was at the end of the hall. When he entered the room, he sat down his things, kicked off his shoes and laid across the bed. While he lay there, he began to hear violins playing. Tears formed in Victors eyes as the music began to crescendo and he let them. He lay on his back allowing each tear to form and fall silently. A few minutes later he had drifted off to sleep.

The truth will make you free

Victor woke to loud talking, laughter, and the smell of delicious food. Although he was awake, Victor just laid in the bed struggling with whether to get up or continue hiding in his room. Hunger won and he got up to put his shoes on. As he walked into the Great Room, the vision of strangers all laughing and eating and talking around a huge dinner table was almost overwhelming. It looked like a photo from Good Housekeeping. Delta spotted Victor and stood to introduce him.

"Victor!" She shouted. "Everyone, here's the man of the hour! Please meet our newest house guest Victor Johnson."

"Hi, Victor!" They chimed in unison.

"Hi," Victor responded smiling. "Please call me Vick," he added as he sat next to a woman with beautiful white hair cut in a sharp bob. She also donned cat eye glasses and bright red lipstick. Victor leaned in close to her and whispered, "Please pass the wine." He downed two glasses and then asked for a plate. Delta eyed him as he took a small portion of everything. After dinner, some of the guests headed to their rooms. Some headed back home and others searched for late night fun in the city. Delta found herself in the kitchen as usual cleaning alone. As she finished, she poured a glass of wine and relished in the glory of another successful dinner. Just as she took a sip, Victor walked in.

"Hey," Delta said, spilling a bit of her wine.

"Hey, any leftovers? I didn't realize how hungry I really am. Plus, those greens are fan-tastic," he said reaching for a small plate.

"Yeah, we have some," Delta said as she pulled containers back out of the refrigerator. "So you weren't very talkative tonight. I know you said you want to be alone, but, you will have to talk to someone sometime," she said tenderly as she made his plate. Silence sat in the room as Victor fiddled with napkins and silverware while trying to decide whether to share with Delta or not. Finally, he broke the silence.

"Listen, I'm gay Delta," he started. "I'm gay and I'm here because my partner and I broke up. I had no where else to go because my parents disowned me years ago. I'm an established writer committed to my career, but I'm not tied to any particular city. I met a girl that recommended this place and I thought coming here would give me an outlet. I thought I would get the solitude and relaxation required to bounce back from a serious breakup. I did not come here to be entertained or have my life fixed. I just need to be able to reflect a little, you know?" The words tumbled out of Victor's mouth before he truly knew what he had said. He could tell by the shock on Delta's face that it didn't land well with her.

Delta stood perfectly still for a split second, then moved on to warming his plate in the microwave as if she didn't even hear Victor say he was gay. The good southerner in her would not allow her to react in any way that could be perceived as disrespectful. But inside, she was having a hard time reconciling the fact that this fine ass, sophisticated ass, successful black man, was gay. He was masculine and his demeanor was cool and calm. He did not fit the cookie cutter package she expected most gay men to come in. As she continued to mull over his fineness, she realized she had been silent too long.

"So, you write?" Was the only thing she managed to say.