Chapter Seventeen
“Thank you for saying yes,” Keithe said, wishing it were for different circumstances other than dinner.
Honestly feeling she would do herself a disservice if she hadn’t agreed to meet him, Kenya was more than honored to dine with Deacon Morgan. Especially since it had nothing to do with the divorce group. Ever since their telephone conversation a week ago, her heart had softened from being afraid to let him in. Above anything she now wished she had given him a chance.
Maybe all along she needed Keithe to just be bold with his intentions toward her. With him sharing how he did indeed like her and want to get to know her better, Kenya was able to take in the realness of their awkward moments. Her womanly desire for a man had trumped her doubting herself. The hash tag she felt was plastered on her forehead, which read, “confused,” seemed to be lifted with Keithe.
“I’m very flattered, Deacon Morgan.” Kenya had finally let her guard down; her insecurities about Keithe liking her were finally being received by the single, saved, and, with her hair out of its ponytail holder, sassy woman.
“That just made my night.” Keithe smiled from ear to ear and beckoned for the waiter. “We’re ready to order.”
Waiting for their food preparation, the two chatted over nothing in particular. There was minimal talk about church, which was Keithe’s desire. He wanted to push Kenya to her limits with him. He wanted to know what it was about Mike and what it wasn’t about him.
He was ready to lay it all on the line with Kenya. He just hoped she was ready. Especially with Mother Gladstone revealing that Kenya had secrets herself. In those secrets, Keithe hoped to find that her interests really weren’t into Mike as it had appeared.
Once their entrees arrived and their waiter asked for the last time if the duo needed anything else, Keithe didn’t hesitate. He offered Kenya to place her hand in his and prayed over their hearty meal.
“So now that I officially have you to myself ...” Keithe smiled.
“Watch it, watch it, Deacon,” Kenya oozed out and smiled as she took a sip of flavored tea.
Cutting into his steak, Keithe took a few bites and admired the view in front of him. Placing his knife to the side, Keithe was ready for more. The advice Mother Gladstone had been whispering to him behind the church corners started to get to him. He felt it was time to make a solid move.
Keithe had wanted to talk to Mike to see if they could smooth things over. He wanted his friend to know that nothing had changed about how he felt about Kenya, and just because he moved out of haste, it wasn’t going to stop him from doing what his heart desired. When he hadn’t heard back, Keithe did debate if he should proceed, but then he prayed about it and felt solace.
“I like you, Kenya. I asked you here tonight because I know that you knew,” he emphasized, “that I liked you.” He smirked. When he saw the smile vanish from her face, Keithe eased off his firmness.
“I’m sorry. I thought that was a given. I like you too,” Kenya said. She no longer wanted to run just to avoid Keithe and his feelings for her.
“I can’t tell,” Keithe responded, leaving Kenya’s mouth wide open. “Seriously. Is everything between us okay? It’s like we went from partners to you avoiding me. Then the next thing I know, you and Mike are dating.”
“He asked,” Kenya flipped out of her mouth and continued eating, knowing she’d put a messy little bug in his ear.
With his eyebrows raised, Keithe said, “Okay. I move slow. I pray about things.” He shrugged and picked up his knife once more. He wanted her to know in what order he walked. “Unfortunately that’s all null and void now.” Keithe took a bite of his medium-well steak. After a few chews, Keithe spoke on his real motive for their dinner. “So how’s it going with you two, anyway?” He needed to pray.
“Shouldn’t you know? Mike is your friend. I’m sure guys talk.” Kenya wanted to test the waters to see if the two had patched things up.
Keithe figured it was time to come clean. “Kenya. Just like I told Mike, I really care for the both of you. Now ... I don’t know how much Mike has told you ...” He was sure he hadn’t told her much.
Kenya tensed. She never thought that far ahead. Sitting in front of the man who had a crush on her, who was talking about someone she was dating, Kenya held her breath.
“I don’t know what he has told you, but Mike and I have been friends even before our teenage years.” Keithe stammered, not really sure what confessing Mike’s life would do for him. One thing he knew it could do was to save Kenya heartbreak and heartache. “And I just don’t want you to get hurt ... either of you to get hurt.” He stressed the latter.
Not wanting to hear anything remotely close to what she figured would come out of Deacon Morgan’s mouth, Kenya rushed the conversation once her defense mechanism hit an all-time high.
“Then whatever you are about to say, why don’t you just keep it to yourself. Especially if it’s about Mike.” Kenya pushed her back into the cushion of the chair.
“Because I doubt he will let you know. That’s why. And that’s the truth,” Keithe responded and sat back himself. “I know he should be the one to tell you that he—”
“Excuse me, but I’m not about to marry the man. I’m not sleeping with him and, lastly, I don’t think it’s any of your business. Who I date has nothing to do with you. I don’t even know why you are doing this.” Kenya’s defense was skyrocketing. She was nervous and no longer cared if anyone around her noticed.
“Even if I care not to see you hurt, Kenya?” Keithe wanted to obey her wishes to the fullest.
“Yes, Keithe. I mean, did you think about Mike when you brought me here, ready to tell me about him being homosexual? Just how much do you care about Mike? What kind of friend are you to tell his business?” Kenya felt bittersweet about how she was treating Keithe. For him to go to great lengths, trying to protect her and Mike, he had actually been a great friend.
Keithe scrunched his eyebrows and opened his mouth to speak but Kenya wouldn’t allow him to respond. If she had allowed him to interject, he would have told her he hadn’t gotten to the point about Mike being homosexual.
“And now what? Now that you’ve spread Mike just a little bit thinner, now what? You don’t know what it’s like.” She tried her best to whisper but felt her own personal emotions to gather. “All you so-called Christians are the same.” Kenya pushed back her chair. “Have you even thought just maybe some people don’t want to be gay? ... No one wants to live a homosexual lifestyle. It’s not easy. Believe it; it’s not easy to sleep at night. Crying yourself to sleep every night doesn’t cut it.”
Keithe tried to catch her words she had slung at him at a fast speed. He couldn’t tell what caused her to be so angry. But one thing was for sure: she knew more than he thought she knew.
“Kenya. I ... I’m sorry if I’ve offended you. But, unless Mike told you he was homosexual ...” He looked down at the table, embarrassed for her. “I haven’t even said a word about ...” He didn’t want to say it. “How did you know?”
A blank look spread on Kenya’s face. She grabbed her mouth with both of her hands and the color in her face went away.
“If you know that Mike is gay, why are you dating him?” Keithe wanted Kenya to fill in the blanks but knew it wouldn’t happen.
Before he could say another word, Kenya removed herself from the table and disappeared. Left with two unfinished dinners, sitting in the middle of the restaurant, Keithe couldn’t believe what had just happened.