Queeattitude

• For the love of God 3

  Posted: March 22, 2010, 12:28 am by Naughty feeling

  WE got out of the car and as I took the keys from the ignition I got the strange notion that my hands were trembling, I couldn't help but wonder if it was the fear of what had happened or what I anticipated to happen next. Whatever it was I didn't like the feeling, not one bit. My aunt ran straight to the back of the homestead as I walked toward the front door albeit in an awkward manner since my father was standing in the doorway.
  
  I went up the steps concocting a story. It all came to naught as I stood with him on level ground and panic once again took over. He was talking, no, he seemed to be yelling or something of the sort and I started hearing him ranting about taking the car without notice and so on. When he was done ranting I explained myself and the circumstances preceding the events that had transpired and watched his face change from anger to bewilderment to shock to concern and to confusion in a matter of minutes. He didn't seem to have a problem after my explanation. I saw my mother coming towards us from the inner house and we had to do the whole narration again and she seemed the least bit bothered and announced that a snack was ready.
  
  It wasn't a pleasant evening as some homophobe villagers came to voice their discontentment in the manner of my interference in their 'cleansing' ritual and all that bullock. The next day things seemed to be getting out of hand as villagers began taking sides and the elders asked us to leave politely before emotions ran high resulting in oversensualisation of the matter, much to the chagrin of my parents who nonetheless left with us the next day. The long drive home was silent except for the occasional expression of displeasure at the manner in which we left.
  
  All along though my thought seemed focused on the fate of the young man. When we arrived back home the first thing I did was to call the pastor who I had met to en quire as to the fate of Charles. I was impressed and relieved to hear that he had made it into Nairobi the same evening we had left him at the church and that he was being housed for the time being in a safe-house. The alternative outcome was too horrid to consider as I went to bed later that night. I felt better knowing that some people somewhere were making a contribution to the cause no matter how small, they were still contributing. To them, my hat goes off in their honor. You are the unsung heroes in this struggle.

• FOR THE LOVE OF GOD II

  Posted: March 12, 2010, 12:07 am by Naughty feeling

  When he mentioned the local church I was lost for words as we made a quick turn. The smell was nauseating and I was almost panicking as he tried to awaken his friend.
  
  We drew up the church's short driveway with my aunt getting off the car as if she was some tout. They carried him into the church as I watched in terror wondering if I had been too rush with my decision to be of assistance. I shrugged it off as I brusquely walked into the church.
  
  
  The local pastor was bent over the victim dabbing him with antiseptic. He was groaning now (which was a good thing!!). The man we brought with us was now explaining that the villagers had found out that the victim was gay and they were in his own words: 'straightening him out'. His voice droned on as I drifted into thought of the repercussion of my intervention. I chided myself for my selfishness in not being able to see past my nose and the big picture of a life spared. Pastor Eric (that was his name) got on the phone and spoke in hushed tones. In ten minutes a lady dressed as a nurse appeared and attended to Charles (the victim), who was now seated upright drinking a glass of water and seemed to be lucid.
  
  James (the Saviour) was also in a panic as to his fate. So far he had told us that Charles' jilted lover had sold him out as he had refused to continue their relationship. My young aunt seemed to be absorbing the details without regarding the graveness. Pastor Eric came over and thanked me for bringing Charles over and that This wasn't the first time such a situation had occurred, he proceeded into detail of past events of similarity as I drifted in and out wondering what next.
  
  Cecilia the nurse gave a clean bill and I explained to the pastor that my aunt and I had to beg leave. As I went to bid this stranger fate had brought into my life, I had a feeling of despondency thinking that it could have been me on the church pew. The only thing that was different were the circumstances of our lives. I took the pastor's number with the intention of following up on the incident.
  
  James feared to come along with us, and we left him behind. The pastor walked us to the car and bid us farewell. Strangely enough as we drove home in silence my fear abated and resolute confidence replaced it. I had made a difference in my own small way, and I had contributed though out of impulse than thought to the saving of Charles' life. I was sure nothing would make me regret my descision, nothing!
  
  As we drove into my grandma's home the look on my father's face and his 'ready to pounce' stance changed my resolute confidence into a chilling fear...

Blah blah blah

Fish cakes

Alas a fish cake.

Yet more fish cakes

Guess what ... yeah ... fish cakes.

The end of the fish cakes