A House Is Not a Home by James Earl Hardy Page A

have to try. It’s important our family be recognized and respected as a family.”
    â€œBesides,” added B.D., “we’ll be buying a home in Detroit. So if we get homesick, we won’t be far away.”
    â€œ Detroit? ” Gene gasped.
    â€œ Don’t say it,” B.D. warned. “Actually, it’ll be a suburb outside the city. Who knows, maybe we’ll have Anita or Aretha as neighbors.”
    That piqued Mitchell’s interest. “Ha, if y’all do, me and Destiny will have to move in. Uh, when is the moving date?”
    â€œNot for another year,” explained Babyface. “I’ll be keeping an eye on the legal situation over there—and over here. Maybe we’ll get some jood news from the Massachusetts courts, Jersey, or right here. But if the law stands up to its current challenges over the border, we’ll make that move next June.”
    â€œIs that when you’ll have the ceremony, too?”
    â€œNo. That’ll take place on our tenth anniversary.”
    They swooned. They kissed.
    â€œOh, good grief,” Gene huffed.
    â€œI know you don’t normally participate in events where L is the main ingredient, but I would like you to help me and Mitch plan the wedding and reception,” B.D. directed toward Gene.
    â€œI suppose I can.” Gene shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant but clearly flattered by the invitation.
    â€œJood. We want Destiny to be our flower girl.”
    â€œDon’t you think your son will want to perform that role?” Gene countered.
    â€œHe may want to but he won’t be,” informed Babyface.
    â€œHe’s gonna walk me down the aisle,” B.D. expressed proudly.
    â€œ Walk? You two will be sashaying .” Gene chuckled.
    B.D. rolled his eyes. He turned to Mitchell. “And we’d love for you to sing again.”
    â€œI’d love to. What song?”
    â€œGiven that you’re the music man, we were hoping you’d have some suggestions. Something that fits our doing it a second time.”
    â€œOkay. I’ll think about it. What about your jobs?”
    â€œI’ll be taking a leave for six months to explore opening up a practice in Canada. Gay marriage notwithstanding, discrimination still exists up there.”
    B.D. patted his chest. “And I’ll officially become a housewife.”
    Gene coughed.
    B.D. gave Gene the hand. “No comment from the pe nile gallery, okay?”
    â€œYou’re gonna stop dancing?” Mitchell inquired.
    â€œChile, pleeze , that would be like not breathing. I’ll be a housewife nine months out of the year. I’ve already been in contact with the folks at Michigan State University. I could be running the modern-dance program next summer.”
    â€œMmm. Sounds like you two have everything . . . planned.” Mitchell sighed. “You’ll be living in another country .”
    â€œYeah. But not so far that you two can’t come and visit.”
    Gene recoiled in horror. “Visit Canada?”
    Babyface knew what would change his tune. “I hear the Black Canadian Mountie population has multiplied considerably.”
    â€œ Oh? Hmm . . . I might be able to squeeze in a visit each year. Or two.”
    â€œUh-huh.” B.D. snickered.
    Mitchell placed his hand on top of Babyface’s, which was on top of B.D.’s. “You might not be that far away but I’ll miss you all, terribly.”
    â€œAnd us, you.” B.D. frowned at Gene. “And you won’t say it, but we know you’re gonna miss us, too.”
    Gene smiled. “Of course I will . . . b-otch .”
    B.D. sprang up, hugging him. “And we’ll miss you!”
    Gene tried pushing him away. “Oh, please . You know that I—”
    â€œâ€”detest cheap sentiment!” they all roared.

Chapter 8
    M ista is yet another “underground” party for the homiez who aren’t