Read Online A House Is Not a Home by James Earl Hardy - Free Book Online

and of course he wants his son to follow in his footsteps. Monroe’s initial reaction to the incident was heterosexually typical: “He tried to push up in the shower? I woulda jacked him up, too.” But as the facts came out and he discussed them with Mitchell (the lightbulb moment for Monroe coming when Mitchell asked: “Would a lesbian have the right to knock you in the head with a bat because she doesn’t like straight men laying eyes on her?”), he wondered out loud if he should go to Morehouse. Mitchell almost dropped the bowl of cake mix he was whipping when he confided: “I don’t know if I could go to a school where a brother treats another brother like that.” That he would even consider such a thing when weighing whether to attend . . . that was the ultimate proof that their talks were having an impact.
    So Mitchell doesn’t mind being interrogated once a week; in fact, he looks forward to it. He’s come across very few hetero Black male teens like Monroe who willingly engage in discussions about sexual orientation. Having a best friend with a gay godfather has opened up a whole new world for Monroe and he’s a jood example of how the best way to challenge and defeat homophobia is through forming mutually respectful relationships between heteros and homos. At first, Monroe was a naive, ignorant know-it-all; now he’s “gay-friendly” and is on his way to becoming a true ally.
    â€œI hope he gets convicted of the hate crime,” Monroe offered, taking a seat. “How you just gonna swing on somebody like that? That’s what they used to do to us when we was accused of lookin’ at white girls.”
    That he would make that connection . . . it made Mitchell and Errol proud. Their eyes met; they smiled.
    â€œYou still undecided about Morehouse?” Mitchell asked.
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œWhat’s the percentage now?”
    â€œUh, sixty/forty.”
    â€œAh. It’s inching back up. If you go, that doesn’t mean you support what happened. And it doesn’t mean I’ll have to delete you.”
    Monroe nodded.
    â€œIn fact, the school could use more heterosexual students like you, who are willing to speak out against antigay prejudice. You could even create a gay/straight alliance—but I’m sure your father wouldn’t like that.”
    â€œYou know it. The rest of his hair would fall out!”
    They all laughed.
    â€œSpeaking of hair: Who did yours?” Mitchell could make out the circular design of the cornrows under the mustard-yellow skullcap. Mitchell wasn’t surprised when he revealed it was . . .
    â€œJaleesa,” Monroe cheezed. He’d had his eye on her since their sophomore year.
    â€œYou finally got her attention, huh?”
    â€œWell, you know, what can I say!” he trumped like JJ on Good Times . Mitchell has the first season of the series on DVD and Monroe is hooked on it (or, rather, on JJ).
    â€œWill she be coming with you to the party tomorrow night?”
    â€œCome on, Mr. C. I can’t come to a jam like this with a female on my arm when there’s gonna be so many other honeyz in da howse.”
    Mitchell palmed his chest. “Forgive me.”
    â€œAnd I gotta give her time to recover.” He patted his dome. “Massagin’ this head was enough to make her almost go cray-zee.”
    â€œYeah, and that was the only thing she was willin’ to massage!” snapped Sidney as he and Errol chuckled.
    â€œMan, shut up!” Monroe barked.
    After tossing his banana peel in the trash, Errol uncovered the leftover lasagna from last night. Mitchell knew they’d want to finish it off after school. “Thanks for taking it out.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.”
    Sidney stared at it. He looked at Mitchell.
    â€œIt has turkey sausage in it,” Mitchell assured him.
    â€œFat-free?” he almost