Stones in the Road Read Online Free Page B

insane.”
    “They just think gay marriage is going to destroy Western civilization. Or something.”
    “It’s not like Boston down here, you know.”
    “You could say that again, Wiley, and you would not be wrong. Are they mad because we’re going to that protest?”
    “I haven’t told them about that yet.”
    A small group of activists had recently announced plans to picket (yet again) the headquarters of the American Family Alliance, headquartered in Tupelo. The Alliance produced hard right wing radio programming heard from station to station across the South. One of its programs, Truth Hour, routinely demonized the gay community and “Nazi homosexual activists” like myself who were trying to “ram their agenda” down America’s throat at the “expense of religious liberty.” Or… something. The host of Truth Hour had recently suggested that the children of gay couples would be better off in a Romanian orphanage. This came just after a segment on the desperate need to restore the “gold standard” lest we trigger the economic collapse of the United States economy by our infatuation with a “pretend money.”
    Since the Alliance was a “Christian ministry,” it had many, many listeners and admirers.
    “It’s not like our previous protests have done any good,” I pointed out.
    “So you’re not going to go because your family might be mad?” The disbelief in Jackson’s voice was evident.
    “I’m just pointing out to you that nothing ever changes down here, and I sometimes think nothing ever will. We haven’t even finished the Civil War yet.”
    “That doesn’t mean you can’t try to do something about it.”
    Jackson had become quite the activist over the past two years. I had grown disillusioned, because nothing we did seemed to make the slightest difference.
    “So you’re not going?” he said.
    “I don’t know,” I admitted.
    “Well, that’s the problem right there. If you can’t be bothered to fight for your own rights, why should anyone else? It’s not like you’re just going to wake up one day and there will be ‘freedom across the land.’ You have to make it happen. Isn’t that what you always say?”
    “I’ve been known to spout a lot of bullcrap.”
    “This is your rights we’re talking about. Our rights. This is about our family and all the gay families in this state. That’s something worth fighting for. And it ain’t bullcrap.”
    I looked out the window and did not answer.

6) A lifestyle has consequences
     
    “A ND YOU ’ RE Mr. Wiley’s… friend ?” Miss Thelma Thunderburk paused to look Jackson over, her generous lips pursed, her eyes small and hard. On the wall behind her were a variety of diplomas and awards and whatnot. Her walnut desk was smoothly polished and was mostly used as a showcase for pictures of her children and husband. Also featured rather prominently was a cross on a stand.
    “We’re a little bit more than friends,” Jackson said pointedly. “We’re engaged to be married.”
    Miss Thelma chuckled. Abruptly stopped. “I shouldn’t laugh. You’re probably serious. Bless your heart.”
    “You think it’s funny that two men want to get married?” Jackson asked rather angrily.
    “I think it’s highly unnatural. That’s what I think. Perhaps people do that sort of thing where you’re from, Mr. Jackson, but you in the South now, baby. I’m sure you’re aware of that.”
    “Boy, am I ever.”
    “Well, since Mr. Wiley brought you along, I may as well get to the point. Noah’s not doing well. In fact, we’ve decided to hold him back. He’s going to have to repeat the fifth grade.”
    “You can’t do that!” I tried not to sound like an outraged parent. “All his friends are going to pass. He’ll be left behind.”
    “He is simply not doing satisfactory work, Mr. Wiley. The boy reads on a second grade level. And just barely, at that. I believe we’ve made it clear that he needs a great deal of work in this area, but