This story takes place shortly after the "blink and you miss it" sex scene in The Righteous Gemstones Episode 2.6.
Kelvin didn't understand what was happening to him. He was the son of world-famous mega-church pastor Eli Gemstone. He appeared before 13,000 people at the Salvation Center every week, plus the millions watching him on tv. He was a role model for thousands of Christian youth. And hadn't he always stressed the importance of keeping your body pure? You work out, you eat right, and you stay away from sexual temptation. Why else would he surround himself with a God Squad of muscular men?
And Keefe, his best friend, housemate, and assistant youth pastor for the last year? Of course they loved each, as Christians; they called each other "Brother." But this was so much different from the love he felt for his real brother and sister. What did it mean?
His hands were injured and in bandages, so Keefe had to feed him, bathe him, dress him, even hold his penis while he peed. This morning he was standing naked in his dressing room, and Keefe knelt in front of him to help him pull up his underwear...and it just happened, with no forethought, instinctively, as if it was an ordinary part of their day. He had never in his life had an orgasm so intense.
Afterwards Keefe was unphased: he continued helping Kelvin dress, said "Nice!" (referring to the act?), and booped him on the nose. Kelvin wanted to kiss him, he desperately wanted to kiss him, but instead he moved away and acted like nothing had happened at all. Did that hurt Keefe's feelings?
He knew that Keefe had a lot of gay sex in his old life, but he thought it just went with being a Satanist. Was he actually gay? Was he leading Keefe on, making him think that they could be a couple....but these feelings, love that was nothing like the love of a brother. Desire? He wanted to touch Keefe. Remembering what they did earlier, he became aroused again. Maybe they were a couple already.
Kelvin Gemstone openly living with his boyfriend on his father's estate: The tabloids would love it! The congregation, not so much. Daddy Eli preached about tolerance and "welcoming everyone," but this was different. He might reject Kelvin. The house and cars were in his name; he had the legal right to call security and have them both escorted off the estate.
They were busy with God Squad stuff all day, a pleasant routine that kept his mind off Keefe and onto...other muscular guys?
"Need any help, Kelvin?"
It was a light feminine voice. But the only women who had ever been in the house were his sister and his mother....
He turned: it was his mother, Aimee Leigh, sitting big as life in his leather chair! Aimee Leigh, the famous Gospel singer -- who died last year!
You're supposed to be scared when you see a ghost. Why did he feel so warm and comfortable, immersed in a love so deep he could scarcely understand it?
"Mama, it's good to see you again," he said casually, as if she had been away on a trip. Suddenly he wondered if he was dead, and she had come to lead him to Heaven. No, after this morning, he was probably headed to the other place. "Are you really here?"
"I'm always here, Baby. You know that. I watch over everybody that I love, all the time, but I don't usually intervene. You got to figure out things for yourself."
"Wait -- you're always watching?" He flushed red. "Then you saw me and Keefe this morning?"
She laughed. "Baby, I'm not Santy Claus. All I can see is what's in your heart. But yeah, I can recognize that kind of joy a mile away. I felt it often enough when I was with your Daddy."
Ugh, an image flashed fore him of Mama kneeling in front of Daddy Eli! "Too much information!"
More after the break
