Page 55 of Unbound
"Rebecca." My voice came out strangled. "What do you mean, my parents?"
Your father wanted to surprise you! He heard about the public debate from Pastor Williams—apparently Professor Okonkwo sent information to several community leaders as potential donors. Your dad was so proud that you're taking on such a... well, he called it a "morally challenging assignment." He said it shows real intellectual strength, being able to argue for something so contrary to God's word. "Jesse's proving he can defend even the indefensible," he told me. "Shows he understands the enemy's tactics. Know thy enemy, as they say."
The phone slipped in my sweaty palm. "He thinks... he thinks I don't mean it."
"Well, of course you don't mean it," Rebecca said, confused. "It's just an academic exercise, right? Like debate team in high school. You're showing you can argue the other side professionally."
I couldn't speak. Couldn't breathe.
"Jesse? Are you there?"
"I have to go," I managed. "I'll see you there."
I hung up before she could respond.
Argument regardless of personal belief. Just an academic exercise. Professional devil's advocate.
Except it wasn't. Not anymore. Maybe it never had been.
I sank onto my couch, head in my hands. They were coming to watch me argue for marriage equality while believing I was just playing a role. They'd sit there proudly, thinking their son was demonstrating intellectual discipline by defending something he found morally repugnant.
They had no idea that every word I planned to say was true. That when I talked about dignity and equal protection and the fundamental right to love, I meant it. That somewhere in all those late nights with Adrian, surrounded by constitutional law and shared coffee cups, I'd stopped performing and started believing.
I could call in sick. Claim food poisoning, family emergency, anything. Professor Okonkwo would understand. Adrian would argue alone—he was brilliant enough to carry both sides.
But even as I considered it, I knew I wouldn't run. Not from this.For the first time in my life, I had something real to say. Something true.
Even if it destroyed everything.
The university auditorium was larger than I'd expected. Three hundred seats, maybe more, and most of them filled. I spotted university administrators in the front rows, well-dressed donors scattered throughout, students clustering in the back. A bigger audience than any church service I'd ever attended.
My eyes found my parents immediately. Third row, centre section just like Rebecca had said. Father in his best suit, the charcoal one he wore to important church functions. Mother beside him in navy blue, her hair perfectly styled, hands folded primly in her lap. Rebecca sat next to Mother, wearing the pale pink dress I'd complimented last month.
They looked so normal. So proud. Father caught my eye and gave me a firm nod of approval—the same look he'd given me when I'd delivered my first sermon excerpt at sixteen.
My stomach lurched.
"Jesse." Adrian appeared beside me, sharp in a dark grey suit that made his eyes look almost black. "You okay? You look like you're about to throw up."
"My parents are here," I said quietly, not trusting my voice above a whisper.
Adrian followed my gaze. I watched his expression shift as he took in the conservative clothing, the rigid postures, the way they sat slightly apart from the other audience members.
"Shit," he said softly.
"They think I'm just playing devil's advocate," I continued, my voice flat. "That this is all academic. That I don't mean any ofit."
Adrian was quiet for a long moment. When he spoke, his voice was careful, measured. "Are you? Just playing?"
I couldn't answer. Couldn't even look at him.
"Gentlemen." Professor Okonkwo appeared beside us, resplendent in a burgundy suit that complemented his dark skin. "Ready to make legal history?"
He was joking, of course. This was just a student showcase, not the Supreme Court. But the words hit me like a physical blow. History. That's what this was, wasn't it? The moment everything changed.
Professor Okonkwo stepped to the podium as we took our seats at the long table facing the audience. The murmur of conversation died away.
"Welcome to our Constitutional Law Showcase," he began, his voice carrying easily through the auditorium. "Today, two of our most promising students will present the petitioner's argument in Obergefell v. Hodges—the landmark case that established marriage equality as a constitutional right."
