Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Jessica comes out from behind the table. “Hi! It’s so great to see you guys officially together!”
“I agree,” I say, shaking her hand. “Thank you so much for setting all of this up! You did an incredible job.”
“It wasn’t just me. I had a ton of help from MMF. Have you heard of the fraternity?”
“Mari told us about it. I’m amazed.”
“It’s a great group. Let me introduce you to some of the guys!”
Jessica brings us over to the table, where about twenty guys are standing.
“First, I’d like you to meet Tom and Raymond. They’re my boyfriends.”
Two guys step forward and hold out their hands to us.
“I’m Tom, and this is Raymond,” one says.
“I’m Mark, and this is John.”
“It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for the rally.”
“Thank you for your support. It means a lot.”
Jessica introduces us around to a few more of the guys. We stay for a while, talking about the rally and the lifestyle. Everyone is really friendly. Once again, I wish I’d had a community like this when I started college. It would’ve made life so much better.
“Did you expect this many people to show up?” I ask Jessica.
She shakes her head. “Not even close. I knew the fraternity and the little sisters would show up, but that’s pretty much all I expected. I didn’t plan for this big of a crowd.”
“It’s always better to have more people at these kinds of things. I went to a protest once. I don’t even remember what it was for, but only six people showed up. We weren’t successful, needless to say.”
“That would’ve been so embarrassing! I’m glad that didn’t happen to me. I would’ve been devastated.”
Mari hugs her friend. “Don’t worry. I’ll always show up to any event you organize.”
“That’s why you’re the best,” Jessica says.
I start counting the people directly in front of us. I lose count at over a hundred, and that’s only a small fraction of the gathered crowd. The entire NYU green is covered in people here to support Jessica’s cause.
There’s a sign on the table that says “Justice for MMF.” Below it is information on what it means to be in a bisexual relationship with multiple people.
It doesn’t go into detail about why this rally is happening, which I’m grateful for. It’s been two weeks, but the story about John, Mari, and I hasn’t broken yet. I doubt we’ll make it much longer before everyone knows.
At least Mari’s parents know. Jessica was supposed to come with us to tell them a couple of weeks ago, but she was so busy planning the rally that she wasn’t able to come. I’m almost glad because it ended up being really awkward. Mari’s parents cried when they found out about the baby. It took a couple of hours, but they finally came around. They don’t hate John and me, at least.
They’re still not thrilled that their young daughter is having a baby, and they don’t like how it all happened, but Mari is lucky to have supportive parents. They love her no matter what.
In fact, they wanted to come to the rally today to show that they’re coming around to it all. Honestly, I think the bisexual relationship with two men was the easiest part for her parents to handle. Us being her teachers and her being pregnant were much more difficult for them to accept.
“Thank you for keeping our names out of it, too,” I tell Jessica. I keep my voice low so that only John and Mari can hear me. “I really appreciate it.”
Jessica squeezes my arm. “Of course. I know how hard this has been on Mari. I can’t even imagine what you’re going through right now. I wish there was more I could do to help. What the admin is doing to you is wrong.”
“This rally is help enough. Thank you.”
The rally won’t stop administration from firing us, though they haven’t officially announced our punishment yet. We’re on leave until further notice. However, I do agree with Jessica. Admin is punishing us for being in a bisexual relationship. It’s obvious, considering the number of heterosexual relationships they’ve ignored in the past.
I look around again. I’ve never been to a rally before. I know John comes to events like this all of the time, but protests have never been my thing. I didn’t know what to expect before I came here.
Mostly, a bunch of people are standing around chatting. However, a few have picket signs and are shouting about the intolerance of MMF relationships.
“Where did all of the signs come from?” I ask.
“Most of the crowd brought their own, but there’s a tent over there with supplies if you guys want to make some.”
I look at John and Mari. “What do you guys say? Want to really get involved in this rally?”
Mari grins. “Now you’re talking. Let’s do it!”