20. Chapter 20
Chapter twenty
Alex
Alex knew dealing with the police as a member of the queer community was a double-edged sword. The police can either genuinely help you, or they could harass you, becoming an oppressive force in a vulnerable moment of need. Alex walked slowly up the five steps into the Boston District B-2 Police Station, his brooding shadow following.
“Afternoon,” Alex said to the Officer whose name tag read Lieutenant B. Bledsoe. “My name is Alex Lieth, and I’d like to follow up on a missing person.”
“What’s the missing person's name and their relationship to you, Mr. Lieth?”
“His name is Danyal Sarif, and he’s my boyfriend. Three days ago, he was abducted by armed men at Excalibur Café.”
“I see. I’ll need to gather some information.” Officer Bledsoe shuffled his papers before turning his attention fully to Alex. “When did this alleged kidnapping happen again?”
“Three nights ago,” said Alex.
“Did you and Mr. Sarif have a lover's quarrel that evening?”
“We had a minor disagreement, but our relationship is stable.” Alex was annoyed by the question. What did it have to do with Danyal being kidnapped? Besides, he didn’t consider arguing over going dancing a life-altering lover's quarrel.
“Did Mr. Sarif meet with any other friends or acquaintances that evening after work?”
“I don’t know,” said Alex.
“Did you happen to check, Grinder? Maybe he got a better offer. For that matter, did Mr. Sarif habitually frequent the bathhouses or sex clubs? As the saying goes, any hole in the storm is a goal.”
Alex could feel the anger welling in his chest. To stifle his rage and to avoid being arrested for assault, he looked deep into the core of Lieutenant Bledsoe's soul before responding.
“I bet you find this amusing, Lieutenant Bledsoe. Another missing homosexual, what a loss for society! You have two options here. You can find me an officer who’s not a living piece of shit to do the job for you, or you can shut the fuck up and do your job. Before you decide, I’d like you to consider the following information. How would your employer feel about your internet browsing and porn viewing habits? Questionably, legal teenage girls are a choice, considering you coach your daughter’s softball team. If that’s too much for your small mind to wrap around, maybe your lovely wife Denise would like to know when you allegedly have beers with the guys, you’re soliciting sex workers down by the pier. Think it over carefully, Officer Bledsoe, because your decision may decide your career, marriage, and future.” When Alex finished his sentence, all the papers on the precinct desks flew into the air.
The fear in Officer Bledsoe’s eyes burned brighter than a supernova, and his arrogance melted faster than ice cream on a sweltering summer afternoon.
Galen introjected, “Cuse me, Officer. Most police charters have officers who serve as liaisons for underserved minority groups, such as the LGBTQI+ community. Boston Police Department’s Commitment to Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Initiative. Whom would that be?”
“Officer Lucia Gonzalez. Please have a seat, and I’ll see if she’s available,” responded Officer Bledsoe in a quivering voice.
“Cheers,” Galen said.
Lieutenant Bledsoe couldn’t walk away fast enough as Alex stared daggers through him with each step.
“Ya think that was a little overkill, mate?”
Alex asked Galen what he meant. Was he supposed to take the abuse like a good faggot and bite his tongue? Alex stated Galen would never defend the officer if he experienced discrimination and homophobia. He angrily said his best friend Shae nearly lost his life after a group of drunk high school kids fractured his skull and broke both legs with a baseball bat for kissing his boyfriend on the subway. Alex added every LGBTQI+ person in this country has a target on their back, and they risk death at any moment. The next murder or mass shooting is around the next corner. Trans women of color are murdered every week in this country. No one gives a damn, said Alex. The government, politicians, and the church either fan the flames of hate or ignore their suffering. Today, there won’t be target practice if he can help it.
Galen replied he was not defending the officer because his behavior was horrible. He added he wasn't minimizing the plight of Alex's community. ”Ya looked like ya were about to lose control. Luckily, nothing exploded. Sometimes, you need the hammer. Other times, a more strategic approach is needed. Can ya leave the precinct without ruining any lives or fighting the way out of the building?”
“Oh, so don’t hurt the bigots or rattle their cage? He deserves more than tongue-lashing for his disrespect. At this moment, I can think of many ways to make him and his kind suffer….”
Galen interrupted Alex before he could finish his speech. “May have missed the briefing where Eros was the source of wrath. From mah perspective, this feels hate-filled and Thanatos. Have ya considered part of mah job is keeping the public safe from ya losing control? And for the record, how do ya know?”
“How do I know what?”
“How do ya know I haven’t experienced hate or discrimination? Ya are quick to make assumptions and judgments. No one community has the exclusive right to suffering and abuse.”
A soft but firm voice broke the tension in the room. “Good afternoon. My name is Office Gonzalez, and I understand you have a loved one who is missing. Please follow me to my desk. I’ll investigate and discuss options for proceeding. How should I address you, and which pronouns would you like me to use?”
“Alex and he/him/his are fine.”
Alex walked towards the young officer after reading her aura and the spark in her chest to verify her compassion and caring. He was relieved he could trust her, yet saddened by all the suffering he could see in the memories she’d endured by her fellow officers for being the LGBTQI+ liaison.
Galen stepped forward to follow, but Alex turned to him and said, “You can stay here until I return. As you said, we’re safe in a police precinct. I’ll call you if I need to fight my way out.”
Galen stopped and nodded. “Yes, sir. Will wait with the limo, ready if ya need to make a getaway. Hope ya find the help ya need to find Danyal.”
Alex walked away, sulking like a chastised child with their hand caught in the cookie jar. He knew Galen hadn’t tried to make him feel guilty when he’d been the victim of a homophobic verbal assault, but it stung that Galen had intervened in the counterassault on Officer Bledsoe. On top of Galen’s outburst over Zoe, this deeply upset Alex, and he was over Galen’s foul mood today.
Forty-five minutes later, Alex emerged from the building and returned to the limo. Standing by the door, Galen opened it for Alex and closed it behind them. The awkward silence was deafening. Alex's face flushed as he stewed in his anger and avoided all eye contact.
“Ya still upset, mate. Ya only need the cartoon smoke billowing from yur ears to complete the picture.”
Alex locked eyes with Galen before saying he wouldn't apologize for defending himself and Danyal against a homophobe, but maybe he needed to read the room or energy more before going scorched earth. Why did he not take the time to assess Officer Bledsoe’s energy before engaging the enemy? The best way he could describe is it was a reflex. He hit Alex's nerve, and Alex kicked him back. “Years of abuse, condescension, and hate for being who you are and who you love take a toll. It leaves damage. Some scars last longer than others, Galen. It may be cliche, but I don’t know my powers, which is starting to scare me. I’ve only had these abilities for a few weeks, but I’ve lived in a homophobic society for 25 years. I have a question: how did you know about the LGBTQI+ liaison?”
Galen took a deep breath before responding. “Did mah research, mate. Anticipated ya would be contacting the authorities for any updates on Danyal. Based on the history of neglect from police towards the LGBTQI+ community, looked for existing resources to help ya. Had mah own interactions with hostile police. In New Zealand, discrimination is rampant based on skin color, geography, and gender. My grandfather was Māori. Mah family faced discrimination our entire lives even though we were mainstream New Zealanders. Even one drop of Māori blood made us tainted. Mah twin sister especially suffered the most. Women of Māori descent are the lowest class of citizens. Know the pain of racism, discrimination, hate, and being hassled by the police for simply existing.”
“I’m sorry,” responded Alex. “I didn’t know. Most of your records were sealed.”
“Dark time in mah life, sir. Don’t want to talk about the worst moments of mah life.”
Alex could see Galen trying to stifle his emotions, but he couldn’t hide the pain expressed by his eyes. Alex recognized Galen's struggles to share his vulnerabilities with others, and he knew Galen would not start sharing today.
”The only way to get through the fire is to get closer to it until the demons have no control over ya. Growth and healing come to the willing who risk being vulnerable. Ya need to learn a new way. Ya, willing? Part of mah job is to support ya in the field and keep ya safe.”
“I think I’ll be safe because of the gift of immortality.”
“Ya sure of that? Yur abilities protect ya from physical harm, mate. Emotional harm can be even more painful. There are some fates worse than death. Why do you think they took Danyal? Where ya headed now?”
“Please take me back to the university; I’ve got papers to grade. I want some space when we arrive. We both appear to be in a foul mood today.”
Galen said, “Been a momentous day, mate. Confronting my boss about being an Angus. Piss off a god in the process. Be asked to share the darkest moments of mah life. Can only go up from here.”
“I don’t need your sarcasm, Galen; maybe you should take your advice and look in the mirror at your anger issues,” said Alex as he pulled out his phone, abruptly ending the conversation. Alex couldn’t understand what had happened to the kind and caring Galen who had talked him off the edge last night. He didn’t care for the asshole who had replaced Galen today.