Chapter 19 #3
“Well, we have to think about energy,” Ally says, breaking me out of my Christina trance.
“One movie is slower and sadder; the other is faster and funnier. Do we need to start with the contemplative film first so that we get a jolt of energy from the second film later in the day? Or do we need to start with the energetic film and then settle into the contemplative film when we’re fading? ”
Christina picks up the thread. “We also have to think about historical context. Is it important to view the films in their chronological release order so we get a sense of the evolving cultural conversation?”
“Or would it be better to actually go reverse chronological?” K asks. “So we’re starting closer to our cultural moment and perhaps more viscerally experiencing the earlier cultural moment?”
Runzhou clicks his teeth. “We also have to consider how horny everyone in this room is gonna get.”
I nearly spew my sip of coffee, but Reese says evenly, “We are on the horny side of things as a group. Explain.”
“Part of why most movies are rated NC-17 is because of how much explicit sex they show. The generally hornier movie should probably be second so we all have less water to tread before retreating to privacy with our bang partners.”
“Bang partners—stoooop!” Ally doubles over laughing.
Christina lifts one lascivious eyebrow at me and mouths bang partner.
Everyone eventually calms down enough to vote on the viewing order with the seriousness of the House floor. The hornier movie is indeed slotted second.
“So why this TJL item, Christina?” I ask as plates get loaded up with waffles, bacon, country ham, and hash browns. “Obviously, the fundamentalist church has always tried to police engagement with pop culture and media.”
Christina laughs lightly to herself. “When one of these movies came out, I remember my youth pastor sharing this religious magazine’s review about how it was the most indulgently filthy movie ever made, serving as a shining example of declining morals and humanity’s thirst for evil.”
“Sounds like my kind of movie,” K says.
Reese shakes his head, agitated. “Media is supposed to reflect real people. Nothing should be off limits, regardless of any personal convictions or choices, because the world is what it is and these stories exist.”
“Media should reflect real people,” Christina considers, “because it shapes what we know to be possible. It shapes what we know to be normal or right or good. It’s powerful. And by controlling what we watch, the church is controlling what we can know. What we see as possible.”
Her insightful words soak the air.
Runzhou catches my eye. “You were right to commit a whole documentary to her.”
I nod, our shared admiration of Christina strengthening our connection. “I know.”
Christina cranes to kiss my cheek, our hands occupied with our plates.
Ally tosses more bacon onto her plate. “There’s nothing I love more than a whole day in direct defiance of the Community Covenant. The CC bans any entertainment that promotes—and I quote—‘sensual attitudes.’ ”
“It bans vulgarity and profanity too,” Reese adds.
“You know I take that one very fucking seriously,” Ally declares to laughter.
We shuffle to the sectional with heavy plates. I’ve finally come full circle in understanding what Christina meant about bonds in the face of oppression being stronger than mere friendships.
“Since this is Danny’s inaugural Movie Church and he is our guest,” Christina announces before anyone sits, “I think he should get Chaise Rights this week.”
I’m surprised when the gang scoffs dramatically.
“Guest my ass,” Ally snaps.
“Chris, you are the sneakiest sweetheart,” Runzhou mutters, shaking his head.
“What am I missing?” I ask, amused by how they try to hold their mock outrage but are really about to devolve into laughter again.
K steps forward with a flourish. “Let me break it down for you, D-Money. The chaise is the best part of the couch, with the best cushion support for sitting or lying, as well as the best angle on the TV. In this house, we take turns getting the chaise. But Christina Edmondson, otherwise known as C-Word, Sex Goddess Supreme, and Sloppy Bitch of the Decade”—Christina has to drop her plate and mug on the coffee table because she’s laughing so hard—“is acting like you deserve the chaise because she knows she’ll get to cuddle up next to you and also be on the chaise.
Even though it is not remotely her turn. ”
They bicker and giggle until Runzhou gallantly cedes his Chaise Rights to Christina for the week.
Ally leans in and pitches her voice low so only I hear. “If all of us were in a burning building and Runzhou could only save one, it would be Christina.”
I watch Christina flop onto the chaise, accept her plate from Runzhou, and tilt her beautiful face up to me with a smile to end all smiles. She pats the space next to her in invitation.
I am entirely swept away by this woman.
“Can you blame him?” I mutter back to Ally.
Ally’s silent for several moments, so I tear my eyes off of Christina to glance at her.
But she’s not looking at me; she’s looking over at Reese, who has pitched his feet up on the coffee table and is biting into a waffle that he’s picked up with his bare hand.
Her expression is so soft and intimate, I almost avert my eyes.
She finally gives me a knowing look. “We can’t blame him at all.”