“The Pride is personal to me,” I shrug unrepentantly.
“You asked for an example because you said it was sexual, and I told you it wasn’t. I explained how I interpreted it; people who have established relationships could not approach their friends without fearing violence.”
That’s it; I’m done.
I stalk off towards the house and light another smoke.
Deli almost cries in frustration.~Leaving me alone with them? Are you nuts? I’m about ready to level the whole backyard! ~
“Ladies, I?—”
“How immature—you’re just running away, huh?” Amanda sneers at me, but I ignore her.
Lily watches me as my body tenses with fury. “Whether there was a misunderstanding or not, it’s common knowledge that Talia and Taurus have some… posturing and knife waving intrinsic to their personalities. Perhaps the key is softening it so it doesn’t seem like it’s intended to harm people?”
That’s when Sari raises her hand, but doesn’t wait to talk. “Here’s the thing, Lily. We hit the core of our problems—this place is personal for all of us. We care about it in unique ways.I wanted to keep it intact, but Belle left, so that’s out of the question. It’s hard to separate emotion from some topics, but not impossible.”
The co-mayor looks her in the eye, and it’s like she’s seeing the troll’s tricks for the first time. “Original question, Sari. Do you want to fix the problems?”
“Of course I do,” she grins widely.
“Any suggestions on that, then? Or do you only have complaints?”
The Cat Is Tired Of Everyone’s Shit
DELILAH
“We will take suggestions. However, out of the respect that you’re asking for and not showing me, I’m going to tell you this nicely before we continue. Stop talking as if I’m not here. Personally, I would also appreciate it if you stopped making my personal life a community issue. Whereas Amanda has every right to state she doesn’t like to feel threatened, I have every right to not be discussed like an object.”
The women stare at me, and I walk over to the bar to pour a scotch, gulping it and pouring another. I’m not done with them, though. I rub my hand over my tummy while I rake my gaze over the crowd.
“Also, I need to point out that every single person here is ignoring a basic truth. It doesn’t matter if the ‘don’t touch’ statements apply solely to sexual advances or not. Every single occupant of this community should be able to say they don’t want to be touched—for any reason, stated or unstated—and have that demand respected. Your feelings of being unwelcomedo not trump anyone’s body autonomy. Abusers use emotional blackmail to force unwanted contact on their victims. Are you suggesting we force people to allow us access to their bodies because it makes you more comfortable in your relationship with them?”
Lily blanches as she realizes she missed the substance in Amanda’s argument. They’re demanding Talia not delineate acceptable contact with our family because they feel they should get to touch me so they feel ‘accepted’. Her face pales and she mouths an apology to me.
Michaela gasps. “I hugged you when I came in. Was that okay?”
“Of course,” I smile at her. “I would have said something if it wasn’t. I’m not saying no one can ever hug me again, and I don’t think Talia or Taurus are either. My problem lies with people stating they get to decide what is comfortable for others based on their needs.”
“We could add threats and acceptable contact to the town bylaws to address that,” Lily says, scribbling in her notebook.
Doubtful that it will help, but it’s a start, I suppose.
Talia storms over, looking ready to beat someone now that she’s had her quiet moment. “People, it was a damn internet post. Did I threaten one person when they came into the party and Rafe greeted them? Did Taurus grab someone and shake them for hugging Deli when they came out of the magick room?” They shake their heads ‘no,’ and she puts her hands on her hips. “You’re accepting Amanda’s statement as if it’s valid, though she wasn’t present when most people arrived. When she finally showed up, it was part of a rude, unplanned stunt orchestrated by a group who threatened and disparaged the hosts of theparty. It broke up an event the Maison folks had spent months planning. Their bullshit made Deli’s family upgrade security measures at this house—which you’ve all commented on.”
I look up from my drink to spear them with my glare. “The boys were upset because they had worked hard to make it spectacular for everyone. Rafe was disappointed that his birthday party got destroyed. Given the circumstances, we were both distraught about the—unveiling. However, I won’t focus on issues I have with specific community members, their families, and former members regarding it. Talia and I will work to keep the threatening language down, and if the bylaws need updating, Lily and I will do so.”
“Fine,” Talia says. “I’ll ratchet back the bitch factor as much as possible.”
“Save it for me, darling,” Sari says, grinning.
It takes everything in me—including my bright little star—to keep me from slapping that smile right off her traitorous face.
“But if one of my family members talks to Deli, how do I know they won’t get threatened?” Rita asks, looking over at us like a scared dog.
Again with me—this woman is eerily obsessed, and I don’t know why. “I thought I covered this, but I have no issue with people talking to me.”
“For me, it’s all about sexual intent, Rita. Some mild flirting would be okay, but other things would not. I am comfortable making myself clear, though,” Talia grumbles, tossing back what’s left of her drink.
