A Little Hetero Pudge And Ronny: Chapter Twelve

 Reverend Ray is an amalgamation of one well-known character in Christian pop culture, and one lesser known one. I will give hints upon request, if anyone wishes to guess where Reverend Ray, Who Is Gay (one of the characters) comes from.



After all the hymns had been sung, and the children dismissed, Pudge's heart pounded as he watched Reverend Ray step up to the podium, clear his throat, and begin. "Thank you for having me here today, everyone. I'm very glad, and honored, to be sharing with you how God has changed my life, and delivered me from sin.
"It might surprise some of you to hear that I had a pretty normal childhood. My father was a little distant, but not anything unusual at the time. I was never molested. In fact, I was a normal, rough-and-rowdy boy," he smiled, as a few people chuckled.
Pudge breathed a sigh of relief, but was confused, too. It wasn't then because he had grown up without a father (though no shortage of other male role models), apparently, but apparently being a "rough-and-rowdy boy" wouldn't save him either. And did other, manlier guys also struggle with this?
"I was aware of my feelings for other boys in junior high and high school, but it was a homophobic environment in my small town, so I hid them, even from myself. I even dated a couple of girls, though nothing serious.
"After graduation, I joined the Air Force. I had already gotten my private pilot's license years ago, and so I started training to fly fighter jets. I pretty much tried to put my feelings for other guys aside during this time. In fact, while I was there, I met my future wife, Irene.
"After getting out of the service, I took a job as an airline pilot. Irene and I had two kids, Chloe and Rayford Jr, whom Irene called Raymie. After a few years, Irene got a new man in her life--Jesus!" he exclaimed, eliciting laughter.
"It was at that time that the old feelings came back. I had a new man in my life, now, too--a younger guy, named Buck."
There were a few quiet gasps and some distasteful expressions in the audience. Pudge didn't notice this, however, as he sat riveted to the sermon.
"Irene was always talking about Jesus, and at first I was skeptical, but then I decided that Jesus was for me. I became a minister, 'Reverend Ray, who is gay!' I remained married to Irene, and I did love her, in a way, though I continued seeing Buck on the side.
"Well, Irene eventually found out about Buck. She had known about my attractions, and we had actually had an okay sex life, before, but I guess this was the final straw for her. Chloe was at college by this time, but a week later, I came home to find my wife and son gone. I'm sure you can guess exactly what happened: Irene and Raymie were taken in the Rapture."
Confused murmurs echoed throughout the sanctuary. No one had noticed the Rapture had happened yet. Were they left behind? Surely Reverend Rayford must be mistaken?
Pudge cocked his head, confused as ever. Maybe Reverend Ray was making a joke? Although it wasn't very funny.
"But it's not too late!" Reverend Ray added enthusiastically. "You can still join your loved ones in heaven, eventually! I know that everyone here has lost someone, or has been shocked that millions of people could disappear in the twinkling on an eye, and I can't guarantee that you will survive the Tribulation that is about to come. But we can still be forgiven by God--He gives us another chance!"
The murmuring grew louder. Some people laughed, before realizing that the man was serious. Pastor Alltruth stood up. "Um, Reverend?" he began uncertainly. "Reverend? Rayford?"
The chaos around him was nothing to Pudge, compared to the roiling sea of emotion inside him. Reverend Ray was crazy! He had remained gay, even after becoming a Christian, and it had driven him mad! He actually thought that his wife leaving him meant that the Rapture had taken place! Pudge never wanted to cheat on a future wife, but what was to say that he wouldn't find some young Buck and give in to temptation, himself? Was this his future?
Pudge began to hyperventilate. He had to get out of there! Everyone would know how false he was! He had to leave!
"Pudge? Are you all right?" his mother was asking beside him.
Pudge tried to stammer out some excuse, but his voice was not working. He fled, taking advantage of the noise and confusion around him.
He ran out into the foyer, down a side hallway, past the children's classroom (hoping Becky, teaching Sunday school, and Happy, acting as her assistant, wouldn't see him), and into the men's room. He heard his mother call his name from the end of the hall as he disappeared into the bathroom. At least here, she couldn't follow him. Maybe he could compose himself here.
"Pudge?" she was calling, outside. "Pudge, are you okay? I'm coming in there, Pudge!"
"What? No!" he cried, tears streaming down his face, as his mother burst in. "No, Mom, you're not supposed to be in here!" he sobbed, his voice cracking.
"Pudge, what is wrong...?" Marcy began, putting her hands on his shoulders, then slowly the realization crept across her face, as her expression changed from one of concern and worry to one of shock. "Pudge...Pudge, I...I...I love you," she gasped, starting to cry now, herself. "I love you, Pudge," she repeated, pulling him into a hug.
Pudge trembled, burying his face into her shoulder. He was relieved, but dreaded the lecture.
"Mom, I know it's bad, I didn't want to be this way
"Stop!" Marcy commanded abruptly, pulling away to look in his eyes. "Stop it, Pudge, please. We can talk about this later. Come on, we're going home. We have got to get out of this church!" she declared, her eyes flashing in determination.