You are Joey Portnoy
As you join the other guests at the wedding reception the smell of barbecue and grilled meats fill your nostrils.
You grab a plate of ribs, garlic mashed potatoes, roasted carrots
And fried okra.
Walking around you can’t seem to find your seat anywhere. You ask the organizer Ms Murielle MacLaine where your seat is.
Murielle checks the seating chart and smiles.
“You are seated at the main table with Duncan, Lorna and the rest of the family right between Jill and Burgess.”
You don’t recognize the second name but you eventually find Jill who chatting to a tall man with dreadlocks and a go tee, who you assume is Burgess.
You set down your plate and take your seat.
Burgess introduces himself. Speaking in a very low , yet silky smooth patois accent.
“Hello , you must be Joey !”
“Hi… I don’t believe we’ve met.”
“I’m Burgess Kerr , it’s so nice to meet you!”
You smile.
“So Burgess are you a friend?,family member?”
Burgess chuckles.
“I’m an old buddy of Duncan’s, high school buddies, Last time I saw him was at the MEP station about 11 years back!”
You look at Burgess confused.
“MEP station?”
Burgess clarifies.
“Military Entrance Processing.”
You nearly choke on your food.
“Duncan was in the military!?”
Burgess’s cheerful demeanor changes to one of sadness.
“(Sigh) Duncan was excluded from military service when the medical examiner found out he was colorblind. He….took it pretty hard.”
You attempt to change the subject.
“Do you live out of state ? Ive never seen you at any of the family gatherings.”
Burgess chuckles.
“Let’s just say Duncan and I don’t exactly see eye to eye when it comes to fluffies ,I use fluffies for personal stress relief .”
Your eyes widen.
“Oh…”
Burgess raises an eyebrow.
“ is something the matter? Perhaps you find it odd that Duncan and I are still friends?”
You manage to stammer out your response.
“I …uh…. It’s definitely unexpected.”
Burgess sighs.
“I would never hurt any of Duncan’s fluffies or any fluffies that belong to other people, Those are pets. I know some of the abusers in Harper valley can be extremely unhinged, but the vast majority of us in the abuser community don’t condone psychologically tormenting people through abuse of their fluffies.
I understand that me being around Duncan’s fluffies is very difficult for him. So we meet outside of fluffy related situations, it’s a boundary that he has and as his friend I respect that boundary .”
You decide to tell him about what happened with the foal and its pelt.
Burgess looks at you very worried.
“That sounds like the work of Skinderella .”
You blink slowly.
“ I’m sorry what?!”
Burgess is about to explain before Duncan comes up and greets him.
“Burgess! I’m so happy you could make it!”
Burgess stands up and gives Duncan a bear hug.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world , man!”
You decide the questions can wait for another time
