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About the Characters

The book has numerous characters which is not too uncommon for someone, such as Mayson, whose life spreads out in search of where they belong. With such an array of others, it may be necessary to occasionally recall some of the characters from prior pages as you venture along with Mayson. UE has an array of characters that may include those you like, want to like, or outright dislike. It shows people in various aspects of individuality that allows you to identify with one or more character. Its slow start builds up to in intensity, levels to a balance and leaves room for possibilities.

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Adventure can be an overused or misunderstood description when it comes to books or other medias. However, with UE, Mayson’s road to self-fulfillment, adventure is a well-defined adaptation of Mayson’s  valleys, hills and plains.  It has warm moments as well as the inclusion of harsh realities. Whatever, your feelings or thoughts, it gives you that open space to derive your own place for Mayson.

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This section only gives a brief characterization of some of the more prominent people who influence Mayson while on his journey. These characters listed below  have their own uniqueness and storyline within themselves.

           Mayson Hendricks

Mayson begins life as the guy who is content with fitting into his surroundings. In his earlier years, his church represented his religion and was also his social life. What may seem to be a mundane life for some, family, church, and friends, was a peaceful existence for Mayson. Despite his unrequited attraction to another, his life was uneventful as long as his attraction was never known to others. But once his attraction is exposed, the often mild tempered, non-eventful Mayson, extends his personality to include survival skills. Survival skills that must battle the middle state of two foundations in is life, his real self and the self-others believe or want him to be.

         Phyllis  Hendricks

Mayson’s caring loving mother has a devotion to her church and the needs and wellbeing of her children. She is an anchor for her family and highly regarded in her church. With her devotion on both sides, as with Mayson, Phyllis too is caught in the middle of an unyielding balance. A balance, or choice, between her church and family that leaves little room for having both in her life.

    Veronica Lambert

Due to her extensive weight, she possesses insecurities, therefore Veronica does not rely on her appearance for attracting romantic interest. She views people through her filter of what she wants them to be. When Veronica is focused on what she wants, she will readily disregard others in her efforts. However, when her fantasy of what she wants to see in others becomes a reality of who they are, she is easily crushed or prone to vengeance.

        Pastor Earl Upshaw

Pastor Upshaw, devoted to his denomination and the members of his church. He strongly believes in his church’s teaching, which includes their stance on same sex attraction. He has true conviction for his church’s belief and doctrine but has compassion on those who may suffer the consequences of his obligated actions to maintain the teachings of his denomination.

        Reanna Harrison

Reanna, the whimsical and devoted friend of Mayson. Her past is full of pain and trauma as she manifests it through her sexual pleasures with various male partners. As with Mayson, she too has a love for her church, but she manages to keep both her church life and social life separate.

            Deandra Rowe

Deandra is the spiritual voice of reason for her college roommate, Veronica. She is highly devoted to her spiritual calling, while despising the prudish image attached to it. She is fair minded and focus on her life goal of her spirituality and education.

        Pastor Toby McDaniel

Pastor McDaniel, a minister who reaches out to the church and gay community in his effort to make God the bridge for both sides. He spiritually advocates for nonjudgement middle ground for having both sides. Such advocacy meaning, the church should have their belief while not being villainized and the gay community should be who they are without certain religious institutions defining them through their own eyes of how God sees them.

       Lanelle Campbell

Lanelle, the rough persona of a stay away temptress, like the Mary Magdalene type from Mayson’s Sunday School teaching, was Mayson’s boss. A woman of the world who had experienced life that included promiscuity, a guarded heart, but smoldering insight and depth. Once she allows herself to reach out to others, she becomes valuable for anyone who is going where she has been.

           Aaron Locke

Passionately committed to what he believes, Aaron works full hearted and strategically in getting unfair and unjust treatment of those in same sex relationships their support and justice. He is the leader and founder of a community advocacy group that has grown based on his sensitivity and non-pressured approach in reaching out to others.

          Melvin Sutton

A stunningly attractive college student, whom many would consider to be their dream or fantasy. He is a young man with direction, but when it comes to decisions and choices, they are not his alone. His desire to be approved by his father, who is an evangelist, weighs heavily on his decision making.

         Clifton Harmon, Jr. (JR)

Phyllis’ oldest son who, unlike Mayson, embraces a life that does not include all the rules and foundation of his mother’s religion. He respects his religious upbringing, but love for sports and athletic good looks, directs him to a more secular means of enjoying life, which also allows him to move further away from his strained relationship with his half-brother Mayson.

              Tony Rayburn

Tony is Mayson’s first reality of his secret in action. Tony, a quiet and educated, successful businessman, who opened his heart and home to Mayson. Tony is a man of financial comfort, whose expression of it is limited to an expensive car and modest condominium. His quiet demeaner also has a protective nature which shows itself in safeguarding Mayson.

Other Characters

  • Clifton Harmon, Sr. (Cliff)- Mayson’s stepfather

  • Ed  Hendricks – Mayson’s father

  • Craig Jameson- Member of activist/support group

  • Remond (Rem)- Friend of Melvin Sutton

  • Eric- Friend of Melvin Sutton

  • Irene Harmon- Clifton, Sr.’s wife

  • Art Peters Retired News Anchor

  • Lamont Hendricks Mayson’s younger brother

  • Florence Harmon- Phyllis Harmon s’ mother-in-law

  • Evangelist Joseph Sutton- Father of Melvin Sutton

  • Tamara Lane - Mayson’s co-worker

  • Robert Banks (Urban)- Mayson’s co-worker

  • Trenton Strong-Mayson’s co-worker

  • Idelle Hendricks ( Idee) Mayson’s younger sister

  • Rhonda Sutton- Mother of Melvin Sutton

  • Frances Upshaw- Wife of Mayson’s pastor

  • Monica Hicks- Mayson’s co-worker

  • Tim- Mayson’s co-worker

  • Deacon Hightower- Deacon of Pastor Upshaw’s church

  • Various others from the community

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