4×03 “Take Me To the King” Part 1
Written by: Chris Coleman, Kristi Clark and Kelly Zollo
Warning: Episode may contain graphic violence, language and sexual content
Theme Song: Leon Bridges-River, Tamela Mann- Take Me To The King, Teedra Moses-Last Day, Marvin Sapp-Never Would Have Made 

Fourteen days, eleven hours, twenty three minutes that was how long it had been since he had seen Zach, currently he was lying in the guest bedroom of the now empty condo that he and Zach had shared. Another sleepless night, he didn’t know which way was up or down and he wondered if he would ever care to ever again. The condolences had been overwhelming at the hospital, to the point where Selina had taken him back to her place for the night in the days and two weeks since it was a constant whirlwind of visitors stopping by. Either Selina or Jamal were constantly checking on him and he had kept his mother at bay, there was an ache where Zach was. Zach’s family had stopped by and he had been very cordial with Helen and Brandon, they had never been close but they were Zach’s parents and he appreciated they wanted to help him and help with the funeral to plan it together. His pastor had stopped by offering counseling as did the priest from St. Paul’s although he was not ready to speak to either one. He laid there for a few moments remembering how Jon and Devin had come by at the request of Zach’s parents for his dress blues and how he had watched as they both almost cried gently folding it to take to the funeral home.

He sat up in bed looking at the time rubbing his face over his hands as he opened the door to the condo, it was so empty and quiet the mail had piled up over the last two weeks. The dishes too, and he looked at them normally he and Zach would switch off and he opened the door to their bedroom and memories overwhelmed him the last time they laid there making love or just talking. He took a step inside running a hand through his hair realizing he probably needed to wash it and saw the bathroom door open. Zach’s toothbrush on the charger and decided he wasn’t ready as he felt the tears coming down and he heard the knock on the front door He closed the bedroom door he knew he looked like a mess but he also knew what today was and he honestly didn’t want to face it, walking to the front door he looked to make sure it was his sister before he opened it. “I don’t want to do this.” Mason said his voice low, opening the door for her to come in, seeing she had brought a suit he asked her to pick up. He couldn’t even go into his own bedroom to get to his closet without collapsing into a pile of tears. “I don’t know if I can do this, you know? This wasn’t how everything was supposed to go down or happen for us.”

Selina felt the honest disconnect of the day. A few months ago they were celebrating them getting married and now they were burying Zach. Life was cruel and unfair but seeing her brother just looking so defeated and his spirit was honestly crushed. She didn’t want him to have to do this. He shouldn’t be alone after all they had gone through. After all the trials and tribulations, who could they blame for this loss? She placed the suit down and slowly walked to her brother and hugged him tightly. Embracing him so he could feel the love. After all they had been through she wasn’t sure Mason could take anything else. Gloria had been trying hard to be a part of this and although she appreciated her tenacity right now her input wasn’t needed. Selina thanked God Jamal’s barber came over and cut his hair yesterday. He looked so handsome like her father but the hurt in his eyes she wasn’t sure would ever leave. She wasn’t sure her brother would ever be the same. As she walked him to the couch she flopped down and looked in his eyes. “You know I expected a slew of nieces and nephews and a long life of me and Zach gossiping about Atlas Falls. I don’t think anyone thought this is how you and Zach’s life was supposed to go. You two were supposed to be the fussing gay couple who have fabulous parties now we just have.” Selina paused knowing she couldn’t get emotional. Gripping her broach it was once her father’s watch that she turned into this pendant. It gave her strength. “Now we just have the memories.” 

Touching his face she looked into her brother’s eyes. “You are hurting so badly right now. He’s gone but you have so much love inside of you for that man. I don’t know where you put it. I don’t know where you store that. But I do know Mason, that you are wrapped in love. In so much love and I don’t want you to ever and I mean ever to think you aren’t protected through this. If you need air, or can’t be in that room. I’m here. Just like dad would be or.” She paused looking at him. “She’s been calling me all morning. She’s demanding to see you before the services begin. Look I know it’s a lot having Gloria back but our mother is determined to help today. She’s going to be there today and I think you should deal with her first maybe? Can we set some boundaries together? Jamal and Ophelia will be here shortly. Let me um straighten up in here.” Selina began to immediately clean up her brother’s space. “Mason you gotta go get ready baby.”