The Family Portraits

By Emmy Morgan

Growing up, Elijah Davis knew he was different. Following his adoption into a new family, he realized he was the wrong gender. After an operation, Elijah became Desiré Andersen, although her path wasn’t easy. Riddled with abuse and discontent, she eventually landed a role on a popular soap opera and became a daytime diva.

Now, it has been a year since Desiré’s boyfriend was murdered, and she again struggles to make sense of life. She decides to enter the world of film, leaving television behind, but she first revisits memories from her difficult past. She and her “white” family read journals and letters, forcing them to relive explosive memories and events.

Desiré remembers how she met her “white” family, and she gains more insight into her relationship with her “black” family. She recalls what it was like growing up as an openly gay, black kid in 1980s Western Massachusetts Simultaneously, her life takes another drastic turn when people from her past make an appearance in her present—and they will change her future forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: May 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9781532072567

Emmy Morgan

Emmy Morgan is a blogger, podcast host, and actress. She gives to charities like Make-A-Wish, Boston Children’s Hospital, and United Way. A graduate of Western New England University, she currently lives in the greater Boston area. She is also the author of The Ice Princess.

Book preview

Prologue

S tanding outside of Boston’s Public Garden in my white, silk organza Val Stefani A-line with Drop Waist and Chapel train, I step off the carriage with my dad Ritchard’s help. I smooth down my dress running a hand over the beaded open-neck bustier Swarovski crystal. My dark brown hair, in a tight bun on the back of my neck, covered by the chiffon veil. I was initially worried about having a veil because my typical cocoa brown makeup transfers everywhere, but not sure what Curtis used no makeup on my veil or anywhere else. As I wrap one arm around Dad to stable me to walk, my hand on the other arm grips my bouquet of multicolored Carnations.

Once inside the Public Garden, Dad and I walk arm-in-arm up to the footbridge, where my fiancé dressed in a white Donna Karan tuxedo. Dad kisses my cheek before giving my hand to my fiancé and then moving along to sit on the other end of the bridge.

My fiancé and I exchange vows and rings as people paddle under the bridge in a swan shaped boat. My fiancé lifts my veil and kisses me in front of our families. Amid a cloud of rice and confetti, we walk we continue to walk to the horse drawn carriage at the gate.

Instead of heading to Smith & Wollensky like we are supposed to, the driver stops at Club Café. Confused I get out and walk up the steps. Dressed as Tina Turner, my friend Jerome Züniga-Hart greets me, and I scream, hugging him, and his husband Curtis Züniga-Hart, who’s dressed as Jennifer Lopez, shows up as well. They lead me inside, as I almost have a heart attack. Standing there as I walk up are all my childhood friends Miguel Rodriguez, Lauren & Austin Reilly, Joshua & Barbra Cooper, Leelee Baxter, Connie Petersen, Jenica & Landon Hughes, Robert Cincotta, and George Frame.

WHAT THE FUCK?! I exclaim. Pheasant Hill Village kids!

Jeremy, George’s brother, walks up to me from the side. Surprised?

Jenica is the first of the group to come up to me. Oh sister-girl! we hug tight.

As I turn around Grammy and Grampy, Kenneth, Deborah, Hayley & Olivia, Monica & Rachel, Bryant, Ritchard and Kimberly, Steven, Crasso, Krissy, Lynnette and Kendall, Jillian, Russell, Hunter, Blaine, and Wendell C are walking in.

My now husband stands in the background. As I walk up to him, he smiles at me with that smile I love so much. He extends one of his hands to take mine.

I love you, Dee. He says pulling into a kiss.

I love you too, Joseph.

Now I know you’re wondering how Joseph and I got together. To explain that I have to jump back two years ago in 2007…

Chapter 1

I t has been a year since my boyfriend Jarnel Jeffries was murdered. Sitting in the makeup chair on set at North Quincy High School, Alicia sits in the empty chair next to me. I know it feels weird having your adoptive sister as your Personal Assistant, but whom better for the job? And there’s no one else I could see every day.

She has a great idea for me to sell all the furniture of the brownstone I inherited from my late boyfriend, donate the proceeds to Make-A-Wish foundation, and move into my brand new condo he already purchased at the W Hotel. But I couldn’t bear leaving Jarnel’s place. The W Hotel won’t be complete for another year anyways. I decided to sell the condo to director Quentin Tarantino.

His words I’m gonna need time away from the hustle and bustle of L.A.

When word spread from the people at The W Hotel that I was selling my spot Quentin asked to pay double the amount Jarnel paid for it. In all honesty I was thinking about it, I wasn’t playing hardball.

After he said To sweeten the deal, what if I give you the supporting lead opposite Edward Norton and Marion Cotillard.

How could I say no? I got paid $3 million for the condo and a cool $1 million for the role. My Accountant Connie was happy, but my Manager Landon was not. I brokered a deal without him. He gave me a forty-five minute lecture on his role as my manager, after I said he was just pissed he lost out on the 20% commission…which he still got anyways due to our contract.

Speaking of money I did add more to my staff now that I had an increased net worth: my sister Alicia is my Personal Assistant, and Miguel is my Personal Bodyguard. I also hired Jerome as my Personal Stylist & Hairstylist, his husband Curtis as my Makeup Artist, and as I said my childhood friend Connie is my Accountant.

I know as a new celebrity I need more staff, but between salaries and medical benefits they are all I can afford. My brother-in-law Crasso became my Personal Trainer and Nutritionist. I still hadn’t found a place for my former coworkers Steven and Krissy, but I felt I should since they moved for our sister Monica and brother Bryant respectively. My childhood friend Robert is my Financial Advisor too, forgot to mention him. After he got his Series 6, 7, and 63 working at Boston Financial, he opened his own financial advisor office…oh maybe I can see if Krissy can work as his assistant. My sister Monica is going to nursing school, and my other sister Rachel wants to be a cop.

My family. There’s no distinguishing anymore between white and black family. The Andersens and Phillips are simply my family. On my adoptive mother’s side is my uncle Kenny and my mother’s sister Debbie; along with my Mom and Dad still live in Agawam. My Uncle Kenny and Aunt Debbie bought a farm; their daughters Hayley and Olivia help out and still go to college. I think Hayley is going for her Masters in Elementary Education, and Olivia is going for her Masters in Social Work. I’m also pretty sure they’re both lesbians, but they keep their private lives close to the vest. I do talk to them often just not about relationships. Bryant & Krissy moved in with me two weeks after I moved into Jarnel’s…my brownstone; it’s been nice having the company in the house. They found a place two weeks ago, but are staying at my place till I wrap this movie. Alicia still lives at my old apartment in Quincy; she actually reconnected with Robert a year ago, and he moved in with her last month. Monica, Steven, Rachel, & Crasso share a two bedroom condo in Brookline, MA. I think one of the couples will get pregnant and out goes the other couple. Us kids try to convince Mom and Dad to move closer to Boston, but they refuse. Truth be told it is nice to drive an hour and half west to see them every now and then. Oh how could I forget: I bought a house on Lake Squam in Holderness, New Hampshire. After a lot of begging and pleading Grammy and Grampy retired there permanently. They sold their home in Agawam and moved into Lake Squam home after I turned it into a year-round house. I’m glad too because their winter home in Florida was too far. Besides they now have more money after the sale of their home in Agawam and only paying utilities in Lake Squam. They are gracious hosts when the entire family comes up for Fourth of July too.

Back on set as the Makeup Artist airbrushes my makeup on, she asks me. You know your call time is 7am right?

Well call time means I’m on-set for 7am not walking into the makeup chair. I educate her. In the soap industry you showed up an hour sometimes hour and half before call time, for hair, makeup, and wardrobe so you are ready for blocking and director’s notes on-time. None of this waiting around for me crap.

She playfully taps my arm and laughs. You are going to do well in this business. You keep that attitude.

I smile at her in the mirror.

The month-long shoot in Provincetown, MA goes off without a hitch. The movie is a remake of the 1927 movie Sunrise. I’m recreating Janet Gaynor’s Oscar-winning role as The Unsuspecting Wife, Edward as George O’Brien’s Cheating Husband, and Marion as Margaret Livingston’s Conniving Mistress. Landon calls ahead to alert the press of our shooting location on a burner phone. Stills of Edward and me on a paddle boat in the water with Quentin and a cameraman and boom operator on a power boat close by ends up on PerezHilton.com with the caption So Cutesy.

Edward, Marion, and I unfortunately are too busy with other projects to attend a true wrap party after we’re done filming so we decide to go to Front Street Restaurant for dinner a month after post-production.

Edward takes a bite of his Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb. So listen, I just wanted to say, Desiré, it was a pleasure working with you. I nod. No I’m serious. It takes a strong person to say this is who I am love me or don’t. And baby, I do. He smiles through bites. But can I ask you one question?

I know what you’re gonna ask me. Edward nods his head no. Yes I do. I can’t explain why I had the need to transition. Trust me this wasn’t a choice. I didn’t choose to feel like a woman trapped in a man’s body. This was a need. I take a sip of my sparkling water. How you do not want to change your sex and are sure you are supposed to be a man, is how I had to change my sex and become a transwoman. It was a need not a want.

Well I was going to ask how dating is going. He jokes.

Marion laughs. I blush and take a bite of my Gorgonzola Stuffed Angus Filet Mignon. Well done of course.

Sorry. Well I haven’t even thought about it. Ever since… I stop for a second.

Marion puts a reassuring hand on mine. It’s okay. She says with the hint of a French Accent in her English words.

You know what probably trips guys out about you. Edward says. I bet it’s cuz you’re pretty. He notices me laugh. No it’s not that it’s an intimidation thing, but you’re a transwoman. If I saw you walking down the street, I’d think you were a woman. Biologically born and raised. I think that confuses guys a bit. They expect you to be some Jerry Springer guest with a crooked wig and very deep voice. But you’re not. You’re like dainty and hippy with really nice lips I might add.

I laugh. Thanks. You weren’t a bad kisser either. Though I don’t have a ton to compare you to.

I didn’t say all that as a slight. Don’t get me wrong.

No thank you. I nod. Well looking like a stereotypical transwoman or a biological woman I am simply trying to just be me. The me I’ve always wanted to be. What other guys see and are intimidated by isn’t my concern just as long as they don’t try to harm me.

Marion smiles at me. Don’t worry. I got your back, sister.

Me too. Edward says.

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is buzzing with spotlights swaying back and forth when we arrive. Limos pulling up, depositing celebrities on the red carpet, and fans plastered on each side of the main entrance doors snapping pictures and screaming.

Landon looks at me while sitting in his navy Calvin Klein tux and his hair slicked back. You ready? he asks me.

I nod in my vintage red Valentino one shoulder jersey dress and matching red Prada leather clutch. I dig into my clutch, grab my compact, and pat my tousled messy low bun. Turning my head shakes my ruby and diamond Stuart Weitzman earrings. Ready as I’ll ever be.

Miguel opens the door for Landon who steps out of the limo first, then Landon reaches his hand back into the limo to help me. Photographers both in the fan line and paparazzi snap away. The light almost blinds me. I wave and sign a few autographs before walking inside.

The entire night becomes a blur of schmoozing with studio executives (Sherry Lansing from Paramount is my favorite) and meeting other celebrities (that cute guy from theFantastic Four movie; I think his name is Chris Evans, who said he was from Sudbury, MA). I also give Quentin a big hug and thank him for the opportunity. Edward is there with his girlfriend as is Marion with her boyfriend. Of the film’s cast I’m the only one there with their manager and completely single. I begin to feel embarrassed, but try not to show it. I stare unhealthily at Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.

TomKat. Jarnel and I woulda been Jesiré cuz Darnel is an actual name and that’s not the point. I smile thinking of how Jarnel woulda laughed at that joke I just made.

Miguel moves me to the screening theater with Landon following. We watch our movie Sunrise with the crowd. They laugh when a joke is delivered, and cry when a scene is painful. Gasps are let out when my character falls overboard, and it looks as though Edward’s character was the root cause; sniffles soon begin. As the end credits roll the film gets a standing ovation. Quentin and Edward jump onstage. They wave for Marion and I. Landon pushes me up as the applause increases. As I step into the main aisle Marion is waiting for me, she grabs my hand, and we walk onstage together. The four of us spend thirty minutes answering a barrage of questions both personal and professional.

Over the next four weeks I balance a red carpet premiere, screening, Q&A session, and designer dress after another, flying back and forth to Boston working back on ‘The Pretty & The Powerful’ to talk shows like ‘Live with Regis and Kelly,’ Late Show with David Letterman’ in NYC then to ‘The Ellen Degeneres Show,’ and ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno’.

Finally I’m lying in my bed over my covers with my silver Richard Tyler asymmetrical gown on when my