A Black King: Trevor from Blind Expectations by Jacinta Howard

“...all man and stubborn when he wanted to be, but mostly, he was love. He always said she was his light, but he was hers too, exposing things that she’d thought long buried, bringing them to the surface, forcing her to deal with them because in doing so, it not only strengthened her but them...”

-Jacinta Howard

Blind Expectations

Trevor was the man. Handsome, socially conscious, honest, mature, respectful, but most of all, he loved his woman. He loved her so much, that he could feel her. He felt when she was upset, in pain, and several times throughout the book, he put her needs and wants before his own. The biggest example of this was his desire to be with and marry his Bright Light despite her fertility challenges. During moments of insecurities regarding her infertility, he comforts her by saying:

“I choose you. I want you more than some fictional baby who I’ve never even met. Because you know who I have met? You. And I think you’re pretty damn fly.”

*Swooooonssssss*

Leah, or Bright Light, as Trevor liked to call her, was a complicated individual. She was fleeting; one minute she was emotionally connected and the next minute she wasn’t. Although her behavior was largely due to the abandonment she endured as a child, the effects of the abandonment directly impacted her present with Trevor. These effects continuously caused complications, frustrations, and pain for both Leah and Trevor. However, even still, he loved her and committed to making their marriage work. There were so many instances in the novel where Leah tested Trevor’s love—her dishonesty, her unwillingness to use his last name, and her resistance to compromise, at times sent Trevor over the edge. But not once did he abandon or disrespect her. On the contrary, Trevor did everything in his power, even seeking guidance from his brother, to be a better friend and husband to his Bright Light.

Reading about the love story between Leah and Trevor was like a breath of fresh air. It was a true depiction of black love. In their marriage they had real life challenges, but in the end, both parties were willing to do the work. I chose to highlight Trevor because he never gave up on his flawed wife. Trevor represented a Black King—the man women want to be with and the man they train their sons to be.