Evening Gentleman (11 page)

OMAYA

Isn’t that you boy?

AIDEN
Um – Yeah.

OMAYA
Why didn’t you tell me that you were staying with a pro football player.

AIDEN
Hell I didn’t know.

             
Demarcus played for the Birmingham Bengals. This was the Bengals fifth time going to the Superbowl but it was Demarcus’ first time.

             
They continued to watch the game. They jumped at exciting plays that their newfound player made.

             
Fourth quarter was crucial. The Bengals were tied with the opposing team. The Bengals had the ball and they were on the 35-yard line. On the snap, the quarterback threw the ball to Demarcus.

             
The Birmingham Bengals are headed to the Big Apple for the 
Super Bowl
.
The Birmingham Bengals' 23-17 wins NFC Championship Game.

             
A correspondent pulled Demarcus over for a quick interview. She asked him about some of the plays in the game and what did he expect for the Superbowl. He answered very intelligently and rapidly.

DEMARCUS
(Looking into the camera)

One thing
I want to say before I go into the locker room is that I texted you before the game to make sure that you were watching. I love you, and I am coming home to claim you. See you soon.

             
Demarcus runs off to catch up with his teammates. His statement totally confused everyone. The commentators began to question each other about who he was talking to.

             
Omaya looked over at Aiden. Aiden’s mouth was completely on the floor.

OMAYA
I guess you are about to be a wife.

Still

             
After the game I decided to call Aiden. After a few rings he finally answered. I explained to him everything that happened to my office and that my secretary was killed in the accident. I could tell that he didn’t want to be bothered. His answers were very short and to the point. I tried to get him to converse but there was nothing.

AIDEN
Does your wife know that you are talking to me?

NATHAN
I am a grown man. She does not control me.

AIDEN
Apparently she does. She is making you sell my house.

NATHAN
I want to apologize for that. I never meant for that to happen.

AIDEN
It is all okay. Believe me.

             
I wanted to know exactly what Aiden had been up to. Even though things were not like they used to be I still had feelings for him. I could not bear the thought of someone else being in his life. I wanted him for myself but I knew that I could not have him. On the flip side, I wanted my wife and loved her with all of my heart.

NATHAN
What have you been up to?

AIDEN
Living and working. Look I have to go.

NATHAN

No…please…talk to me for a few minutes. I have been through so much lately and I have no one to talk to.

AIDEN
How about Leslie Edwards?

NATHAN
You know what I mean. I could talk to you and you would listen intently. Don’t get me wrong she listens but it’s not the same.

AIDEN
Okay.

NATHAN

To be honest…I have missed you. I want you in my life and in my world.

AIDEN
You know that is not possible.

NATHAN

Don’t let your pride get in the way. You know that you still have feelings for me.

AIDEN
I did. But you hurt me.

NATHAN
How about we go away for the weekend?

AIDEN
No can do.

NATHAN
What if we went and got a room? I need to make love to you.

AIDEN
How about your get off the phone with me and go fuck your wife.

             
Aiden ended the call before I could say anything else. I quickly called him back.

NATHAN

Before you say anything I want to apologize. I was wrong. But let me ask you something. I know you want to make love.

AIDEN
I do, but not with you.

NATHAN
We make damn good loving.

AIDEN
Okay…and?

NATHAN
Baby my dick is aching for that sweet juicy round booty.

             
Aiden just held the phone. I heard no response from him.

NATHAN
Are you just going to leave me hanging?

AIDEN
Nathan I don’t want to talk about that. If you have a legitimate conversation then we can talk.

NATHAN
You are right. I have been drinking and I let it get the best of me. But you need to take care of your man.

AIDEN
I don’t have a man.

NATHAN
Yes you do. You just won’t acknowledge me. Think about all the things that I have done for you. Vacations, jewelry, great sex, a house.

AIDEN
Really a house?

NATHAN
Well it is still yours if you want if. Just come back to me.

AIDEN
Look, go talk to your wife and leave me the hell alone. I am about done with this conversation.

NATHAN
I want you to remember that sword cuts both ways.

AIDEN
What are you talking about?

NATHAN
That motherfucker that you are fucking. Shit comes out Aiden.

AIDEN
Okay if you say so.

NATHAN
I have a few friends that are watching you for me.

AIDEN
You don’t need anyone to watch me.

NATHAN
I have to protect my investments.

AIDEN
Investment! Man please! Maybe we should talk for a while or period.

NATHAN
That’s you that don’t want to talk to me. Don’t throw that in my face as an alternative punishment or something.

AIDEN
I really don’t have time for this.

NATHAN
Don’t you hang up this damn phone. You see how we allow foolishness to come between us. We used to be able to tease each other and everything was all good.

AIDEN

Things have changed Nathan.

NATHAN
I love you. It’s because of my undying love for you that I take so much. I still love you even when I’m told not to talk with you. I know that there is no chance in hell for us. And I agree that I’m stupid. It’s funny that I am holding on to the hope of you. I will be here baby when the smoke clears.

AIDEN

Well the smoke has cleared.

NATHAN
Usually when I am on a tangent like this, you would say that I am wearing my feelings on my sleeves, or I’m making it all about me, or I am playing the victim. In the past that was probably somewhat true, but now that I see things better, fact is that I am no longer holding stuff in and afraid to say what’s on my mind, and I am not walking on eggshells around people anymore. As far as you are concerned, you know that you mean the world to me and that I do not want to lose you as a friend, but I can see how you are making a difference in me.

             
I wanted Aiden to say that he would meet me somewhere, but I did not get my wish. So much for wishful thinking.

Video
“Games”

             
As all the faculty and staff began to gather in the auditorium for a professional development Leslie accidently bumped into Aiden. They both looked at each other with tension. Neither knew what to say or how to say it.

AIDEN
Um excuse me.

             
Leslie looked at Aiden with hate in her eyes. The thought of her husband being sexual with another man was devastating. What made it worse was that he was sexual active with one of her best friends.

LESLIE
(hesitantly)

How have you been?

AIDEN
Well and yourself?

LESLIE

I am doing good.

AIDEN
I am glad to hear that.

             
Without reservation Leslie reached out and hugged Aiden. As she laid her head in his chest she began to weep. Aiden wrapped her tightly. The emotions were intense. Ryann rubbed them both on the back.

             
Aiden released his grasp and held Leslie by the shoulders. He explained that he never meant to hurt her. He wanted her to know that he has always been a friend to her but he didn’t know how to tell her that he was gay. Leslie nodded her head as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

             
Principal Washington began to speak on the microphone instructing everyone to take a seat so that they could begin. She started to give a pep speech about state testing that was coming up. Her voice was authoritative and energetic.

             
Before they knew it, it was almost time for lunch. Aiden received a text from Leslie asking where he was going for lunch. His reply to her was that he and a few coaches were going on out for lunch. Leslie acknowledged that she understood.

             
Upon returning to the school, teachers began to assembly in the media room for a video about
Establishing a Culture for Learning
. The chatter was loud and everyone joked about being sleepy. No one felt that they would be able to stay awake for the film. Aiden found a seat in the back corner where he could lay his head just in case he fell asleep.

             
Leslie and a few friends walked in late. When they passed Aiden, she kicked him on the foot.

LESLIE
Wake up. You might learn something from this video.

AIDEN
Take notes for me.

             
They both smiled and Leslie walked on to her seat. Principal Washington started with a brief overview of the film. She explained that she watched it last night and it was very informative. She wanted everyone to take note because it may be something that they could take back to their classrooms.

             
She took the remote and pressed play and the video started. The first few minutes started and Aiden laid his head over on the wall. Principal Washington walked out to receive a phone call. The next scene changed everything. Suddenly there were gasp that filled the room. Aiden heard commotions and held his head up. When he looked up there on the screen were he and a man having sex.

             
Aiden jumped up and stopped the video. He took the video from the DVD player. He scanned the room to find Leslie. He raced over to her and pulled her by her collar.

AIDEN
You bitch! You did this! You set this up!

             
Leslie pushed Aiden off of her. She launched at him knocking him over the table behind him. He tried to get to her but people where holding him back. Aiden’s profanity filled the room as he was being escorted out of the media room.

             
Principal Washington heard the commotion.

PRINCIPAL WASHINGTON

What’s going on?

             
Aiden was too upset to say anything. He paced the hallway while the coaches explained what happened in the media room.

             
Leslie came out of the room. When Aiden spotted her, he raced towards her. He was in arms length when he grabbed her hair. Everyone struggled to get him off her. Aiden was too busy trying to ravage Leslie. Once he released her hair, Leslie screamed out obscenities.

PRINCIPAL WASHINGTON

Both of you – in my office now!

This is Love