Evening Gentleman (12 page)

             
Demarcus set up a special date for him and Aiden. Demarcus was excited because he wanted to make it a night for Aiden to remember. Aiden had been busy trying to find a new place and with work from school – he was really frustrated. While Aiden was at work Demarcus had taken all day to make sure that he had the right outfit, a fresh twist to his dreads, and cologne. He hired a caterer and decorator to come in and prepare his house.             

             
Demarcus received several calls and texts congratulating him on the team’s big win. He stopped and chatted for a moment but he did not want to waste too much time on the phone and not be ready for Aiden. When he looked at his watch he noticed that it was almost time for Aiden to get off. He quickly dialed Aiden’s phone, but didn’t get an answer. He quickly hopped in the shower.

             
When he finished he put on the clothes that he had laid out. He checked himself in the mirror and hoped that he wasn’t overdressed. He walked back into the kitchen and the dinner area. Everything looked perfect. He was just waiting on Aiden to arrive.

             
When Demarcus looked at his watch again it was 6:00 P.M. He sat at the table and twiddled his fingers. He tried calling Aiden again but no answer. Demarcus became very nervous. He didn’t know what to think. He knew that Aiden didn’t have a house showing today.

             
Suddenly he heard the chime of the alarm when the door opened. It could be no one but Aiden. Demarcus grabbed a glass of champagne off the table and raced to the door. When he approached Aiden he noticed that his demeanor wasn’t normal. Demarcus had a look of concern of his face.

DEMARCUS

What’s wrong man?

AIDEN
I was suspended from work today.

DEMARCUS

What?! Why?

AIDEN
We had a professional development today. Everything was going good until after lunch. The principal was showing a video and in the mist of the video…umm…it went to me and a man having sex.

             
Demarcus dropped the glass of champagne. They both bent down to pick it up. While Aiden was picking up the broken glass, Demarcus went and got a towel. He then escorted Aiden to the dining room and pulled out a chair for him. Aiden was completely shocked and surprised at what he saw. The servants started the meal with a chef salad.

DEMARCUS
How did the film get in there?

AIDEN
I am not sure. Do you remember Leslie? The woman whose “husband” I was in a relationship with. I believe she had something to do with it.

DEMARCUS

Why?

AIDEN

I just do. I just want to forget about that. What is all of this?

DEMARCUS
First off, did you watch the game?

AIDEN
I did.

DEMARCUS
I want you to know that I was talking to you. Over the past few weeks that you have been here in my house I have fallen for you. I remember when I first saw you in the gym. My heart skipped seventeen beats.

AIDEN
You need to stop.

DEMARCUS
I am so serious right now. I have loved having you here.

AIDEN
I have enjoyed being here, but I know that you want your space back. I am looking for….

DEMARCUS
Stop – don’t say anything else.

             
Demarcus walked over to Aiden. He took a chair from the table and placed it in front of him. He grabbed Aiden’s hand and caressed the top of it. He looked Aiden in the eyes and smiled.

DEMARCUS
I am the guy for you. I am the guy who can wrestle with you and let you win. I am the guy who you can talk to about anything. I will laugh at all of your jokes. When we go to the games you can put your cold hands in my warm hoodie pockets. I will let you use my sweatshirt for a pillow. I will say I love you and mean it. I will kiss you in the rain, in the sunshine, and in the snow. I will call you unexpectedly. We will have many inside jokes when we go out. I will notice your haircuts. I will realize that you will say things that you don’t mean when you are upset. We can go swimming on hot summer days. You can tell me all of your problems while I give you a foot massage. I will listen instinctively. When we vacation to the islands – I will bring you seashells, write you love letters, save my genuine big smiles for you. I am a guy with deep eyes that can see through faces into the depth of your soul. I want to know your favorite color, song, car, vegetable, cologne and even the color of your toothbrush. I will shake your dad’s hand and look your mom in the eyes. I will call you by your full name – first, middle, and last. I want to kiss you and tell you that you are beautiful. I want to compliment and play with you. I will brag to my friends about you. I want to tell you that you have a smile that can light up a room.

AIDEN

Get out of here. I bet you tell everyone that.

DEMARCUS
Are you really going to say that to me? I just poured out my heart to you and you stomped it.

AIDEN
Demarcus…I keep thinking of how much I love talking to you, how good you look when you smile. I think constantly about how much I love your laugh. I daydream about you off and on, replaying our conversations; laugh at funny things that you said or did. I have memorized your face and the way that you look at me. I catch myself smiling at what I imagine. I have often wondered what would happen the next time we were together and even though neither of us know what the future holds, I know one thing for sure…you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

             
Demarcus met Aiden with a soft and gentle kiss. They both stood and held each other. Aiden stared into Demarcus’ eyes. Demarcus lead him to the couch where he began to kiss him passionately. He stopped and rubbed his face. He studied every angle of his face. He played with Aiden’s thick eyebrows. Demarcus gently teased his lips with tongue. This made Aiden get closer to Demarcus.

DEMARCUS
I don’t want to make love to you.

AIDEN
Okay.

DEMARCUS

I want to hold you right here. I want you to forget everything that happened today.

             
They both leaned back into the couch. Demarcus wrapped his arms around Aiden. He picked up the remote control and pointed it towards the TV. He stopped when he found the movie
The Clock
with Judy Garland.

             
They nestled into each other and watched the movie.

What I’m Going to Do to You

             
I tracked down O’Keefe to a modeling studio. I waited patiently for him to come into the dressing room to change for his next shoot. I wanted and needed to talk to him personally. I hid behind the large wooden storage cabinet that was cater-cornered next to an empty wall. As he began to undress I watched him. Seeing his body made me think of the night that we spent in my office. When he turned his back I creep upon him. He was startled when he turned around. I made sure that I was close to him.

NATHAN
I should kill you right now.

O’KEEFE

What are you talking about?

NATHAN
Running a truck into my business.

O’KEEFE

I don’t know what you are talking about.

NATHAN
I believe you had something to do with a video being played at my wife’s job.

O’KEEFE

I don’t know your wife.

NATHAN
You saw her picture on my desk.

O’KEEFE

Yes, I saw it, but I don’t know her.

             
I began to walk forward towards O’Keefe. He took one step back for every step I took forward. I pulled a handkerchief from my pocket and started to wrap it around my right fist. I notice when O’Keefe’s eyes looked down to watch me. I assured him that everything would be alright if he told me the truth.

O’KEEFE

Look man I told you the truth. I don’t know anything.

NATHAN
You were pissed that I didn’t give you the loan for this shoot. Apparently you found some fool to give you the money.

O’KEEFE
No. Actually I am using my college refund to pay for this.

NATHAN
Oh, you are in school. Where?

O’KEEFE

L-State.

NATHAN
Good school. Major?

O’KEEFE (with a tremble in his voice)

Ah…engineering.

NATHAN
Are you sure?

O’KEEFE

Yes. Look man…please don’t kill me. I thought about doing something to you, but I didn’t. It was a fuck. I got used. I moved on.

             
I felt sorry for the young man when I saw water forming in his eyes.

NATHAN
I will do you a favor. I will let you live. But I don’t want to see or hear from you again. Comprende?

O’KEEFE
Yes.

             
I tapped him in the face twice and walked out of the room. As I was leaving the building I smiled and acknowledged the people in the lobby. I noticed a woman with blonde hair run to the dressing room as I reached the door. She knocked on the door and called for O’Keefe. She called his name again but there was no response. When she opened the door she screamed to the top of her lungs.

             
I rushed back to the dressing room. I looked down and saw O’Keefe lying in a pool of blood. He eyes were wide open with no life in them. The blonde haired lady started to hit me. She repeatedly asked me what I had done. I grabbed her hands before she could hit me again.

             
The police and emergency service unit arrived within twenty minutes. We all were questioned by the detectives. I explained to the police that O’Keefe was alive when I left the dressing room. One officer recognized me from when the truck ran into my building. He came over and began to question me also. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small notebook. After flipping through a few pages he looked at me.

DETECTIVE

Didn’t you tell me that an O’Keefe Wilson came into your office for a loan and was denied.

NATHAN
Yes sir.

             
He pulled the other detective to the side. They spoke softly with many hand gestures. Within minutes they came back to me and told me that I had to go down to the police department for more questioning. I complied with the gentlemen.

             
I was arrested for the murder of O’Keefe. I had never been to jail before. Not even for a visit. After spending the night, Leslie bailed me out the next morning. I could not talk to her as hard as she tried to make me talk. I didn’t want to say anything. All I wanted to do was go home, shower, and get into my own bed.

It’s Over

             
I didn’t know what to expect as we walked into the church. My mind wondered what everyone would think of me. Would they accept the words that I was about to deliver? Leslie squeezed my hand tightly as we walked in. I saw head turn, squinting eyes, people nudging others, and I even heard mumbling.

NATHAN
I don’t know if we should be here today.

LESLIE
We belong here just as much as anyone else. I have forgiven you. That is all that you should be concerned with.

NATHAN
I am going to go and find the bishop.

             
As I walked pass people I tried to speak. Only a handful spoke back while some laughed in my face. When I got the Bishop Parnell’s office I knocked lightly. I heard a strong voice telling me to enter. I walked in and hugged him. I thanked him for giving me an opportunity to express myself.

             
He took time and prayed for me. I allowed my heart to be open and receive it. When he finished he expressed to me that everything was going to be alright. As we were going into the sanctuary, someone came rushing by and clipped me on my arm. I looked back to see who it was but they vanished. I looked at the sleeve of my coat to make sure that there wasn’t a tear.

             
I heard the choir singing as we walked through the doors. As I took my seat I found Leslie sitting in her usual seat. I tapped my foot to the beat of the music. My head went from side to side meditating on the lyrics. When they finished Bishop Parnell walked to the pulpit and said some very encouraging words. I knew that it would soon be my time to speak. I could feel the sweat rolling down my back. I wiped my forehand with my hand.

             
I walked to the podium that was only fifteen feet away. My mind was telling me that it was one hundred feet away. I placed my hands on the side and looked down. My heart was beating out of my chest.

NATHAN
I stand before you today to say a few things. I want to start off by…

PARISHIONER #1 (standing and interrupting)

Frankly, I don’t want to hear anything that you have to say. We all heard you and your wife arguing and fighting in the back. I don’t know why you came back here.

NATHAN
Sister I understand. That is why…

PARISHIONER #1

Why are you here?

NATHAN
If you would close your mouth and let me talk you will know why I am here.

PARISHIONER #1

I don’t have to stand for this.

NATHAN
Ma’am you can have a seat at anytime.

PARISHIONER #1

How dare you talk to me this way? I have been a member here longer than you have been alive.

NATHAN
Great. So are you ready to rest?

             
The sister clutched her pearls and gasped. Out of the corner of my left eye I could see that Bishop Parnell rose from his seat.

NATHAN
Sister let me apologize. I didn’t mean to speak those words to you. Do you accept my apology?

             
She sat down without uttering another word. I can’t say that I felt bad for checking her but how I handled it was totally inappropriate. I started by apologizing to the church for what happened. I explained to them that it would not happen again. I scanned the faces as I spoke. I wanted to see the reactions. I wanted to see if they felt the pain that was in me as I spoke.

PARISHIONER #2

I feel that your wife should apology also. I believe that we heard her over everyone.

             
I looked into the audience and noticed that Leslie was gone. How did you get pass me without me seeing her? I scanned over once again but I could not find her. This began to trouble me. I took it upon myself to explain why I was apologizing for me and my wife. I didn’t see the need for her to stand; for the man is head of the house.

Caught Up

             
I slung my carry-on over my shoulder as I stepped out of Leslie’s midnight blue Mercedes sports coupe. She popped the trunk and I went around back of the car and took out my bag and laptop. She met me on the curb after I closed the trunk. I gave her a kiss for her to remember while I was away in Chicago. When I released her I could tell that she wanted to hold on longer. I felt compelled to tell her that everything was going to be alright. I made a promise to her that I was going for business and nothing more.

LESLIE

I trust you. I wasn’t thinking about that.

NATHAN
What’s wrong then?

LESLIE
Just that you are going to be away for a week.

NATHAN
I will call you every night and every morning.

LESLIE

I like that. I might even send you a few pictures.

NATHAN
Please do! That will get me through the long nights.

             
I pulled Leslie close to me and kissed her passionately. As I walked into the airport I turned and watched her get into her car.

             
I made it just in time because they were calling for my plane to board. I handed the clerk my boarding pass and went into the terminal.

             
As I was placing my bag in the overhead I heard a familiar voice. I turned and saw Aiden sitting a few rows back. I quickly took my seat because I didn’t want to be seen. I laid my head back and thought about how I would react if I saw him face to face. Deep down I wanted to say something to him. Just when I made up my mind to go and speak a lady and child came and sat in the two empty seats on my row.

             
She prepared the child for takeoff. I watched as she took time with him and made sure that he was secure. I thought about what my child would have been like if Leslie hadn’t had the miscarriage. As I was watching, the child looked up at me with his big brownish gray eyes and smiled. I gave him a wink and a smile.

NATHAN
How old are you?

CHILD (holding up three fingers - excitedly)

I’m three.

NATHAN
Three. When will you be four?

CHILD

March 26. How old are you?

MOTHER
Nathan you don’t ask him how old he is. That’s a grown man.

NATHAN (shocked)

Wow! My name is Nathan.

LIL NATHAN

No it’s not!

NATHAN

Yes it is. Can you spell your name?

LIL NATHAN

Yes.

             
I pulled out my driver’s license and showed him my name. He was so shocked. He tapped his mother on the arm and pointed at my picture and repeated our name. I shook her hand and introduced myself. She stated that her name was Jennifer. Jennifer and I talked until the steward came on the intercom to explain the safety procedures.

             
As we began to taxi down the runway I turned to look at Lil Nathan. He was calm and collected. I probed him with more questions about flying, school, and hobbies.

             
Thirty minutes into the flight I went to the lavatory. I dreaded going because I was going to have to walk past Aiden. I rose from my seat, and when I turned I noticed that he wasn’t there. Maybe it was a
figment of your imagination. But I know that I heard his voice. I know beyond a shadow of doubt that I saw his face. I walked towards the lavatory and had to squeeze pass the stewards because they were serving drinks and peanuts. I turned the handle on the door but it didn’t move. I looked up to see if the occupancy light was on and it wasn’t. Suddenly the door opened from the inside. To my surprise there stood Aiden. I was speechless. He acknowledged me and started to make his way to his seat. As soon as he was beside me the plane hit a pocket of turbulence. We grabbed each other and fell in the lavatory with the door slamming behind us.

NATHAN
Are you okay?

AIDEN

I am good.

             
I tried to help him fix his clothes but he made sure that I knew that he could do it. Aiden pulled on the latched but it wouldn’t open. He jerked and yanked several times. I pulled him back and tried it for myself - nothing. I sat on the toilet and he folded his arms and leaned against the wall.

NATHAN
Maybe this is fate that we got stuck in here.

             
Aiden started to beat on the door to get someone’s attention. I asked him not to do that because it was giving me a headache. He pulled out his cell phone and begins to make a call. After seconds of frustrations he threw the phone back into his pocket.

NATHAN
Why don’t you just relax?

AIDEN
I don’t want to be in here.

NATHAN (walking towards Aiden)

Maybe there is a reason why we are locked in here.

AIDEN
You have said everything that you needed to say.

NATHAN
Not everything.

             
I pulled Aiden into me. I kissed him as though my life depended on it. It was a familiar touch. Aiden wasn’t resisting as much as he was before. I knew I had him back in my world. Suddenly he pulled from me and wiped his mouth. He looked at me and with anger.

NATHAN
Do you remember that?

             
Aiden pulled on the laboratory door so hard that it came off of the top hinge. He jerked the door again and it opened. He left me in there alone. When I came to the exit passengers were looking back.

             
When I returned to my seat Lil Nathan was asleep. I looked down at him and with each beat of my heart it felt like a piece broke off. My mind was racing about how things used to be. I had a wife and a child on the way. I had the ideal world. But whose “ideal” was it. I remember thinking that I never wanted to get married. I never wanted to settle down. But when Leslie became pregnant I listen to my father and married her.

             
Until one day, my senior year in high school, I was getting dressed for P.E. As I was putting on my shoes and I noticed Chase putting on his basketball shorts. The curvature of his behind caught my attention. I didn’t know that I was staring so hard until my buddy Tyson slapped me with a towel.

TYSON
Man I see you looking.

NATHAN
What are you talking about?

TYSON
You looking at Chase’s ass.

NATHAN (nervously laughing)

Dude it was nothing like that.

TYSON (sitting down next to me)

Let me tell you something. What you do is your business just like what I do is mine. I know what it’s like.

NATHAN
You know what what’s like?

TYSON

Chase man. He is cool.

NATHAN
Wait a minute. I am lost.

TYSON
Okay let me put it so that you can understand. I have been hitting that ass since last year.