Evening Gentleman (13 page)

             
I was in disbelief by what Tyson was telling me. Every time I saw Tyson he was populated with girls. Later that week he told me that he had set something up for me. I drove to his parent’s house. When I walked into the living room Chase was there with nothing on but a smile. Tyson told me that this was for me. I didn’t know what to think or do. A part of me wanted to run because I didn’t know if this was a setup and the other part of me wanted to experiment. Needless to say I tried the latter. Tyson and I took turns having our way with Chase. I believe that he enjoyed every hour of it. When I got home all I could do was shower and go to bed. I didn’t want anything to eat or talk to anyone.

             
Lil Nathan broke my trance when his head feel on my arm. I looked down at this peaceful sleeping child. No worries.

A Reason

ALTON
I want that bitch dead!

NATHAN
Don’t call my wife another bitch.

ALTON
So now you are going to take up for her. I am so tired of this.

NATHAN
I am working to make things better, I promise.

ALTON

I have heard that same damn line for almost three years. You come to Chicago, we fuck, we laugh, we talk and then you are off to Birmingham to live your perfect life. I am sick of it.

NATHAN
You act as though I don’t miss you when we are not together.

ALTON
Nathan I know that you miss me. I can tell when we are on the phone.

             
I walked over to Alton and placed my forehead on his. I wanted to assure him that I was there for him.

ALTON
I will say that you are taking too damn long. I want you here full time. I want to build something with you.

             
I knew deep down that I could not give Alton what he wanted. I was not going to leave my wife. But how could I tell him that.

NATHAN (as I hugged him)

I feel you.

ALTON
Let me ask you something. Why are you staying in a hotel on this visit?

NATHAN
I thought that you said that you had company this week.

ALTON
I do. But they won’t mind.

NATHAN
They?

ALTON
Yes. My best friend brought his new friend with him for me to meet.

NATHAN
Oh okay. Where are we going for dinner?

ALTON

I don’t know. We will decide. How about I call my buddy and invite them to dinner also.

NATHAN

Sounds good.

             
While Alton was on the phone I went to bathroom to freshen up from the flight. I looked in the mirror and just stared. I wondered what Leslie was doing back home. I know that I promised her I would be faithful. My life was spiraling out of control.

             
I stepped out of the bathroom and saw Alton sitting on the bed flipping through the channels on the TV. I leaned down to give him a kiss. As soon as our lips touched my phone rang.

NATHAN
Hello.

LESLIE
I thought that you were going to call me when your plane landed.

NATHAN
I honestly forgot.

LESLIE

How was your flight?

NATHAN
It was a good flight.

             
I tried to walk out of the room but Alton followed me. He pulled my arm and silently asked if that was my wife. I nodded my head and he angry. He pouted back into the room. I heard knocking on the wall. I walked into the room to see exactly what he was doing.

ALTON (loudly)

Baby are you ready for dinner?

             
I forced my hand over his mouth. He pulled it down.

LESLIE
Who was that?

NATHAN
The TV.

ALTON
Nathan I am ready.

LESLIE
You son of a bitch. You lied. Who is that?

             
Alton grabbed the phone from me.

ALTON
Hello Leslie. I want you to know that your man is no longer your man.

LESLIE
Who are you?

ALTON
Your replacement.

             
I tried to pull my phone from him but he ended the call. I was furious with him. He threw the phone on the bed. He turned to me and smirked. The phone began to ring again. I quickly answered it. Before I could say hello Leslie was hollering and cursing. I could not get a word in. I remember her telling me that I was a liar and that she was moving my things out of the house. I directed her not to touch my things. I explained to her that Alton was a friend and he was playing a joke with my phone. I was not too sure if she bought it but I tried to clear the situation. When we ended the call I grabbed Alton by his throat. I watched him struggle to free my hands. I wanted him to hurt. I wanted him to know how I felt right now.

             
When I came to myself I slammed him to the floor. He coughed and held his neck. I walked over him and into the living area of the suite. All concerns and passions were gone.

              Alton walked into the living room and sat in the chair adjunct to me. As he talked and tried to apologize I played with the remote control. I tuned him out completely. In my mind I was thinking about Leslie and how I wished I could fix this situation. I knew that she was going to piece things together about all of my trips to Chicago.

             
I walked over to the miniature bar and fixed four shots of tequila. I down one after the other. I walked pass Alton and I thumped him in the head. I made up my mind that I might as well enjoy the few days that I was going to be here.

             
I asked Alton if his friends were going to meet us for dinner. He gracefully said yes. I apologized for hurting him. I promised that I would not put my hands on him again unless it was love making.

             
Alton and I was sitting in the hotel restaurant when I noticed two masculine men coming towards us. I squinted my eyes to get a clear visual. As they got closer I realized that it was Aiden and Demarcus.

NATHAN

What a surprise to see you here.

ALTON

Oh you know them.

NATHAN
Yes I know Aiden.

ALTON

Oh okay. Well this is Demarcus, my friend that I was telling you about.

             
I was completely thrown for a lope.

NATHAN
Demarcus. Okay. You told me that your friend was in town and he brought his lover for you to meet. (Turning to Aiden) So you are in a relationship now?

AIDEN
I am.

ALTON
Demarcus this is my guy – Nathan.

NATHAN
Yes. I remember seeing you at church with Aiden. So how long have you two been together.

DEMARCUS
A few weeks.

NATHAN
And you are already taking trips. Interesting.

AIDEN
So what brings you to Chicago Nathan.

DEMARCUS
He came to visit me. You know with his new business and all he rarely get a chance to get out here.

AIDEN
So you have started a new business. What is it?

NATHAN

It is just another branch of the finance company.

             
Demarcus leans over and whispers in Aiden’s ear. I took a sip of my wine as I stared. I was getting heated inside.

AIDEN
So how is Leslie?

NATHAN

Is that what he whispered in your ear to ask me?

AIDEN
No it wasn’t.

NATHAN
Then what was it?

AIDEN
None of your business.

DEMARCUS
Baby do you want to leave?

ALTON
Nathan why are you getting so atrocious with your questions?

NATHAN
I’m not. I just want to know what was so private that Demarcus could not ask aloud. Aiden can I talk to you privately.

             
I pushed my chair back and pulled Aiden’s out for him. Demarcus rose from his seat and moved my hands off of Aiden’s seat.

DEMARCUS
Thanks but that is my job.

             
Aiden and I walked to the lobby of the restaurant.

NATHAN
You know that is burns me up to see you with another man.

AIDEN
That sounds more like a personal problem.

NATHAN

I will admit I am jealous and that ain’t going away. Why didn’t you tell me that you were traveling with him on the plane?

AIDEN
Because again it wasn’t your business. Look what we had was fun and all but it is over.

NATHAN

You still love me?

AIDEN
I will always love you but I am not in love with you. I have moved on with my life as well as you. Well I see that you have.

NATHAN
Well to be honest with you Alton and I have been dating for like three years.

AIDEN
So you were with him when you were with me. That’s cute for you. We need to get back to our dates.

NATHAN
Kiss me. Right here.

AIDEN
You must be out of your rabbit ass mind.

NATHAN
I love making love to and with you. But I can keep my feelings out of it. I just want to be with you tonight.

AIDEN
Let me explain something to you Nathan. I don’t love you anymore. Everything we had is out of the door. You lied and betrayed me. In your mind you had the best of both worlds. I can’t do it. I am about to leave. I don’t want to deal with you or this.

             
Aiden turned and walked towards the table. I watched him speak to Alton and shake his hand. Soon he and Demarcus were walking pass me and out of the restaurant.

             
Alton and I took the elevator back to my room. I didn’t say much on the ride up. He tried everything to get me to talk but I wasn’t in the mood. I knew that things between Aiden and I were over.

NATHAN
I think that I am going to leave and go back to Birmingham in the morning.

ALTON

Why?

NATHAN
I think that it will be best.

ALTON
What are you really saying Nathan?

             
The elevator door opened and we walked to my room. I placed the keycard in the slot and quickly opened the door. I walked over to the balcony and opened the sliding doors. The night skyline view of Chicago was beautiful. Alton followed me outside.

ALTON

You didn’t answer my question.

             
I leaned onto the rails. I didn’t know what to tell him. I was at a lost.

NATHAN
It’s over between us.

ALTON
Just like that. I put my life on hold for you.

NATHAN
Please don’t come with that. We live several states apart. You want me to think that you weren’t fucking anyone when I am not here.

ALTON
I wasn’t. When we had that we were exclusive I meant it. Obviously you didn’t.

NATHAN
You know what I am so over this conversation right now. I am going to take my shower. You can let yourself out.

             
I left Alton on the balcony. I walked into the bathroom and closed the door. I turned the radio on that was in the bathroom. Soon the voice of Kelly Rowland filled the room. I turned the shower head on full blast as I stepped in. The water was so relaxing. Visions of everything that Aiden and I had done flashed in my mind. I thought about Leslie, Dana, Alton, and countless others. What had I really done with my life?

             
After been in the shower for almost twenty minutes the water began to turn cold. I turned the water off and grabbed my towel. As I was drying off I figured that Alton had vacated my room by now.              When I opened the door to walk into the bedroom I noticed the curtains wave from the wind off the balcony. I wrapped my towel around my waist and closed the doors to the balcony. I walked over and grabbed my travel bag and began to do my nightly ritual. I made sure that I had my facial creams and oil to rub into my body.