Evening Gentleman (7 page)

LESLIE
Hey what’s going on?

AIDEN
Nothing at the gym.

LESLIE
Trying to stay sexy over the Christmas Break? I don’t blame you. Look I wanted to ask you if you wanted to go to a Christmas program with me tonight?

AIDEN
What time?

LESLIE

7:30 at the church in 16
th
Street.

AIDEN
Okay. I will meet you there.

             
Aiden and Leslie exchanged a few more words before ending the call.

AIDEN
What are you doing tonight?

DEMARCUS

On my couch watching
Family Guy
and eating some veggie sticks.

AIDEN
Well you are going to church with me tonight.

DEMARCUS
(laughing)

Is that an invite or instruction?

AIDEN
Instruction. I will be by your place to pick you up around seven.

DEMARCUS

Yes sir Massa.

             
Aiden and Demarcus both laughed. They collected their bags and walked out of the gym. Before Aiden could get into his car his phone rang. When he looked at the caller ID it showed “Nathan”. He quickly declined the call. He didn’t have any words.

             
Demarcus and Aiden pulled into the church parking lot. Aiden called Leslie’s phone and she answered. She told Aiden to come into the church and that she will be sitting on the right side on the fourth pew.

             
As they were walking into the church the ushers passed them both programs. Aiden walked to the fourth pew where he spotted Leslie sitting in her lavish purple ensemble. She slid down so that Aiden and Demarcus could have a seat. Leslie reached over and hugged Aiden. Aiden introduced Demarcus to her. 

             
The program started and I was the master of ceremony. I looked out and saw my wife and notice Aiden sitting next to her. I was at a loss for words. I adjusted my microphone on my shirt.

NATHAN
Good evening everyone. I will be serving as your MC tonight. We have an exciting program planned for you. I hope that you enjoy the Spirit of Christmas as we share with you on tonight.

             
I went on with the program and tried not to make eye contact much in that direction. I was curious as to who was sitting with Aiden and Leslie. Then all of a sudden it hit me. That must be Demarcus, the guy Aiden said that he met at the gym some months back.

             
While the choir was getting ready to sing two selections I walked over to where they were sitting. I spoke to Aiden and introduced myself to Demarcus. I asked if I could see Aiden for a minute.

             
As we were walking to the back of the fellowship I kept turning around to make sure that Aiden was behind me. I turned off the battery pack to my mic when we enter the room.

             
I questioned Aiden as to why he would bring Demarcus with him.

AIDEN
You have no right or privilege to ask me anything.

NATHAN
Are you having sex with him?

AIDEN (snapping)

No!

NATHAN

I guess my wife invited you here. Well did she tell you that I was doing a sermonette tonight?

AIDEN
So I finally get to hear the good Reverend Doctor.

NATHAN
Please don’t call me that.

AIDEN
Well that’s what you are. A minister, a finance business owner, a lair.

             
Before I knew it I slapped Aiden across his face. I didn’t mean to. The response was a reflex from his words. I tried to console him but nothing worked. When he walked off from me I pulled him back. I had to kiss him. I wanted him to know how much I have missed not talking to him these last few days. I wanted him to know that he was my life.

             
Infused in our passion we lost track of time. I forgot that the choir should be completing their second selection. Suddenly there was a scream followed by hits. I released Aiden and tired to catch the hands that were hitting me. When I finally caught both hands it was Leslie.

LESLIE

You nasty son of a bitch!

NATHAN
Let me explain.

             
Leslie struggled to get loose. I turned her around and put her in a bear hug. She saw Aiden standing next to the wall.

LESLIE
You were supposed to be my friend. How could you? You punk! You faggot! Nathan let me go!

             
I refused to release Leslie because I didn’t know what she would do.

LESLIE

You told me that you had a girlfriend. I shared secrets with you. I guess you used all of that to get to my husband.

AIDEN
I didn’t know that he was your husband until your Christmas party.

LESLIE
Let me go!

             
Leslie took her head and butted me in my nose. I couldn’t help but release her. When I grabbed my nose I could feel the blood running out.

AIDEN
I have truly been a friend to you.

LESLIE

How long has this been going on?

              Neither Aiden nor I answered her. Leslie grabbed a chair and swung at Aiden. He dodged the blow.

LESLIE

I want you to get your shit out of my house. Go stay with….wait a minute. Nathan you are the one who bought him the house. Oh my gosh. You two have been playing me for a fool the whole time.

             
Little did we know that doing the tussling that my battery pack power button had been hit. It wasn’t until we saw Bishop Parnell and Demarcus run into the room. Bishop Parnell ran over to me and grabbed the pack and switched the button to off.

BISHOP PARNELL

What is going on in here!?

LESLIE
Ask these two. I came to find Nathan because the choir has finished singing. I caught these two kissing.

             
Bishop Parnell and Demarcus stood in shock. Demarcus raised his eyebrows at Aiden.

NATHAN

It’s not what you think Bishop.

BISHOP PARNELL

I think that it is best that you don’t go back into the sanctuary. Your mic was on. We heard everything.

NATHAN

Oh my God.

             
Aiden started to walk out and he was met by Leslie’s fist. The hit caused him to stagger. When he came to himself he charged Leslie. I grabbed Leslie out of the way and Demarcus grabbed Aiden.

NATHAN
Don’t you ever try to hit my wife!

             
I watched as Aiden and Demarcus walked out of the church through the side door.

NATHAN

Leslie I am sorry.

BISHOP PARNELL

I think you two should go home and talk about this.

LESLIE
I don’t want to go home with him.

NATHAN
We came together. Come on let’s go.

LESLIE
Keep your hands off of me. You can leave. I will find somewhere to go.

             
I sat on the edge of the bed waiting for Leslie to return home. I didn’t know where she was, what she was doing or whom she was with. I didn’t like this feeling. I wanted my marriage to work. I didn’t want to lose her.

             
Soon I heard the door turn. I rushed to the door and hugged her.

LESLIE

I forgive you.
Ask me why I keep on loving you when it's clear that you don't feel the same way for me. The problem is that as much as I can't force you to love me, I can't force myself to stop loving you.

             
As soon as I heard those words I broke down crying. I held her so much tighter. In my crying I told Leslie how much I loved her.

LESLIE

How long have you been gay?

NATHAN

Baby I am not gay.

LESLIE
How long have you been with Aiden?

             
The words were on my lips but I could not speak.

LESLIE
How long Nathan?

NATHAN
About two years.

             
She pulled herself from my grasp.

LESLIE

Did you always use protection?

NATHAN

No. I didn’t .

             
Before I knew it she gave me a left hook in the face.

LESLIE
Do you know what danger you have put me in? Have you ever been tested?

NATHAN
I am clean baby. I promise you I am.

LESLIE

How many men has it been? Never mind I don’t want to know. Why didn’t you tell me? I want to hate you but I can’t. God knows I want to hate you.

NATHAN
Can I ask you something?

             
Leslie gave me an evil look.

NATHAN
Have you ever cheated on me?

LESLIE

No! Hell no. Never! I gave myself to you when I married you.

             
I didn’t know what to think.

LESLIE

You can’t stay here tonight.

NATHAN
This is my house. You can’t tell me that I can’t stay here.

LESLIE
You can walk out of here or be carried out on a stretcher.

             
I looked at her and walked toward the bedroom.

LESLIE
Where are you going?

NATHAN
Can I at least pack some things?

LESLIE

Fuck no! Get your black ass out of my house. Go stay at the house you bought for another man.

             
I paused and looked into her soul. All I saw was emptiness. I knew by her finding out that she was incomplete now. I walked out of the house with a troubled mind.

             
I put my key into the lock at Aiden’s house. It would not turn. I knocked on the door and rang the doorbell. There was no answer. I called Aiden’s cell phone but I kept getting his voicemail. I didn’t know if he was home or not because the garage doors were down.

             
My entire world was turned upside down. I decided to rent a hotel room and stay there for the night.

Bearing the Cross

              Leslie was asleep on the floor in the living room when there was a knock on the door. She didn’t get up to answer. The door wasn’t lock so a few of her co-workers and Bishop Parnell walked into the house. Bishop Parnell called out for her but there was no response. They slowly walked around the house not knowing what they may find. There she was – cradled in a fetal position wrapped in a blanket on the couch.

             
Alexx walked over and shook her. Leslie turned over and saw that it was Alexx, Dana, Ryann and Bishop Parnell. Alexx and Ryann embraced her. Leslie cried so hard that she lost her breath.

ALEXX

Girl it is going to be alright.

DANA

Actually it is not. That was pretty embarrassing. I mean it was over the whole church.

             
They all looked at Dana in disgust.

DANA
I am just being honest.

RYANN

Please sit and be quiet.

DANA

I don’t know what I would do. He would be dead if it was me. Just make him some hot lemon tea. Say he died of natural causes.

RYANN

Dana – shut the hell up. Oh excuse me Bishop.

BISHOP PARNELL

Trust me I do understand.

LESLIE
I don’t know how to pick my life back up.

ALEXX

You take some time and you continue to live.

LESLIE
He was my world. And then for me to catch him with Aiden. Aiden and I had been friends for a minute. I trusted him.

DANA
I always figured that something was up with Aiden. He was just strange.