Evening Gentleman Read online

AIDEN

  I gave him everything. I wanted to be with him but it was always something. He could never spend the night. He was always out of town. A few times I can say that I did go with him. So I am a hopeless romantic. I love the company, the comfort, the relationship.

  DEMARCUS

  Do you have to have someone there or can you make it on your own?

  AIDEN

  I can make it on my own. I found out the other night at a Christmas party that he is married. That hurt me so bad.

  DEMARCUS

  You didn’t know?

  AIDEN

  No. In two years I never gave it a thought. I never had a reason too.

  DEMARCUS

  Did you confront him?

  AIDEN

  Actually his wife and I work together. She introduced me to him at the party.

  DEMARCUS

  Man, get the fuck out of here.

  AIDEN

  I wish I was lying.

  DEMARCUS

  How did you handle it?

  AIDEN

  We went out to talk. There was nothing that he could explain. He lied to me.

  DEMARCUS

  How do you feel right now?

  AIDEN

  Hurt and betrayed?

  DEMARCUS

  You know secrets have a way of coming between two people in a relationship. On the contrary, sharing secret have a way of bringing two people closer together. Do you think that you two will continue the relationship?

  Aiden heard his phone buzzing in his bag. He goes over to get it. It was a call from Leslie.

  AIDEN (hesitantly)

  Hello.

  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 16th 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 t
ry 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.

  RYANN

  So all gay men are strange?

  DANA

  Not all of them, just the ones that are hiding something.

  ALEXX

  Look my brother is gay. We love him just the same. Nothing changed about him just that he is open now.

  DANA

  Don’t you mean “out”? Or are you talking about his ass?

  RYANN

  I am about to stomp a mud-hole in you if you don’t be quiet.

  ALEXX

  I mean open. His life is open, his mind is open. Do you know how hard it is for a gay black man to make it in our society? While there are many members of the black community who have identified themselves as same gender loving, it is still not accepted by the staunchly Christian group. The prevailing view is that a gay lifestyle is not one that provides people with the right to love as they choose but a lifestyle that goes against biblical teaching. It is not about denying a group the right to love or marry like the rest of the population.

  RYANN

  It’s no secret that we live in a very homophobic world. For those of us that have said “why doesn’t he just come out”, it is not just that easy. We the world, our judgments, or double standards, our silly gender roles, and our ignorance cater to the down low brothers. What about the down low women?

  LESLIE

  What are you saying Ryann?

  RYANN

  I am a lesbian. I have been living with my partner for the last fourteen years. I know that no one ever knew. We kept it that way for a reason. We flew to Washington D.C. back in 2010 and got married. So now we have been married for four years.

  DANA

  I always thought that you looked at me funny.

  RYANN

  Dana, please let me be the one to tell you…you are not all that with your “BMW”.

  DANA

  I know that you are a lie. I am all of that and a bag of chips with some ranch dressing on the side. Plus I don’t drive a BMW – I drive an Audi.

  RYANN

  I am not talking about your car booboo. I am talking about your body. BMW stands for “body made wrong”.

  Everyone burst out laughing. Dana was upset by the comment. She snatched her purse and left the house.

  ALEXX

  Now we can have an intelligent conversation.

  LESLIE

  I feel that God let me down.

  BISHOP PARNELL

  What do you mean?

  LESLIE

  I have prayed and prayed and prayed.

  BISHOP PARNELL

  When you start feeling sorry for yourself you give away your power.

  LESLIE

  What power? God ain’t listening to me. I have been everything God asked me to be. A faithful wife and in church every Sunday.

  ALEXX

  Do you thin
k that you were the first woman to be betrayed by her husband?

  LESLIE

  I wasn’t just betrayed by Nathan. I was betrayed by God.

  BISHOP PARNELL

  God didn’t betray you sweetheart. As Christians we all have our cross to bear. Jesus is bearing the cross. Are you going to make Him bear it alone? Infidelity and faith both look through the perspective glass, but at contrary ends. Infidelity looks through the wrong end of the glass; and, therefore, sees those objects near which are afar off, and makes great things little,—diminishing the greatest spiritual blessings, and removing far from us threatened evils. Faith looks at the right end, and brings the blessings that are far off in time close to our eye, and multiplies God's mercies, which, in a distance, lose their greatness.

  LESLIE (snapping)

  It was a man. A M-A-N. It would be one thing if it was a woman. I can compete with another woman. Fix myself up, look cute in his eyes, make myself beautiful for him. But it’s a man he wants.

  BISHOP PARNELL

  Rise up Leslie. It’s not the betrayal but the lesson that you learn from this.

  My Love

  I was honored that Leslie agreed to meet with me for dinner. I wanted to make it special for her. I decided that we would go to her favorite restaurant, Bottega Café.

  We sat at the table for about fifteen minutes waiting on the other to start a conversation. I fidgeted with the utensils. I didn’t know where to begin.

  LESLIE

  Where have you been staying for the last four weeks?

  NATHAN

  In a hotel.

  LESLIE

  You are not staying at the house that you bought?

  NATHAN

  I haven’t spoken to Aiden. What about you – do you speak to him at work?

  LESLIE

  I have nothing to say to him.

  I jumped right into my apology. I explained to her that I never meant to hurt her. That was just a phase that I was going through. I told her that I did develop a love for Aiden but I was in love with her.

  LESLIE

  Coming clean now really doesn’t mean that much.

  NATHAN

  There are no more secrets between us.

  LESLIE

  You think that you can live a double life, apologize and it’s all suppose to be okay?

  NATHAN

  Leslie I have changed.

  LESLIE

  In a month’s time. No you haven’t changed.

  NATHAN

  It may take some times to get over some things but I know that we can work this out. I have been tested and they didn’t find anything.