Evening Gentleman Read online

  LESLIE

  Same with me. You know that I should still file for divorce. It is still in my head.

  NATHAN

  Please don’t. I don’t want to lose you.

  LESLIE

  No, you don’t want to lose what we have built. I can clean you out.

  NATHAN

  This is what I get for being honest. I don’t want you to walk out on me.

  LESLIE

  Look at the times that you walked out on me.

  NATHAN

  Leslie I am sorry. Aiden meant nothing to me.

  LESLIE

  For two years he meant nothing. You bought him a house and he meant nothing.

  I took my napkin and wiped my tears.

  LESLIE

  I am going to give you another chance. But there are some things that you MUST do.

  NATHAN

  Anything…just name it.

  Insomnia

  Aiden arrived home from work and threw his bags in a chair. He flounced down on the bed and laid back. While staring at the ceiling fan he just listened to his cell phone ring. In no way did he want to be bothered. Before he knew it he was off to sleep.

  Thirty minutes into his nap his door bell rang. He noticed that he was still clothed while in bed. He looked at his clock and it showed 6:48. Aiden didn’t realize that he had been asleep.

  The door bell rang again. He slowly crawled out of bed to go and answer the door. Without looking through the peephole he just opened it. There I stood with a bushel of roses and a bottle of wine. I could tell that Aiden wanted to slam the door but he just stood there. I extended the roses and the bottle to him but he stood there speechless.

  NATHAN

  Will you please accept my apology?

  AIDEN

  Why should I?

  NATHAN

  Because I am sorry. I love you. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.

  AIDEN

  I know you didn’t. You thought that you were going to have all the fun that you wanted and never get caught.

  NATHAN

  May I come in?

  Aiden finally stepped to the side and allowed me to enter. I tried to give him a kiss but he refused it. I walked into the kitchen and got two flutes from the cabinets. I opened the bottle and poured.

  When I came from the kitchen Aiden was sitting in his favorite recliner that I gave him. I passed him a flute and I took a seat on the couch.

  NATHAN

  Why don’t you come sit on the couch with me?

  AIDEN

  Why are you here?

  NATHAN

  Did you and Leslie talk at work today?

  AIDEN

  She and I haven’t spoken since all of this went down.

  NATHAN

  I don’t think that you two should be upset with each other. Everyone should be mad at me.

  AIDEN

  Again, why are you here?

  NATHAN

  I have something that I want to talk to you about.

  AIDEN

  Go ahead.

  NATHAN

  Leslie and I are trying to make amends. I really want my marriage to work.

  AIDEN

  Great for the both of you.

  NATHAN

  She wants me to make you move out of this house.

  Aiden paused. The look on his face was like none other. My heart skipped several beats awaiting his response.

  AIDEN

  Excuse me?

  NATHAN

  In order for us not to get a divorce she wants me to sell this house. She wants to make sure that I don’t come here to visit you, speak to you, or anything.

  AIDEN

  I can’t believe this. Are you serious?

  NATHAN

  Aiden, baby I am sorry.

  I swallowed my wine so hard that you could hear it going down. I got up to pour another flute. I offered to get Aiden another one but he just sat there. Tears began to form in his eyes. In the two years that I have known him I always hated to see him cry.

  Aiden’s cell phone began to ring. I walked over to the table where it was and looked at the screen. When I saw Demarcus’s name I answered.

  NATHAN

  Hello.

  DEMARCUS

  Um – I was calling for Aiden.

  NATHAN

  He is busy right now. May I ask who is calling?

  DEMARCUS

  This is Demarcus.

  NATHAN

  Demarcus let me ask you something? What is up with you and Aiden? Why are you calling him?

  Aiden quickly jerked his phone from my grasp.

  AIDEN

  Demarcus call me back later.

  DEMARCUS

  Sure. Is everything okay?

  AIDEN

  Just call me back.

  Aiden threw the phone on the table.

  AIDEN

  Don’t you ever answer my phone again!

  NATHAN

  Tell me the deal with you and him.

  AIDEN

  I don’t have to tell you anything.

  NATHAN

  If you value our love and togetherness you would.

  Aiden turned and looked at me. He folded him arms across his chest.

  AIDEN

  When do you want me out of “your” house?

  NATHAN

  I don’t want to talk about that.

  AIDEN

  That’s what you came here for. To talk. To tell me to get the hell out of your house. This is the reason that I didn’t want you to buy this house for me. This is why I don’t like for anyone to do anything for me.

  NATHAN

  Pride.

  AIDEN

  It has nothing to do with pride. It’s because people like you that give and take.

  It felt like he punched me in the chest. I wanted to cry but I could not allow him to see the hurt.

  NATHAN

  Are you fucking Demarcus?

  AIDEN

  I wish I could put you out but you know…this is your house.

  Aiden walked over and picked up his phone. I watched as he dialed a number and placed the phone to his ear.

  AIDEN

  Hello Mr. Webb. This is Aiden. I am going to need a sub for the rest of this week. I have some personal things going on that I have to take care of…Okay…Thank you sir. I will keep you updated.

  After listening to his conversation I could tell that he was talking to his principal. I watched him dial another number.

  AIDEN

  Demarcus. Is it okay if I stay with you a few days?

  DEMARCUS

  Yes sure. Is everything okay?

  AIDEN

  It will be. I will be there in about an hour.

  Aiden ended the call and walked to his walk-in closet and began to throw clothes into a bag.

  NATHAN

  You are not staying with him.

  Aiden ignored me while I was talking. I wanted to pull him out of the closet and make love to him. I wanted to make him forget everything that I just said to him.

  Aiden continued to pack items while I was trying to talk to him. He would not stop for anything. The louder I got the harder he pack. I followed him throughout the house as he was packing. But he would not stop. Forty-five minutes later he stopped and fell against the wall. I wanted to just hold him.

  NATHAN

  Please Aiden. Please don’t cry.

  AIDEN

  I am cried out over you. You have hurt me for the last time.

  NATHAN

  Do you want me to leave her and move in here with you?

  AIDEN

  Hell no. So that you can sneak around on me like you did on her. Come to think about it there is no telling how many people that you have drug along. You know my grandmother used to have a name for men like you. She called them “evening gentlemen”. You meet people, male or female. Wine and dine them. Show them all the perks. But you can never be seen with them in daylight. It was always after dark thirty. I saw the s
igns but never acknowledged them.

  NATHAN

  We have been out in public.

  AIDEN

  Yes when we were out of town or in another state. I want more than that.

  I dropped my head and took a deep breath.

  NATHAN

  I love …

  AIDEN

  Don’t even finish that lie. I don’t want to hear it anymore.

  Aiden walked passed me and got into his car. The next thing I saw were his tail lights going down the street. I turned and locked up the house. I got into my truck and drove home.

  As I laid in my bed I could not help but toss and turn. The thoughts in my head were on Aiden. What was he doing? How was he feeling? Was Demarcus consoling him? I got up and got a bottle of water from the refrigerator. I didn’t know that Leslie followed me.

  LESLIE

  It is 1:56 in the morning. Why are you up?

  NATHAN

  I can’t sleep.

  LESLIE

  What’s on your mind?

  NATHAN

  Nothing just thinking about a new potential client.

  She walked over to me and wrapped her arms around me.

  LESLIE

  Let’s go away for the weekend.

  NATHAN

  Where would you like to go?

  LESLIE

  How about a three day get-a-way to Jamaica?

  NATHAN

  I will set it up when I get into the office.

  LESLIE

  Great. I think this is what you need to get your mind off of things. Question. Did you place that house on the market for sale?

  NATHAN

  I didn’t.

  LESLIE

  And why not? I told you I want that house gone.

  NATHAN

  I could not get in touch with my realtor. I will keep trying.

  LESLIE

  The sooner the better. Now…come on back to bed.

  NATHAN

  I think that I am going to go for a walk.

  LESLIE

  The only walk that you will be doing is up those stairs and into bed.

  I decided to follow my wife and go back to bed.

  Can’t Run Away

  Demarcus walked into the bedroom where Aiden was asleep. Aiden was snuggled in the Elizabeth Queen bedding set. He placed a breakfast tray on the nightstand and started to fan the aroma of pancakes, turkey bacon, strawberries, turkey sausage, eggs, and a mimosa towards Aiden.

  The covers began to move by Aiden turning over. Arms were the first thing that came from under the covers. Aiden flung the covers over. When he saw Demarcus he smiled. He sat up in the bed and looked at the breakfast tray.

  AIDEN

  What is all of this?

  DEMARCUS

  I figured that you needed some breakfast so I fixed you a quick meal and brought it to you.

  AIDEN

  You didn’t have to do this. I could have gone to IHOP or somewhere and got something.

  DEMARCUS

  After everything you told me last night I felt that you needed to be spoiled a little.

  AIDEN

  I think that is part of my problem.

  DEMARCUS

  How did you sleep?

  AIDEN

  Great. Your sheets are so soft and comfortable.

  DEMARCUS

  Great. With 1500 thread count they should be.

  AIDEN

  Look, I thought you said you were a personal trainer.

  DEMARCUS

  I am.

  AIDEN

  Not counting you money or anything but you must be doing pretty damn good.

  Demarcus chuckled as he sat on the bed. He was being very evasive about the question.

  DEMARCUS

  I do okay. How long do you plan on staying here?

  AIDEN

  Not long. I don’t want to wear out my welcome.

  DEMARCUS

  That will not be a problem. But listen…I have to go out of town for a few days. I want you to stay and watch my house for me.

  AIDEN

  How long?

  DEMARCUS

  About a three to four weeks.

  AIDEN

  Training people out of town?

  DEMARCUS

  You can say that.

  AIDEN

  Will your partner be coming by checking in?

  DEMARCUS

  If I had a partner don’t you think that he will be staying here?

  AIDEN

  Everyone don’t live together.

  DEMARCUS

  Well as for me and my house I believe that if I had a partner he would be living here. Not separated. I can’t deal with that.

  AIDEN

  How long was your last relationship?

  DEMARCUS

  We were together about three years.

  AIDEN (while eating his breakfast)

  What happened?

  DEMARCUS

  I was afraid of losing some things. I didn’t know how to handle certain things.

  Aiden finished the breakfast that Demarcus prepared. Demarcus took the tray downstairs and began to wash dishes. Aiden offered to help but Demarcus bumped him out of the way. He turned and flicked soap bubbles on Aiden. Demarcus laughed and did it again. Aiden reached into the water and returned the gesture to Demarcus. They wrestled with the soap water for a few moments.

  Suddenly Aiden heard his phone chime from upstairs that indicated he had an email. Aiden scurried away. When he reached his phone he began to read the email from Nathan.

  Aiden…how are you? I would have text but it is cheaper to send

  this email. My wife and I took a weekend vacation to the Caribbean Islands.

  I hope that all is well. I just wanted you to know that I have received a few offers

  on the house. I will keep you informed on everything. Remember

  you can stay in the house. I hope to you see when I get back in the

  states. Take care and I love you.

  After reading the email Aiden just held his phone in his hand. He covered his mouth with his left hand. Demarcus walked into his room.

  DEMARCUS

  Hey I meant to tell you about….what’s wrong?

  Aiden passed Demarcus the phone with the email. Demarcus read the email and told Aiden not to worry about anything. He assured him that everything would work out.

  DEMARCUS

  Look when I get back I want to take you on a vacation.

  AIDEN

  You don’t have to do that.

  DEMARCUS

  No. I want to plus you need it.

  Demarcus surprised Aiden by giving him a kiss on the forehead. He walked out of the room and snapped back. He gave Aiden a quick wink.

  Reaction

  LESLIE

  Honey, come on, if we don’t get down there early enough we won’t get a good seat.

  Leslie yelled loud enough so that I could hear her in the bathroom.

  NATHAN

  I’m coming.

  We were headed down to Greenfield Stadium for the annual Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, which features dozens of local and international acts performing over three days. I loved to get a seat early because I’d be damned if I was going to walk in the stadium late. I am a music lover. This year the concert was featuring Toni Braxton, One Third, Brian Art, Najee, Chrisette Michele and the great Chaka Khan.

  I was excited about being with Leslie. I think that this was the first time in a long time that I was feeling those old feelings when we first met. Since the incident at the church things hadn’t been right. I could feel that we were forcing ourselves to “like” one another.

  We got down to the show just before it started. People were walking around talking, drinking, and laughing. I held Leslie’s hand and we made it to our seats.

  I remembered growing up and music would always be playing around the house. Especially on the weekend when me and my brother would be cleaning and doing out other weekend chores. I ca
n remember seeing my mother with the vacuum dancing as she made her way around the house. My father was usually out getting drunk and would come home and fight with my mother. He would cuss me and my brother so hard that once I found a knife under my brother’s pillow where he was planning to slit my father’s throat when he passed out.

  I can admit that I was damaged. It wasn’t something that I was proud of. I never discussed it and tried not to think about it.

  Since things were going good between Leslie and me I wasn’t going to jinx it and think bad thoughts. I wanted to look at the future and be confident that things would get better.

  The show started and local artists came out first. I wanted to see Toni Braxton perform since it had been over five years when I saw her in Las Vegas. After about two hours there was an intermission. I knew that she would be up next. I went and got Leslie and me something else to drink. As I was walking back to my seat I noticed a very attractive older gentleman looking in my direction. I stopped and observed him for a minute. I noticed when he tilted his head to the side beckoning me to follow. I looked down at the drinks and back at him. Leslie was waiting and I was waiting on Toni’s performance. I could feel my nature growing intensely in my pants. For once I had to think with the head on my shoulders and not the head in my pants.

  I made my way back to my seat. I passed Leslie her drink and took a long sip of my cognac. Leslie placed her hand on my thigh. I looked at her and smiled.

  LESLIE (noticing my manhood on the side of my leg)

  In the words of R. Kelly, “Seems like you’re ready.”

  NATHAN

  Anytime that I am next to you I am ready.

  LESLIE

  We can leave now and take care of that.

  NATHAN

  Baby I need to see Toni Braxton perform. Then we will go and take care of each other all night.

  NATHAN

  Toni gave a great show didn’t she?

  LESLIE

  She was good.

  NATHAN

  She was better than good. She was awesome. Towanda and Trina still got it too. Great women and great singers.

  LESLIE

  You know she was lip-syncing?

  NATHAN

  Never that! Don’t be a hater baby. Toni has nothing on you.

  Leslie began to take her clothes off. I decided that I wanted something else to drink.

  NATHAN

  Bae, I am going down to the bar and get a bottle of wine. I will be back.

  LESLIE

  Okay. Take your time, but hurry up. I have something for you.