Evening Gentleman Page 9

  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.

  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 chi
ld. 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.