by Gerald Lopez
“Great, Jimmy! There’s just one more thing I haven’t figured out; are you the local historian or the local gossip?”
He pouted and pretended to be mad, so I kissed him quickly to make up for my tacky comment, then I drove forward until I found a space wide enough to turn around. Before leaving, I took another look back at the Kennedy home.
“I know one thing, that’s one hell of a nice house. Not very old to be so important though, is it?”
“No, it’s not. But the actual homestead is a lot older than the house. There was just a one room shack here before the current place was built, I’ve seen pics of it in the town library.”
I drove straight after passing where we’d turned left. I’d expected to see a gated community, but there wasn’t a main gate. As I continued driving I noticed one mansion after another behind individual gates and fences. They were enormous homes in a variety of styles, all of which Jimmy pointed out, along with the names of the families living inside. Many of the homes had porches, or as Jimmy called them, verandahs. Some of the homes that were done in more of a Mediterranean style didn’t have verandahs. We passed at least a dozen of these homes and then we got to the ‘new’ Kennedy estate, or at least its front gate. The property had a long winding road with large crape myrtle trees instead of live oaks, which hid the home from view. Jimmy said he’d describe the home to me, only he’d never been invited to visit. He then began to occupy his time by nibbling on my neck.
“I think this detective work is turning you on, Mr. Jimmy. It’s not all fun and games, you know. You haven’t seen the bruises I’ve had or been chased by the bad guys.”
“If the bad guys looked and tasted like you, Layton, maybe I’d just let them catch me.”
I laughed out loud, thinking that Jimmy was a very young and naive twenty-nine-year-old. Then my mind wandered—I was sorry to have involved Jimmy in this case. What if things took a turn for the worse? What could happen to him? Could he fend for himself?
Chapter 5
Meeting New Friends
Soon we were at our next destination, the Men’s Clothing Store, which was the actual name of the establishment. Not a whole lot of creativity used with the names of places around here. We walked in and Jimmy went straight to the suits hanging on the left side of the store, then to the ones on the right. In between the suits were displays of neatly folded dress shirts in freestanding wooden shelves. Round tables held Polo and Izod brand shirts in a multitude of colors. As Jimmy jumped from one display to another, I noticed someone peering at us from behind a curtain in the back of the store, which was located behind the register and display desk. I hoped they weren’t mad at Jimmy for acting like a fool. Taking another look, I saw that the face was smiling, and the stranger held a hand up to indicate everything was okay. Jimmy came back to my side and whispered in my ear.
“You should see the prices on this stuff and the expensive brand names. They have Versace, Tom Ford, Gucci, and more. It’s crazy, Layton.”
“Jimmy, try to act like you belong. We’ve been watched since we walked in the door.”
I put on my unemotional, business face and stood at attention when a tall man with Mediterranean good looks entered the room. Now, it was me that was excited. He had the handsome appearance of a model, with bronzed skin and short black hair brushed back neatly. His deep brown eyes were mesmerizing and his thick, black eyebrows looked like they took work to keep nicely maintained. His body had the wide shoulders, narrow waist, and long legs that were made to look good in suits. He was absolutely perfect; like a mythical Greek god. I looked over at Jimmy, whose jaw was hanging open until I tapped the bottom of it upward to close it.
“Good afternoon, I am Francisco Torrea. I am glad to see you both enjoying my grandfather’s shop.”
“You’re—I mean—it’s incredible,” Jimmy said. “You have such incredible designer clothes here.”
“We also make custom suits when the client has the time. I am truly sorry my grandfather is not here to greet you. He has the day off and I am filling in for him as usual.” He looked my way. “I presume you are Mr. Shayne, who is here for a new wardrobe.”
“I’m Layton Shayne, but I’m only here for a suit.”
“Well, my understanding is there have been changes to that order. Mrs. Carter felt that you might be in need of a more advantageous wardrobe when conducting business with the Kennedy family. Appearance is everything in that crowd, Mr. Shayne. You have to fit in with them if you are to learn anything.”
“I thought religion was everything here, or so I’ve been told by a reliable source.” I’d purposely dropped the line to see what reaction he would have if any.
Jimmy was still looking around at everything when Francisco responded unfazed. “So true, Mr. Shayne. Then shall we just say that appearance comes in a close second. However, I must admit, this is the first time I have ever heard anyone use Miss Lucy as a reliable source when talking about fashion and appearance.”
“I didn’t say she was a reliable source on fashion.” He must be one of Miss Lucy’s friends and is letting me know in a subtle way, I thought.
“Touché, Mr. Shayne.”
“Tell me, Mr. Torrea, will I need to speak as perfectly as you do when I meet with the family.”
Francisco laughed. “Anything to help sell the goods. My clients like the way I speak. At the private school I attended, we would get our knuckles slapped by the nuns for using contractions in our speech.”
“That’s a harsh punishment,” I said.
“They wanted their students to speak and act in a certain way, which they felt was becoming of a proper gentleman.”
“That’s awfully old fashioned,” Jimmy said, “but I do like the way you talk. It sounds fancy and classy.”
Francisco smiled and flashed his sparkling white teeth. “Would you please follow me to the changing room in the back, Mr. Shayne? Your charming friend may also come.”
Jimmy and I followed Francisco to the back room. It was large and featured a three-way mirror in front of a carpeted stand. Francisco pulled back the curtains to a small changing booth and waved for me to enter. Once I was inside, he closed the curtain and spoke to me from the other side.
“Mr. Shayne, while you undress I will get your first outfit.”
“Great. But please call me Layton.”
As I stripped to my briefs, a hanger with a black jacket was slipped discreetly through the side of the curtain. I grabbed it and was surprised when I took the jacket off the hanger. Opening the curtain slightly, I looked for Francisco, who was standing just on the other side. “This is a tux. I thought it was gonna be just a lunch meeting with the Kennedy family.”
“Mrs. Carter informed me that the Kennedys have just invited you to a formal affair at their old estate. Apparently, they are trying to find guests for a last minute event in honor of someone staying there.”
Suddenly I felt aggravated, despite my profession I didn’t like surprises of any sort.
“Shit! I hate formal events. And screw these curtains too. I’m ex-military, I have no modesty when it comes to my body.”
I angrily pushed back the curtains and walked toward the stand. Annoyed now, I took the hanger with the tux and hooked it onto the top of the three-way mirror. Then I stood on the stand, legs spread and arms out. “Okay, Frankie, do your thing and measure me.”
Jimmy laughed, obviously amused at my situation.
Francisco grabbed a tape measure off the wall and walked my way before stopping to look at me with what I thought might be an admiring eye.
“There are not too many people I allow to call me Frankie. And just so you know, this is only my part-time job. I am a police officer at my regular job, so I had better not catch you being too immodest around town. I must admit you have a body that will look very fine in formal wear. Almost as nice as you look undressed.”
“Am I in the way here or what?” Jimmy said, in response to seeing the look Francisco was giving me.
“The name’s Jimmy, I’m a waiter at Cicero’s.” Reaching out to shake Francisco’s hand, he got a long lustful look from the man.
“You were not waiting tables the few times I was there. I would definitely have remembered you.”
Jimmy blushed and Francisco started taking my measurements.
“I get the feeling that I don’t have all of your attention at the moment, Francisco,” I said.
“Do not worry, you do.”
He gave my crotch a pat while taking my inside leg measurements. “You can go back to calling me Frankie, I really do not mind. Now, please try on the tux. Clothes often make the man, but in this case, I think you will make the tuxedo.”
As I started dressing, he turned his attention back to Jimmy. “I will have to stop in for dinner when you are working one night. After Layton leaves, of course.”
“You make your moves mighty quick, Frankie, my friend,” I said.
While I was putting on the shirt and slipping into the pants, Francisco handed Jimmy a box.
“Would you help him with the cuff links please, Jimmy?” Francisco exited for a second and returned with a shoe box and black socks.
With my hand on Francisco’s back I balanced myself. He helped me into both socks and, with the help of a shoe horn, new black dress shoes.
“I am a friend, Layton,” Francisco said as he helped me into the jacket. “Miss Lucy is a friend and she told me to be your friend while you were here. However, my friend, this is a small town and soon you will be gone, but Jimmy and I will still be here. To be completely honest, I am attracted to him.”
Jimmy coughed as if he was choking. “That’s blunt and rude of you—you good looking snob. And what’s wrong with Layton, he not good enough for you? Look at him… he’s a hunk.”
I laughed, poor Jimmy still hadn’t figured things out yet. Francisco checked the fit of my jacket, tugging on the front of it.
“The fit is too loose here, we can make that a priority and have it done in time for the event.”
He removed my jacket and checked the fit of the pants, running his hands along the front in a way that I didn’t think was normal operating procedure.
“Jimmy, the pants are a perfect fit, unlike Layton and I. The two of us are probably too much alike, I suspect. We are a certain type and you are another. It is the differences between men that make for good love making.”
Jimmy really had his back up now. “Are you trying to say I’m an obvious bottom while you two butch guys are obvious tops?”
“I tell you what, Jimmy, that is exactly what I am saying,” Francisco said, “and God bless America for asses like the sweet one you have.”
“He does have a sweet one,” I said.
“You son of a bitch, Francisco. Thank you, Layton… I think.”
“Right, once again, Jimmy. I am a real son of a bitch, but one that you will grow to love. Trust me on that.”
Jimmy walked out of the room and Francisco helped me out of what I was wearing and into another dress shirt, coat, and pants. There was also another pair of shoes.
“I guess I pissed him off,” Francisco said.
“He’ll get over it. Besides, there’s a lot of heat and passion between you two. And for the record, I’m versatile in the sack. But you’re probably right about us being too much alike.”
“Well, if you were not leaving, I might be willing to give it a go. I find you attractive as well. But I am not one for the short term stuff right now.”
“That’s funny,” I said. “Right now, I haven’t had any for so long that the short term stuff feels plenty good. It’s been a year since the end of the long term relationship I had. Anyway, after catching my partner of ten years with my twenty-year-old nephew… well… let’s just say it’s been a while since I’ve been with anyone. Just didn’t want to till now, and I’m enjoying it. Got it, Frankie? Jimmy’s all yours to try for once I’m outta here, but not now.”
“Got it. You are alright, Layton. I like you.”
The suit he’d picked out for my initial meeting with the family was a perfect fit, as was the fitted shirt. Thankfully, there was no need to try on the other dress shirts. Although, there were still a pair of shorts and a bathing suit to model.
“You will be interacting with the Kennedy family quite a bit and may need the shorts and bathing suit. They will definitely invite you over to work their ways on you.”
“Are you speaking from experience?” I said.
“No, just stories that I have heard about the two sisters.”
“And the brother?” I said.
“I have not heard much about him. I had met his father in the past when he shopped here, but never him. They say that he is very beautiful—like an angel one might find in an Italian painting… golden.”
“Interesting,” I said remembering how Miss Lucy had used the same word ‘golden’. “Listen, I’ve got some traveling money, so how’s about we buy Jimmy an outfit or two? A nice shirt and jacket. Maybe shorts and a shirt. I’ll pay.”
“That sounds good, Layton, but I will give you a big store discount. I cannot have my future lover looking like a bum.”
We smiled at one another cordially. Damn it all! I liked the guy, even if he was after my current fuck buddy.
* * * *
Jimmy and I arrived back at my motel with several full garment bags. He spotted a young Black maid he knew, with a cart full of towels. She was standing outside the laundry area which had the door propped open. It was clear she was still working her shift and he went to talk to her. After a few words with her, he ran back to me.
“She’s an old friend. She’ll give us a hand taking things up to your room. We don’t want to get tuckered out yet.” He grinned mischievously.
The three of us managed to take mine and Jimmy’s garment bags up in one trip. It was already getting dark and I could hear the song of the crickets. Once I’d tipped the maid generously for her help and she’d left, it was straight to bed for Jimmy and me. My pride wanted to make sure that when he compared my skills in the sack to Frankie boy’s in the future, I didn’t leave a bad impression. When we’d finished, I was on my back and Jimmy was leaning on my chest as usual, it was nice for a moment.
“Thanks for the clothes, Layton. You didn’t have to get me anything, you know.”
“I know but you’ve been my guide showing me around so you’ve earned it. Besides it made me feel good to do it and your future boyfriend gave me a nice big discount.”
Jimmy laughed. “Francisco was really handsome, but they sure do grow them nice in your neck of the woods. Any more back home in Porter City like you?”
I was up like a flash and quickly had him turned around and pinned underneath me. My arm was pushing down tightly on his neck. “Listen, Jimmy, and listen carefully. I didn’t tell you where I was from. Who did?”
He started kicking his legs trying to break free of my hold, but I pinned them down with my knees, using all my body weight. “I won’t ask nicely a second time, Jimmy.”
I loosened my grip on his neck so he could speak. He started blubbering. “P… p… please, Layton, please don’t hurt me. The maid that helped us told me when we first drove up. She’s an old friend. It’s not that big a deal is… is it?”
“I’ll let you know what’s a big deal or not.”
I got off him and sat on the edge of the bed trying to think. This whole situation was confusing. “Here’s what we’re going to do.”
“Shit!” Jimmy was fast. He took the opportunity to roll out the other side of the bed and run toward the door. I jumped up and headed him off. “You damn fool! You gonna run out there naked?”
He was panicked and spun around toward the dresser, where I had my guns. He must’ve seen them earlier when I’d gotten clothes out of the drawer. Jimmy had just managed to put his hand in the drawer when I got to him. I reached up and popped his shoulder out. Jimmy
started screaming and fell to the floor. I was still naked so I put on my shorts, then walked up behind him and put my hand over his mouth. He started sobbing. What the hell was going on here? I had my arms around him to keep him held down. “I can fix what I just did to you. I can take away the pain, but you have to do what I say. Okay, please baby, don’t make this harder than it needs to be. Just nod your head, okay?”
I saw him nod a ‘yes’ response. “When I let you up, you’re going to yell downstairs to your friend saying we need towels. She had a lot of towels to wash and should still be down there with the laundry room door open. I just need to find out who she’s been talking to, okay? Oh, and please no more screaming.”
I slowly let him up, keeping my arms tightly around him. Leading him to the door, I cracked it open.
“Nia!” Jimmy said in a whimper, then cleared his throat, fought back tears, and tried again. “Nia, honey, can you bring up some towels please?”
A shout from below answered his call. “Sure thing, honey. I’ll be right up.”
I closed the door and pointed to Jimmy’s clothes in the back corner. “Get your shorts on and stay out of the way. Don’t go near that gun drawer. You know you don’t really want to hurt me.”
“Don’t be too sure,” he said.
Jimmy did as he was told and put his shorts on, his shoulder probably hurt too much to even try for the gun. In a situation like this, someone could get hurt if guns came into play. There was a knock on the door. I looked back at Jimmy motioning him to stay put.
“It’s Nia with your towels.”
“Come in,” I said.
As soon as she was in the room, I grabbed her arm and swung her around, placing myself between her and the door.
“What’s going on?” Nia said.
Her eyes darted between Jimmy, who was sitting in the corner crying, and me.
“I want to know who told you I was from Porter City,” I said.
“I don’t remember,” she said.
Tightly grabbing Nia’s arm I began applying pressure but not pain, wanting to frighten her more than hurt her. With my hand, I maneuvered her to the edge of the bed and gently made her sit. “I’m a nice guy here asking a simple question, Nia. But I will have an answer.”
