In My Father’s House

by E. Lynn Harris

  “Bentley, dear, I was worrying when you decided to become gay that you wouldn’t have that female influence in your life. I assume you’re still gay?”

  Half of me wanted to laugh. The other half wanted to cry.

  “Yes, Mother, I’m still gay. Now I know you didn’t come down here to ask me that. I could have answered that over the phone or in an e-mail. What are you doing in Miami?”

  She stood still for a second and looked at me. “Tyrone is down here training and trying out for another football team. And I want to do some shopping for the inauguration. Are you coming to D.C. for the swearing in for our new president?”

  I chuckled. “Do you know how sad and funny that sounds? And I don’t think I can afford to make the trip in January.”

  “What sounds?” she snapped.

  “That you’re dating someone named Tyrone. There’s something very wrong with that picture.”

  She stepped toward me, looking up with a scolding expression. “Listen, I don’t tell you who to date and you don’t get to tell me. Tyrone takes good care of your mother when I can get him away from the computer games and the gym. Even though I like the results the gym provides me.”

  I sighed and shook my head. “That’s way too much information, Mother.”

  She glared. “Maybe you think it’s funny because you’re dating someone named Tyrone, too.” She gave me a sly smile. “Bentley Dean, you know my middle name is Independence. And I apologize to no one for my sexy young lover.”

  I shook my head, still smiling. “Mother, I hope I have half your spunk when I’m your age.”

  “Are you on Facebook, Bentley? If not, you should be.”

  “I’m on Facebook, Mother, but it takes up too much of my time.”

  She ran her fingertips over my cheek and looked at me like I was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen, the way she looked at me as a child. Then she spun away just as quickly, looking around my breakfast nook.

  My tone got back to business, too. “Mother, where are you staying? I know you don’t want to stay here.”

  She pulled a BlackBerry from her designer purse and scrolled through messages. Without looking at me, she said, “I got a suite at the Four Seasons on Brickell. I really didn’t want to be near the beach. I know I look good for my age, but I’ll be damned if you think I’m going to be strolling through the sand in a swimsuit.”

  I smiled.

  “Bentley, you need to come over there and have lunch or something with Tyrone and me. I need to remind you how the other half lives. Then maybe you’ll reconsider this gay thing and get back in your father’s good graces.”

  She said it like I could turn straight as easily as I could just flip an on-off switch or dye my hair from black to blond. “How is he doing?”

  “I don’t know. I hear from Anna that he has a new girlfriend. I guess when this one runs through his money, he’ll get another one. Old fool. I did sell him his football team back. Didn’t you always want to manage that?”

  “Now is that the pot calling the kettle black?” I laughed. “I thought about it, but Father won’t let me get near his football team.”

  “What are you saying?” My mother’s brows arched dramatically.

  “Not saying a word, Mother. As long as you and Father are happy, then I’m ecstatic. He can keep his football team. Who is he dating?”

  She crossed her arms, which made a diamond ring on her right hand glimmer. “I don’t know who he’s dating and I don’t care. So how is your love life?”

  There was no way I would tell her about my love life. “I’m doing just fine. Do you want something to drink, Mother?”

  “No, I won’t be here long. I have a driver waiting on me. Later in the week we’re going to some steak house called Prime 112. My girlfriend Greta told me it’s the hottest restaurant in town. Would you like to join us?”

  Subjecting myself to several hours’ worth of this was not my idea of a nice time. Yet I said, “Yeah, I’ve heard 112 is really good. I’ll try to meet you there. But I will definitely come over to the Four Seasons and have lunch with you. How many days are you here?”

  “Don’t know. I have no schedule and no one to answer to. It might be two days. It might be two weeks. It’s been a long time since I’ve been here.” She looked like her mind was racing forward to tearing up Neiman Marcus and Miami’s expensive boutiques.

  She looked more like she needed a hug from someone who really cared about her. I wondered if my mother stayed on fast-forward so she wouldn’t have to think about anything. Was she happy? Did she wish she were still married to my father? I would probably never know, so I said, “I think we could have lunch in a few days if that fits your schedule. Just let me know.”

  “I’ll make it fit my schedule, baby. You look good.” My mother hugged me and kissed my cheeks.

  “Thanks, Mother. You look good, too. I’m really glad to see you. I’ve missed you.”

  “And I’ve missed you, too, Bentley. Next time don’t make me have to come find you or I’ll give you a good whipping. I can still do that.”

  “I won’t, Mother. Come here and give me another hug. I’ve missed those.”

  “And I’ve missed giving them out.”

  I squeezed my mother tightly and inhaled her scent, which was the same one I loved as a little boy.

  EIGHTEEN

  Another surprise came later when Jah strode into my office with two bags from our favorite sub place.

  “That’s so nice of you to bring my lunch, Jah. Have a seat and tell me about your trip.”

  “It’s just a sandwich, B,” Jah said as he took a seat in front of my desk. “I know you were a little upset with me for going. But see, I made it back in one piece.”

  “I see,” I said, scanning his new jeans, a silver belt buckle, and a black, long-sleeved T-shirt that I’d never seen on him. “I was a little worried. So tell me what happened.”

  He opened the bags and handed me my sub as he said, “California was amazing. Seth got a suite in a beautiful hotel in Beverly Hills. It had two bedrooms and a private pool and garden. We ate our meals in bed and he treated me like I was the most special person in the world.”

  I smiled. “That’s good. I’m glad you had a good time.”

  “I did,” he said, opening his sub, “and I can’t wait to go back.”

  The turkey and cheese on sourdough tasted delicious. I swallowed quickly, though, and asked, “You’re not going to miss any more school, are you?”

  Jah looked at me like he was about to confess something. “I’m thinking about transferring.”

  “Where?”

  “To UCLA or maybe Southern Cal. I just want to be close to Seth.” That dreamy look swept over his face. It was obviously fogging up his mind, too.

  I snapped, “What about law school?”

  “There are plenty of law schools in California.”

  “What about modeling? I think you’re starting to pick up regular clients here.”

  “I can do it in California as well.”

  “The competition is tougher,” I said, taking another bite.

  He sighed and said, “I know, but I just want to be with Seth.”

  “All this for Seth?”

  “I miss him so much. We’ve been texting each other ever since I got back.”

  “So you really like him?”

  “I do.”

  “Did he mention his wife?”

  “No, and I didn’t ask. Do you want some mustard for your sandwich?”

  “There’s plenty on here already. Does he want you to move to California?”

  “He didn’t ask me to, but I’m pretty sure that he does. I love California, even though I didn’t get out much. It seems like a magic place with all the trees and beautiful houses.”

  I set down my sandwich and said, “I don’t like California.”

  “Why not?”

  “You’ll learn why if you spend some more time out there. I find the people to be really fak
e and shallow.”

  Jah laughed. “You mean like the people in Miami!”

  “There are only a few people like that in Miami and I bet they moved here from California,” I said.

  Jah hugged himself. “Oh, and Seth is such a wonderful lover. I could stay in bed with him all day. I told you he has a huge dick.”

  He smiled, but I looked down at the bag of chips, wondering if I wanted to indulge in all those calories. “Too much information, Jah.”

  “I’m sorry, but I’m just saying. What a way to get broke in.”

  “Again, too much for me while eating, young man.”

  Jah had hardly touched his sandwich. “Okay. You know what? Right before I left, Seth gave me two thousand dollars in cash and told me if I need more money, to just text him. I’m going to be able to finally save some money.”

  I gave Jah a serious look. “Why did he do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “Give you money.”

  “I don’t know, B. Maybe because he’s rich. Or he had a good time.”

  I shook my head and took on my protective big-brother voice. “Jah, that sounds like you’re some escort or something. I don’t like that.”

  He sat up straighter. “I’m not an escort and I didn’t ask him for any money.”

  “Then I don’t think you should take money from him. I mean, if you keep dating or spending time with him, I think it might be okay if he gives you a gift every now and then. But cash money just doesn’t sound right. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  “B, it sounds like you’re trying to turn this into something sordid and trashy.”

  I felt so frustrated by his expression—naïve yet thinking he knew everything about the ways of the world. “Jah, that’s not what I’m doing. I just want you to be careful. Seth is a very powerful man. You can’t let him control your life with sex and money.”

  “He’s not trying to do that.”

  “I just want you to be careful.”

  Jah sulked like the teenage boy that I sometimes forgot that he was. “I just think I’ll keep what goes on between Seth and me to myself.”

  “Suit yourself, but still watch yourself, Jah. I’m going to try my best to not let Seth take advantage of you. Remember who cared about you first.”

  “I know, but I want you to be happy for me.”

  “I’m happy for you, if it’s the right kind of happiness.”

  “Whatever,” he said, rolling his eyes.

  I took a bite of my sandwich. “Let’s change the subject. My mother is in town. I want you to meet her.”

  “The one who dates the hot young football player?”

  I smiled. “I only have one mother and that would be her.”

  “What’s she doing down here?”

  “Came to surprise me, I think. But yes, the boyfriend is with her.”

  Jah picked up his sandwich. “I want to meet him, and of course it would be nice to meet your mother.”

  “I’m going for lunch with her tomorrow at the hotel. If you’re free, I can take you along.”

  “I love eating and sleeping in hotels.”

  “I bet you do,” I said with a laugh.

  Right before I was getting ready to leave work, Alexandria stuck her head in the door of my office. She offered me a piece of red licorice from the package she was carrying. If my clocks ever went on the fritz, I’d always know it was five o’clock when Alex broke out the licorice to get her through another hour or so of work. I smiled because she looked so badass businesswoman in her form-fitting black suit and stilettos, yet playful with the candy.

  “Bentley, I saw your little friend and our client, Jah, a little earlier. He seemed like he was floating on a cloud and the moon. What’s going on with him?”

  I sighed. “Jah thinks he’s in love.”

  “Good for him.” Alex bit her licorice and smiled.

  “Yeah, right. What does an eighteen-year-old know about love?”

  “Party of bitter for one.” Alexandria laughed. “From my conversations with Jah, he seems pretty level-headed.”

  “Whatever,” I said. “Let’s see how long this love lasts.”

  “Do you have plans for tonight?”

  I shoved some papers into a file to leave my desk looking halfway neat for the night.

  “Not tonight. My mother is in town and I might be going to Prime 112 with her later in the week.”

  “Oh my, fancy, fancy. And how is Lucinda doing?”

  “She seems fine.”

  “What brought her to town?”

  “Guess.”

  Alexandria’s face lit up. “To see her baby?”

  “Guess again.”

  She crossed her arms with a playful smile. “Something to do with the young stud?”

  “You got it.”

  She chomped more licorice. “So she’s still doing the cougar high thing.”

  “It seems that way.”

  “Boy,” Alex said, “I’d like to be a fly on the wall at that dinner.” The thought of seeing Alex watch my mother while she made a fool of herself didn’t sound like fun. I missed the charming, witty mother who made people laugh when she asked questions like “What’s in a gin and tonic?” knowing full well everyone would break out into laughter. As much as I loved my mother’s independence and gall, the visual of seeing her with a guy younger than me, instead of my father, was just wrong.

  “Speaking of dinner, I have plans with an independent producer from Los Angeles tonight. He’s thinking about doing a film on South Beach.”

  “And don’t forget, I leave for my West Coast trip tomorrow. I got a lot of meetings lined up.”

  “Sounds good. Don’t forget you’re going out there to work, lady. I don’t think your party days are over like you say.”

  “It’s all business, baby,” she said, patting her stomach. “I’m about to become a mom, remember? When we get back, you’re gonna look at those DVDs from the sperm bank with me and help me pick a baby daddy.”

  I laughed. “That just sounds so bizarre.”

  Alex wrapped up the candy. “Hey, I’m going to cast that role just like they do for Hollywood movies. Maybe I’ll ask for some pointers while I’m out there.”

  I asked, “Hey, have you ever met Seth Sinclair?”

  Alex smiled. “Mr. Actor, Producer, Director, and Mega-personality? No, I haven’t. He probably got people in front of people to get to him. That guy is a major player and I just don’t mean in black Hollywood. He is the real deal. Why do you ask?”

  I played it cool. “Just wondering. I was reading this article about him and thought how great it might be if we could submit some people for his next project.”

  She chuckled cynically. “Yeah, and while you’re at it, why don’t we do the same thing with Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood?” Alexandria said. There she was going again with her somewhat dry sense of humor.

  I shrugged. “It never hurts to dream.”

  “You know, Seth’s wife and I modeled at the same time,” Alex said. “I doubt she’d even remember me. She had a way of not really caring about anyone but herself. Diva with a capital D.”

  I asked, “Do you know anyone who might be able to make the connection?”

  “I do have a friend,” Alex said, “and I use that term loosely, that I used to model with who married some ballplayer who said she had become friends with his wife. She said they met while serving on some charity committee. But Lola is the kind of girl who you can only believe half of what she says, so I don’t know. Maybe I’ll call her while I’m out there.”

  “Yeah, there was a picture of his wife and twins in the magazine article. Very beautiful lady, and the kids look like little angels.”

  “And you’re surprised. Seth Sinclair is fine as hell and he got bank. Who else is he going to marry besides someone who’s drop-dead gorgeous?”

  I lowered my voice and asked, “You ever heard any juicy rumors about him?”

  “Like what?”
r />   “I don’t know, but you hear stories about all the big players in Hollywood.”

  “No,” Alex said. “I have to say I haven’t. He must be as clean as new underwear or have a damn good publicist.”

  I laughed. “Okay, I hope you have fun tonight. And if I don’t talk to you before you leave, have a safe trip.”

  “Will do, B. D. You stay out of trouble while I’m gone.” She hugged me.

  “Trouble don’t even know I’ve moved to Miami, so you don’t have anything to worry about, Alex.”

  NINETEEN

  It was a beautiful day on South Beach, so I decided to do some scouting. I loved getting myself a butter pecan ice-cream cone and strolling down Lincoln Road, checking out the eye candy that might be the next hot model on my list. Sometimes I would do it at some of the malls outside the city, but usually had better luck here because everybody was either gay or gay friendly. I didn’t get the strange looks I got when I approached guys with a card and the “Are you interested in being a model?” question that I sometimes got when I went to the malls.

  Sometimes I would walk down one side of the large outdoor mall areas, then turn around and walk on the other side. If it was a nice day like today, I would give out at least ten cards. That would usually result in at least five calls from guys who were interested in modeling.

  I purchased my single-scoop cone and sat at a little table with a huge umbrella outside of the shop. I was enjoying my cold treat when my cell phone vibrated inside my long plaid shorts. I pulled it out. JAH flashed across the screen.

  “What’s up, boi?”

  “Hey, B, are you busy?”

  “Not yet. What’s up?”

  “I’m thinking of dropping out of school this semester.”

  I stiffened. “Why on earth you do that, Jah?”

  “Because I’m just not focused this semester and I just got a text from Seth asking if I can meet him in Houston tonight. I want to do it, but I have a lab.”

  My tone hardened, sounding almost angry. “Don’t do it, Jah. You need to give school a little more time.”

  Jah sounded like a love-swept teenaged girl. “But I want to see Seth and he wants to see me.”