The Loss of Love and Truth

by R Kenneth Donaldson

  Finally, after Mitchell and Richard were finished, Richard got up from the bed and went to where I assumed the bathroom was. Mitchell laid on the bed, face up with his manhood still erect.

  “Well, alright.” Minna exclaimed, laughing. “Damn, I can’t believe that fine specimen is six feet under.”

  “You don’t know the half of it,” I answer back. “Well, it looks like there’s nothing substantial.” I said as I was about to stop the tape.

  Before I could reach the remote, Richard walks back in view of the camera and lies on the bed beside Mitchell. He started to say something, but I couldn’t quite make out what was being said, so I grabbed the remote to increase the volume.

  “So, was this better than when you’re with Trevor?” Richard asks, smiling.

  “Don’t play yourself,” Mitchell began. “It was ah-ite. But, you could never be as good as Trevor. I love Trevor. This is only a fuck.”

  “Only a fuck, huh? Oh, you love him so much, then why do you always bring your ass over here?”

  “Look, motherfucker, leave Trevor out of this. Besides, you know the only reason why I fuck you and let you suck my dick is because you got me wrapped up with this shit.” Mitchell says as he reaches over the side of the bed to a table where there were two vials of what I guess must be crack.

  “And don’t you ever forget it either, Mitchell. If it weren’t for me you’d still be nothing more than a two-bit junkie. Now, if we stay low and let the heat blow off, we can be rich.”

  “Look, I don’t know about all of this. I don’t want no part of this anymore.”

  “Oh really? It’s Trevor isn’t?”

  “Maybe. Look, I didn’t realize we were gonna get in so deep.”

  Richard jumps up and looks down at Mitchell. “Don’t try and get a conscience now. You’re involved in this shit as much as I am. I swear to you Mitchell, if you rat out, I’ll kill you.”

  “Calm yo little white ass down. I ain’t gonna say a word.” “You better not.”

  I pick up the remote and stop the tape. I looked over towards Minna and her mouth was as wide as mine.

  “Well, this is more than I had expected.” she said.

  “Well, this does explain why Mitchell’s place was ransacked. If I had a confession like this on tape, I’d do the same thing.”

  “But you know what I don’t understand? If Richard knows you have the tape, then why isn’t he coming after you instead of going after everyone else?”

  “That’s just it, I don’t think he knows. He knows I’ve been trying to figure out who killed Mitchell and who was trying to set me up. I guess he was probably getting a little nervous that I would uncover something”

  “So, what are we gonna do now? We have everything to get a conviction. Probable cause, motive and a confession.”

  “I think the first thing I’m going to do is call John.” “You trust him?”

  “To a point, but he is the only one I can rely on right now. But, in the meantime, I’m gonna go over to a friend of mine to make a copy of this tape. Just in case John isn’t trustworthy.”

  “It sounds like a plan to me. Well, Mr. Morrows, it looks like we’ve cracked this case wide open. Richard’s gonna be put away for a long time.”

  “I hope so. Listen, let me go ahead and drop you off at the office. I need to go and visit my father before I make a copy of this tape.”

  “Perfect, because I need to do some work anyway.”

  “Listen Minna, I just want to thank you for being so supportive. I don’t know many people who would go out on a limb the way you have.”

  “Hey, like I told you before, don’t thank me. I’m gonna bill you.” Minna laughs. “Alright, but just so long as I get a discount.”

  After I dropped Minna off in front of the office I started towards St. Peter’s Hospital. On my way there, I picked up my cellular phone and called the police precinct.

  “Homicide, this is Matthew Lirday speaking.” “Matthew, hi this is Trevor. Is John in?”

  “No he’s not. Is there something I can help you with?”

  “Well, I guess so. A friend of mine was almost mowed down by a black van.” “You’re kidding me!! When did this happen? What’s this friend’s name?”

  “You remember Minna, don’t you? She was with me at my father’s dinner party.” “Yes, how could I forget?”

  “Well, I’m afraid that whoever put my father in the hospital may be after her too. Would you mind running this license plate number for me and could you send a plainclothesman over to her office and make sure she gets home safely.”

  “I’ll be more than happy to. As a matter of fact, I’ll do better than that. I’m off duty in fifteen minutes. I’ll make sure she gets home okay.”

  “Great, Matthew. That sets my mind at ease. I’ll talk to you later.”

  I quickly press the receiver down to place another call, this time to Marcus. The phone rings twice before Marcus picks up.

  “New York Sperm Bank!! Why not try our 24 hour drive-thru window?” Marcus announces over the receiver.

  “You are a nut. You know that.” “I know, but you gotta love me.” “Hey, what are you doing now?” “Nothing, why what’s up?”

  “I need to make a copy of a video tape.”

  “No problem. Are you on your way over now?”

  “No, I need to go see my father in the hospital. Let’s say I’ll be over there around eight.”

  “That’s fine. I need to fill you in on some gossip anyway.”

  “I should’ve know you would have some. I’ll see you around eight then. Bye.”

  Another twenty-five minutes finds me in the parking garage of St. Peter’s Hospital. I sit in my jeep for another ten minutes. I let my head fall on the headrest of the car seat and close my eyes. I was feeling extremely drained right now. Who would have ever thought that my life would turn such an ugly corner.

  Before I stepped out of the jeep to go into the hospital I mentally willed myself to put on a smile and appear to be cheerful. I swore to myself silently that this was as far as it was going to go. No one else close to me was going to get hurt. I will make sure of that. Even if it meant that I take out Richard personally, then so be it.

  I walk through the entrance of the facility and as I pass the gift shop I realize that I was coming to visit my father empty handed. I stepped in the little gift shop to pick out something appropriate, which I always have a problem doing considering my father has it all.

  After giving the little gift shop a quick once over and not finding anything that I felt was suitable, I decided to pick out a card. As I perused the different variety of cards, I got the strange feeling that someone was staring at me. I quickly turned around to see an attractive woman dart her eyes away from me. I smile to myself thinking that I can still pull a woman if I want to.

  I settled on a card that I thought would make my father smile and quickly paid for it. I took the elevator to the fifth floor. When I spoke to my mother earlier on today, she informed me that dad was out of intensive care and was recovering nicely in a normal room.

  I walk into the room and was greeted by a group of people, some of which I recognized were from his office, others I did not. As I make my way through the small crowd, I can see my father propped up against three large white pillows smiling and my mother standing beside him also smiling. The bed was covered with papers and books.

  Evidently things were going extremely well compared to yesterday. I walk up to my mother and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and looked at my father.

  “So how are you feeling, dad?”

  “Much better, son. The doctor says I should be out of here in no time.”

  “I see you brought your office here. How did you manage to convince those nurses to let all these people in here?”

  “I tried to tell him he needs his rest, but he insists on working,” my mother explains.

  “You know I can’t stop working just because of a little fender-bender.” “Fender-be
nder? Stephen, you were nearly killed.”

  “But I wasn’t, Elizabeth. Unless you both have forgotten, I am trying to run for mayor and I have a lot of work to do. Since Mohammed couldn’t make it to the mountain, I had the mountain come to Mohammed. Since I own the mountain.”

  “He’s hopeless.” My mother says to me. Then almost instantly, my mother’s face clouds. She grabs my arm.

  “Trevor, step outside with me for a minute.”

  Smiling to everyone, my mother ushers me out of the hospital room. We slowly walk down the hallway and after a couple of minutes my mother looks at me.

  “What was that all about yesterday?” My mother asks with concern.

  I didn’t say anything for a minute. I had forgotten what took place yesterday at the hospital. I don’t know what I was thinking to spill the fact that I knew who could have put my father in the hospital.

  “Well, are you going to tell me?” She asks impatiently.

  “Mom, I don’t know if I should get into it right now. But, let’s just say that there’s a possibility that whoever hit dad was doing it in order to get at me.”

  “I know you’re trying to protect me and your father. But, if this person is still out there, we need to know who you suspect, so we cando something about it.”

  “I know what you’re saying mom. But believe me it would be worse if you knew. Sometimes ignorance is the best thing.”

  My mother exhales heavily. “You know, sometimes you’re just as pig-headed as your father.”

  Why I found that so offensive I don’t know. “Mom, I’m sorry I can’t go into all of the details right now. But I promise it will be over real soon and I’ll fill you in on all of it.” “I guess that’s all I’m going to get from you, so I’ll just drop it.”

  “Thank you. Listen, I need to run.”

  “Where are you off to now?”

  “I need to take care of some business.”

  “Some business, huh? Listen Trevor, you’re not too grown for me to put you over my knee.”

  “Mom, I think I am. But it’s refreshing to know that you think I’m not.” I said laughing.

  “Alright smart-ass. Just come back in and tell your father that you’re leaving.”

  We both walk back into the room, arm in arm.

  “Dad, I need to head on back to work. I hope you take the time to get some rest. The mayorship will always be there.”

  “I know that. I’m just not getting any younger,” he returns. I look towards my mother. “Will you keep him in check?”

  “I’ve been with this man for over thirty-two years and if there’s one thing that I’ve learned it’s that once he’s set in his mind to do something, it’s best to stay out of his way and let him do it.”

  “And you love it. How else was I able to snatch you up?”

  I stood there looking at the both of them shaking my head. I guess no matter how much my father and I don’t get along, he really loves my mother and that’s enough for me.

  When I arrived at Marcus’ apartment he had the music blaring. If it weren’t for the fact that I had keys to his apartment, he would have never known I was there.

  Marcus was in the kitchen dancing with his back towards me. I walked up to him and gave him a pinch on his rear-end. Marcus quickly turned around with surprise on his face.

  “Bitch, don’t do that shit,” he snapped heatedly.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” I said, feeling apologetic. I didn’t realize he would react this way.

  But leave it to Marcus to change his attitude rapidly. “Scare me, please. When you squeezed my ass, I thought you were a real man,” he said laughing.

  “Fuck you, you cunt.” I laughed.

  Marcus walks in the living room to turn down his stereo.

  “So, what’s up? I haven’t seen you since the party.” Marcus asks.

  “Not much, the same ole shit. You know the routine. My life isn’t as exciting as yours.” “You and I both know that. But I thought you would have something going on considering you are a private dick and all.”

  “Yes, and unlike you I like keeping my dick just that, private. Speaking of which, what ever happened the night I left you at the party anyway?”

  “Chile, you need to sit down for this one. You want a drink first?” “Do you have to ask?”

  “I guess not.”

  As Marcus fixes us a drink, he begins to recount what happened that night.

  “Well, anyway, after you left, I guess I started to feel a little guilty about doing something with this guy who I just met. And Isaac kept popping up in my mind. But Mike was just so fucking smooth that any doubt that I may have had was thrown out the window.”

  “Wait, wait. You mean to tell me that big motherfucker was down?”

  “Down is not the word. That following night, he was up, down and all around town. Baby, he gives new meaning to ‘rock my world’. I think I’m in love.” He laughs.

  “Get serious. How in the hell could you be in love when you only fucked him one night? Hold up it wasn’t even a full day. I hope you were careful.”

  “Trevor, I may be many things, but I’m not stupid. Of course we were careful. And I’m just teasing about falling in love with him. I still have some issues with Isaac, but let me tell you Mike isn’t just any piece of trade. I mean we really clicked. I think I could really start to like him.”

  “Please, what could he have possibly done to make you feel like that, besides the obvious? I mean, it couldn’t have been all that…”

  “All that and two pieces of jumbo shrimp.” “Well then, spill the dirt. I want details.”

  “Trevor, now you know I don’t kiss and tell,” Marcus says laughing. “Now you know you need to stop.”

  “Alright. After you and whats-his-face… “

  “The boy’s name is Arnold, Endora.”

  “Yeah, yeah Arnold. Anyway, after you and Arnold left us, Mike gave me a tour of the apartment. And of course, it wasn’t a three hour tour like Gilligan. And you know it ended with him showing me the bedroom. And me being me, at the sight of a bed the flirt was on. The boy must’ve liked what he saw, because he placed his big meaty hands around my back and pulled me close to him. Let me tell you chile, my first instinct was to play the shy role and act all coy and demure. But, Isaac hasn’t given me any in a long time and Ms. Kitty was actin’ up. You should’ve heard her roaring. It was embarrassing.”

  “You are shot out, boy. But didn’t you just say you didn’t get any until the next night? What happened?”

  “I know, I’m gettin’ to that. We were getting pretty heated by this time. Kissing, touching, groping, you know the deal, but for some odd reason my conscience started to bother me again. Anyway, the party was still going on and the music was throwing me all off, so I got off the bed and went to the bathroom. Mike followed behind me and he acted like he was genuinely sorry for being so pushy. But, I told him it wasn’t his fault that he was so phine. After we cooled off, I told him I thought it was best if I left, before anything else happened. So I left.”

  “You what?”

  “I left. But not before I gave him my number chile. I may have felt guilty, but I wasn’t gonna let this motherfucker get away. Anyway, around three o’clock the next day he called me and Isaac was sitting right here in the living room when I picked up the phone. I had to play it off real good. I told Mike that I had company and I would call him back in fifteen minutes. Isaac must’ve known it was another man, cause he got all pissed off and we started arguing. I told him that even if I had decided to mess around, he didn’t have any room to talk. He got so mad, he just up and left, which was fine by me. He was working my nerves anyway. Just as soon as Isaac left, I skipped to the phone and star 69-ed Mike’s ass. Trevor, the boy said he couldn’t stop thinking about me and wanted to see me right then. Since it was the next day and I basically put Isaac on “call-waiting”, my conscience said to me ‘You go, girl’, so I told him to come on over. And he was ov
er here quicker than I could spit.”

  “Damn. Well, was it worth throwing away your relationship with Isaac?”

  “That’s the thing. I think I’m gonna go ahead and just give Isaac his walking papers and send him on his merry little way.”

  “You can’t be serious. You guys have been together for so long.”

  “So? That didn’t stop him from sleeping with his ex-wife, now, did it?. A woman I didn’t even know existed until she called my house, trying to read me about her man. No, I thought about it long and hard. There’s nothing Isaac can say or do now. Even if it doesn’t work out with Mike, I just don’t want to be with Isaac. I guess it hurts more than I realized. I just can’t trust him.”

  “Yeah, I guess I know what you mean. But, are you sure you want to start something new with Mike, knowing you’re just getting out of this one?”

  “You know, I guess I’m not looking for a relationship. To be honest, I just want to have some clean fun. I’m tired of all the headaches being in a relationship can bring. But, enough about me, what’s up with you and that gorgeous hunk of a man you’re seeing?”

  For some odd reason a small smile sneaks across my face and of course Marcus immediately picks it up.

  “Oh I see, it’s like that.” Marcus says laughing.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say unable to stop smiling. “Boy, please. I know that smile anywhere. What’s going on?” “Nothing really. It’s just that he’s cool people.”

  “Yeah, yeah I know all that. What I want to know is, have you tasted the honey yet?”

  “No, I haven’t. Shit, it’s too early for all that.” “Trevor, it’s never to early for that.”

  “Well, I’m just not ready. Besides, I’ve got other shit on my mind that I need to deal with.”

  “Alright. But tell me, how do you feel about him? Do you like him or are you just messin’ with his mind?”

  “I guess I like him. I don’t know if I want to start anything with him or anyone else for that matter.”

  “Trevor, didn’t we go over this before? What are you so afraid of anyway? He’s a decent man. You better snatch him up before someone else does.”