by AnDerecco
MONIQUE
I tried but he was in a rush. So he said that he would meet you all on tomorrow.
JACOB
OK. Well I guess we will meet on tomorrow.
They finished their meals, settled their checks and walked to the theatre for the show. Jacob’s phone began to ring. It was Jeremy calling him.
JACOB
Jeremy, sup.
Ian stopped in his tracks.
JEREMY
I was calling to let you know that I am in D.C.
JACOB
You are where?
JEREMY
In D.C. When you told me that you all were meeting Monique for dinner I knew you had to be here.
JACOB
OK….
JEREMY
Is Ian with you?
JACOB
Yes.
JEREMY
I want my baby back in my life. I can’t live another day without him. I would move land and water to get him back.
JACOB
I hear you. Go for what you know.
Jacob can hear someone calling Jeremy in the background.
JACOB
Are you alone?
JEREMY
No, Eric came with me.
JACOB
What? Are you crazy?
Jacob told them to go on into the theatre and he would meet up with them.
JEREMY
No. I was coming alone but he said that he would come with me to help me win Ian back.
JACOB
I hear you but I don’t think that was a wise decision.
JEREMY
Jacob you know that I love him. I would do no wrong to Ian.
JACOB
Son let me ask you something and I want you to be completely whole-hearted honest with me…have you ever cheated on Ian.
JEREMY
I have never cheated on Ian. Opportunities have presented themselves but I don’t want lose something so precious to me for a few moments of lust. Yes I see attractive people all of the time. But I know what was given to me as a gift with love.
JACOB
OK. I understand. Where are you staying?
JEREMY
I am going to find a hotel now. I will let you know later.
JACOB
Fine, well I am about to get in here for the show. I will text or call you later. Be careful and I love you.
JEREMY
Love you too.
Jacob ended the call and placed his phone in his pocket. He looked up to the heavens and asked for patience, guidance, and more understanding. He pulled the door open and went into the theatre. He found his seat and sat next to Dennis. Ian leaned across Monique and asked Jacob what Jeremy had to say. Jacob told him that Jeremy was in D.C. on a mission. He didn’t want to go into details about the whole plan. Ian set back in his chair and let out a deep sigh.
As soon as the show started Ian felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He saw that he had a text from Deacon.
DEACON
Hey sweetness. What are you doing?
IAN
Hey. Watching a play.
DEACON
OK well have fun. Do you miss me?
IAN (smiling at his phone)
Sure.
DEACON
There you go with that “sure” again. You keeping my stuff to yourself.
IAN
I guess you can say that.
DEACON
I mean it.
IAN
Yeah sure.
DEACON
Well I was just checking on you.
IAN
Cool.
MONIQUE (whispering)
Would you put that phone up and watch this show. These tickets weren’t cheap.
IAN
That was a friend of mine.
XXVII
In the middle of the night Eric decided that he needed to go to the supercenter and get a few items in case he got lucky. He woke Jeremy and told him that he was going to catch a cab to go to the nearest superstore.
Eric held a cab and in less than fifteen minutes he was there. He paid that cab and walked into the store.
While Eric was putting his items in, he heard a familiar voice in the next aisle. He peeked around the corner to find Ian on the phone. He walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder.
As Ian turned around and saw that it was Eric. He felt the sweat beads pop on his forehead. Ian told his caller that he would call him back.
IAN
What are you doing here?
ERIC
Oh, Jeremy and I decided that we needed a get-a-way. So we came here.
IAN
You are so pathetic.
ERIC
Look Ian, I want us to be on good terms. As you know Jeremy and I are living together now. How about when you all get back to Mississippi – you come over for dinner?
IAN
Eric I would not step foot into your house.
ERIC
Our house. Well I tried. Tell me something, did you enjoy the back rubs and the foot massages that Jeremy gives. They are so relaxing after a long day of work.
IAN
I don’t have any glass that you can taste but this lotion here can work also.
ERIC
Ian, grow up. You are so volatile. It doesn’t take all of that. No wonder Jeremy left you.
IAN
I don’t have time for this.
Ian turned to walk off.
ERIC
Ian one more thing. I left a toy in Jeremy’s truck the last time he used it on me and now he say that he can’t find it. Would you happen to know where it is?
Ian stepped up to Eric and got right in his face. He made sure his nose was touching Eric’s for clear understanding.
IAN
Eric I have told you before that I don’t like you. You got Jeremy. Have a nice life together. If you come to me with some more bull there will be two sad days – your funeral and my trial. That’s a promise.
Ian turned and walked away. He felt accomplished by letting Eric know where he stood on that situation.
Eric stood there plotting his next move.
Matt overheard all of this. He walked over to Eric.
MATT
Excuse me young man. I heard that man making a promise to you. Are you ok?
ERIC
Yeah, I am fine. He is upset that his man left him for me.
MATT
Really? Ok well I think I remember seeing him earlier this evening in a restaurant. Are you all from here?
ERIC
No – Mississippi.
MATT
Great…been there before. I went to college in Mississippi.
ERIC (not interested in what Matt had to say)
You want a cookie for that?
MATT
I see you have a smart mouth. If you don’t mind me asking, what is your name?
ERIC (smiling)
I told you that I have a man. Plus I don’t give my name to strangers.
MATT
Don’t flatter yourself. I am Matt Walker.
ERIC
Nice to meet you.
MATT
What is that man that made you a promise name?
ERIC
First off, he didn’t make me a promise. Secondly, his name is Ian.
MATT
Cool, cool. Do you know if he has a friend name Monique?
ERIC
Yes, why.
MATT
Her dad is Jacob Gibson and he has a lover name Dennis.
ERIC
How do you know all of this and why do you want to know this?
Matt pulled out a hundred dollar bill and passed it to Eric.
ERIC
Yes, everything that you asked is true.
MATT
So you can be bought.
ERIC
We are in a recession. Anything else you want to know?
MATT
No but I may need a little help.<
br />
ERIC (folding his arms)
It will cost you.
MATT
How much are you talking?
ERIC
What can you afford?
MATT
I can buy you ten times over.
ERIC
I ain’t cheap.
MATT
I can look at you and tell that. You are someone that I like to call a lioma.
ERIC
And what is that?
MATT
Another name for a trick. One that can be easier bought.
Eric was appalled by the statement. Matt pulled out five hundred dollars and passed it to Eric. Eric counted the money and put it in his pocket.
ERIC
I am listening.
XXVIII
Jacob was in the mirror straightening his tie when Dennis came out of the bathroom. He looked over at him and gave a quick wink. Dennis tightens the towel around his waist when he walked over to Jacob. He looked him into his eyes and rubbed his face. He grabbed the back of Jacob’s head and pulled him to him. He gave him a long passionate kiss.
After the kiss Dennis stepped back and glared at Jacob. Jacob seemed to be lost in the kiss.
DENNIS
Ace do you know how much I love you and how much I am in love with you.
JACOB
I know. I love you too. I never knew that I could know a love like this. I am forever grateful for having you in my life. You humble me. I can be out and think about you and smile. I know that we have had our disagreements but I love you boy. You know I was thinking about the situation with Ian and Jeremy, do you think that they can work it out.
DENNIS
I hope so. Those two are young. Ian is the type that puts his all in. He wants Jeremy. But he is scared to get hurt.
JACOB
Jeremy needs to learn to open up and talk to him. You can’t have a relationship without communication. Regardless of hidden feelings, fetishes, all of that stuff. That is what is going to make him really lose out.
DENNIS
When I talked to Jeremy he told me that he talks to him. Plus Ian takes a lot of things the wrong way. He questions everything.
JACOB
Insecure. Look at the things that he has found recently with Jeremy. Even in the past.
Suddenly there was a knock on the room door. Jacob opened it to find a young man standing there.
JACOB
Eric!?
ERIC
Yes it’s me. I came to escort you to the workshop.
JACOB
Why are you here?
ERIC
Well that is a surprise to everyone. I applied for a job with the company that you are doing the workshop for. I got a call to come out for a second interview and Mr. Walker mentioned the workshops. He told me who was conducting them and I told him that I knew you. So he figured that I would be your personal escort to the venue.
JACOB
OK. Well Dennis is not ready. I thank you but we have a ride to the venue.
ERIC
That’s fine. That’s fine. Well I guess I will…
DENNIS
Ace go ahead with him. You can do the sound check and make sure everything is like “you” want it before we start.
Eric could not help but stare at Dennis body.
ERIC (thinking to himself)
Damn, he is fine for his age. I wonder how strong the back is. Bet he could render me unconscious.
JACOB (suspiciously)
Wait Eric did you drive to D.C.?
ERIC
No I flew but Mr. Walker sent me here in a company limo.
JACOB
Alone?
ERIC
Ah, no actually Jeremy came with me.
JACOB
So I take it that if you get the job you both will be moving here.
ERIC
Yes sir. We will. You know we are an item now.
Jacob didn’t know what to believe. He thought about everything that Jeremy told him. Was he lying? What were his real intentions with Ian? He decided to ride with Eric to the venue. Maybe he could get some answers to questions that where going through his head.
XXIX
Ian and Monique walked down the hall towards Dennis hotel room. When they arrived Monique knocked in a rhythmic way. Dennis opened the door while putting on his coat. Monique and Ian entered the room.
MONIQUE
Where is Pops?
DENNIS
He is already gone.
MONIQUE
Oh ok. Do you have everything?
DENNIS
I think so.
IAN
Calm down. You have done this a million times. Both of you will be fine.
DENNIS
I know.
MONIQUE
What time does this start?
DENNIS
Nine. When I spoke with Matt on the phone I told him that we would do forty-five minutes sessions for two or three days or do it all in one whole day.
MONIQUE
So that is you all are here for a few days. Well I am excited because I get to see you all.
She reached over to hug Ian. Dennis grabbed his attaché bag and everyone exited the room.
_________________________________
While in the limo Jacob was questioning Eric about the job that he was interviewing for. Eric was a step up and had an answer for everything. When Jacob asked him about Jeremy, Eric would blush. He raved about their “relationship”. The plans that they were making to move and once they were settled in D.C. their plans for marriage and adoption.
ERIC
Would you care for a drink?
JACOB
No I don’t drink before a workshop.
ERIC (while fixing him a cocktail)
Oh, come on just one small one will not hurt you.
Jacob grew suspicious of Eric. Jacob told Eric that he would have a soda with a few cubes of ice. Eric reached over to the mini fridge to prepare the soda. In doing so he reached into the inner part of his shirt and pulled out a folded piece of paper that contained two small pills. He quickly dropped them in the bottom of the glass. He took the tongs and placed the ice and then the soda. Gave it a quick small shake and then turn to pass the drink to Jacob.
Eric began to ask questions about the workshop as Jacob took sips of his drink. The more he asked the sleepier Jacob got. He tried to shake it off but nothing was working.
Jacob sat the glass on the floor of the limo. He took his hand and went across his forehead.
ERIC (concerned)
Jacob is everything alright?
JACOB (about to pass out)
You put something in my drink. There is no reason I should feel like this. I didn’t feel like this until you fixed my drink.
ERIC (sarcastically)
Just fall over and go to sleep. You will be ok. Trust me.
Jacob tried hard to fight the sleep that was coming over him. To no avail he closed his eyes and his head went back.
Eric gave him a smile and tapped him three times on his forehead. He knocked on the glass between them and the driver. The window came down and he instructed the driver to drive to 8273 Cypress Ave. Immediately the window went back up.
Eric refreshed his drink and made a phone call.
ERIC
We are on our way. Yes he is out.
Eric placed the phone on the base. He turned the volume on the radio up and continued to nurse his drink.
XXX
IAN
He’s not in the restroom.
MONIQUE
I didn’t see him in the back.
DENNIS
I tried his phone several times but he is not answering. I can’t locate Matt either. Monique see if you can call him.
A short petit woman came walking over to Dennis. She explained to him that Mr. Walker was going to be running a little late and for him to start promptly.
Dennis was apprehensive about starting when h
e didn’t have his business partner with him.
The workshop was constructed to where Dennis and Jacob would bounce off of each other.
Jeremy came walking in the venue and spotted Dennis. He approached them with ease. He was unsure if Ian would talk to him. He was unsure if any of them would talk to him. Monique felt a presence behind her and turned around to see who it was. She was surprise to see him. A huge smile came on her face as she threw her arms open to embrace him with the same love that she had for him before.
Ian was furious because he felt that she was betraying him by hugging Jeremy. Ian raced off to the restroom. This action infuriated Dennis. Dennis followed him to the restroom.
Dennis hit the door with the palm of his hand and pushed it open. Ian was standing at the vanity looking in the mirror.
DENNIS
What the hell is your problem?
IAN
How dare he show up here? He has been fooling with that trashy Eric and now here as if nothing happened. And then your stepdaughter showing him love like nothing has changed. He cheated on me.
DENNIS
Will you get out of your feelings? My fucking lover is missing. You call yourself a friend to Monique and this is her father. If not for me why you can’t be there for her?
IAN
I am here for the both of you.
DENNIS
And you talking about cheat…did you not have sex with Deacon?
This totally took Ian by surprise.
DENNIS
Yes. Deacon is a good friend of mine. We played it off in the hospital. He told me about it. It wasn’t my place to say anything. But I know it all. You are not divorce from Jeremy yet. That’s boy loves you. If he didn’t he wouldn’t be here trying to get your ass back.
IAN (smiling)
What did Deacon say about me and him?
DENNIS
You want me to put my foot up your ass don’t you?
IAN
Well I want to know. I will go out here and be cordial but I am not speaking to him.
DENNIS
That is all I ask.
