Monti picked up the Bible and prayed that God would give him guidance on what direction he should go. He prayed for peace and understanding. He sat there in the stillness of the chapel. He knew he had to wait and see what would happen because he was not able to do anything because he did not know who Calvin was. He could not call someone that he did not know. There, in the chapel, Monti found peace and tranquility. He looked at his watch and saw that it was close to 11:00. He knew he had to get back to work but he was sure to make one more stop here before he left work that day.
As he made his way back to his office, Monti’s phone rang. He looked down at the caller ID to see it was Pookie. Pookie was the nickname that he gave to Cameron. He did not know how he came up with it but it was something that he liked. Cameron did not even know that he had a nickname but in time Monti would share it with him. “Hey Cam.”
“Hey Monti, I just was checking in with you to see how your day was going. Is everything ok?”
How did he know that something was wrong? Monti thought. Panic struck Monti and he could not speak.
“Monti?” Cameron asked. “Are you there?”
“Yes, Cam. I am here. Sorry just caught me in the middle of something. I am here now. You have my undivided attention.”
“I just wanted to know if you were having a good day. I had a strong feeling a few minutes ago to call you. Is everything ok?”
“What kind of stuff is this? God, were you telling me something?” Monti thought. “Yes, I am doing well. What do you have going on?” he replied.
“Not much…I was in your area and wanted to see if you went to lunch yet?”
“Actually, I haven’t yet. I would love to accompany you to lunch. How long before you get here?”
“I can be there in about five minutes. There are a couple restaurants near the hospital we can eat at, is that ok?”
“Yes, that will be fine.”
“Good. I will see you in a few minutes.”
“Ok, bye.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
You Want to Blow Me Off ?
Cameron picked Monti up at the front entrance of the hospital and the two of them went to a local Coney Island. They ordered lunch and as they sat at a booth by the window, Monti could see that Cameron was excited about something. His eyes were sparkling more than they usually did. “What’s got you so excited? I can see it all over you face.”
“I have some good news to share with you.”
“What is this good news?”
“I just got a call today that all my background and preliminary stuff is done.”
“What does that mean? They make you have background checks after you have been flying for all this time?”
“No, I accepted another job and now I am starting the new position on the Tuesday after Labor Day.”
“What? Are you serious?”
“Yes, I am serious. You said that you didn’t want to be in a relationship where your partner was gone all the time. Plus I was tired of the mistreatment at the airline. So I applied for a new job.”
“What are you going to be doing?”
“I am going to be a personal banker at National Bank, downtown Detroit.”
“Wow that is really nice. That is great news.”
“I am really excited. It is not something that I have done before, obviously, but I am excited to take on new challenges and see what direction my career takes.”
“I am proud of you, Cameron.”
“Thanks.” Cameron reached into his backpack and pulled out the gift that he stopped off and got for Monti a couple weeks ago.
“What’s this?”
“This is what I got for you a couple weeks ago. I thought about returning it but figured that I wanted you to have it then and I still want you to have it today.”
“You never cease to amaze me Cameron. You are the one with the promotion and should be getting showered with gifts and you come here with something for me. I am honored to be in a relationship with you.” Monti was sincere when he said those words to Cameron.
“Go ahead and open it.”
Monti opened his gift and was surprised at how observant that Cameron was. He did not have Bvlgari in his collection. The flat round bottle with black surrounding it was very sexy looking. “Thanks Babe. I appreciate this.”
“No problem Monti. I am glad you liked it. I would hate to have gone through all that for something that you didn’t even like.”
“It is alright. So, what do you have planned tonight?”
“Nothing. Why? What do you have in mind?”
“I want to celebrate your new job with you. We can go out for drinks and dinner. You name the place.”
“What about Logan’s Roadhouse? That is the first place that we met and had dinner so it is fitting that we go back there for milestones in our relationship.”
“Ok sounds good. I have to pay a couple bills after work but will be there right after that.”
“Cool. Let’s pay for this lunch and get you back to work it is already 12:30 pm.”
Monti looked concerned and Cameron picked up on it immediately. “Are you sure everything is ok? Are you late for a meeting?”
“Yes, it started at 12:30.” Monti lied.
“Let’s go.” Cameron put down a twenty-dollar bill as they got up. He dropped Monti back at work about 5 minutes later. Once inside the hospital, Monti was extra vigilant as he walked back to his office. As he walked up to his door, he got nervous as he saw a piece of paper stuck to the office door. He read the note that said:
Mr. Burroughs,
I looked for you to let you know what was needed for the 2nd shift as you asked. I could not find you so I told Mr. Williams. If you need something else just call me on my cell phone.
Have a good day,
Wilma
Monti breathed a sigh of relief when he read Wilma’s note. He forgot that she was leaving early. He settled into his office and worked on his EMS reports. After he completed his reports, he went to do his final rounds for the day. He felt better because nothing had happened since he received the note. He was thinking about seeing Cameron again after work. He wanted to just have a good night to celebrate Cameron’s new job and that he was going to be home each day. His rounds went well with no issues. Monti was confident that the envelope was just a prank by someone and so he went about his day. He briefed the 2nd shift supervisor about the activities of the day and proceeded to leave the hospital.
As Monti walked towards his Jeep he saw another manila envelope that was stuck under the windshield wiper. Monti ran to the Jeep and got the envelope. He got in the vehicle and opened the envelope. He reached his hand in the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper folded up. There was another envelope that he did not notice in the envelope. He unfolded the note and read each stinging word.
So Monti,
You think that your secrets are safe. I told you that you had some work to do but you want to blow me off. What are you going to do when that sexy boyfriend of yours leaves you because you can’t keep your dick in your pants. You can either set up some time to meet with me or you can say goodbye to your little fantasy relationship. You are far from relationship material with your flawed ass. I am sure that you haven’t told him about your escapades in Palmer Park or in the bookstores, you crazy ass whore! How do you like the game so far?
Calvin
Monti’s face burned with anger as he read the note over and over again. He did not notice the other envelope inside. “Who the hell is this?” Monti did not remember who Calvin was. He questioned himself now trying to remember whom he had been with. It was hard for Monti because he had been going to the park and the bookstores for many years. He didn’t know where to start. He could not tell Cameron what he had been doing or even how long he had been doing it because there would be so much to tell and even Monti could not remember all of his escapades.
Monti was upset and as he sat in the vehicle. “No one would do anything this nasty.” Monti thought. “Could Ca
lvin be one of Yolanda’s friends that she got to fuck with me?” He picked up his phone and found her nickname among the contacts.
“What do you want, faggot?”
“Oh you are still just as fucking bitter as the day I walked out on you.”
“Shut the hell up. What do you want?”
“Tell your friend Calvin to leave me alone. Aren’t you over this bitterness?”
“What are you talking about? I knew you would lose it eventually. What, you got caught up in your shit and now you are looking for a way out? I don’t have a friend named Calvin. Maybe it is one of those people you were messing around with when we were together. The nerve of you to call me asking about some gay ass man you been messing around with. Keep your bullshit away from me and don’t call me with no bullshit.” She said as she hung up on him.
Monti looked at the envelope and felt that it wasn’t empty. He reached in and found the second envelope and opened it. Inside the second one were three photos. A tear formed in his eye as he studied each of them. The first photo showed him leaning up against a tree, with his shirt open and a figure kneeling in front of him. He could see that he was enjoying himself by the expression on his face. The second picture showed him grabbing a guy from behind as he was fucking Calvin over the fallen tree. The third picture showed Calvin kissing Monti’s neck and grabbing his chest. Monti’s head was tilted back as he was grabbing his own sex. Though Monti knew who the other person was, the average person would not know because the pictures never showed Calvin fully.
He looked at the photos and knew exactly who Calvin was. He still did not remember how he knew Calvin prior to that night in the park; but he knew that he had to find where he put that number. He did not know how he was going to be able to find it. How would he explain this to Cameron. He just moved in with Cameron a week ago. Monti did not know what to do. Maybe Calvin was just bluffing but maybe he wasn’t. No one that frequented the three B’s (Bushes, Bathhouses and Bookstores) wanted their business to be put in the streets and Monti had to bank that Calvin was the same way. Something inside Monti told him that he was not going to be right this time.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Just Saw A Ghost
Monti got himself together and made his way down I-75 to the downriver area. When he got to Cameron’s he parked in the front. He put both notes and the photos inside one envelope and put them in the back of the Jeep under the last row seat. He went into the house and went straight for the 1st floor bedroom where his clothes were and cracked the door behind him. He had to find those jeans and that flannel shirt. As he was looking through boxes and boxes of clothes, his phone rang.
“Hello.”
“Hey Monti. I wanted to let you know that I will be home in about thirty more minutes. I stopped off to get a manicure and pedicure as a congratulations for me and I didn’t want you to be waiting on me.”
“Oh, no baby, that was a very good idea. I should have thought about that. Take your time. We will go when you are ready. Just call me when you are leaving so that I can be ready when you get home.”
“I will. See you soon.”
“Bye.”
Monti kept looking and could not find the jeans. He did not pack in an orderly fashion so he had clothes everywhere. He continued to search for the clothes that he wore that night but he was unable to find them. As he looked around the room, he knew that he had to try to get things back in order before Cameron called because he did not know what his reaction would be when he saw the room in such disarray. Then he heard the garage door open. “Shit, I gotta hurry up and get this together.” He said in a panic. It was too late; Cameron opened the door from the garage and came in. He was on the phone deeply in a conversation so he didn’t notice the cracked door and the clothing thrown about. From the sounds of the conversation, he would be on there for a little while. Monti waited until he heard Cameron walking above him and he continued to put clothes back in boxes and stacked them neatly on top of each other. Monti had two more places to look for these clothes but he would not be able to look today because he had to get ready for dinner and drinks.
Monti composed himself and exited the room. He headed up the stairs to greet Cameron and to get ready to head out. Cameron was wrapping up his call when Monti came into the bedroom. He smiled when he saw Monti and walked over and gave him a hug as he was saying good-bye to whomever he was talking to.
“Hey Monti. I thought you had beat me home. I didn’t hear you come in. I meant to call you but one of my coworkers called me and was telling me congratulations about the new job.”
“That was nice of them. I am going to jump in the shower and get ready.”
“I showered before I went to get my pampering.”
“Hey babe, can you do me a favor?”
“Sure, what’s up?”
“Can you pick out something for me to wear while I shower?”
“No problem. I can handle that.”
“Thanks.” Monti said as he reached out and pulled Cameron close to him. Monti looked into his eyes and kissed him passionately.
“You better stop before we miss dinner and go right to dessert.”
“Alright, Cam. Get ready.”
Monti went to the bathroom and turned on the shower. They were comfortable with each other so they never closed the bathroom door when they were showering. Cameron went into the closet and found some nice jeans that Monti had hanging in the closet and a polo shirt. He laid out a black jock strap and some socks with the new Ralph Lauren Polo boots that he bought Monti just because.
After Cameron had finished laying out Monti’s clothes, he called Monti.
“Yeah what’s up?” He responded from the shower.
“Have you been to this place called Capers before?”
All Cameron heard was banging and a noise from the bathroom. He ran to the bathroom to see if Monti was alright.
“Are you alright?”
“Huh, umm…yes. I am alright.” He managed to get out.
“What happened?”
“I dropped the soap and then when I tried to get it I slipped and had to catch myself on the shower wall.”
“You got to be careful. You look like you just seen a ghost.” Cameron said as he made his way back into the bedroom. He turned on the television but turned the volume down so that they could continue to their conversation.
“No, no ghost here. I am ok.”
“Have you heard of that place?”
“Yeah…I have been there a couple times. Why?”
“I was at the mall today getting my manicure and pedicure and there was a guy that came in after me. He ended up sitting next to me. We started talking about stuff in general and he was telling me about it. He seemed to be a cool guy. I had never seen him there before but he said he comes there often.”
“How did Capers come into the conversation?”
“We were talking about what our plans were for the night. He obviously was gay so I told him that we were going for dinner and drinks. He asked me if I had ever been there because they have good strong drinks.”
“Oh ok. What did this guy look like?”
“He was a little taller than you with a bald head. He was interesting looking because he only had a thin moustache with no goatee. He looked like he worked out on a regular because his chest was huge. He said his name was Calvin or something like that.”
Cameron again heard the sounds of falling. He ran back into the bathroom. “Monti, you got me worried here. No one falls twice in the same shower.”
“I’m ok. I need to get out of here now anyway.”
“Yes, I agree.”
Monti did not know what to do at this point. He didn’t want to alarm Cameron that he could possibly know who Calvin was but he had more questions for Cameron. He wanted to know if they had exchanged numbers or had made any plans to meet up again. What was Calvin doing? Did he want to make a point and show Monti who was in control? He succeeded in getting Monti’s attention. Monti neede
d time to think about what he had to do to address this guy and to make sure that he left Cameron alone.
“Did you invite this guy to come out tonight to celebrate with us?”
“No, I didn’t he was cool and all but I didn’t know him like that to break bread with him so soon. We did exchange numbers and he said he would call me soon. He was leaving to go to Atlanta early tomorrow morning to celebrate Atlanta’s Black Gay Pride but would be back after the holiday.”
“That is cool.” Monti breathed a sigh of relief as he finished drying himself off. He went into the room to put on the clothes that Cameron had picked for him. At least Calvin would not be around for a little while to allow Monti to find a way to get his number from Cameron without causing any alarm. Monti was so used to living in secrecy that he would be able to keep this under wraps at least for the evening. Tomorrow at work he would devise a plan on how to get the number. Cameron had a password on his phone because of the text message incident.
“You know one year we should go to one of the prides festivities outside of Detroit’s Hotter than July. I know you are not very comfortable participating in the openly gay events here but at least you could see what it is about.”
“You know I am not into a lot of gay shit. The only thing they do at those things is have fuck party after fuck party.”
“Have you ever been to a ‘fuck party’?”
“Back in the day, I did, but I only went to the private ones that some of my friends would throw. We would get a few sexy bottoms together and then the fellas would get it in good.”
“Wow, I guess. I mean I have done my share of stuff in Europe but never with a bunch of friends. I don’t have many friends that are into the freaky shit.”
“Those days are far behind me.” Monti said trying to convince himself that he was purged of those whorish ways.
“Are you about ready?” Cameron asked interrupting Monti who was deep in thought.
“Yes, I am. Let’s get out of here and start celebrating.”
“But you can’t celebrate too much because you have to work tomorrow.” Cameron reminded.
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