Chapter 6 #2
“Yes, of course, I remember they’re twin boys,” I stated, stepping out of the elevator and continuing our talk.
David smiled because I’d remembered even if we never associated with each other except at the office and after work at the local bar in this building when things got hectic and we needed something to take the edge off.
There was no way I could bring April to anyone’s home for a dinner party, because one, she wouldn’t go, and two, she was hardly ever in New York unless it benefited her, and even then she never kept her word.
You couldn’t tell the Halifaxes that you couldn’t come to their family gatherings, and for that reason, April was either in the hospital with a broken leg or any number of excuses I’d fabricated and went alone.
I don’t know how I managed to stay married to her this long, I wondered.
“Chris, did you hear me. My wife has a brother who is gay and is in-between partners. If you like older seasoned men. A bear I think someone said.” After my thoughts were disturbed they were further distressed with the thought of getting involved with an in-law of Halifax who as he put it was seasoned and a bear.
I had nothing against men older than me and hefty, but I thought, If this is my first rodeo I should be with someone who’s learning just like me, or someone younger who understands the gay life and can teach me.
I had to get away from Halifax before I had gotten myself into the same situation I had been running from.
I needed to be attracted to a man, I needed to have my heart race being near him, and anticipating mind-blowing sex.
And when I looked through a crowd of people and saw Clay, my young handsome man in his twenties pretending to drink his alcoholic drink, I said, “David, I see the new hire and he doesn’t know anyone.
I don’t want him to be standing all alone.
I really should talk to him and make him feel at ease and convince him this is a safe company for him. ”
Halifax offered me a closed smile. “Now that’s a man I would salivate over if I were gay. I hope he’s as good at his job as he looks, because he’s something to behold in that suit. He wears it well. He’s worth a million dollars, but I hope you didn’t pay him that just yet.”
“He has all the credentials to do the job. He was number one at the top of his law class and made the highest score on the LSAT and the Bar Exam and MBE and MPRE, and he law clerked for a friend of yours. I’d say you won’t be disappointed.”
“I hope someone doesn’t steal him from us.
” I was hoping the same thing when I raised my eyes and aimed my glance in Clay’s direction.
I hoped no one got to him or he had a boyfriend, and he wouldn’t give me a chance.
” Then I glanced over and spotted one of the lawyers from a competing law firm standing talking with Clay.
“I have to go, David.” I had to protect my interest I thought as I meandered through men and women standing and talking.
I hurried through a crowd of men who wanted to speak to me, but I was too busy. Some women who wanted my attention tugged at my coat sleeve. They probably heard I was getting a divorce. Gossip traveled on a fast horse, if the one who passed it around was who the gossip was about—namely April.
I thought it was best I got on top of everything, and right now I wanted to be on top of Clay instead of the story I would tell about my pending divorce from April. One woman I couldn’t escape from grabbed my hand instead of my cuff.
“I’m sorry to hear about you and April.” I bet she was, but I was sorry to tell her that I was not looking for a woman to fill my lonely nights, but a man I could bury my sorrows in.
My eyes were focused on Clay and not the woman who I couldn’t remember her name to save my life.
“Thank you for your concern.” A passing waiter stopped and offered me and the woman a drink.
We both accepted. However, probably for different reasons, mine being I needed the courage to approach him, but first I had to run from the woman.
“I know you’re going to be working late, and I’m just recently divorced, and if you need someone to cry on their shoulder, I’m available. I’m a super good listener.” I took a sip of my liquor.
“I’m sure you are and if I need someone I know where to find you.”
“I’m Mr. Halifax’s office manager.” That was where I saw her. Lurking around, but I couldn’t figure out what she did and I didn’t have the time to find out, because I didn’t have time for my own life to be bothered with others’.
I had been a perfectionist to a fault, and I had to have everything work out in court and in my home, but I fumbled the ball years ago and therefore I worked at the job that paid me the greatest returns, and neglected my home life where the returns were meager.
When I finally rid myself of an unwanted friend, I turned to discover that Clay wasn’t anywhere around.
I turned around in a circle and thankfully everyone by that time was drunk and didn’t see me behaving strangely.
I rushed to one area and no Clay. Then I saw the man he’d been talking to coming out of the men’s restroom and I rushed there.
Passing the lawyer, he smiled in my direction, and zipped his pants. Out of breath I pushed open the door to see Clay standing and washing his hands.