Reality Check (20 page)

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Authors: Eric Pete

BOOK: Reality Check
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43
 
Glover
 
I couldn’t believe this shit. Max’s cousin was the brother in the suit from Drama. Called himself Cary, Terry, or something like that. I wasn’t positive, until his reaction to me confirmed it. A really small world, this town was. I think he squirmed enough at the dinner table. And living with his parents, too? Lawd, I hoped Max was nothing like his fake-ass cousin.
While I talked with Max’s delightful aunt and uncle, Max had run upstairs. For a second, I thought I heard someone shouting. Max came back down, said a quick good-bye to his people, and then stormed out the door ahead of me. Something was up. He was to the front lawn before he noticed that I had four plates in my hands. Max caught himself and came back to take two of them from me. He then opened the car door for me. As I entered, I caught him flexing his right hand like it was hurt or something.
As we drove up the I-110 ramp to head north to my apartment, I was determined to find out what had him so riled up. Lord knows, Max wasn’t going to willingly volunteer anything, having been the strong, silent type up to this point.
“Dinner was da bomb, Max. I’m going to have to jog eight miles to work this off—or maybe just have a repeat with you.” He didn’t respond, so I continued. “Your aunt and uncle were great company. You were too ... up until we left.”
“Oh. Sorry.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Something’s wrong. Mr. Sunshine is suddenly all cloudy and overcast. Is this about your cousin?”
“Yeah. I guess so. Kinda.”
“Did he tell you about the club?”
“Yeah. He told me something.”
“And?”
“And I punched him.”
“Over that? I mean, he was an asshole, but maybe punching him was a little extreme.”
“Naw, I don’t think it was extreme at all. So the shit’s true then?”
“Yes ... I guess. I don’t like your tone, Max. Wait. Wait. What did he say happened?”
“Some shit about you leaving Drama with him.”
“What?” If I’d been driving, I would’ve slammed on the brakes. “That lying son of a bitch. Max, he tried to pick me up and was dismissed. He claimed he was a producer or something from Ohio. Even went by a different name.”
“Oh.”
“Is that all you can say? Oh? Your cousin said something else, huh?”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s nothing.”
“Nothing? Max, you haven’t looked at me since we left. What did he say?”
“I really don’t want to talk about it. It’s nothing.”
“Max ... did he say he fucked me?”
There was silence on his part. I had my answer. Now I was pissed.
I pushed further and asked, “That’s what he said, huh? Shit. Ooooh! I hate motherfuckers like that!”
Max started to speak, but clammed up.
I swatted at Max out of frustration, my eyes watering up. “Answer me, dammit! Do you believe him then?”
Max blinked then turned slowly toward me. Looking at me, his silent rage was fading as mine was skyrocketing. “No,” came softly from his lips, but it wasn’t adamant. Lacked that resolve I would’ve expected out of Max.
And it hurt.
“Hmph. I guess blood is thicker than water,” I tsked. “Well, fuck you and your lying-ass cousin.”
“I said I didn’t believe him.”
“It wasn’t what you said, but how you said it.”
“How do you expect me to act, Glover? My cousin, who I’ve known my whole life, drops this shit on me and I wind up clocking him. You, who I’ve known a few months, are on the other side, screaming at me because I’m not jumping up and down. C’mon, let’s look at our history here ...”
It really hurt.
Max had lashed out unintentionally, but it still hurt. Tears streamed down my face. We merged onto I-10 west. I would be home soon.
“Can’t say I blame you. Why should you think otherwise? I guess I have been acting like a ho since I met you. Why should you believe me when I say that what’s going on with us is the first time I’ve done something like this?”
“Look, Glover. I didn’t mean it like that. It came out wrong. I wasn’t trying to hurt you. Jay can be full of shit, and I’ve seen him lie to women in clubs before. I’m just saying that—” He paused, ensuring his thoughts caught up to his mouth. “I’ve never had him knowingly lie to me. To others, yes, but not to me. And I definitely don’t think you’re a ho.”
“Are you anything like him?”
“Like Jay? I don’t think so, but he is my cousin, and I do love him. He’s family. “
Family. I turned away, staring at my reflection in the window. “I don’t need to be coming between you and anybody,” I mumbled.
“I’ve got a lot of crazy shit going on in my head about now. I know I said no strings and stuff, but I would be lying to myself if I wasn’t hoping that tonight would move us in another direction. I had no idea that
this
would be the direction.” He sighed. And I knew it was coming. “You’ve got your thing with Lionel and I’ve got mine. I think it’s time the games end.”
We didn’t speak the rest of the way home. Max did offer a kiss on the cheek before I exited his car. I told him that I didn’t want to be walked to my door and to keep the food from his family. I started toward my apartment as he drove off, but turned around when he got down the street.
I decided I needed a walk, a chance for some fresh air. I reflected on Max’s “no strings” comment, and about how I’d avoided the L word with him. Funny thing was that I was praying that tonight would move us in another direction as well, for as much as I put my head in the sand at every turn, I did love him.
44
 
Max
 
Confusion and pain ruled after our night ended. Jay had pushed my buttons, and I’d gone and lashed out at Glover.
Or
was
that how it went down? Was she playing me?
Tonight was the first time my unwavering belief in what I thought I knew was shaken. Glover had dictated the terms since the beginning. She pulled my application and called me, even though she was engaged. Then there was the other night, when she showed up at my doorstep. I could have stopped everything at any one of those spots, but I wasn’t man enough. I liked the attention and her company. Hell, I liked her ... and still do.
Love
was probably a more appropriate word, but I was too pissed to go there. To top everything off, I had come to blows with my cousin. That was some wrong shit.
Jay’s venom-filled words were still smarting. I only paused to wonder what he would have to gain by lying to me about Glover. If I knew the answer to that question, I’d be a millionaire.
I ran into Smitty in the parking lot Friday. I was on my way to Denny’s and hadn’t seen him much since my fight with Lionel. Smitty’s ride was working again, as his job was beginning to pay off. I could tell, as he’d added a bunch of new white dress shirts and a few more ties to his work wardrobe. We gave each other dap as we passed by.
“Maxwell, where ya at, boy?”
“Jus’ chillin’, Smit. How ya been?”
“Never better, man. Never better,” he beamed with confidence. “At six months, I’ll be up for a raise. Right now, I’m just saving to get another ride. Heard anything yet with the jobs?”
“Nope.” I felt embarrassed at my failures just then. All of them. “I’ll give it another week before I start looking further out.”
“Yeah, it’ll work out for ya, man. You haven’t had any unexpected visitors lately?”
“Naw. That was the only time he came around. If he comes back, I’ll tell him to leave another hundred-dollar bill for you. That whole chapter is closed, though—permanently.”
“What? I know thangs ain’t through between you and ol’ girl. Wasn’t your little crackerjack stereo blastin’ the other night? Fine-ass Glover was there, huh? Tell the truth.”
“Doesn’t matter, man. Shit’s in the rearview mirror, ya dig? I went home last weekend. Had to get away for a little while.”
“Aw, dawg! You went to Louisiana and didn’t think about ya boy? I coulda been the high yella hunter with my safari hat ’n shit, in the bush, stalkin’ big game with my big dick.”
“It came up suddenly, man,” I said as I laughed at his silliness. “I’ll think of you next time. Jay screamed at me about that too.”
“Where’s pretty boy been hiding?” I had to bring up Jay.
“At home, I guess. Saw him the other night. He’s still the same.”
A certified grade A asshole.
“Bro, I’m off Wednesday. I’ve been working late and they don’t want to pay me overtime. Wanna hit Venice?”
“That sounds good. You’re still working on being the next Kobe?” I joked.
“Nah, dawg. Chris Paul, from your neck of the woods,” he answered. “We little guys gotta stick together.”
“
Whatever
, Smit.”
“We’re gonna do it up, Wednesday. Just you see. It’ll be just like old times,” he said in what almost sounded like a pep talk for my benefit.
“Yeah. Old times,” I agreed, hoping my grimace wasn’t evident. “Hey, I gotta run. I’ll talk atcha later.”
Yeah. Old times.
I was back to playing games. Idle while the world passed me by. One step forward, two steps back.
And off to Denny’s I went.
45
 
Glover
 
I’d made the twenty-six mile trip from Long Beach to Catalina a few times before, but never in a helicopter. Every other time had been by boat, down there. Way down there. I cringed every time we dipped or turned.
As we drove down to the Port of Long Beach, past the surfers, Lionel had given me every chance to chicken out; but I was all woman—and a risk-taker, as evidenced by the way I’d been living recently.
As we drove into the Port parking lot, I did clench Lionel’s free hand a little harder. He leaned over, giving me a kiss on the lips to calm my nerves. Behind my shades, I closed my eyes and let my fears subside. Like the morning fog, doubt had dissipated in more ways than one.
I wore a short-sleeved white linen dress with tan sandals and my little straw hat. The cool morning breeze off the water made me wish I’d worn something warmer. The air swirling about the helicopter wouldn’t help.
Lionel wore a tight blue shirt with gray slacks. His abs showed through the fabric, and the weather appeared not to bother him. His faux spectacles dangled on the end of his nose as we strolled toward the heliport. Lionel had 20/20 vision, but liked to look distinguished from time to time.
We had two fellow passengers this cool Saturday morning. One was an elderly, balding white man with a camera around his neck. The other was a middle-aged East Indian gentleman. The cheery flight crew greeted us and gave their safety speech. Lionel thought it cute how focused I was on their every word.
“Babe, if it goes down, not much you can do,” he teased before assuring me we’d be okay. Gee, thanks.
They led us to the bright yellow bird in which we were to ride. Lionel spoke with the pilot, telling him we’d need a taxi on the island. I still considered the boat trips to be more romantic, but the aerial view of L.A. Harbor and the island was breathtaking. Being near the clouds, it made me think of my dream, where I was flying and Max caught me as I fell.
Okay. Not what I should be thinking about.
The flight took about fifteen minutes, but seemed to last much longer. Lionel had his arms around me to keep me warm. When we landed on Catalina Island, our taxi was waiting to take us into town.
Our wedding was to take place at one of the inns on the island, with the actual ceremony taking place up the cliff overlooking Catalina Bay and the Pacific Ocean. A breathtaking view. I expected Lionel’s mother, Adele, to make the trip with us, as she was the grand dame of such preparations. Just my luck, she was already there when we arrived. Lionel’s father, Goodwin Dunning Jr., was also there. I guess Lionel spoke with him and he was there to keep Adele in check. Mr. Dunning was simply an older version of Lionel, except for the salt-and-pepper hair and the fact that he was a few inches shorter. Both of them gave me a hug and a kiss when we walked up to the outdoor staging area.
“Oh, Glover, you are looking so pretty this morning! Carro, the fitter, called me, you know. You are going to make such a lovely bride for my son. I was debating with Goodwin when you walked up. Do you think the orchestra should go here or over there?”
“I think it depends on the placement of the tables, Mrs. Du—Adele,” I answered, catching myself. I still couldn’t bring myself to call the roody-poo Mom.
“Well, we can decide that later. Have you heard from any of your people yet, Glover? I’m trying to get an informal head count for the caterer. It doesn’t really matter. I’d rather err on the side of excess anyway.”
“No, I haven’t heard anything. There may be some friends from school, but I haven’t heard from my relatives in Virginia.”
Lionel’s dad interjected, “Glover, I know it’s short notice for them, so let me know if they need to be flown in. I’ll take care of that, if you don’t mind.” Lionel’s dad was helpful with no strings attached. I honestly felt like he had no problems with his son marrying a “commoner.” His going out of the way to make me feel like family really touched me.
“Thank you, Mr. Dunning. I’ll let you know,” I said politely. I didn’t expect any of my relatives to show, but I wasn’t going to admit it in front of Adele.
“Hey, Glover! Come take a look!” Lionel hollered in my direction. He had walked away from us and stood admiring the view. I came over beside him. The haze had burned off, so we could see past the yachts in the bay and out into the never-ending blue.
“This is wonderful. It makes me think about our first time out here.”
“Good. This time will be the best ever. See out there?” he asked, pointing to a position in the sky. “The doves will be flying out and turning around right there.”
“I can’t wait.”
“Glover, I’m glad you made this choice. I love you.”
I hesitated before saying, “I love you too, Lionel,” crossing that threshold.

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