TUESDAY EVENING September 18th 2018
Oliver has been in his mother’s old home for a couple of days at this point with the hope of being in his new space by Saturday night.
"I still need verification of your wages" his mother said. "I’m gonna try to get you some rental assistance"
"But ma, how would I report the other job?"
[Ummm, no thanks. I’m not falsifying a record or withholding to get help from the government. I really don’t want to fuck my chances up at a government job later on in life.]
He then excused himself from the living room to take a phone call from Aya.
OLIVER-Hello?
AYA-Oliver?
OLIVER-Yes it is
AYA-Hey this is Aya, remember me?
OLIVER-I do. Claudia introduced me to you. We conversed over cocktails.
AYA-What are you doing next Tuesday?
OLIVER-Don’t know yet. Nothing planned. Why?
AYA-there is a seminar that day that my friend is throwing. It’s a safe sex workshop POC.
OLIVER-where at?
AYA-Biscayne Bay Marriott
OLIVER-Does it cost me anything to get in?
AYA-No, the host hasn’t even sent out her invitations yet.
OLIVER-sure...send me the info. I’ll text you my email after we get off the phone.
AYA-great! I’ll shoot the info. We get a lot of good info from them. Plus you’ll like the host.
OLIVER-thanks for the invite. I’ll talk with you later?
AYA-bye bye
"Who the hell was that?" His grandmother asked.
"I have an event next Tuesday." Oliver said as he was texting Aya his email address.
"Is this one of those sex parties. There’s no telling what this lifestyle has got you doing." She responded.
["Lifestyle?" Okay, admittedly my lifestyle isn’t the best, but that aside, I’m sure my grandmother talks plenty of shit about me to her social circle. I know her. I’m sure she’s not thrilled about her "gay ass grandson". In my culture, any non-straight orientation is a no-no. I regret not telling my dad before he passed, but knowing my mom, I’m sure he knew. Shit! Anytime I had friends over, they were suspect. I didn’t come out until Inwas 21 to mom so a little over three years ago.]
She then started speaking in Haitian Creole suggesting that he get tested.
"Got it covered" He said, understanding what she said.
He went to his room at opened up his notebook to check his messages when he received his invitatation to the seminar. He accepted the invite, put his earbuds on and turned on Netflix. He decided to leave a crack in his door in case his mom needed to come in as she had been know to pop in unexpectedly on numerous occasions.
Damon, on the other hand, had other plans. He worked a long shift at his job and after running errands, he decided that he wanted the quiet night. He kept the TV off and poured himself a cup of Grey Goose. He had just gotten the news that a fellow soldier he served with had been found dead in the shower. The result:self inflicted gun wound. At this point, he planned to do nothing more than drink himself to sleep and get up the next morning. However, his night was spent having a series of flashbacks of the good times he had with his friend as well as the trauma of what he witnessed away. He found himself waking up in tears throughout the night to cry himself back to sleep, only to repeat the process over again.
WEDNESDAY MORNING 7:00 AM
Damon was exhausted. He barely slept any the following night and he couldn’t eat. He was rather numb, thinking about how he’d sit through the funeral. He got up a fixed a cup of orange juice and then took a shower. After taking a shower he took a sleeping pill and went back to sleep. He slept most of the day to make up for not sleeping that night.
Claudia hadn’t slept much of the nights either, having been up until 3:30 AM studying for her certification exam that would be taken the following week. She slept four hours before heading to a workshop that was being held by one of her prefoessors from college that retired two years earlier. The workshop was an all day affair, she ran slightly late arriving. The seminar let out for lunch at 11:30 am and resumed at 12:30. It was 4:00 pm before the workshop ended and she left with great test taking strategies and a bit more knowledge of what she would do to prepare. She decided that she would allow herself three more attempts and if she failed on the last attempt, she would switch fields. She minored in sociology so she's consider looking for jobs in government or continue in the non-profit area.
As she was driving off she called Oliver to see how work went.
OLIVER-It went smoothly, didn't run into any trouble today, how was the seminar?
CLAUDIA-Long. I hope I'm ready next week.
OLIVER-Have you paid for the exam yet?
CLAUDIA-Last night, I registered so I'll be taking it a couple of weeks. I've gotta go to Tallahassee.
OLIVER-Shit, good luck.
CLAUDIA-Thanks I'll need it.
OLIVER-Hey I'll be moving into my renthouse at the end of the week, I'm gonna have a little warming. You should come. Bring Aya with you. Take your mind off of things for a bit.
CLAUDIA-I could use that. Thanks.
Oliver went and checked on his house and then stopped by the store to price some items. He called Damon to request his assistance with serving drinks for his party. His mom and grandmother would handle the food aspect of the operation. Damon however wasn't available, so Oliver left a message.
He got home, his mother informed him that the move in would be delayed until Tuesday. "What happened?" he asked.
"Your aunt just had the house sprayed for pest control. It's an old house. Part of town isn't exactly nice, but we're gonna make this house a home for you."
"Okay...………, well I'll probably push my warming until a the end of next week. I'm going to go to my room, and hopefully obtain a scholarship that will help me pay for grad school"
[Good thing I hadn't sent out any official invites. I'll have to tell everyone in a mass text that I'll have it next Friday]
While looking for scholarships, Oliver had a series of flashbacks. One was an internship at the courthouse that he did one summer. He thought that this would be impressive on his resume. The boss of the department that he interned for was impressed with his work ethic and the letters of recommendation letters from his professors. However, he recalled an incident at a gas station, where he encountered a woman who also had an MSW informed him that with his degree he would need to get a Master's degree. This would later be confirmed by a professor in the Nutrition department who visited him in the campus bookstore where he worked as a student employee. He looked for work some time before applying for a 4 month job for FEMA that would eventually be extended to a total of two years. He worked for two years, and then he was laid off. Needing money for rent, he answered an add for a modeling agency, the rest is history as how he got into the sex industry. That was the beginning.
[Prayer? Pray without ceasing? Umm yeah, that's worked reeeeeeeeal well so far. Thanks a lot mom. Look at where I'm at. I've got a day job making pennies, while my night job would have me excommunicated the community if they all knew. Job fairs, were a load a bullshit, most of them had nothing of substance. Like that bullshit that I just went to, not hiring, unpaid internships. Drop your resume and hope someone calls your ass.]
Damon eventually returned his phone call.
DAMON-Hey Ollie, what's up?
OLIVER-Well for one, my move in date has been delayed due to pests. Other than that....I'm in here looking for scholarships to help for graduate school. How about you?
DAMON-Going to a funeral this Saturday. I'll be riding out to Alabama Friday evening. Funeral is Saturday morning. 9:00 am.
OLIVER-Who passed if you don't mind me asking?
DAMON-A buddy in the army, committed suicide a couple of nights ago.
OLIVER-Oh My God, I'm so sorry. Are you okay?
DAMON-No, I'm not. I really wanted him to get through his issues. He suffered with various mental disabilities before we were deployed and after our first deployment, it only got worse.
OLIVER-Sorry, my condolences, even though I've never met him.
DAMON-Thanks. Hey, yeah, I'll help you with your event next weekend.
OLIVER-Thank you, man you need to go get some shut eye.
DAMON-I've been sleeping most of the day. Hey is it okay if I invite some of our old friends?
OLIVER-You still in contact with them?
DAMON-a few of them
OLIVER-ummm sure.
DAMON-Good, well I'm gonna go. Later.
OLIVER-Later
After hanging up, Oliver recalled a time that he thought about the military. Getting to travel. See the world, however also remembered how he literally ran out of the center when he went to sign up.
While he was looking for scholarships, Aya was on a date with a man of St. Lucian ancestry. He was a lawyer working for a corporate firm. In conversation, he explains why he became a lawyer and that eventually he desired to open his own firm.
"I came up upper middle class. Both of my parents are University professors. Mom's a business professor while dad teaches finance.
AYA-I have a foundation for uplifting little black girls. Often we're overlooked when it comes to so many things, health care, domestic violence, sexual assault. I got a degree in Biology, I'd like to be a medical social worker. I'll start graduate school hopefully by the fall of 2019. I do this part time, I work at Walmart in the pharmacy"
"Pharmacy Tech?"
AYA-Right now just a clerk. Hourly wage is a joke.
"You know, I initially studied Biology, however after an experiment in a class where I blacked out, I said 'ummm this isn't for me' and I decided to major in economics and I eventually went to law school. Something about the law and the court room always fascinated me, but then when I saw that I could be an advocate for fathers, I stayed in the field. Make decent bank."
AYA-Kids?
"No, I don't have any kids. Can't afford that in Florida. Can barely afford my mortgage."
AYA-I'm trying to pay rent, which at these prices, I might as well buy a house.
"Tell me about it"
Their date lasted roughly two hours, including a meal and a conversation that continued while they consumed their entrees.
Continuing to see him after they left the restaurant, she invited him to her home where they had sex and he stayed the night. The following morning, while her client was still asleep, she called her friend Zinam.
ZINAM-Hello?
AYA-Hey girl, what's up?
ZINAM (ZIGGY)-Sleeping in. I worked a long night.
AYA-Wanna meet for brunch around 10:30?
ZINAM (ZIGGY)-How about lunch instead?
AYA-1:00?
ZINAM(ZIGGY)-That'll do.
"Who's that sweetheart?" her client asked.
"My girl, Ziggy" she responded. "Let's go back to bed".
They slept in for another hour where he took her out for coffee. After a kiss and receiving her payment up front, they parted, however not before exchanging information.
"This is my phone number, my Facebook page, and my twitter page. I'm on a Facebook sabbatical right now but you can reach me by Twitter"
With about two hours to kill before meeting Ziggy for lunch, she decided she'd kill some time in the mall.
Meanwhile, Raja was in the process of booking the room for her seminar. She had sent the invites, and got the products for her home based event. The seminar was for sex workers of color, however, in her own home, she sold sex toys at reduced rates from the passion parties she through where women got together to discuss desires and turn-ons. Once she managed to get her room booked, she headed out to work at her dad's convenient store, where she worked until 6:00 pm.
12:40, Aya arrived at to the deli. Zinam arrived five minutes afterwards. "Lunch is on me" Aya said. Noticing a glow and an expression on Aya's face, Zinam waited until they fixed their plates at the salad bar to break the ice.
ZINAM-You had sex on the first date!
AYA-Girl, I know! I know! But this guy is different.
ZINAM-What's he do?
AYA-Lawyer
ZINAM-He paid you right?
AYA-Hell yeah! I got enough to pay my rent for the next two months.
ZINAM-Do you think we are shallow only going after rich guys?
AYA-No, it's called looking out for one's best interest, plus grad school isn't gonna pay for itself.
ZINAM-Grad school? I need to graduate from rent to a mortgage.
AYA-I need some academic probation rent. These summa cum laude prices for gas are kicking my ass.
ZINAM-My last date gave me a $200 gas card, gets me free gas at Murphy Oil. At least three or four trips.
AYA-I need your date! You still going to Raja's workshop?
ZINAM-Yeah, I'll be there.
AYA-Me too. If her dad knew what she was up to...……
ZINAM-Being in an arranged marriage, it's a mystery as to how the hell she's been able to maintain that hustle.
AYA-That marriage will be for financial security only. Word is he spends a lot of time in the gay part of town.
ZINAM-He look like he'd have a load of sugar in his tank
AYA-OKAY...………
ZINAM-But where you heard that at?
AYA-I have my sources.
ZINAM-You and your grapevine. [laughing]
AYA-What can I say? I got it like that.
ZINAM-Back to your date.
AYA-Tall, dark, and handsome. His folks are from St. Lucia. He's in his mid 30s. He's a corporate lawyer. He majored in Economics and he went to law school afterwards. He's been a lawyer for about 8 years now, single, no children. Definitely the kind of guy I'd like to take home to mom.
ZINAM-Mom? How about dad?
AYA-Dad would like this one.
ZINAM-Would you date a guy younger than you?
AYA-Two years max. Even then, I want him to be taller than me.
ZINAM-Young guys can be great, but they don't have the funds for this dime.
AYA-Cheers.
After raising a toast they sipped on their lemonade, Zinam, wanting to know more about Raja's soon to be husband, asked for his name.
" 'Biju' I believe"-Aya responded.
Zinam finding a page on facebook. Looked through several pages until she saw one with a profile in MIami.
"This is him!" Zinam said. She didn't see much on his page, but the vibe that she got from his profile pics were that he was a class A narcissist. "All these shirtless pics tells me that he's in love with himself if no one else"
"Stop being nosey girl!" Aya exclaimed.
"He's got his shit on a public website, he wants people to see it"
"Hold on! Go back! Is that a man thong?!"
"A pink one at that! RED FLAG!"
Aya went back to eating her salad, which she pilled a bed a lettuce with grilled chicken, oranges, cucumbers and balsamic dressing, as she had to go to work at 4:00 pm and it was already going on 2:00 pm. She wanted to get home in time to take a shower. Zinam, on the other had, worked while she ate. She loaded her salad with sunflower seeds, raisins, feta, and Italian dressing. Being an ovo-vegetarian, she didn't utilize meat. Instead, she got her protein source from eggs. She thought about asking Raja about this guy, but decided she'd do it some other time when it was just the two of them at some point.
They finished lunch at approximately 2:30. "See you later, girl" Zinam said.
"Likewise" Aya responded
Aya, managed to get home and get a shower in. She arrived to work at a quarter to four.
Zinam, having the rest of the day off, went and paid some bills.
At work, Aya found out that her coworker would be absent the following day so she'd be working the next day as well. "It'll be the two of us holding down the fort" her boss said.
"Okay" she said as she opened up her register and prepared to check out a man attempting to purchase a box of Mucinex.
"That'll be $19.50"
As her boss went to the back, Aya, saw her cousin, who was addicted to pain killers attempting to steal some Tylenol. "Tai, what's up?"
Tai being embarrassed tried to play it off. "You know you gotta pay for that, I can't get fired because of you. $4.75"
"Fine!" she said as she paid. "Now, I'll see you later" she responded as she stepped outside to put out some generic over the counter medicine on the shelf.
6:00 PM
As the evening came, Oliver decided that he'd head out for a drink. Going to the bar where Milek was employed, he planned to have dinner as his mom had no plans on cooking. Milek being surprised to see him.
"Didn't think you'd actually come." Milek said laughing.
"Man, I'm always interested in a new bar" Oliver said.
MILEK-"I'll fix you a blue Hawaii in just a bit"
OLIVER-"Now you're talking"
MILEK-If you order some food, our club is fantastic
OLIVER-I'll take that then
MILEK-chips or fries
OLIVER-chips, the jalapeno kind
MILEK-Good choice, I'll have that right out. So you're moving in next week?
OLIVER-Yep
MILEK-When's the warming?
OLIVER-that Saturday
MILEK-I've got my little girl this weekend so that works out perfectly.
OLIVER-Aww that's nice.
MILEK-Yeah man, I love her with all my soul. Here's a picture of her
OLIVER-She's beautiful, how often you get to see her?
MILEK-Not as often as I'd like
OLIVER-babymamadrama?
MILEK-more like baby mama MAMA drama. Her mother is a B.I.T.C.H. to the max. Well man, I'll talk with you later, I gotta get back to work.
"What you got boss?"
"Can I get a draft beer right now and an order of the spinach dip"
"Gotcha man"
After Oliver ate his dinner, he was informed by Milek that the food was on the house. "Just sign the receipt"
Happily complying, Oliver signed and shook Milek's hand. "I'll see you next week"
"Good night Ollie"
TO BE CONTINUED WITH PART 8
SYNOPSIS
CHARACTERS
