Basil bounced into his doctor’s office in a jovial mood.
“Wanna know why I’m in such good spirits?” Basil asked.
“Sure.”
“I spent the night with Raymond,” he smiled.
“And that made you happy?”
“Yeah.”
“How did that happen?”
“I just called him, and to be truthful, I didn’t exactly spend the night with him. The other night I was sitting at home thinking about how I could see him. I knew he’d put me off if I suggested we do dinner or anything resembling a date or an invitation for sex. Anyhow, you know how I go to the gym late at night?”
“Please remind me why you go to the gym late at night.”
“Partly because it’s a way to unwind after a long day, and partly to avoid all the faggots hanging around the locker room trying to get a whiff of my stuff. Some of them still show up late at night but not that many. I don’t give a damn what gym you go to, they are always there.” When the doctor didn’t show any bewilderment at what he was saying, Basil continued. “So back to my story. I called Raymond and I must have caught him at the right time ’cause he agreed to meet me at the gym. We worked out for a couple of hours and then right before dawn we went and had coffee. We talked the whole time. Or at least I talked. He seemed to have a lot on his mind.”
“What did you talk about?”
“I was telling him about some of our sessions and how I thought they were helping out. Now, before you start flipping cartwheels, I’m not sure if this shit is helping or not, but I knew that’s what Raymond wanted to hear. That I might be making progress in accepting who I am. Whatever the fuck that is. I hinted that I might finally be accepting my situation, and when I worked everything out, I’d be looking for somebody permanent in my life.”
“How did he react to that?”
“He didn’t. He just had this blank look on that handsome mug of his.”
“Did he say what was bothering him?”
“Naw, but I’m certain it has something to do with that boyfriend of his.”
“How so?”
“Well, when I asked how the boyfriend was doing, he snapped at me, ‘I don’t talk about my partner to people he doesn’t know.’ It was one of those bitch moments of his I remember. But with Raymond I don’t mind it like I do with the honeys and mofos like Monty. Raymond’s bitch moments aren’t like a woman’s or Monty’s. He seems more poised and in control, you know, like someone who knows they’re a little bit smarter than you, but they don’t want to be arrogant about it. Raymond has gained a little weight and I can tell it’s bothering him, but he’s still a great-looking man. I mentioned it to him and he seemed a little pissed, but I told him I could help him lose it and he really seemed interested. When gay men like Raymond gain weight, it’s usually a sign that something ain’t right.”
“So meeting with him made you happy. Did you tell him that you’re interested in him?”
“Fuck no. If he wants some of this and I know he does—Mr. Tyler will have to come for me,” Basil said confidently.
“And what if he doesn’t?”
“Oh, he will. But if he doesn’t, then I’ll have to give him a little help,” Basil said slyly.
“And how do you propose that?”
“I’ll just figure out a way of reminding him how sweet a piece of me can be. Maybe I’ll plan a midnight swim. If the two of us get in the water together, I know he’ll remember how it was when we kicked it in Atlanta. I just got to check my memory bank and figure out which one of my friends has a place in New York with a private pool. It’s probably not that many.”
“So you’re interested only in seducing Raymond?”
“It’s a good place to start,” Basil smiled.
“But what about that permanent relationship you mentioned?”
“That was a part of the seduction. From what I know about Raymond, he’s not going to sleep with me if he thinks I’m just looking for a good fuck.”
“Do you think that’s fair to Raymond?”
“Don’t cha know, Doc?”
“Know what?”
“Life ain’t fair. If it was, my mutherfuckin’ uncle would be six feet under and my mother wouldn’t be.”