Get Somebody New
A novel by:
Michael A. Lewis
Copyright © 2011 Michael Anthony Lewis
All characters and images contained in this book are copyrighted creations of
Michael Anthony Lewis.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information and retrieval system, without written permission from the copyright holder/publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles of review.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Cover and interior design by:
Michael A. Lewis
Indigo Books Publishing
First Edition
One
Jazz Hardaway
I‘ll never forget the first time I met my boy Zeke. It was on Valentine’s Day 3 years ago. On my way home from a club gig, I saw him walking down the street in Druid Hills, near the Emory campus. It was late and he was alone so I stopped to see if he needed some help.
“Yo man, you aiight?”
“I’m okay; I just had a flat about a mile back. I took my jack out of my car the other day and forgot to put it back in. My cell phone battery is dead so I’m trying to find a phone to call roadside service.”
“Damn, on Valentine’s Day? That sucks. I can give you a ride man.”
“I’m fine; it’s not far from here.”
“It’s not safe out here man. My conscience won’t let me leave you out here.”
“I don’t know you. You could be a serial killer or something.”
“I ain’t gonna do nothing to you man. I’m cool, my name’s Jazz, Jazz Hardaway.”
“I’m Ezekiel Nelson, nice to meet you.”
“So you gonna get in Zeke?”
“Okay.”
“Was that your White Cadillac STS I saw a little ways back?”
“Yes.”
“You got a spare? You shouldn’t leave it out there too long. That’s a bad whip you got. You might go back and find those nice rims gone.”
“There’s a spare in my trunk.”
I drove him back to his car then offered to change the tire for him so he wouldn’t mess up his nice clothes. I had on jogging pants and a T-shirt.
“I’ll change it for you. There's no need to get your clothes dirty.”
“Thanks, but you don’t have to do that.”
“It’s cool man, I’ll be done in no time.”
I changed the tire using my own jack in about 10 minutes while he sat in my truck.
“Alright man. I’m all done.”
“Thanks Jazz. Here, let me give you something for your trouble.”
“Nah man. You ain’t gotta pay me. It was no trouble. You’re welcome.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. Hey Zeke you like hip hop?”
“I’m not a huge fan but I like some of it.”
“Here is a flyer for a party next week. I’m gonna DJ. Maybe you can come check out my set if you ain’t busy or nothing.”
“Sure thing and thanks again Jazz.”
“No problem. You get home safe.”
“I will. You do the same.”
There was an instant connection between us.
Ezekiel
Jazz Hardaway stepped into my life on one of the worst nights of my life. I didn’t know it then, but meeting him would change my life forever. I’d gone to my boyfriend Jamal’s apartment on Valentine’s Day three years ago. An uneasy feeling came over me as I put the key in the door and turned it slowly.
“Who’s the best? Huh?”
“You are J.”
“Then let me hear that shit then!”
“Jamal you’re the best! Please Jamal, ease up man!”
“Jamal? What’s my title nigga?” Jamal barked.
“Huh? Huh? Huh?” Jamal continued, violently slamming his body forward with each word.
“Daddy! Daddy! Please, I’m sorry daddy! The man beneath him whimpered tearfully.
“Quit running nigga! You’ve been teasing me for months with that phat ass of yours. You gonna take every last inch, nigga!” Jamal growled deeply, his voice dripping with lust.
There was Jamal on his sofa having sex with my best friend Darian! He didn’t even notice me come in. The muscles and tendons twisted and bulged in his arms as he lustfully pounded his body into Darian’s repeatedly. Suddenly I found myself standing over Jamal and Darian with a fire poker. As I was about to swing, my conscience intervened and prevented me from hitting Jamal across the back of his head. I plunged it down into the leather sofa between the legs of both men instead. Jamal jumped up quickly and was stunned to see me standing there.
“Oh Damn! Baby, I’m sorry. I love you Zeke, you know I do.”
“I know you’re kidding, right? You are not saying you love me while sitting there buck naked and sweaty from fucking my best friend? On Valentine’s Day! Nigga do I really look that stupid to you?”
“This is my fault. I’m so sorry Zeke.” Darian admitted.
“Sorry my ass! When were you sorry? Obviously not before you dropped to your knees or offered up your black ass! Forget both you sorry bastards. Y’all can have each other!” I shouted.
“Wait baby, you can’t give up on us. Please, it meant nothing, he means nothing to me.”
“Jamal you stuck the knife in my back by fucking my best friend. Then you twisted the knife and slapped me in the face by doing it on Valentine’s Day. Nothing you can say will make that forgivable. After I put my guard down and let you into my heart, this is how you do me? What makes all of this so cruel, so low, so nasty, and so evil is that you had to know I would catch you, because you knew I was coming over.”
I refused to let Jamal see how hurt I was. As soon as I walked out the door and slammed it behind me, a river of warm tears flowed down my face. I hated myself at that moment for being stupid enough to love someone who could do something like that to me. I let my guard down and gave all of my heart to that man. I would have done anything for him. For him to betray me like that hurt me to the core. Once I got in my car, I slumped behind the wheel, and cried like a baby. I longed for the secure cradle of Jamal’s arms then I quickly remembered it was because of him that I needed to be consoled in the first place. I needed a shoulder to cry on so I decided to go see my cousin Alton.
Alton is 4 years older than me. His mom is my dad’s sister. We have always been more like brothers than cousins. In fact, I think our bond is even closer than most brothers. He was the first person I came out to and I’ll never forget that day. I debated whether or not to tell him because I was so afraid he would disown me. He is the consummate male. He was tall, muscular; great at every sport he played, incredibly handsome, a girl magnet, and he oozed masculinity in everything he did. I wrongly predicted that he would be ashamed of me. Instead he became extra protective of me.
Flashback
“Hey Zeke what’s up with you man?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve been acting like you don’t want to chill with me. Did I do something or say something to piss you off?”
“No, Alton you haven’t done anything. Just been depressed that’s all. I haven’t really felt like doing much of anything.”
“Well what’s up? Talk to me; we don’t keep secrets from each other.”
“I feel trapped in this box that everybody has me in. I can’t breathe because I am trying to be who everyone wan
ts me to be and I just can’t do it anymore.”
“You gotta tell me more than that. What is it that people want you to be that you can’t be?”
“It’s hard to explain Alton. Everything comes so easily to you. You can play sports, everybody likes you, and things come so naturally to you.”
“Zeke I can tell when something is really wrong with you. I can see it in your eyes. You look like you are about to have a nervous breakdown. Your eyes are darting all over the place. You haven’t looked me in the eye once since you’ve been talking to me. Anything you tell me is between us. I really want to know what’s going on.”
“Alton I wish I could tell you, but I can’t. You won’t understand.”
“Try me Zeke. There is nothing you can’t tell me.”
“Let’s just drop it.”
“No Zeke. I can’t know something is wrong with you and just let it go. Tell me what’s wrong.”
“Alton I can’t, I just can’t!”
“Why can’t you Zeke?”
“I don’t want you to hate me Alton!”
“Hate you? Zeke, I could never, ever hate you!”
“You say that but ….”
“Zeke, come here. Don’t cry man. Zeke, talk to me. Please, I can’t stand to see you like this.”
“Alton, I….I’m …. Alton I’m uh…. I’m…”
“You’re what? What Zeke?”
“Gay.” I whispered.
“What? I couldn’t hear you. Stop whispering.”
“I’m gay Alton.”
“Okay.”
“Okay? Go ahead and say what you really think.”
“Zeke I’ve known that since we were kids.”
“You have? So you are not upset?”
“No, Zeke come on man. I am kind of disappointed though.”
“See I knew you would…”
“Zeke wait. I am disappointed that you thought I would hate you because of it. We are better than that.”
“I’m sorry Alton. I just figured you’d be like other people. Everyone thinks it’s a choice but it’s not. I’ve tried to be straight and even date girls and …..nothing.”
“Zeke I am not everybody else. I am Alton! Only an ignorant person thinks that being gay is a fucking choice! A choice means there is an alternative option. If being gay is a choice, being straight is also a choice. To be a choice means everybody would have to be bisexual. If someone is unable to be attracted to the same sex, then being gay can’t be an alternative option to choose. If you take a straight person, no matter how much they try to “choose” to be with the same sex, they can’t because it’s not natural to them. The same thing goes for gay people.”
“I’m glad you can see that Alton.”
“Just like I am attracted to girls, you are attracted to guys. No one can say being gay is a choice unless they are gay. I am straight and I can tell you it is not a choice. I couldn’t get with a dude even if I wanted to. I guarantee you that if another dude was rubbin’ on my joint, my shit would just lie there. It wouldn’t work. No heterosexual person can tell a gay person his or her sexual orientation is a choice. How do they know this? The only way to know it would be from experience. So, you feel better now?”
“Yes. Thank you Alton.”
“Zeke I hope you go back to acting just like you have always acted with me. Also, don’t you ever in your life think I would hate you or disown you. I love you gay, straight, or otherwise no matter what. You got that?”
“Yes.”
“Zeke I am so happy to see you smile again. Now I know you are okay. Give me a hug. Oh and Zeke, you are a good person don’t let other people’s ignorance take that away from you. No one can tell you who or how to love. That’s your life. Also, no matter what, you will always have me.”
“Thanks Alton, that means everything right now.”
“Boy, I ought to pop you in your big ole head… scared to talk to me … What’s wrong with you boy?”
It was on the way over to Alton’s that I had a flat and Jazz stopped to help me. When I saw the Candy Apple Red Escalade slowing to a stop beside me I couldn’t decide whether to run or faint. His vibes were good so I figured he was okay. It didn’t hurt that he was fine either. I’d planned to go straight home after dealing with Jamal and then having a flat, but Alton called me and said that shrew of his hit him in the head with a glass so I had to go check on my cousin.
When I got to his house, I saw Alton standing in his yard holding his head then he just fell like a ton of bricks. I rushed over to him and saw blood all over his hands, his face, and his head. I got some towels out of my car to wrap his head to stop the bleeding. I had to hold his head in my lap and try to drive as well. At the hospital I tried to talk some sense into his head. At least he entertained the thought of leaving Nadiah for once. He is much too good of a person to take her treating him like that. I have never, ever, ever, ever liked her. Did I mention that I never liked her? Personally, I believe she is a lipstick lesbian using Alton as a cover. There are just too many things about her that make my “dykedar” go off.
Alton
I found myself in the all too familiar emergency room after being attacked by my wife, Nadiah. The incident started when she came in at 1 A.M. in the morning on Valentine’s Day. I’d planned a very special evening that included limousine service, a penthouse dinner, and a romantic horse drawn carriage ride. I also planned a proposal to renew our wedding vows and to present her with a custom made, 3 carat, IF grade diamond ring.
I sat alone in my dark living room watching the clock, trying to dull my pain with alcohol. I had been calling her cell phone all night with no answer. Finally about 11 P.M. she called me back.
“Alton what the hell do you want?”
“Today was Valentine’s Day. We had plans Nadiah!”
“Oops, Oh well, sorry.”
“2 months of planning and you forgot?”
“That’s what I said!”
“Where the hell are you? Why didn’t you answer your phone?”
“Obviously I was busy or didn’t want to talk.”
“All I ask is that I be able to contact my wife when I need to. Is that asking too much?”
“Yes, that’s asking too much.”
“I am so tired of your bullshit and stank attitude. Keep your sorry ass where you are. I don’t give a fuck what you do at this point.” I said.
“I’ll deal with you when I get home.”
“… And when will that be?”
“When I get there! Good-Bye!”
“I grabbed the bottle of Hennessey, took a swig, and got in my bed. Soon, I either fell asleep or passed out, I don’t know which. Suddenly I was awakened by a loud thump followed by a blinding pain in my head. My eyes opened just as Nadiah’s fist was coming straight at my face for the second time.
“Don’t ever blow up my phone like that again. Have you lost your mind?”
“What the hell you hit me for crazy woman?”
“I’ll show you crazy.”
All of a sudden she leaped into the bed like an acrobat, but I rolled out of her path and stood up. Frustrated, she grabbed my glass from the nightstand and hurled it at me. The glass hit my head with a loud ping then shattered. Blood poured down my face from a Z- shaped gash in my right temple.
I freaked out, called Zeke, and went outside, which was the last memory I had before waking up in the hospital.
“How did I get here Zeke?” I asked my cousin.
“You called me and said Nadiah hit you in the head with a glass so I rushed over. You were standing in the yard with blood all over your face and hands. You were holding your head then all of a sudden you collapsed. I wrapped your head up in a towel, and brought you here. I held your head in my lap to keep pressure on the wound as I drove with the other hand. That bitch didn’t even come outside or open the door.”
“Zeke, do you have to call her a bitch?”
“Yes I do! Alton you know I love you like a brother, hell I love
you more than a brother. You know I am nothing if not honest. You are in denial about what is happening.”
“What do you mean?”
“This is spousal abuse plain and simple.”
“Abuse is a little strong of a word Zeke.”
“That’s what she is doing Alton. You think because you are a man that you can’t be abused?”
“How would that look for me to tell someone that my wife abuses me?”
“It’s the truth. You never hit her back. That’s abuse! I am not saying you should hit her, but you need to press charges so she will learn she can’t do it.”
“I just need to keep from making her mad.”
“Alton do you hear yourself? You can never keep from making an abuser mad. They will just slap the shit out of you because the sun is shining. I love you and I don’t want you to get hurt trying to love someone who doesn’t feel the same.”
“I hear you Zeke. If I just understood why? I’ve been the best husband I know how to be.”
“Alton you keep thinking it’s you. It’s not you.”
“Zeke if I do leave her, can you imagine what she will do?”
“Yes, she’ll take care of her damn self.”
“Looks like I have some decisions to make.”
“You are coming to my house. You need time to think.”
“Thanks Zeke.”
Rachel
I met Elias my junior year of college in a sociology class we took together. I had seen him around campus a few times but didn’t know anything about him. One day I was walking out of class without paying attention and ran into what felt like a brick wall. The wall turned out to be Elias’s chest.
“Why don’t you let me carry those for you pretty lady?” He asked as he gathered my books.
“Thanks, but you don’t have to do that.”
“I want to. Plus, it’s a perfect excuse to finally talk to you, since I’ve been admiring you from afar.”
Get Somebody New Page 1