Friends and Family Series
The Lloyd King Story
By:
Ron Robbins
(© 2011 by the author)
Editor:
Frank Perry
The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's
consent. Comments are appreciated at...
Chapter 6
Randy was on the telephone when Lloyd returned to the den. Lloyd went into the dressing room, undressed and donned his robe. He took out two fluted wine glasses and filled them with white wine, took them into the living room and waited for Randy to join him.
Randy had also changed into his robe and snuggled up next to Lloyd on the sofa.
"Sorry I was so long, baby. That was my mother on the phone. Looks like you were well received at brunch today. My mother prides herself on being the perfect hostess. She has always invited new and interesting people to her little gatherings. I was right about one thing; my mother thinks you're delightful. She spent ten minutes singing your praises. God, she should only see you naked in bed, and then she would see what her son is singing about."
Lloyd kissed Randy on the cheek, "Thank you, dear, now I want you to finish your story about Curtis. You left off where the lawyer had given you the two envelopes and asked you to get back to him."
"That's right. You couldn't begin to imagine the thoughts that were racing through my mind that day. True, I was rested and somewhat adjusted after my three month vacation. But I was not over Curtis's death. I loved him so much, and I was hurt that he shut me out of his life. Poor Curtis, he had to be going through hell during those days. We were always close, at least we were until I married Dotty. It seemed as if all those intimate times we shared together meant nothing. That tore me apart more than anything else.
"I hurried back to my office to open the sealed envelopes. Inside the first one was a smaller envelope containing a set of safety deposit keys. The second contained a hand written letter from Curtis. The letter was dated one week before his death. It was long, and the most depressing letter I have ever read. I was not prepared for his startling revelations.
"Curtis admitted he was a homosexual, and a very unhappy and lonely man. His search for a loving partner eluded him. He firmly believed that a deep and lasting relationship would never happen for him. That didn't stop him from jumping every attractive gay man in sight. According to him, he became addicted to sex and spent years experimenting with every possible sexual fantasy and social drug imaginable. He finally had enough and threw in the towel.
"The only trouble was, by that time it was too late. Curtis had a full-blown case of AIDS. His doctors tried every new drug and treatment on the market to prolong his life, but to no avail. They gave him less than three months to live. He hastened to assured me that I had nothing to fear since I was his first and only sexual partner after discovering he was gay.
"Even more shocking was the news he revealed about my wife, Dotty. He told me she was a regular visitor to the seedy haunts of East Village. It seems she was into kinky sex. She hung around with two good looking black dudes. He was sorry to be the one to tell me, but he was afraid she might infect me with AIDS. He felt he had to warn me before it was too late.
"Curtis suggested that I waste no time hiring a private detective agency to get the goods on Dotty, even if I didn't decide to divorce her. Hence the reason for the five-year clause in his will.
"He included a letter to the folks explaining his sexual orientation and the reason why he took his own life.
"The keys were to two safety deposit boxes located at different banks. The accounts were registered in both of our names. I had forgotten that he had me sign the cards for joint safety deposit boxes years ago and never thought about them until that moment. He told me to remove everything from the boxes and to let the rental on the boxes lapse.
"Naturally, I headed to the first bank that same afternoon where I found ten million dollars worth of bearer bonds. The note attached said Grandmother had given them to him three years ago. He hoped I would put them to good use. I emptied the box and placed them in my own safety deposit box. The following morning, I went to the second bank and opened that safety deposit box. I found a single envelope addressed to me. My legs began to shake, and I had to sit down to read the note. He had enclosed an original bank document made out to me for two numbered Swiss bank accounts. Curtis attached the two sets of code numbers as well. The two accounts each contained 125 million in tax free dollars. The box also contained a beautiful gold chain and cross. In the note he asked that I insert his ashes in the hollow recess of the cross and wear it around my neck in memory of him. Curtis begged my forgiveness for not taking me into his confidence, but knowing me as he did, he knew I would try to stop him from taking his own life."
The tears began to run down Randy's cheeks as he continued with his story.
"He wrote that he always loved me and his search for a lover could never replace the loving relationship he found with me. Curtis also said the reason he couldn't have sex with me ever again was because he discovered he was HIV positive and didn't want to expose me to the disease. It wasn't because he didn't want to. He regretted leaving me alone in this life without his protection. I thought the worst of the pain I suffered over his loss was over. But it became unbearable after reading his letter. I realized more than ever how much I loved Curtis.
"My next step was to take the action he suggested regarding Dottie's infidelity. I hired a private detective agency to find out if Dotty was fooling around. Dotty was always so enchanting and sweet. She was a beautiful woman, the kind of woman you always feel like you want to protect. I was infatuated with her from the beginning. I could do nothing wrong in her eyes. She made me feel marvelous and she could never do enough for me.
"Dottie’s roots were in a fine old Southern family that knew how to hold on to their money. Socially it was a good match. Sex-wise she was frigid and turned me off. As the marriage wore on Dotty decided it would be better to have separate rooms and have sex when around her time of the month. Except for the sex thing we got along okay. I stopped having sex with Dotty for good after several unsuccessful tries at lovemaking sessions. Having sex with her became an ordeal after a while. So much so that I couldn't get an erection, no matter how much I tried.
"The report from the investigator confirmed what Curtis had told me in his letter. My sweet little wife had leased a little love nest in the village and was supporting the two young black dudes. I could not believe the video tapes and the photos the detective had taken. Dotty was a hot little nymphomaniac who could not get enough. I saw her taking on two guys at once and enjoying every minute."
"The first thing I did after watching those videos was to have a blood test to make sure I hadn't caught anything from her. Fortunately for me I was clean. My next step was to hire the best divorce lawyer I could find to handle my case. He also happened to be a friend of the family. After viewing the tapes he took on the case. He suggested that I remove everything I wanted from our home in Connecticut before she was served any papers. He also suggested that I move any of my cash and assets to an offshore bank where it couldn't be traced. He told me to let her keep the house and its contents, and the two hundred thousand dollars in our joint checking account to make it look good in the papers."
"The investigators learned that Dotty was in the habit of inviting her playmates to our house when I was out of town on an extended trip. My attorney felt we could have an airtight case if we could catch her in the act in our home with her playmates. The attorney worked it out with my detective and the trap was set. The cameras and recording equipment were in place."
"I told Dotty that I would be out of town for a week and left on Sunday evening. The next day her friends arrived at the house for a week of fun and games. When we arrived on the scene Monday afternoon, Dotty and her boys were stoned out of their minds and having a good old time in her bedroom. We walked in on them and snapped a few photographs of them in action. When it finally registered on her what was going on she became quite ugly. The boyfriends were so stoned they didn't care. The detectives got rid of the playmates and left us alone, just me, my lawyer and Dotty.
"Dotty began to realize the seriousness of her situation and became foul mouthed and even more abusive. The language she used shocked me. She called me every dirty name in her large vocabulary. Then she made some personal comments that really hurt. She exposed Curtis as a big queen that screwed every guy in sight. Dotty accused me of being a wimp and a queer just like my brother, and useless in bed. That was her excuse for needing to find an outlet for her sexual needs. At that point, the only feeling I had for her was contempt.
"I asked the lawyer to have her sign the papers for the uncontested divorce. She point blank refused to sign any papers then, or in the future. At that point I asked the lawyer to leave the papers and wait for me in the living room. I asked the detective to remove his equipment and wait for me.
"I waited until I was alone to have my little talk with Dotty.
" 'Listen to me you dirty little tramp, because I'm only going to say this once. I never want to see you, or hear from you again. If you don't sign the papers I plan to make copies of the video tapes of you and your playmates and distribute them to your family and socialite friends. I will also see that all the sleazy newspapers and porn magazines get photographs of your performance with your two playmates. Furthermore, if you ever open that filthy mouth of yours and utter one disparaging word against me, or my brother, I will find you wherever you're hiding and disfigure you in such a way that no one, black or white would look at you without throwing up. Another thing, the only reason I could never have satisfied you in bed is because I'm not black. I'm giving you a choice, which you never gave me. What's it going to be?'
"Needless to say she signed the papers and we left. I never saw Dotty again after that. I found out later that she sold our house and moved back to Virginia.
"I moved back home with my folks in Greenwich. Curtis's death was still vivid in my memory and I was still very depressed over the loss of him. The situation with Dotty didn't boost my ego any either. I began having trouble sleeping. I'd wake up in the middle of the night and couldn't go back to sleep. I always kept coming back to the last night Curtis and I spent together. I withdrew from the world. I had no desire to speak to people and after a while I never left the bedroom suite. Curtis was with me in that suite; I would recall all the wonderful times we had together growing up. Then I stopped eating and could only sleep when I was exhausted and my brain shut down.
"This went on for over a month until the housekeeper told my Dad what was going on. He rushed home, took one look at me and called in our family internist who gave me prescriptions for an anti-depressant and sleeping pills to take before bedtime. They seemed to help a little, except I still kept waking up every few hours in the middle of the night.
"Then the next thing I remember was waking up in a strange room and feeling very hungry. I tried to get up but realized I was restrained. I yelled for someone to help me and an orderly appeared.
" 'Good morning, Randy,' he said. 'Is there anything I can get you this morning?'
"I told him I was starved and would like to have breakfast.
" 'Yes sir, I'll be right back with your breakfast.'
" 'Hold on a minute. I want you to remove whatever it is you've got me in.'
" 'Let me call your nurse and you can explain that to him.'
"Ten minutes later a male nurse accompanied by a doctor entered my room. Doctor Howell introduced himself as my personal physician. 'I understand you asked that the restraints be removed and that you are hungry and want to eat breakfast?'
" 'That's correct, doctor. Do you mind telling me where I am, and why I am being restrained?'
"He proceeded to tell me I was in the Greenwich Mental Health Center and that I was restrained because they were afraid I would hurt myself if I tried to get out of bed on my own.
" 'Can you tell me the last thing you remember, Randy?' the doctor asked.
" 'The last thing I remember was that I was in my bedroom at home.'
" 'I see; well maybe it’s time to remove your restraints. Nurse, help me with this sheet.'
" 'Would you like to stand up, Randy?'
"I tried to move, but I could hardly sit up. 'What's wrong with me, Dr. Howell? Why am I so weak?'
" 'You've been in a coma for some time Randy.'
" 'I don't believe you.'
" 'Take my word for it, Randy. It's a long story and we can talk about it after you have a shower and have something to eat.'
"I was wheeled into Dr. Howell's office later that morning. I said, 'I can't believe I've been in this hospital all this time; what happened to me?'
" 'Don't try to figure it out, Randy,' Dr. Howell said. 'Be thankful your brain has cleared and you are back among the living. Don't you remember hearing any disturbing noises or voices at all?'
" 'Vaguely; I remember people speaking, but I didn't understand why they were in my bedroom.'
" 'What you heard was our staff people trying to get your attention. The problem stems from your deep depression and your overdose of drugs. I'm sure you were unaware the number of pills you had taken, but it was enough to cause a chemical imbalance in your brain. The brain is a complex organ, Randy, and we can never predict how it will react to a combination of severe depression and medication. Every patient is different, in your case it took a while.
" 'You are not out of the woods yet, Randy. I'm placing you on a special program to build up your body and to clear your depression at the same time.
" 'You’ll meet with me every day to discuss your mental problems while the physical therapist works on your body.'
"My therapy continued for another three months. I reached the point where I accepted the fact that I was not guilty for Curtis' death. Funny thing was that Dottie's remarks were on target about my being a homosexual.
"He finally got around to explaining my feelings the last time we had that encounter in New York six years ago. I realized what that was all about. Dr. Howell asked me how I would feel if you, Randy, walked back into my life again?"
"That was six months ago," Randy said. "The bad dreams faded and the depression ended when you came back into my life four months ago."
Lloyd said, "My God, you poor baby. I feel so sorry about Curtis; he was really a gentle soul who needed a lot of love and understanding. How tragic! Was this the mental problem that you couldn't tell me about?"
"Yes; that's it."
"Why don't you wear the cross Curtis gave you?"
"I've never been able to find it since I returned from the hospital."
"Did you ever give the second letter to your parents?"
"No, but I did tell them about why Curtis took his own life. Oddly enough they were relieved that he hadn't suffered a long and painful death."
Lloyd turned to Randy and kissed him, "I'm so sorry you had to suffer alone for so long. We have each other now, and the worst parts of our lives are behind us. We're young and have a whole lifetime ahead of us to repair the damage."
"Come my little one, it time to go to bed. We have a busy week ahead of us."
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The next morning they went their separate ways. Randy went to the duplex to unload the clothes, and Lloyd to his office.
Randy spent the entire morning on the telephone with lawyers, movers, and cleaning contractors. He called Kim Lee, his house manager to tell him that he needed his help to organize the duplex. Telling him bring the clothes he would need for the next two weeks. He also notified the rental company to remove the furniture that afternoon. The storage warehouse arranged delivery, unpacking of the furniture and hanging the paintings in two days.
Kim arrived in town that afternoon with a portion of Randy's wardrobe.
"Will you and Mr. King be living together from now on, boss?" Kim asked.
"Yes, Kim; he is my spouse and we will be living together from now on. You can put some clothes in one of the spare bedrooms for the sake of appearance, both here and at Water View."
"No problem, boss, I'll take care of everything."
"Thanks, Kim, you're a good man," Randy said. "Please arrange with the agency to find us your clone to take care of this place. Don't forget he must have martial arts training."
"Don't worry, boss, I'll take care of everything and I'll come in town to train him."
"Thanks, Kim, I can always rely on you. Are you sure I'm paying you enough?"
Kim laughed, "Yes, sir, very well. Your business manager just gave me another raise. Don't forget to try out our new restaurant on West 46th Street."
"That's right," Randy said. "Tell you what … make reservations for the three of us to have dinner there Friday night."
"Yes, sir, that will shake the staff up," Kim said. "Both bosses eating in the restaurant at the same time."
"Don't forget, Kim, when we are out on a social evening its Randy and Lloyd."
"Yes, sir, I try and remember. You know, my nephew from Hong Kong, is assistant manager at our new restaurant. He's a good all around man, college graduate and all that, but he's not happy with the restaurant business. He has all the qualifications you require to manage your home. I would like to recommend him for the position. He's a good cook, but he needs a little training on how to manage a house. If you let me train him, he will be a good man."
"If you say he is good, then I'm sure he is. But if he's an assistant manager at the restaurant, why would he leave that position and work for Lloyd and me? Don't you think this job would be a step backward for him? Do you really think he would be comfortable working for a gay couple?"
"No problem there Boss. Robert is gay, that's why I suggested him. He's smart, clean cut and drug free. His heart is not in the restaurant business. We need an assistant manager whose heart is in the business. We would have to demote Robert anyway if he stays. I know he would not prefer waiting on tables again. If you have a small room he can live in at the duplex, I'm sure you can pay him less."
"You talk to him and see if he's interested in the job first," Randy said. "If so, I'll ask Lloyd if he wants to interview him on Wednesday night."
"Sounds like a winner, boss; I'll have this duplex whipped into shape."
"He is very British, our Robert. I call him Bobby just to shake him up. I've seen him in action and he is fast and deadly. You don't get a second chance with him, a regular Bruce Lee."
"You've not had a chance to talk to Lloyd, but I'm sure you'll get along just fine. Incidentally, this is Lloyd's duplex now. He's the boss here and he's a gourmet cook, so the two should get along."
"Mr. Lloyd is a fine gentleman, boss. I knew that when he came to the house," Kim said. "He sure has done wonders for you, boss. You're your old self again. Mr. Lloyd is good joss for you."
"Yes, he is a great person and has been good luck for me, Kim. And you're right, I do feel like my old self again."
Lloyd worked late again at the office and didn't get in until ten thirty. He found Randy was already asleep. He took a shower, brushed his teeth and climbed into bed, snuggling up close to him. Randy unconsciously wrapped his arms around Lloyd without waking.
In the morning, Randy was up at six, showered and dressed for the office. He made a pot of tea and read the note Lloyd had tacked to the fridge asking him to wake him at seven. He had his cup of tea and read the Wall Street Journal until seven. He sat down on the bed next to Lloyd and stroked his hair until he awoke.
He smiled at Randy. "Good morning, handsome," Lloyd said. "Sorry I got home so late last night. That's what happens when I take a day off."
Randy kissed Lloyd, "You'd better get that cute little butt of yours in gear, because we have a lot to talk about before you leave for the office this morning."
Randy cut up some oranges and squeezed fresh juice for Lloyd. He filled two bowls with cereal and set two places in the dining room for breakfast.
"Tell me what I missed yesterday?" Lloyd asked.
"Before I forget, you must show me what furniture you want moved to the duplex, and how you want Kim to set up your kitchen. The movers will be here tomorrow morning to pack and move everything. Kim will be here to supervise."
"I want you to promise me that you will be at the duplex at six o'clock tomorrow night to celebrate our first night in your new home," Randy said.
"Kim would like you to interview his nephew as a possible candidate for our house manager. You can meet him tomorrow night at our new restaurant. Kim has also interviewed several agency people and is not at all pleased. If that's okay with you, he'll set it up for tomorrow night. If you approve of him, Kim has promised to train him. What do you say, honey?"
"I promise to be home tomorrow night by six o'clock. I'm so excited about moving. You are absolutely a prince for handling everything so efficiently. Looks like I married a talented manager, as well as a beautiful and generous man. Thanks for speaking to Kim about our marriage. I'll feel more comfortable now that he knows. I'll be happy to interview his nephew tomorrow night."
"Incidentally," Lloyd said, "Chadwick has agreed to let your bank bill them for my share of the duplex as long as it's the same amount."
Lloyd cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher. He donned his coat and returned to the dining room, sat on Randy's lap and kissed him. "I love you so much, thank you for everything. I will be home on time tonight."
"It doesn't bother me if you have to work late at the office, that's your job," Randy said. "Just let me know when you're not going to be home for dinner so I can rework my schedule. I plan to drop by the duplex and talk to Kim on the way home, so if you can't reach me at the office, you know where I'll be."
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Randy arrived at his office and began working on the Telecom contract. His father came into his office around noon to ask him to join him for lunch.
Randy Senior said, "It's like old times again seeing you at work at your old desk. How goes the battle so far?"
"Great so far, this is a very complex contract and I'm only one quarter of the way through it," Randy said. "It's very interesting though. Let's take a little walk before lunch, I want to run a few ideas by you."
"Good idea. I've been sitting too long anyway."
The weather was perfect as they strolled along Park Avenue.
"Lloyd and I are moving into the duplex tomorrow. I was a little leery moving back in there because of so many memories of Curtis. Lloyd has fallen in love with the place. That's the first time I've set foot in the place since Curtis died. Funny thing, Dad, I feel at peace with Curtis walking through the duplex now. Somehow I feel very close to him and it's not a bad thing. Doesn't Lloyd remind you a little of Curtis?"
"Yes he does, their personalities are a lot alike. I picked that up on Sunday. The more I think about Lloyd, the more I feel you have made the right decision to move into the duplex. That place was Curtis' great love and it showed his good taste. I know he would be pleased."
"Lloyd is joining me for lunch tomorrow; do you want to join us?”
"No, I think you and Lloyd should have a quiet lunch together, thanks anyway. Let's find a place for us to have lunch."
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Lloyd left his office at five and walked up Fifth Avenue to his new home on Central Park South. He stopped at Saint Patrick's, and knelt to offer his prayer. "Thank you, Jesus, for allowing me to find Randy again. Please forgive the sins of his brother, Curtis. He was a decent man who deserves your forgiveness." He lit two candles and left to continue his walk uptown to 59th Street.
He entered the building and Walter took him up to the Penthouse. He rang the doorbell to his duplex.
Kim opened the door, "Good evening, Mister King, it's nice to see you again. Mr. Randy is in the living room."
Lloyd extended his hand, "Thank you for everything, Kim, I appreciate all your help. Please call me Lloyd when we're alone. Randy has told me how hard you've worked to have everything ready on time. I'm looking forward to our dinner tonight and meeting your nephew."
"Yes, sir, if you like him he can begin tomorrow," Kim said. "I told the boss that Robert could live in if you would like. We can fix the storage rooms for his bedroom. It would save you some money and he would be around if you need him. The boss said that it was up to you."
"I'll let you know about that after I've talked it over with Randy."
He walked into the living room where Randy had a bottle of champagne chilling in a crystal ice bucket and two tulip champagne glasses on a large silver tray. There were three large floral arrangements on each of the large inlayed chests and one on the coffee table. He walked over to Randy and wrapped his arms around his neck and kissed him. He lay his head on Randy's shoulder and held him. Then he led Randy over to the sofa and cuddled up to him. Finally he said, "Everything is so beautiful it's hard to take it in all at once. The most beautiful thing in the room is you, my love. I stopped by the church and lit two candles. One was for us and the other for Curtis. His spirit is with us tonight. It was a nice relaxing walk from the office. Seeing you in this room surrounded by this beauty makes the picture complete. You take my breath away, you are so beautiful. This room is you and you belong here surrounded in all this beauty. I love you so much, Randy."
Randy squeezed him tightly in his arms and held him without speaking. He rubbed his back and said, "I'm crazy about you, Lloyd, you make me very happy."
They stayed like that for some time. Lloyd broke the silence by saying, "What's the champagne for?"
"It's for a toast, to welcome you into your new home."
"Not to my new home; the toast should be to our new home, my love."
Randy opened the bottle and poured the wine, "To my spouse and to our new home."
"To my spouse, may God bless us with a long and happy life and may we be here to make the same toast after fifty years of marriage. Here's to you, Curtis, thank you for giving us this beautiful gift."
"I had a brief chat with Kim, and he asked if we wanted Robert to live in if we decided to hire him. I think it's a good idea, but he should have a proper bedroom."
"You're a kind hearted person. I agree he should have a proper bedroom. I like the idea of having someone in the house all the time."
"Good! That's settled," Lloyd said. "Do you feel up to giving me a tour again?"
"I was hoping you would ask, I'm dying to show you everything." Randy took Lloyd's hand and led him through the house once again, pointing out the antique furniture that Curtis had collected over the years. "The dining room and library furniture were from the estate of the Earl of Danby. Curtis had several Stewart canvases hanging throughout the apartment. He also collected the works of several modern artists, including some outstanding American artists whose works have become famous over the years. We should have an appraiser come in and reappraise everything."
The tour ended up in the kitchen. Randy showed him the china and crystal and flatware. "Curtis had three sets of china, two dinners and one luncheon. All the patterns were a service for twenty-four. The luncheon service was for fifty. In addition, he had a buffet service for 100 that included solid silver flatware, and crystal stemware. Again, all purchased from Europe. Curtis did a lot of entertaining for the firm. The larger gatherings were held at the folks' place; the smaller parties, here."
"Everything in the kitchen is laid out very efficiently," Lloyd said. "I detect the hand of a professional at work here. I must compliment Kim on a job well done."
Randy took him down to the lower level, showed him their bedroom suite and their dressing room. "Everything is just perfect," Lloyd said. "I would like you to invite Kim to have a glass of champagne in celebration of our new home. Is that all right with you, Randy?
"Yes, my love, he would like that." He kissed him tenderly, "I can't wait to make love to you, let's try to break away early tonight."
Lloyd laughed, "My thoughts precisely."
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
To be continued...
Posted: 09/21/12