Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2002 19:02:46 EST
From: Wyzman34@aol.com
Subject: Brothers Like Us Chapter 7

Brothers Like Us
By Lawrence Michael Martell

Chapter Seven

     My meeting with Grant Lewis was very interesting to say the least. If
any of you brothers ever watched the Mary Tyler Moore show, then you know
who Lou Grant was. The gruff-tough talking-teddy bear of a man who was the
head of WJM News. Well, that was Grant Lewis right down to preferring being
called Lew. He was gruff and tough and a teddy bear inside. He was in his
mid 50's with brown hair, gray at the temples and unlike Lou Grant he was
in excellent physical shape. Lew was a mentor-coach-counselor and boss to
me. I respected, admired and liked Lew alot. I trusted his opinion and
observations. If there was ever a white man who was truly and completely
fair in his dealings with everyone around him regardless of color, sex,
religion, National Origin and sexual preference. Stupid is stupid was his
favorite thing to say.
     I entered Lew's office and after a brief and sincere greeting he got
to the point of the matter.
        "Eric," He had begun, "I want you to be one of three reporters
for a three part series that the Herald-Times will be running."
        "Really? What's the series?" I asked.
        "Ashley Homes; Crimes, Violence and The City."
        DAYUM! Talk about spooky. "That's interesting Lew."
        "Glad you like it." Lew said smiling. "I want you to write the
third part of the series...The City."
     I nodded showing my intrigue. "Okay but why me for the third part?"
     Lew flashed a knowing smile. "Because Eric, you have a way of getting
to the bottom of things."
     I smiled. "What things?"
     Lew stood up and began walking around his office while he lit up a
cigar. "Eric there is something going on with all this at the Ashley and
some how Mayor Grayson and Chief Darlington have something up their slimy
sleeves."
          "You think?" I asked.
          "I know!" Lew replied certainty in his voice. "Eric my gut hurts
and when my gut hurts that means there is something going on and Eric, son,
you can find it and bring it out. YOU can get to the truth of the matter."
     Lew smiled at me and I knew that I was about to embark on an
adventure.
     Lew and I talked a bit longer.Lew knew something was suspicious. The
Ashley had always been the center of crime and drugs and violence for years
and the police and the city didn't seem to care on bit and now all of a
sudden it was issue number one. After the shooting spree Chief Darlington
steps up patrols and the Mayor issues a curfew after calling the situation,
critical and after my conversation with Lew I wanted to know what was up
myself. So when I left Lew's office I decided I would test some waters and
called my friend at the police department again to find out what was going
on with the police chief.
          "Eric," Theresa said in whispered tones. Theresa, Sgt. Theresa
Long who worked in the warrant division and new everything about everything
in the P.D. "Shit is jumping over here."
          "Whatcha mean?" I asked.
          "I can't got into too much here but try this on. The Mayor and
The Chief had a major meeting about the Ashley situation."
          "That's not unusual, Theresa." I answered.
          "Yeah but they met with Councilwoman Maggie Ward and the city
attorney Jack Delgado." She added.
          "Okay...well Councilwoman Ward represents that district that the
Ashley is in that isn't unusual."
          "I thought the same until I found out who they all were meeting
with. Are you ready?"
          "Yeah, shoot." I said.
          "Democratic state senator...Hampton Dyson III."
     DAYUM! Senator Hampton Dyson III was one of the most prominent African
American state senators in the state and it was being rumored that he was
going to make a run for the Governor's seat next year. I could not help but
wonder why Dyson, who has been the largest and the loudest critic of both
the republican mayor and the police chief, would meet with the Mayor, the
Police chief and company.
          "Senator Dyson is a state senator. He's probably concerned and
wants to help." I explained.
          "Yeah perhaps. But for starters he has barely mentioned the
Ashley ever before. The Ashley isn't even in his district and as much as he
has slammed the mayor and the chief it just sounds to..."
          "Suspicious. I see now."
          "I got a question for you, Eric. Are you working on this or are
you curious?"
          "When I called earlier it was curiousity. Now I'm working on
something connected to the Ashley. I met with Grant Lewis and the
Herald-Times is doing a three part series on the Ashley called Ashley
Homes, Crime, Violence and The City."
          "Well, I would like to help you. I'm curious about this myself
but you know my situation." She said.
          "I know. No mention of your name at all. But I can use all the
information you can get." I replied.
          "No problem. I'll be in touch."
          "Aight." I said and we hung up. I was now very excited about this
project.
       When I got home there was a written message from Dre saying that he
was going to be gone for the night, I figured he was going to be hanging
and banging one of this many "tear offs". I was about to get online and
check my email when the phone rang and when I answered it was Shane. He was
looking for Sean and he sounded upset. I told him that I had not heard from
Sean nor have I seen him. I asked Shane what was going on but he wouldn't
tell me and he hung up. Once again as I got ready to log on again the phone
rang and this time it was Jermaine and the very sound of his voice made me
smile, my heart skipped and my dick got hard...yeah, I said it.
             "Hey you,"Jermaine said with his smooth as chocolate voice.
             "Hey to you too. Whatup?" I asked.
             "Just called to see how you're doing and if we are still on
for tonight?"
             "I'm doing aight and yes, we are still on for tonight."
             "Great because I have planned a night that we won't forget for
a long time."
             "Really? Well, I can't wait." I said and I meant it.
             "Me either." Jermaine said and I hoped he meant it. "So, when
you gonna be here?"
       I smiled. "I have to check my mail and handle somethings here...oh
by the way I met with Grant Lewis at the Herald-Times and he wants me to
work on a thre part story." I told him.
             "Really? That's great, boo."
       Now check this. When he said boo my heart skipped like fifty beats
and the biggest smile I have ever had in my life spread across my face. I
use to hate the word boo until Jermaine used it.
             "You can tell me all about it over dinner when you get here."
Jermaine continued.
             "Okay." I answered. Tell him over dinner. Now that sounded
nice. I hung up the phone after saying goodbye to my boo. I waited a minute
to see if the phone would ring again and when it didn't I logged on and
checked my email. There was junk mail and spam and an email from Sean
marked URGENT. I read the email and was shocked at what I was reading. Sean
wrote that he and Shane were no longer living together and it was all
Victor Du Bois fault with which Shane is seeing again and has moved into
their house. Sean didn't state where he was staying and what he was doing
but he told me in the email that he was okay and for me not to
worry. Yeah...not to worry. I was worried. Shane was seeing Victor Du Bois?
I thought Victor was still in prison? And even if he wasn't why in the hell
would Shane get involved with him again after everything Victor had put him
through. Check this out. Victor was trouble with a capital T. He was from
New Orleans where he lived in the same projects that Juvenile came from and
when he came here he was already bad news. He was a drug dealer-Pimp and
down right dangerous in my eyes. Shane fell for him the first time he saw
him which was at "Da City" and the first time I saw Victor I knew there was
trouble. It came six months later when Shane discovered a small vail of
cocaine in the car. Shane went to Victor and they argued and he gave Victor
an ultimatium and that was when Victor slapped Shane...twice. Shane slapped
Victor back and the two were fighting like cats and dogs and it was a fight
that Victor won as he beat Shane like OJ beat Nicole...sorry...it was
enough of a beating that Shane had to go to the hospital for two days. We
all worried about Shane and we all wanted to beat the shit out of
motherfucking Victor but before that could happen the police arrested
Victor for dealing drugs and possession with the intent to distribute and
soon he was in prison. I could not believe that Shane was involved with
Victor again after all that Victor had done to him and then to pick Victor
over his brother? It just blew my mind.
       No sooner did I log off did my phone ring and I picked it up without
looking at the caller ID. It was Sean calling me from some extended stay
hotel. After a few minutes of talking about Victor and Shane I invited Sean
to stay with me.
             "Where am I gonna sleep? On the couch? Hell no. I don't do
couch." Sean said.
             "You won't be on the couch." I said.
             "You mean I can sleep with my husband, Dre?" Sean said
excitedly.
             "No fool! You can share my room." I told him.
             "No offense Miss Eric but you snore and your feet stink." Sean
declared.
             "Mothafucka!" I snapped trying not to laugh,"You living in a
sleazy hotel and you dissing me when I invite you to stay with me?"
             "Well! Now Dre...mmm! mmm! I can share a bed with him." Sean
replied as if I had not said a damn thing.
             "I'm sure you can but for your information he talks and farts
in his sleep and his feet smell worse than mine." I informed him.
             "Those are the things a good wife must deal with." And Sean
and I were rolling with laughter but I was still worried about Sean.
             "Seriously Sean. Come stay here. We can make accomodations for
you." I said.
             "Eric, you are a great friend and I love you very much." Sean
answered.
             "We're more than friends. We're brothers." I replied.
             "Yeah," Sean choked."Brothers."
             "So you coming here, right?"
             "No. No Eric I'm not but I don't want you to worry about
me. I'll be okay and I won't be here much longer. After what happened
between Shane and I I have decided that perhaps maybe it is time for me to
be an individual instead of one of the twins. You understand?"
       I did understand. "I understand. What I don't understand is why
would Shane be back with Victor? Does he think Victor has changed?"
             "I don't know Eric but it is something he will have to learn
on his own this time."
       After we talked a few more m we hung up and wanted to call Shane
Jackson and cuss his sorry ass out but I decided not to do that but I did
decide to call Mo-Mo and let him know. Maybe he could get Sean to stay with
him? No..that's a lie. I wanted Mo-Mo to get angry and go kick Victor's ass
and slap Shane around until he came to his senses. When I called the voice
that answered was not Brett..thank God...and it was not Mo but then again
it was.
             "Hey J!" said in surprise when Jamal answered.
             "Hey E!"
             "Whatcha doin over at your pop's?" I asked.
             "I'm staying here now." He replied.
             "Really? Cool." I wondered how Mohammed got Teena to give up
Jamal. "Is your dad there?"
             "No. He already left for Louisville." Jamal answered.
             "Damn...aight. When he checks in just tell him that I called
and if he can he can hit me on the cell."
             "Bet." Jamal said.
 hi "Cool. You aight over there?" I had to ask. Brett did not impress me at
being too parental.
             "Yeah. I'm aight."
             "Is Brett there?"
             "Naw, he stepped out bout an hour ago."
       Stepped out? "Okay. Do you need anything?" I asked.
             "Nope, I'm straight." Jamal said. I had to smile y'all.
             "Aight J. I'll holla!"
             "Peace E!" Jamal said and we hung up. After all that had been
going on I decided it was time to get ready for the night that I won't
forget.

       When I arrived at Jermaine's place I was as excited and nervous as I
had ever been in my life. I rang his door bell and he opened the door
looking fine as aged wine. He was wearing a pair of dark colored khaki
slacks and a V-necked sweater shirt that showed off that magnificent
chest. He flashed that killer assed sexy smile and I felt my knees go weak.
             "Hi," he said with an inviting tone. "Come in."

       I walked in and as he shut the door behind me I looked around. The
place was dimly lit with candles all over the place. Wonderful vanilla
scent candles were in the living room and the dining room. Sexy slow
grooving music was playing through out. Teddy Pendergrass was singing...
Turn out the lights and let's get closer...it was the most romantic thing
that I had ever experienced in my life and I was glad it was dim in the
house because a brotha was weepy eyed. He put his hands gently on my
shoulders and I felt his lips softly touch and kiss my neck and then he
inhaled and sighed.
             "Damn boo, you smell wonderful." He said.
       I inhaled his scent and sighed too. He was wearing this sweet and
light musky cologne that drove me wild. It was a sexy scent that mixed well
with him and him calling me boo was driving me crazy.
             "So do you baby." I said as I turned around and he wrapped his
arms around me. We looked into each others eyes and kissed. Oh my brothers
it was the kiss that you dream of having all your life. It was one of those
wet and tongue filled porno kisses. It was soft and gentle and yet filled
with passion. He didn't force or overwhelm. He just held me in his arms and
kissed my lips and mouth. Our tongues touched lightly and circled and
played inside each other's mouth. His hands were on either side of my face,
stroking and caressing and tickling. When the kiss ended I was standing
there dazed and bedazzled and totally blown away.
             "Are you ready to eat?" Jermaine asked as he held me close in
his arms.
             "I'm ready for anything." I sighed.
       Jermaine and I walked into the dining holding hands. I gasped as I
saw what he had done. There were candles on the table along with
roses. Jermaine held out the chair for me and I sat down still amazed at
what was going on. Jermaine excused himself and left me in the dining room
as he went into the kitchen. In a few minutes Jermaine returned carrying
two salad plates piled high with salad and set them on the table. He sat
down right next to me and as we ate...no nibbled on the salad we kept
looking into each other's eyes. I didn't want to eat, I just wanted to be
in Jermaine's arms and kissing him. We managed to finish the salads and
Jermaine excused himself to get the main course which was veal and
spaghetti and toasted garlic-butter bread. We ate and talked and it was a
genuine conversation. He wanted to know about my day and I told him all
about my meeting with Grant Lewis and what he offered me and Jermaine was
genuinely impressed and interested. It was the first time in a long time
that anyone that I was interested in asked about me and was interested in
what I did. I asked about his day and he shared his day with me and he
ended it when he said..."But everything I did today..I thought about you."
       DAYUM! After the main course Jermaine said there was dessert, New
York style cheesecake, which we ate in the living room as we listened to
Anita Baker. We didn't speak but out silence spoke volumes. When the CD
changed to a sexy and soulful instrumental by Kenny G. Jermaine stood up
and extended his hand to me and as I took it he pulled me up and we slow
danced in the living room. We held each other close, my head resting
against his powerful chest and his head leaning on mine. This was just too
much. We looked into each other's eyes at the same moment and the
electricity was undeniable as we were drawn into a deep and romantic kiss
that lasted for what seemed like hours and left us breathless when it
ended. No words had to be spoken as he took my hand and lead me to his
bedroom and once again I was treated to another romantic sight. Candles in
the bedroom, the bed was covered with red and black silk and satin
sheets. The music was being pumped into the room and it all added to the
romantic feeling that we were having. We kissed again and this time as we
kissed we slowly and carefully undressed each other. We weren't in a
rush..it wasn't rushed or hurried. It was just...just right. Before long we
were completely naked and still slow dancing but our bodies were hot with
passion and desire and soon we had melted onto the bed as we kissed and
touched and tasted each others bodies. I touched Jermaine's chest and
lightly kissed his nipples with my lips and he sighed. His nipples grew
hard and he sighed and moaned. He returned the favor on me and his tongue
working on my nipples made my toes curl. We could smell the scent of each
other's cologne as we kissed and caressed and petted each other. I felt his
hands roaming down my body and touching my sides, my thighs, and my ass. My
dick twitched violently and I wanted him badly. I spread my legs wide ready
for him. Jermaine kissed me as his hands took control of my body and worked
me like crazy. He moved down my body with his hungry mouth and lips tasting
and devouring every inch of me. I moaned and gasped and begged for release,
for him to take me. When he wouldn't give in I rolled him over and and
treated him to the same treatment. Jermaine growled and gritted his teeth
as I worked my tongue and lips over his super sensitive nipples, chest and
body.
          Finally he could take it no more and he turned me back over and
after kissing me long and hard he spread my legs apart again. He looked
into my eyes and what I saw filled me with awe and joy. In his gorgeous
eyes I saw love and he kept his eyes on me as he slowly, gently entered
me. I sighed, groaned and arched my back to recieve him. It felt so
good...no..it was magnificent...no...words can't explain it. I was lost
somewhere in heaven and paradise. Jermaine held me tight and close but not
hard and not too rough as we rocked and rolled together in his bed. God it
felt so damn good. I wanted to scream, I wanted to shout! I wanted the
world to know that Jermaine and I were making love...not fucking, not
getting laid, not getting our freak on...we were making love. Real,
sincere, pasionate love.
          We rolled around and over each other. Sweat mingled and mixed as
we moved and touched, moaned and groaned. As I felt every stroke that
Jermaine made and as he felt every contraction I offered in
answer. Jermaine never took his eyes off me and I never took my eyes off
him. I wanted to see his look when we reached the climax and he wanted to
see the same. We didn't have to wait much longer. Jermaine fought to keep
his eyes from closing and rolling back as he reached his climatic orgasm. I
grabbed the back of his head and pulled his head down and locked him into a
deep kiss as I reached my own orgasm.
          When it ended...no...when it subsided, we laid in each others
arms twitching and tingling and feeling great. Jermaine wrapped his arms
around me and I nestled into his arms and he kissed me on the top of the
head. I looked up into his eyes and there were tears there.
          "What's wrong?" I asked.
          He smiled at me. "Eric...I am falling in love with you."
          I smiled back. "Jermaine...I'm falling in love with you." And it
was true. I was falling for Jermaine and I didn't want to stop. Not ever!