Security - 18. Chapter 18

Dave has taken over my position, as I recommended, I was hired as a consultant at a monthly retainer for one year with the option of extending it at the end of the year. Carlito has warmed up to me and now he sits on my lap and chats away. My days start with a beach jog, I have Bobby doing that with me, then a breakfast I share with Carlito and when I say share, it means he eats from my plate after he finishes his plate.

As agreed, I meet with the team once a month. Dave sends me the agenda, I comment back to him but as time moved forward I have fewer and fewer comments.

I solved the bracelet issue by placing a small fingerprint reader under the gold band. By pressing on this spot the bracelet can be released from the arm. When it is released, the internal mechanisms will be destroyed.

I had made several and was now ready to offer them to specific clients. I gave one to Dave, explained the unit, told him what the cost would be if anyone else bought it and if he sold one, I’d give him a commission. Needless to say, Dave was one happy camper.

Thanksgiving was coming so I gave Rosa the time off, Bobby and I flew back east so he could spend the holiday with his family. I don’t know what happened at his home, Friday after Thanksgiving, he moved back into my cottage. All I know is that Mark was there. I continued my morning run along my old route, stopping at my favorite coffee spot for coffee and breakfast, that was until Bobby moved back in, then it was just the run and breakfast at the cottage.

Sunday, we flew back to California, school resumed on Monday. The next break would be for Christmas and New Year. I never did learn why he didn’t stay with his parents full time. He did work in his dad’s grocery store during the time he was home when the store was open.

I started to sell my bracelets, the first one to the General. Dave took care of that and so Dave earned his first commission. Pete had to have his say, Jim wanted one so I sold it to him at costs, with the proviso he doesn’t tell anyone what he paid for it.

I began to contact previous clients offering the personal security bracelet. I had to explain what the bracelet did to provide personal protection. I drew up a brochure, explaining the various functions. I made the bracelet, I sold the bracelet and I attached the bracelet to the client.

I had sold ten, Dave had sold three, and the one I gave to Jim at cost. I had an inventory of five when the first actual trial came to my attention. I sold one to a high-level position in England. He was accosted after leaving a club with his intended. The robber wanted the bracelet, the client in the presence of removing the bracelet, activated it. Within two and a half minutes the police led a blinded man away. The newspaper had a comment made by the man and I expected my sales to increase. I ordered enough material to make an additional ten bracelets.

Christmas break was just around the corner, “Bobby, we need to make

arrangements for Christmas break. You need to tell me why you don’t want to go home.” “It isn’t that I don’t want to go home, it’s who else will be there. I didn’t tell you mom invited her brother and it was a grilling I didn’t need.” Her brother was the infamous Mark. I knew something was wrong, but not exactly. Now I knew a little more. “What about going home and staying at the cottage, I need to go to New York and begin to clean out my condo and start the process of selling it.”

“Can I go with you to New York, it has been a long time since I was there, and being there with Uncle Mark wasn’t a good experience.” “Okay, how about this. We’ll go home for Christmas and then go to New York for New Years'.” “But I can still stay at the cottage if I know who is there?” “Yes, but you should spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with your folks.” “Alright, but if Christmas Day gets too much for me, I’m heading to the cottage.” I smiled, I still didn’t know why he’s so adverse toward his uncle. Definitely, something happened in New York when he was on vacation. I’ll wait he’ll tell me when he’s ready.

The holidays were upon us, we had all of our shopping done, I gave Rosa the time off with pay as her Christmas gift, Bobby bought gifts for Carlito. I had gifts for my pilots, we were ready to go. The day before Christmas Eve, we flew home. I aired out the cottage, went shopping for food, and had a chance to speak to Robert, Bobby’s dad. After our chat, I went and picked up a few more items. I knew Bobby would be at the cottage. I hinted to Robert why Bobby acted so angry at Mark. He said he didn’t know but I think he does know and just didn’t want to say anything.

Arriving home, there was Bobby. “Hey, help me unload and put the groceries away.”

He pitched in but I could tell there was something wrong. I opened a bottle of wine, poured two classes, “Here, let’s talk. Bobby something has been bothering you ever since your Uncle Mark made that visit when you introduced me to him. What is it that disturbs you so much.”

“I asked mom if I could invite you to Christmas dinner. Uncle Mark said he didn’t think it was a good idea. He said I spend too much time with you as it is. Mom agreed and said I should spend the time with the family. I got angry and stormed out. I’m glad I left my luggage in the car.”

“I didn’t realize that your uncle didn’t like me. When I met him, I thought he was cordial toward me.”

“There’s something about my Uncle I haven’t told anyone. You know my Uncle is gay, I think I told you that. Being gay doesn’t bother me, but when I spent that vacation at his place in New York, all he did was invite his gay friends over and make suggestive remarks. When I told him I wasn’t gay and didn’t appreciate all of the gay innuendos, he got mad. Said I should try his lifestyle. And now he’s suggesting I have something going on with you. He asked me, when my mom wasn’t around, how you were in bed. That was when I walked out.” I must have looked stunned, “Chaz, are you okay.”

“Yes, just a little confused. I didn’t think I sent any gay vibes to your Uncle. I’m not gay, I know most men my age are married but I have no intention of getting married. Dave tells everyone I married my job, and maybe I have. The closest I came to ever think about being gay was when Lee was alive, but that was more a brotherly feeling than a sexual feeling. Lee and I use to talk about what type of woman we would want to marry, we had a lot of laughs about the girls at school.”

I had to think about what Bobby said. I never realized that society branded unmarried males as gay. I knew a lot of men just didn’t want to get married and weren’t gay, at least I don’t think they were gay. How would I be able to tell if a man is gay, sometimes it is very obvious, but none of my friends who aren’t married ever demonstrated having feelings about other men. Certainly liking the company of men doesn’t count toward that person’s sexual interests. I enjoy being in the company of men, I don’t have to watch what I say, if I want to swear, I can without feeling guilty. If I want to laugh at a rude comment I can, I won’t do that in the company of women.

“Chaz, you’re overthinking too much. If you ask me I think Uncle Mark liked you and he realizes you don’t like him. You remember that swim party when he was here at the cottage. He didn’t like that we had a beer. He wanted you to agree with him but you didn’t. He likes to lord it over me and you don’t. I think his interest in you has turned to an angry attitude towards you.”

“Well, let that be his problem. Hungry? Start the grill.” I had bought chicken thighs at the grocery store, so I decided we would have them with fries and a salad.