Death On Duval Street (Chapter-8)

THE COMMITTEE PLANNED the climactic parade to begin at 8:00 pm Halloween evening. But by lunch-time the festivities were well underway with small impromptu parades as numerous gay men and women marched in their fanciest costumes. The police kept a close eye on these side shows to prevent any traffic problems, but did not stop them from enjoying themselves.

At a party the night before attended by dignitaries, Brian served as the “mistress” of ceremonies dressed as Barbara Streisand. Those who were attending included the planning committee members and about four hundred people who had paid a hundred and fifty-dollars a plate to attend. The entertainment was a special show developed by Brian and the band with a special appearance by Jennifer Lopez, as performed by Brian Silver, singing her hit song “Everybody’s Girl.”

The crowd went wild and the ovation lasted almost five minutes with Brian in tears. Ruthie could not have been more proud.

Across town the tent revival had averaged about five hundred people per night with lots of excitement among the Evangelical community. No further protests occurred, and most everyone was busy enjoying the fruits of their labors. The gays celebrated with Fantasy Fest and the Christians enjoyed their revival.

So, Halloween began as any other day that Saturday as Brian walked into the Ta-Da Club at about twelve-thirty in the afternoon. I was helping Ruthie with her accounting, not that I know that much. I think she just needed an extra pair of eyes and some company to help pass the time until the evening’s festivities.

When Ruthie saw him approaching, she yelled out the open door of her office, “Brian, get your ass in here. The boys have been waiting on you nearly half an hour to start rehearsal.”

He walked over to the door and stuck his head into her office and said, “Sorry, Miss Ruthie. It won’t happen again.”

“I know, honey, but tonight’s important. You’re premiering your new number for the general public after the Parade.”

“I know.”

“So get in there and practice. I want that number to be something people will be talking about for years.”

Just then he noticed me sitting there. So he smiled and nodded his head toward me. I indicated a small hello. He continued down the hall and into the main auditorium where the band had gathered on stage. It was odd, but Brian left the door standing open.

Harvey started with, “Well, good of you to join us, Miss Thing!”

“Jealous ’cause your thing ain’t as good as my thing?”

“Harvey, leave him be. Let’s get to work,” Ernie piped in.

“Let’s start with the first two.” Karl added, “That’ll be “Everybody’s Girl” on four. Ready? One, two, three, four.”

The band played the intro and Brian walked onto the stage acting like Jennifer Lopez. He started singing, but as he got to the words “Act like I’m interested in some other man,” Harvey broke out in laughter and nearly fell off the drum stool. The others stopped playing and stared at him. They began to laugh along with him; except for Brian who stared at Harvey with looks that could kill.

Brian paused for a moment.

“Okay, Harvey. What the hell’s so funny?”

“I don’t know. I guess the words you were singing just got to me. I’m sorry.”

Brian shook his head and continued, “Harvey, I’ve just about had it with your sarcastic looks and phrases. I’m just tired of your antics.”

“Me? My antics? You’re the prima donna! You’re the only one who’s right about everything. And I’m tired of it. You hear me? I’m tired of it.”

At that, Harvey headed out of the auditorium throwing his drum sticks high in the air. One hit Ernie square on the head.

“Ow! Harvey!” Ernie yelled as he put his hand on his head and drew it back with a palm full of blood.

“I’m bleeding! Harvey! Harvey!! Come back here, damn it!”

Harvey didn’t look back but kept walking toward the door. “Don’t you dare come back! You hear me? Don’t you ever come back here again! Do you hear me, man?”

At that Ernie walked out of the room as Nelson and Odell put their guitars on their stands and sat on the edge of the stage.

“What’s going on in there,” I asked Ruthie.

“Dem boys fight all the time. Pay’em no mind.”

I leaned out the door and looked into the auditorium where I saw Karl sitting on his stool with his head bowed shaking it back and forth. He spoke up.

“Look, guys, we’re all tired. Maybe we should just go get a couple of drinks and rest for several hours before we have to be back for the show tonight.”

Ruthie finally got up and walked in as her face seemed to glow brighter and brighter the angrier she got. She had a way of being very calm at first but building to a crescendo. So I assume the guys were as startled as I was when she started in on them as soon as she hit the doorway.

“What the hell’s goin’ on in here? Harvey just went storming out of the club muttering something about you guys being totally insane.”

Karl looked up. “Sorry, Miss Ruthie. We just had a small disagreement. We’ll have it together tonight. You know you can count on us.”

Ruthie looked over at Brian as the anger flowed effortless from her face. “You okay, honey?”

Brian was sitting on the stage cross-legged at this point. He looked up at Ruthie and said, “I’m okay; just tired.”

Ruthie took a deep breath and shook her head as if wondering just what was wrong with these guys.

“I guess the pressure of the festival starting this week, opening a new show, and being expected to be at all the parties that are going on tonight and all.”

She stood there appearing to wait for a response that never came. She turned on her heels and walked toward the door. She stopped and shook her head. I could just visualize an internal dialogue going something like: Those guys! Maybe someday they’ll grow up. At least that’s what I would have been thinking.

She turned back around, looking toward the stage area. She said out loud as if to no one in particular, “I don’t think so. Those boys will never grow up.” I had to blink twice.

She walked out of the auditorium and back to the desk across from me where she went back hard at work as usual.

That’s when I got up and walked to the door just in time to hear Brian say, “We got this stuff down. Once the audience gets here, we’ll be itching to get it on. You know, we always gets it done.”

Ernie walked back into the room holding a hand full of tissue against his scalp. He sat down next to Karl and said, “I don’t know what got into him. I know he’s high strung anyway, but, man! This was way out of line.”

Karl leaned over and looked at Ernie’s head. He pulled strands of hair back with care as he took the tissue away from the wound. A large gash on top of a blue lump greeted his gazing eye. The blood had not clotted, so he took Ernie by the arm and said, “Get up. We need to go to the hospital and have this thing looked at.”

“I’ll be fine,” Ernie protested.

“Let’s just make sure, okay? Besides, one thing’s for sure, you’re going to have one hell of a headache before the show tonight.”

“No kidding.”

“Don’t forget we need to be back here by ten tonight for the show at eleven. Don’t be late,” Brian reminded them.

“We won’t. See you then.”

Ernie and Karl walked past me without saying a word and went out of the concert hall followed by Odell and Nelson who both nodded at me as they left. Brian sat alone in the middle of the stage. He looked up for a long moment staring at the ceiling and the catwalks that crisscrossed the beams where numerous lights glared down on him like so many eyeballs. I wondered what he must be thinking. He shook his head, got up, and walked out of the building.

About 6:00 that evening the crowds gathered, as always, at Mallory Square to watch the sun go down. They also anticipated the finale of Fantasy Fest: the grand parade of all parades. But tonight more people than normal gathered for sunset. There was great rejoicing and shouting as the people counted down the seconds and the sun sank into the sea. As it disappeared, the digital watch on my arm blinked 6:39 pm.

Just then, Brian entered Sloppy Joes and walked over to the table where I was seated eating a hamburger while I waited for the big parade to start. He stood there for a moment until I looked up with a little shock in my eyes.

He said, “Jay, do you have a moment?”

“For you, anytime, my friend.”

He sat.

“I thought you might be able to help me out with a dilemma I’m facing.”

“Worried about your show tonight?”

“No. The revival meeting started last night. And, well, I thought I ought to go over there and see what’s going on. I mean, I am a member of the church.”

“Do you feel a part of that group?”

“Actually, this may sound a bit weird, but I do feel a connection. Those people helped me a lot years ago. I might not be where I am today if it hadn’t been for Pastor Santos.”

“Wow. I wasn’t aware.”

“I don’t talk about it much. But, I was wondering: should I go or not?”

I sat stunned by the question. I smiled, but had no idea what to say.

“I didn’t mean to throw a curve ball.”

“Yeah, well, I didn’t expect that. But, you know, if you really want to go, I’d be happy to go with you. That might make it easier for you.”

“You’d do that for me?”

“Of course, Brian. I count you among my friends around here.”

I hailed the waitress and paid my tab. We left the bar and pushed through the heavy crowds on Duval Street and headed toward the park area to the west.

When we arrived, the parking lot was filling fast and we could hear the music coming from the tent.

Although it wasn’t yet 6:30, the service had begun with the familiar sounds of “Onward Christian Soldiers” coming from inside the tent. We could hear the strains of a professional sounding orchestra providing the accompaniment to the congregational singing.

Several minutes passed by as Brian stood looking at the tent in the darkness. I encouraged him to walk with me across the street toward the entrance. As we got about halfway through the parking lot, a hand reached out and stopped Brian. He turned, startled.

“Harvey? What are you doing here?”

“That’s exactly what I was going to ask you?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Anything you do that might jeopardize the future of the band or the club is my business.”

Brian looked at him with the curiosity of a small child studying the movements of an ant on the ground.

He sighed and said, “Harvey, you’re one that – oh, never mind.” He stopped and looked over at me, and said, “I used to attend the church in Miami that’s sponsoring this tent meeting. I know these people. I was feeling a little nostalgic and wanted to look in to see what was going on. Curiosity, nostalgia, that’s all.”

Harvey’s face softened as he looked back at Brian then at me. “I was just worried about you,” he said as he reached over and took Brian’s hand in his, “And I wanted to apologize for saying the things I did at rehearsal. I’m sorry about all that.”

Brian allowed a slight smile to crease his face as he withdrew his hand from Harvey’s.

“Harvey, you are such a paradox. One minute you seem insane and another you are so precious,” but Brian’s smile turned sour as he became as serious as a corpse. “But I’m afraid it’s going to take a lot more than just saying ‘I’m sorry,’ you know, to make things right. I mean this isn’t the first time you’ve done or said stupid things.”

Brian paused and waited for a reply. Harvey said nothing.

“Oh, come on, Harvey! We work together. You’re a terrific drummer! Actually, I think you’re the best ever. And I love having you behind me making me look and sound good on stage. Don’t you understand? I mean, you cut Ernie’s head open and never said a word of apology to him about it. You need to get over to his apartment and let him know you’re sorry about causing that gash in his head.”

“He didn’t go to the hospital?”

“Yes he did. But the cut wasn’t as deep as we thought. So the doctor just applied some antibiotics, dressed the wound, and sent him to his apartment. He told him to put a cold press on it until later tonight.”

“He’s going to be able to play, isn’t he?”

“I don’t know, Harvey. Damn it. Why do you have to do things like that?”

“I don’t know.”

“Look, I think you should go and check on him. That’s all. He’ll appreciate it.”

Harvey’s countenance turned downcast as he stared back at Brian. Without a sound he turned to walk away.

“Wait, Harvey,”

Harvey stopped as Brian continued.

“Look, I’m sorry that we’re not connecting like we used to when we first started, you know? Neither of us is at fault. Really. Let’s just shake and be professional about this, okay?”

Harvey turned back and looked at him with a hard stare. He started to say something, looked over at me, and then walked away leaving us standing about thirty feet from the front entrance to the tent.

As if a light turned on, Harvey stopped, turned, and said, “Okay. Why don’t we get together later? We can talk then. That’ll give me time to calm down and think about things.”

“Where do you want to meet?”

“I’ll call you.”

Brian watched as Harvey strolled to his scooter and left the parking lot. He shrugged his shoulders and turned to me

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and said, “You ready?”

I nodded and we walked to the door of the tent and looked in. We stood there for several minutes until an usher walked over indicating if he could show us to a seat. Brian shook his head and the man walked away.

Reverend Santos was in the pulpit speaking hard against sin and debauchery. The crowd had responded well over the past two nights, the crowd growing larger with each evening despite the news reports that dominated the local radio and television stations. Tonight the tent was about ninety percent full. Reverend Santos could see Brian standing at the back even with nine hundred people in the audience. He had started his sermon about five minutes earlier. So without skipping a beat, he continued to speak to the crowd.

“Our way of life in these United States is under assault and we are here on the frontline of that battle. Here in Key West sin and debauchery has formed a beach-head and is planning to move into the heartland of our country to infect this great nation with the filthy lifestyle of the people who are grotesquely labelled as ‘gay.’ They are insisting that we must accept them and let them live the way they want to.

“They insist that there should never be any laws that restrict them from doing whatever they want. But that’s exactly what laws are for! We are to restrict people’s actions so that the whole community is not contaminated. We’ve come here to Key West to stop the contamination with the antibiotic of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

At that, the crowd burst into cheers. Some people leaped to their feet and applauded with great enthusiasm. As the sound died down and the crowd settled, Santos reached over and grabbed a large bible, held it up high, and declared, “Let the deviants of Key West know that we are here to strike a fatal blow to their infection on our society with the Word of God. If you’re ready to take a stand for God, stand to your feet, and say so!”

With those words still ringing in their ears, the members of the congregation stood to their feet and started shouting, “Praise God” and “Homos repent!”

Brian bowed his head, turned, and walked away from the tent as a tear rolled down his cheek. I think that it was at that moment he knew that there was no way that he would ever be able to go home. It must have been like the sharp knife of separation sliced through his heart and severed his connection to the people of The Christian Center of Miami.

Ten blocks away from the tent, the big parade of the week-long celebration of Fantasy Fest was underway as a huge crowd formed shouting in loud voices along Duval Street. An impromptu parade of people who were either almost undressed or naked began marching along with the official parade. Many revelers dressed in costumes of various kinds; others were dressed up in their finest, and still others, barely dressed at all.

They all were drinking and partying with tremendous gusto. Since the sun set an hour earlier, the thousands of people on and near the Mallory Square pier joined the festivities on Duval.

When we got back to Sloppy Joes, I went inside as Brian walked off to talk to some of his fans in the crowd. I went in and sat down at the table the waitress had held for me.

At 7:30 PM, Brian stood next to a light pole just behind Sloppy Joes. He had changed clothes and was dressed in one of his finest suits with his signature red scarf wrapped around his neck. He looked handsome enough to have taken from out of a magazine spread. Anyone could see that this was not a vagrant or even a celebrant. But, I saw that he had a serious look of concern on his face as he peered through the crowd.

I sat in Sloppy Joes at a table with a couple of other people when I spotted Brian standing by the light pole. I couldn’t help myself but to worry for my friend. Seeing him standing there alone reminded me of two friends from high school that had been drinking too much while celebrating at the prom. The last time I saw them, they were standing under the light pole outside the dance hall making out and holding a bottle of some cheap whiskey.

Of course it wasn’t legal for any of us at the prom to be drinking, but who was paying attention? When David Milligan and Lillian Watts left the party feeling good, no one noticed or even cared that David had difficulty with the car keys. And no one seemed to care as they drove off, weaving all over the road.

I’ll never forget the morose atmosphere that hung over the school following the accident that took both of their lives. That horrible atmosphere surrounded every one until the school closed for the summer. Those two were some of the most popular kids in high school, and their deaths sent chills throughout the city school system.

The funeral had to be held at the school’s football stadium because the family believed that about two thousand people would attend the service. Actually more than five thousand showed up. It was at that occasion that I swore never to drink anything alcoholic as long as I lived. Oh, I slipped a few times when I would drink a beer or two, but I never drank enough to get drunk.

I walked out of Sloppy Joes to see how my friend was doing. The crowd was increasing at a fast pace. I tried to see whether Brian was still at the pole. I was able to make out his signature red scarf and worked my way over to where he was standing.

“Hey, Brian, are you doing okay?”

“Not now, Jay.”

“Excuse me,” I replied. “Sorry I disturbed your moodiness.”

“That’s not what I meant. I’ve just got a lot on my mind right now. I need to think.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“No.”

“I’m not trying to pry, but you don’t look so good. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I mean I appreciate you going with me to the tent revival. That was a huge revelation for me.”

“So, are you going to be okay for the show tonight?”

“No. Yes. No. No problem. Really, everything is fine.”

Brian seemed confused and even more distracted than he was when we had first met and gone to the meeting.

He pulled himself together and said, “I’ll be fine. Really. Just be in your seat at the club by eleven and you’ll see a show like you’ve never seen before.”

I was disturbed by Brian’s actions and attitude, but I knew that if Brian didn’t want my help, I couldn’t force him to accept it. So, I reached over and placed my hand on Brian’s shoulder and said, “Let me help you, Brian.”

Brian brushed my hand away with a gentle swipe and said, “You can’t. It’s something I have to work out for myself.”

“I think friends are supposed to help friends.”

“Jay,” Brian said, “You really are a good friend. And you’ve been good to me, especially when I first got here and was so confused about my faith and my sexuality. I’ll always cherish your friendship and insights. But, sometimes a person has to do some things alone. I’ll talk to you about it tomorrow afternoon. Let’s meet for lunch, okay?”

“Okay, Brian. But, if I can help in any way possible before then, you will call me?”

“I’ll do that. But look, I need to be alone for a while right now. Do you mind?”

“I only wanted to make sure you’ll be okay.”

“I will. Don’t worry.”

I paused for a moment and looked deep into Brian’s eyes, smiled, crossed the street, and headed toward Mallory Square in order to avoid the crowds pressing Duval. That’s when Theodore stopped me with a friendly, “Jay! What a coincidence.”

“Theodore? Good to see you. Where’s Perry?”

“He insisted I come out and leave him at home. I didn’t like that at all. I really feel bad out here. I mean, I’d rather be sitting at home with him, you know?”

“I understand how you feel.”

“He’s in pain and doesn’t want me to watch.”

“He also wants you to go out and have some fun. You’re young. He wants you to enjoy your youth.”

“That’s nice of you to think that about Perry. He is special, Theo said a little embarrassed.”

“Still, that’s not the way to treat someone who cares for you, is it?”

Animated, Theo said. “I didn’t think so either. How can I have fun knowing he’s back there all by himself and in pain?”

“Come with me.”

“Where’re we going?”

“We’re going over there and get that man out and into the fresh night air so he can enjoy the fun. This is his festival not his funeral, right?

“Absolutely.”

“So, why are we standing here?”

“Let’s go.” Theo encouraged.

We walked over to Duval Street, slid between the participants in the parade, pushing our way through the crowd about a block down to Charles Street and stopped at Perry’s front door. We walked in without knocking.

Theodore called out, “Perry! Are you decent? We’ve got company.”

Perry’s voice was weak yet clear as it came from the bedroom. “Who’s there?”

“It’s Jay.”

“I’m in the bedroom. Come on back.”

Theodore and I made our way back to Perry’s bedroom where he had a bunch of pillows stacked behind him so he could sit up and read. He put down his book and looked up at us.

Theodore began. “I told Jay that you weren’t feeling well, but he just insisted on coming over. I hope that was okay with you. I know you wanted to rest and all.”

“That’s fine, Theo,” Perry interrupted. He turned to me and said, “Hi, Jay.”

As I entered the room, Perry continued, “I know Theo talked you into coming back with him.”

“Well, that’s not entirely correct. I talked him into coming here with me. He wanted to let you just lie here and die.”

“Bull!”

“Really. I just feel bad that you’re missing the celebration you helped to plan. You’re the honorary chairman of the whole thing. And you’re just lying here.”

“Well, this old body doesn’t always do what I want it to do, you know; the disease and all.”

“Enough excuses. Sometimes we feel better if other things in our lives are under our control like going out and having some fun.”

“That’s a nice attitude to have. But--”

“So, I’m here to take you out in the fresh air. It’ll do you good.”

“I’m trying to get well, Jay, not speed up the death process.”

“Tell me, Perry. If you go out and enjoy yourself, will the disease get worse?”

“I don’t know.”

“So, let’s assume the worst and say you’re going to die. Okay? You might as well get the most out of every minute before it happens. Right? If you’re not going to die, then what the hell does it matter what you do? So, let’s go party.”

“I never could win an argument with you.”

“Theo, pick him up and let’s go.”

“I can walk to my chair. I’m not one hundred percent handicapped.”

“No, sir,” Theo interjected, “The doctor told you not to walk. I’ll put you in the wheelchair.”

“No! Don’t!”

“No argument. You hear me?”

Theodore picked up Perry and weaved his way through the apartment and placed him into the wheelchair with a gentle hand. He pushed Perry and the chair to the front door where I held it open for them, acting like the Queen’s Footman at Buckingham Palace.

We exited out the back way of Perry’s house which opened onto Telegraph Lane. We crossed the street and walked up Charles to Duval where the crowd parted to allow Perry through to watch the parade for a while.

Many of the folks in the crowd greeted Perry, each making a big fuss over the fact that he was out and smiling. One young man dressed in drag stopped and gave Perry a great big kiss on the lips and shouted “Wow! Perry Savant is still my favorite man,” and walked on.

Perry looked back at the young man walking away and Theo said to him, “Stop staring, dear. I’m mad enough as it is since you let that hussy kiss you like that.”

“Theo, you’re the only one who can do that and make me like it.”

Theo straightened up a little more and began to smile picking up the pace a bit then added an aside meant for me, “I just love to tease him and make him compliment me.”

As Perry sat watching the various floats move by, many of the people on the floats saw him and yelled out their good wishes. Some even threw him kisses and handfuls of candy which he attempted to catch.

Several little children standing nearby ran over to Perry and picked up the candy to hand to him. However, each time someone did, he closed the young person’s hand over the candy and told them to keep it since he’s not supposed to eat that kind of stuff.

After about an hour, Perry turned to Theo and said he’d like to move through the crowd rather than sit because he was feeling restless. We all laughed and moved on down Duval Street toward the Ta-Da Club where we stopped. It was about eight forty-five p.m.

Perry asked, “What are we doing here?”

“Well, you missed Brian’s big show last Saturday at the opening party,” Theo told him. “You were too sick then. So, I’ve decided that you’re not going to miss his grand premier tonight of his latest song and character.”

“I hadn’t heard about that.”

“This new act of Brian’s has been a major secret. I don’t even know what he’s planning to do. And you know he tells me almost everything.”

“How are we supposed to get a table? Look at that line of people?”

“You’re talking to a good friend of the headliner here. I’ve reserved a front row table just for the three of us. Plus, Brian promised that he’d come join us after the act is over.”

Perry smiled and shook his head in surrender and said, “Let’s go.”