Chapter Five
Robin was slightly on edge; he was seated on the patio of the beach house in Malibu, guests of Stuart and Raj, surrounded by a clutch of people whom he did not know, with the exception of Dr. Chris Martin and his husband Carlos Rivera. The crowd had gathered for an annual tribute to the builder and former owner of this magnificent example of California beach architecture, Mason Taylor: Mario Garza, Mason's first husband, together with Mario's second husband, the retired chef and TV celebrity Peter Schilling and his nephew Sam Stephenson, accompanied by Sam's husband Mickey Clarke.
Additionally, Joaquin Mendez and his husband, the Spaniard wine-maker Felipe Marquez, as well as restauranters Tad Carlyle and his boyfriend Mike Williams, Peter's cousin Paul Campbell and his husband David Branson, the head economist of the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank. Robin was introduced to Paul and David and fell into an interesting conversation.
When he was told Robin's name, David said "Oh of course, we were required to read several of your books in my MBA courses. In fact, if you have any spare time, I would love to have you come up to the city and join us at the FRB as a member of our advisory panel."
Robin gasped, "That would be wonderful, I would really enjoy that. What are the details?"
"We meet once a month, usually on the first Monday, and generally focus on the latest pronouncements of the meetings of the Governing Board. I will send you the details so you can make arrangements; the Bank will cover all of your expenses."
"That's really gracious, I am very flattered."
Other than that conversation, the rest of the afternoon was low-key, not somber and maudlin, as Robin had been afraid it would be. Rather, the crowd all expressed great affection toward each other, and were clearly happy to be together for a rare reunion at the beach house.
These were people who shared many memories, both happy and sad, and also shared many of life's important events, including weddings, funerals, birthdays, holidays, and strong support for each other through all of those events. Robin was impressed to see such obvious camaraderie was more than superficial.
After a couple hours of wining and dining, and hearing various anecdotes about Mason Taylor, Robin was ready to excuse himself, and went to find the chef and caterer Simon Robertson. He greeted Simon with thanks for an excellent buffet and remarked he would like to meet Simon again and try his cuisine.
"That's great, I would be happy to have you as my guest at my restaurant here in Malibu, D'Urban", Simon effused; "when are you free?"
"How about a week from tomorrow?" Robin asked.
"That sounds great, I will be looking forward to it" Simon responded.
As he drove south on PCH, nearly a direct shot from Malibu to Hermosa Beach and his Craftsman bungalow, Robin mused silently on the events of the past six months: his stressful-but-successful tenure review at the graduate school, his publication of three new academic research papers, his planning for an academic conference in Istanbul coming up in another four months, his sad and disappointing termination of the relationship with Diego.
He was also grateful for having found news friends: neighbors Raj and Stuart, his therapist Chris Martin, and the many other friends he had just met today at Mason Taylor's (now Mario and Peter's) Malibu beach house. He wondered how the following six months were going to play out; he still had to unwind things with Diego, hopefully retrieving the Mercedes in the process.
To that end, he was surprised when he parked in the carport of the bungalow and the Mercedes was there; he felt the hood and it was still warm, so apparently Diego had just arrived from the trip to La Paz. Steeling himself, he went into the great room and saw the luggage, but no Diego.
Hearing a muffled sound in the master bedroom, he walked in and saw Scott, naked, bounding up and down on Diego's cock in the bed. Robin addressed them and said "I'm hoping this is not inconvenient, but as soon as you two are finished, Diego, you need to pack your stuff and move out. It's time for you to go."
Scott made a stifled squealing sound, falling sideways to dismount from being fucked by Diego, and grabbed a shirt and shorts and sprinted to the bathroom. Diego sat up and propping himself on one elbow, smirked at Robin. "I suppose you want me to explain or apologize?"
"No need" Robin retorted, "just get out- sometime in the next hour. And leave the keys to the Mercedes on the kitchen counter; you can call a taxi or Uber."
Diego began muttering something in Spanish, which only made Robin chuckle; he did not understand most of it but did catch Madre de Dios' and pinche gringo mierda'. He was certain that Diego would only take enough of his clothing and belongings to last the night and would return sometime later in the week. Robin made a note to himself to call a locksmith in the morning and have the locks changed.
Enjoying a dark red glass of Menage a trois on the patio, watching the sunset to the northwest, he breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the front door slam and a car drive away. Just to dot all of the "T's" and cross all of the `I's", he wandered out to the carport; the Mercedes was safe and sound.
When he returned to the patio, he saw Raj across the low fence; "You left the party early" Raj called.
"Yes; I was anxious to come home and take care of some important details before my week starts tomorrow."
"Ah. Well I hope you enjoyed it, I realize you did not know very many people there, but we were all delighted to have you, and you must feel free to join us at any time in the future when our group gathers again."
"That's very kind of you; in fact I am having dinner next Sunday with Simon at his restaurant, and I received a very gracious invitation from David Branson to join the Fed Bank in San Francisco on their advisory panel."
"Sounds like fun, Simon is a great guy, I'm sure you will enjoy him."
Stuart came out just then and said hello, and repeated the sentiments that Raj had expressed, again reassuring Robin that he was definitely now a part of the Malibu beach house crowd.
Robin knew nothing of course about the history of that house or how it had launched many relationships, careers, pathways, marriages and divorces as well as educations, both academic and sexual, but he was eager to be allowed to become acquainted with the many participants in that history.
"By the way, Stuart, there is no need to send that `cease and desist' letter to Diego; he started moving out this afternoon."
Robin went on to explain the ugly circumstance of finding Diego and his latest boy toy in bed, and unceremoniously packing a few meager belongings and calling a taxi. Raj and Stuart both laughed, and then calming down just a bit, said "Sorry, Robin, really, that is horrible, no one should be treated that way. We as gay men have a hard enough time just finding sometime to be compatible with, it is a shock when it crumbles like that."
"Thanks, Stuart, I appreciate that. Well I am going to go inside and clean up a little, I am sure I will have to change the sheets." They all chuckled, albeit a little uncomfortably.
It did not really hit Robin until he arrived home from the grad school on Monday night; now he was truly alone. Despite the costs of having a partner like Diego, with all of his quirks, he was a partner. Now, Robin was not sure what the future would hold for him. He was pouring a large glass of red wine as he contemplated this and had to grab the edge of the kitchen bar to keep from falling, his knees buckling at the prospect of being totally, completely, alone.
He relaxed on the sofa in the great room, or, tried to relax. He dialed up the classical jazz channel on the cable and was softly lulled into slumber. Awaking at 3 AM, still on the sofa with all of the house lights on, Robin realized he was glad he had not spilled the red wine on the sofa or the carpet. "Too soon to fall into that trap" he chided himself, shutting down everything and stumbling into bed.
Tuesday, then Wednesday, then Thursday, Robin tried to keep a `stiff upper lip' as his grandmother would say, but by Friday he was exhausted. His exhaustion was more mental and emotional than physical. He just wanted to relax in the hot tub, have some wine, order take-out, and not think about anything until Monday morning. He called next door to Raj and Stuart and told them he was ordering pizza and asked if they could join him in the hot tub. Within a half hour, three gay men were drinking a lot of wine, enjoying the best pizza in Hermosa Beach (Paisano's), and relaxing in the hot bubbly water.
Raj said between bites "I want to ask how you are doing, but it appears that you still need some time to decompress."
"Thanks, yes, that is true, and hopefully by this time next week I will be much better. Not 100%, certainly, but I'm sure I will be better."
Stuart said "Well you can always count on us; call us for anything."
Raj stared at Stuart, and Robin was sure there was some silent message transmitted between the two of them, but he did not ask. Later that night, Robin found himself in almost the same condition as the night he had fallen asleep on the sofa and caught himself and took a cold shower and headed to bed. He was just curling up in the duvet when his cell phone rang; it was Simon Robertson. "Just wanted to confirm we are going to see you on Sunday night?"
"Certainly, is 7:00 PM ok for you?"
"That's great, most of the usual Sunday crowd should be thinned out by then, and I can concentrate on making sure you have a great time. "
Robin was smiling through the conversation; he did not know if it was the wine he had been drinking, or the South African accent of Simon, or if he was just eager to see someone who did not make him think of Diego. He fell asleep with that same smile.
There is a trajectory to every relationship; there is an eco-system that incubates a relationship, and its stages are easily identifiable. There is always the stage of origins, when everything is new and fresh and tentative and the partners are always eager to be seen in the best light, the most flattering angles, every hair in place, teeth brushed and breath fresh and eyes sparkling. Robin was aware of these cliches, and was not sure he had that much energy, but was game for the challenge.
To his amazement, Simon made those fears dissipate when Robin arrived at D'Urban on Sunday night; Simon was very low key, warm and effusive, and the master of his house at the restaurant. Robin was given a corner table facing the ocean, far from the clatter of the kitchen and the front desk, and by the time his wine had been poured and his salad served, Simon found time to join him and sat across the table and smiled.
"Well, I hope you are relaxed and that we are making you comfortable."
"Certainly, this is a beautiful spot and a beautiful restaurant. How long have you been doing this?"
"Nearly five years alone, I was previously partnered with Peter Schilling and not long after his marriage with Mario Garza he sold his share to me, but I still see them frequently and enjoy their company socially. Also, they always very generously refer friends and acquaintances here."
"That's nice to hear; one of the things that I have been battling for a number of years is finding an established group of friends. Beyond the grad school faculty, I don't see anyone else socially, except recently my neighbors Raj and Stuart."
"They are great people, I am glad they are close to you. Stay in touch with them, they will help you, I am sure."
Dinner was amazing: an early winter take on the seasonal varieties of vegetables, highlighted by a Rhode Island-style lobster roll; after plenty of wine, Robin refused the dessert. When he called for the cheque, he was told the boss had covered everything, Robin was glad he had some bills in his pocket to leave a large tip for the servers. Simon saw him to the door and begged to have him return soon: "Not sure when that can happen, but I will try to come in before my next trip out of town."
"Oh, really, when and where?" Simon asked.
"San Francisco at the end of the month, monthly meeting with the Federal Reserve Bank, and then in May, Istanbul for an academic conference."
"Wow, globe-trotter eh?"
"Not really, most of this has been a long time in the planning. Although now that you mention it, I do need to squeeze in some down-time at a tropical resort somewhere."
Simon hugged him goodbye, Robin said goodnight, and found himself fairly skipping across the parking lot.