Washington Insider

Chapter 7

Two and a half years have passed quickly but I‘ve had few moments to myself. I am looking at the end of my time at Georgetown Law School. I am undecided about sitting for the Virginia bar since being a licensed lawyer has nothing to do with my job. Al suggested I wait a year and then decide. He knew how tired I was of studying and doing my job.

After Curtis passed away Al returned to his busy schedule. I asked Jeff if I could work part-time only serving Al’s practice. I knew I couldn’t succeed in the law school working full-time. Jeff reluctantly agreed with the stipulation that I return to full-time as soon as I felt comfortable. Law school was challenging since I had not been studying for almost three years.

I lived at Al’s house on Sixteenth Street but things were different. Minnie completely retired so I was responsible for cooking when Al was home. Fortunately, he often met clients, Congressmen or friends for dinner at various restaurants. After the purchase of a new, stronger heater for the basement apartment I most often studied and slept there. I didn’t worry about disturbing Al when he had guests stay overnight. He usually let me know if he had invited someone over. With the uncertainty of Al’s plans it was easier staying downstairs.

Al encouraged my pursuit of a law degree and would often discuss legal subjects with me. He was a knowledgeable, effective tutor. At the end of my first year, with Al’s permission, I decided to go to summer school to shorten by a semester law school. I knew Al was going to be in Spain for most of the summer legislative recess staying with his new regular friend, Alan. Al told me Alan had a condo on the Mediterrean near Valencia.

Al was handsome but Alan was drop dead gorgeous. They met at a diplomatic reception shortly after Alan joined the Embassy of Spain as Charge d'affaires. He had previously been in the Philippines but was assigned to Washington before Spain named a new ambassador. Alan had a beautiful Spanish accent that I got to experience when I fixed dinner for the three of us on several occasions before they flew to Spain.

My social life was basically non-existent except for my trips to the gym. I saw Jason often but he never asked me anything about Brian. I am happy he didn’t because I really had almost no contact with Brian or Theo. I did learn from Theo that he had received permission to apply for a green card which meant he had to come back to the United States to establish residence.

During the fall of my second year at Georgetown Brian and Theo returned to Washington. The partners welcomed Brian back. I was happy to have Theo back because he was willing to cover for me when I had classes or difficult projects to do for school. I could reciprocate when he had to travel with Brian. Theo couldn’t accompany Brian until his green card application was approved which happened in December.

Since Brian had sold his condo in the Watergate they rented a top floor condo in Roslyn, Virginia with a magnificent view of the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument plus others. Brian still preferred muscle guys but Theo didn’t care. He was comfortable and happy knowing he could stay in the United States. He was constantly encouraging me to go out with him but I was usually had to finish an assignment or prepare for mock court.

In the fall before I was to complete school in December I met with a committee of the Roosevelt partners to discuss my future with the firm. During last semester I was able to return to work full time but was only responsible for Al and two young partners including the arrogant Harvard graduate, Sidney, who I didn’t care for from the time he started with the firm. With Theo back we were able to manage five partners including Al and Brian. In my discussion with the committee several scenarios were presented. There didn’t seem to be any question that they wanted me to stay with the firm. First, they offered me a junior partnership working with one of the members of the committee. Second, which was more appealing to me, was for me to register as a lobbyist so I could work more directly with Congressmen. The one option that wasn’t provided was leaving the firm and joining another firm and building up my own business.

Selecting the third option was made by Al. Even though I wouldn’t graduate until April I was finished with classes in December. Al had confided in me that he was leaving the firm to join the prestigious law firm of Taft & Brockmeyer as managing partner. He invited me to join him and he would help me find my own clients. His only condition was that we couldn’t tell anyone until January before the Congressional session began. I knew I was going to accept his offer but had to tell the Roosevelt partner’s committee something. I figured I could delay telling them because I hadn’t finished my classes.

Al and I started at the new firm on the same day in January. I had already filled out my Lobbyist Disclosure forms and requested my Senate ID. I hit the send button as soon as I was at my desk at Taft.

I did get Al to agree to allow me a vacation which I hadn’t had in more than two years. I remember our time on the sailing trip with Mr. Roosevelt and thought I would like to do that with a group. Al agreed but said he was sure he couldn’t go since he was so busy with his new role at Taft & Brockmeyer. I approached Theo who was interested but didn’t want to go if Brian bought one of his boys. I understood.

I tried to work it out for the spring legislative break but the time was too short. I contacted the outfitter who Curtis used previously; he told me didn’t do Caribbean sailing in the summer and moved to the Mediterranean for the summer months. He encouraged me by offering a discount for me and a friend. I knew Theo had his green card so he could travel outside the United States without concern so I called him. I told him we needed to be away, at least, two weeks. He said he would tell Jeff, the office manager, that he wanted the first two weeks of August off.

After I started my new job it didn’t seem that much different than my old job until one day Al called me in and said he needed me to go to Capitol Hill and meet Congressman Jackson, Chair of the Interstate Commerce Committee. I had met the Congressman previously but never without Al. I was pleased when Al suggested my first solo visit. Fortunately, I had received my required ID’s. I filled out a form naming the client I was representing. Al told me to use the name of the Advanced Electronics Association which was an organization I knew well.

I quickly reviewed the three major pieces of legislation that the association was most interested in and had been discussing for the past several years. Al told me that Congressman Jackson had scheduled a hearing on one of the bills. The Association was prepared to send several corporate officers to testify against the bill but the Congressman had to agree. My job was to get him to agree. My first appointment was scheduled for fifteen minutes. All I could accomplish was getting him to agree to have dinner with me and a representative of the association.

I was nervous as I travelled to Capitol Hill because I didn’t want to fail my first assignment. I waited for twenty minutes for the Congressman to return to his office from the House chamber. When he saw me he approached me and apologized for being late. He said he remembered me but I wasn’t sure he really meant it. With one of his aides present we selected on a date two weeks off for an evening dinner at the Capitol Grill. At the end of our meeting I mentioned the pending bill before his committee. He smiled, “I know what you want to discuss.”

From that meeting the association was my client. Since I was known to the association officials it was an easy transition. I was on the Hill regularly meeting with members of Jackson’s committee from both sides of the aisle. I was busy from the first day and had little time to think about either the vacation or my living arrangement.

Al never seemed to consider that I might like my own place when he was certainly paying me more than enough to get a nice apartment. One of our few nights at home for dinner Al mentioned that Alan was moving in. I wasn’t really surprised and asked if he wanted me to find my own place. He seemed surprised, “You don’t like your apartment?”

“I do, but I didn’t know if I would bother you?”

It’s up to you. Alan seems comfortable with you here. He did seem surprised when he found you in the kitchen naked.”

“He surprised me since I had never seen him up that early.”

“Don’t get me wrong we were naked almost all the time we were in Spain at his condo. He lives close to one of the legal nude beaches. We sailed with a group of his friends that way. That’s why we don’t have tan lines.”

The short conversation put the thought of moving out of my mind. I was able to rejoin my old volleyball league since my traveling was limited. By April I had made my airline reservations to fly to Rome and then to Dubrovnik where I would join the boat. When I informed Theo he seemed hesitant. I didn’t understand because he said he was going. I said, “Have you changed your mind?”

“Jack, Brian and I had a big fight, not in the office. I told him he had to stop treating me like a servant especially when he was entertaining his multiple boyfriends at home. He called me ungrateful and selfish. I said some things I shouldn’t have said. He told me he didn’t care if I stayed or left. I decided to leave.

“I told Jeff I needed a week off to find a new place. I called the management firm I rented from on Thomas Circle to see if they had any available apartments. They did so I am meeting with an agent tomorrow.”

“Do you want to stay with me? I’m in the basement apartment.”

“No, I’m fine. Brian has probably calmed down. I may start looking for a new job, too.”

“If it gets too uncomfortable being at Brian’s you are welcome to sleep in my bed until you find a place.”

“Thanks. I probably can’t go sailing with you. I mentioned our planned trip to several of the younger partners and guess who showed interest.”

“Don’t tell me Sidney said he was interested?”

“Yes, he wanted to know the details. I know you think he’s an arrogant Harvard preppy but he is a smart guy and definitely straight.”

“I have to think about whether I could be with him for two weeks. Tell him I’ll meet with him if he’s really interested. Since you mentioned getting a new place what would you think of us trying to be roommates again?”

“I’d like it. I’ll keep that in mind when I meet with the agent tomorrow. Since my parents are not happy with me being in the United States I doubt it will be Thomas Circle unless you would go in with me.”

“I like that place.”

Theo called the following evening to tell me that there was an apartment on Thomas Circle that was going to be available the first of June. He asked if I was really interested. I told him I was. He suggested we go together to sign the lease even though the place would not be available for six weeks.

I texted Sidney and asked to meet and discuss details of the sailing trip to Greece. He said he would if I thought there would be room for him and his younger brother who was graduating from Brown. He wanted to take his brother as a graduation gift. We met Saturday morning for coffee.

He showed up in running shorts and trainers. He was planning a jog after we met. His attitude was pleasant and not like I remembered in the office. He told me he and his brother had grown up sailing during the summers in Maine. When I told him the cruise was advertised as a ‘clothing optional’ cruise he seemed taken back.

“You mean everyone is naked?”

“No, it means that since all those sailing are men most of the time there will be naked men around the boat.”

“So it’s a men only sail. Is everyone gay? I ‘m definitely not and, as far as I know, neither is my brother, Lee.”

“Does that mean you aren’t interested?”

“No, I’m interested. I never thought about sailing naked. I’ll have to tell my brother when I tell him about my gift.”

We ended our meeting with me unsure whether Sid and Lee would be going. Time was getting short so Sid said he would let me know in a couple of days. As it turned out Lee was really excited and planned to spend extra time in Greece and Italy after the sail.

On June 1 Theo and I moved his clothes and computers into the Thomas Circle apartment. He also convinced Brain to let him have some of the kitchen supplies. The following day I moved my stuff out of the sixteenth street basement apartment which had been part of my life for five years. As usual Al was gracious and told me I was invited unannounced whenever I wanted to stop by. Since I saw him almost every day I didn’t see that happening too often.

A few days before the Memorial Day recess Lee arrived to visit Sidney. I knew he was coming and looked forward to meeting him. We got together for dinner to discuss travel plans to Europe. I gave Sid my itinerary and he said he would book immediately to see if we could be in business class on the same planes. Lee, on the other hand, would fly from New York and meet us in Rome where he planned to be for the two weeks before our sail. Lee was a pleasant, trim guy whose manners were different from his louder, more forward brother. Neither Lee nor Sid brought up the ‘clothing optional’ issue so I assumed they were comfortable with it.

During our conversation Lee said, “I told Sid I want to move to Washington to find a job or an internship.”

I said, “That’s what I did after I finished at James Madison University five years ago. It took a while to find a legislative internship which led to me getting a job at Roosevelt, Frick, McKinley and Dulles.”

“So you used to work with my brother?”

“I not only worked for Sid but also four other partners before I got my law degree at Georgetown.”

Sid got up when his cell phone buzzed. He was gone for twenty minutes before returning. In a disgusted manner he said, “More marriage crap.”

Lee said, “She has you where she wants you. Hopefully, Sarah won’t have your cell number of the boat.”

Sid said, “Unfortunately, she has my Whatsup number. I told her not to call unless it is a real emergency. I’m so tired of talking about the wedding.”

Since I hadn’t heard about this wedding I asked, “When are you getting married?”

“Next June at Sarah’s home in Connecticut. I can’t wait for it to be over.”

Lee snapped, “Maybe she isn’t the right woman for you.”

“I’m sure she is. Sarah is smart, fun, beautiful and a great fuck.” Our food was delivered and conversation returned to our trip. I explained the need to bring minimal clothes, a small bag of essentials and plenty of sun screen. We left agreeing on our meeting up schedule.

Sid and I met Lee in Rome at his hotel the day before we were to fly to Dubrovnik. The hotel was upscale and, I thought, had to be expensive on a student budget. We had a fabulous view for the money near the Coliseum and other ancient ruins . We ate at a tasty Italian dinner flying the multi-colored gay flag. I slept in Lee’s other bed and the two brothers slept together. We left the hotel at seven for the airport.

The flight to Croatia took less than an hour. We were met in Dubrovnik by a driver from the sailing company. When we arrived at the dock I was surprised that our boat was a single hull old style sloop rather than the sleek catamaran we had in the Caribbean. Our quarters were tight and smelled of oil and paint. The ship had recently been refurbished.

We set sail in the direction of Spit. The day time temperature was hot but nights were cool. The first night we anchored in a small, deep harbor and our chef, Marcos, fixed a meal of pan fried fish, Mediterranean salad of roasted vegetables and cut fruit. Getting to sleep as the boat gently rocked was easy even in the tight little bunk each of us had.

The next morning our captain, Dion, swam toward the shore and some of us followed him. He was a handsome, burly guy who didn’t smile much but was pleasant. That was our first opportunity we had to get into the cool Adriatic water. I was expecting warm Caribbean water so I was surprised how cold the water was. Dion told us the beach was one of the few sandy beaches we would find. We walked the mostly deserted beach. The few fishermen we passed smiled as our naked group of four walked by.

It took a few days for Sid to be comfortable in front of the camera and the gay men and his brother. All three of us were attentive to the intense sun so generously spread sun screen on each other. I loved to watch Sid’s face when Lee covered his backside with the lotion. Sid’s eyes regularly widened when Lee’ fingers slipped into his butt crack.

I was totally relaxed for the first time in three years. Lee and Sid turned out to be easy traveling partners. One afternoon when only Lee, Sid and I were sitting under the canopy Sid asked, “Little brother are you out as gay guy, I didn’t know?”

Lee smiled, “I’ve always been gay but you were too interested in yourself to notice.”

“Sorry, have you told mom and dad?”

“I will when the time is right.”

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

“No, but I’ve had plenty of friends with benefits.”

“Does that mean you have sex with them but don’t love them?”

“That’s exactly what it means.” The discussion was of interest to me because I thought maybe I could become one of Lee’s friends. I found him not only pleasant to look at but had a relaxed, comfortable way about him. We had fun, long hikes along the coast. The water never got warmer but was always deep blue and clear.

At the end of the sailing trip Lee planned to meet a friend in Venice. After visiting the city of canals Lee and his friend planned to travel to Milan and fly back from Rome in about a month. As we were giving each other friendly hugs at the Dubrovnik airport Lee said, “Brother, as soon as I get back I’ll come down and see you.”

“Remember I’ll be in Connecticut for two weeks in August for pre-wedding events that Sarah has planned. What are you planning to do this fall?”

Lee sounded frustrated with his brother, “I told you I want to find a job in DC.”

“Have you or father contacted Senator Newburgh. Dad knows him pretty well. Maybe the Senator or one of his staff could give you some information about internships. I knew how hard they were to get I remained quiet hoping Lee would be in Washington.

Postscript

The story does not end but it seems appropriate to summarize rather than give all that has happened between Lee and me in the past five years. Lee did move to Washington and stayed with a friend in a tiny apartment for a while. Shortly after the fall legislative session started Theo had to return to China. His father had fallen ill. He had only had his green card for six months and knew he had to be in the United States for, at least, two and half years, of the five years required for him to become an American citizen.

Theo’s leaving gave me an opportunity to invite Lee to share my apartment on Thomas Circle. It took a couple of months for the Connecticut Senator’s staff to arrange an internship at the Commerce Department for Lee. The position had only a small stipend. He was happy to get the position. Lee seemed to have enough money because he handed me his portion of the rent early each month.

I can’t remember how Lee and I came to be in my bed our first time. One night he got in bed with me and didn’t leave. He is cuddly and loving beside me most nights in our bed. He is an easy person to not only to like but to love.

There are three other notable events to describe other than to say Lee and I travelled for vacations to many gay exotic resorts and major international destinations. First, Theo and I were asked to attend Sid and Sarah’s lavish wedding in Connecticut. It was the first time Theo had returned to the United States in a year. He assured me he was going to become a US citizen but his family seemed destined to prevent him from doing that. Theo did become a citizen and stayed close to Lee and I.

Second, at Sid and my insistence, we tried to get Lee to consider law school which he totally rejected. He did agree to get an MBA if he could do it part-time. He accomplished that at George Washington University in less than two years. In the meantime, he had secured a position with the American Trucking Association in hopes of getting into lobbying.

Finally, two Augusts after Sid’s wedding Lee and I were married. We had rented at the Thomas Circle for three years before deciding to buy. I had always liked the building where Brian and Theo leased in Roslyn we approached a realtor about buying in the building. He told us that units rarely turned over but would let us know when one or more became available. That happened about eight months after we had approached him. Fortunately, we had two units to consider and both were more than we wanted to pay but decided it was a good investment. Our careers seemed destined to keep us in Washington, DC.