Queen of Clubs

[this story is a sequel to Three of Clubs]

Kelvin Nelson’s eyes shot open, largely in part to “Dr. Feelgood” coming out of his BMW’s speakers at a ridiculous volume.  His right hand went right for the volume knob, and a tiny bit of hot coffee splashed out onto his hand.  “Ahhhhhhh…Son of a…” he said as he quickly transitioned his coffee from his left hand to his right hand.  He sat the coffee on the empty passenger seat and ejected the CD from the car’s stereo.  The CD was faded, slightly cracked in spots, and the back was so scratched up it looked like it had been drug behind a car in a long wedding procession.  He carefully slid it behind the sun visor on the passenger side of the car.  He picked up his coffee and carefully backed out of the driveway.  He took a long drink of coffee before placing the travel mug between his knees.  Without looking, he slid a mix CD from behind the driver’s side visor and into the car’s CD player.

###

Kelvin was rubbing his temples as he stared at his nearly finished legal brief.  He thought it was almost finished, but he was having second thoughts.  The buzz of the intercom brought him back from the precipice of powerful second thoughts, if just for a moment.  “Yes Janice?” he said loudly as he turned to the phone.

“Marvin Kelly on line two for you” Janice said.  Her voice was all business, which was his signal to keep it short.  He picked up the handset and pressed the blinking light.

“Marv, why are you calling me at work?”

“Mainly because you have your phone off…again.”

“My phone isn’t off…” Kelvin was feeling around his jacket pocket, but he didn’t feel a phone anywhere.  “Crap, it’s in my car.  That’s on me…but I can’t talk long.  I need to finish this.”

“Look, I have another show booked for us tonight.”

“Marv…I can’t.  We agreed I can’t do this more than two days in a row.”

“There’s a talent scout from Vegas in town tonight.  I had to pull some strings to get us on the bill.  Everyone’s in but you.  We need you…don’t make me beg…”

“All right…all right…” Kelvin could feel his potential headache becoming a reality headache.  His office door opened and his boss poked his head in.  “Look M, I have to go.  I’ll see you when I get home…I promise we can…do that thing…you like tonight.”

“You’re the best Kelvin.  I mean it.  I love you man.”

Kelvin smiled nervously as his  boss smiled at him.  “I love you too” he said before he hung up the phone.

###

Hours passed, and Kelvin’s day became a giant blur.  He had to stay late at work revising his brief, and before he knew it he was running late for the show.  He knew his wife was at a PTA meeting, and his daughter was on a date.  His two sons were at a friends, and he called to tell them to stay as late as they could.  He knew there was one way to save time, but it was risky and dangerous.  It was worth the risk, he told himself as he scrambled to get himself ready for the night’s show.  It was worth the risk he told himself again as he stepped out of the upstairs bathroom.  He had taken just one step into the bedroom when he found himself face to face with his wife Megan.  She had changed into sweatpants and a Skid Row t-shirt, but he had changed as well.  Her jaw dropped as she reached out her arms and touched some stray blonde hairs that were hanging from his wig.  “Kelvin?”  Her voice was shaky and light like a whisper.

“I’m sorry.  I should have told you sooner.”  He glanced at the clock.  His maneuver had bought him time, but it was going to cost him a lot more.  “I’ve been doing this when I said I was working late for the past decade.”

“So…” Megan was still running her hands around his body, which was now in a skimpy pink dress.  “Do you just dress up, or are you…you know…”

“Yeah” Kelvin said as he took Megan’s hands in his.  “I’ve always been curious, but about ten years ago I met somebody who helped me realize who I really am.  I didn’t want to say anything…the kids would be devestaed, and my boss would fire me for sure.  The funny thing is, I’ve seen him at one of my shows.”

“Shows?”

“I’m part of an all…girl…singing group.  We do drag shows at the places in town.  I usually make sure to get dressed there, and have my secretary cover for me.  Tonight’s a special night for Marvin.  He’s really good, and there’s a talent scout from Vegas here.”

“Were you ever going to tell me?” Megan asked.  Her voice was returning to normal, but there was an emotion behind it that Kelvin couldn’t identify.

“I’ve been trying to think of how to tell you for quite a while.  It just seemed easier to keep up the facade.  I didn’t want to hurt you.  I’m so sorry this is how you found out…”  Megan removed her hands from his hands and put her hands in her hair.  She turned back towards him, still keeping her emotions hard to decipher.

“So…what now?  What about Rochelle, Derrick, and David?”

“I have no idea.  I’m so sorry…” Kelvin started to slouch as he turned back to the bathroom.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going to call Marvin and tell him I can’t make it.  I need to fix things here first.”  He spotted the make-up remover, but before he went another step, he felt Megan’s arm grab his.

“No, you go.  Go do your show.  Help your…friend out.  He’s more than a friend though, isn’t he?”  Kelvin could feel tears building up as he nodded yes.  “Go.  I’ll be okay.  I need some time alone to think about things.”

“Are you sure?”

“You go.  Sing your little heart out.  I’ve always known you were a good singer.  Go.  I’ll be all right.”  Megan nodded as he turned and walked towards the bedroom door.  She put her hands on her hips and held in a cry, but as his heels clicked the hallway, she turned and ran to the door.  “Kelivin?” she said as she walked into the hallway.

“Yeah?”

“I…slept with an old boyfriend when I was in Vegas.  I didn’t know how to tell you.  Just…tonight seemed like a good night for confessions.”

Kelvin stopped for a moment, and he shook his head.  “I’m a bit hurt, but I don’t blame you.  Honestly.”

“We can talk about it later.  Go.  Be the queen of the clubs for a night.”

Kelvin waved as he walked down the stairs.  Megan walked back into the bedroom.  She picked up her iPod and put her earbuds in.  She curled up with a pillow and started to cry softly as Skid Row’s “I Remember You” filled her ears.