Page 5 of Something Like Hail
“Even when Tim asked youto?”
“He didn’t,” Noah said,suspecting the question was meant to trick him. “I think he mighthave been in a relationship with someone at the time.”
“Perhaps,” Marcello said.“How long ago was this? You can’t be more than...”
“I’m twenty-two. This wasover a year ago. Tim probably doesn’t even remember me. He was alittle tipsy.” Noah felt proud. Was he a genius or what? This way,if they asked Tim and he didn’t remember, they would just assume itwas too long ago or he had been too drunk to recall.
“Do you have muchexperience with men?”
Noah shrugged. “The normal amount.”
Marcello nodded. “I was fifteen when I lostmy virginity. I felt desperate to, as most boys do. Hormones alonedidn’t drive me. I longed for transformation. In my mind, thesingle obstacle on the path to becoming a man was that treasuredexperience. Circumstances had forced me to grow up quickly andbecome independent, but regardless, I still felt hounded by amissing credential, that no matter my achievements, I wouldn’tattain adult status until I found someone willing to share a bedwith me. When I did—well, the experience wasn’t a completedisappointment. I spent days afterwards deluding myself that I hadchanged, when in truth, I was the same person as before. Becoming aman has nothing to do with sticking your dick inside of someoneelse. If only maturity was a gift so easily given.”
“I feel mature enough forthis job,” Noah said, not understanding the point of thestory.
“Good. What I found agreater challenge was the relationship I entered into with thisman. Another first for me. I gave him my heart, and everything elseI had to offer, and my reward was many months of happiness, swiftlyfollowed by betrayal. When I first found evidence of hisinfidelity, I couldn’t believe it. I refused to! I gave him thebenefit of the doubt, and not wanting to insult him by askingdirectly, I started digging. My shovel soon struck something hardand unyielding. A lie. Then another. And another! I discovered thatthe pleasant little world I had been living in was constructed fromequal parts illusion and delusion.That’swhen I changed. I had expectedit to happen when I lost my virginity, that I would become a newperson and be able to draw a line between then and now. Before andafter. Accepting that my boyfriend was a liar allowed me to do justthat. I’ve never been capable of blind faith since. Having the woolpulled over my eyes once was enough for me. Do youunderstand?”
Noah nodded. He understood perfectly. Hisentire ruse had been seen through. “I’m sorry.”
“As I said, everyonedeserves a chance, sometimes two, but listen carefully to what Isay next. If you ever lie to me again, even once, we’re finished. Ican become your greatest friend or your worst enemy. Thinkcarefully about which you would prefer. Now then, what are youdoing here?”
“I’m hungry,” Noah said,having to force the words out of a tight throat. “I used the lastfive bucks I had to take the bus here. I’m broke and I need a quicksolution. I tried going to a temp service, but I don’t have anyreal employment history. I’ve tried fast food places too, and maybeI’m just unlucky, but I can’t seem to catch a break and I’m tired.I’ve got nothing. That’s what I’m trying to say. I’ve got nothingand I know you can change that.”
Marcello didn’t react to this outpouring ofemotion. He simply moved on to the next question, the one Noah hadbeen dreading. “Who really told you about me? Tim Wyman possessesmany desirable traits, but a passion for dancing is not among them.I’ve seen his husband drag him onto the dance floor, Tim kickingand screaming the entire way. Or maybe that’s simply how he dances.Regardless, he is never a willing participant, and he certainlydidn’t ask you to do him the honor.”
“I won’t lie,” Noah said,“but if I told you the truth, you wouldn’t speak to me anymore.That’s why I wasn’t honest. I don’t want to be judged by how I gothere. I know I’m in the worst position to say this right now, butyou can trust me. I want… Ineeda clean slate. Give that to me, and I swear I’llmake it up to you. Please.”
Marcello locked eyes withhim. “Would you care to know the true focus of my business? Itisn’t advertising, photography, or media production. Nor is itadult films or escorts. I’m successful because I place the highestvalue on information. That is what I deal in and what gives me anedge in all aspects of life. Whatever secrets you might possess,Iwilldiscoverthem.”
“Then it’s a race,” Noahsaid, feeling brave.
“Meaning?”
“That I have until thatlong to prove myself. By the time you find out the truth about me,I’m hoping you’ll have also seen that you can trust me. And that Ican be valuable to you.”
Marcello considered him. Then he chuckled,the sound warm and friendly. He perked up as the elevator doorsopened again and Nathaniel stepped out. “Well?”
“Nothing of interest,” camethe reply.
“Nothing at all?” Marcelloappeared delighted. “The plot thickens! Nathaniel is very thorough,you know.”
Noah didn’t, but he breathed out in reliefanyway. “So? Have I got the job?”
Marcello’s finger tapped against the desk.Then he opened another drawer and removed a checkbook. He filledout one page, then jotted something down on a post-it note. Both ofthese were handed to Noah. “You’ll be paid fifty dollars an hour,assuming you make the cut. Considering the level of determinationyou’ve demonstrated today, I don’t see that being an issue, so I’mpaying the first ten hours in advance. Regardless, you’ll report tothe given address tomorrow for assessment and training. Best ofluck to you, Noah Westwood. We’ll meet again at the finishline.”
With a trembling hand, Noah took the checkand the note with the address on it, scarcely believing his goodfortune. He thanked Marcello, who absentmindedly waved him away,attention already on other matters. Nathaniel led him out, walkedhim to the front door of the building, and held it open withoutsaying a word. Noah stepped into a bright afternoon, the sunwarming skin that had been chilled by air conditioning. He examinedthe check. Five hundred dollars! Not a solution to his problems,but it sure helped ease them. Feeling a spring in his step, heturned toward the street and began the long walk home.
* * * * *
Noah’s feet started dragging half an hourinto his walk. The sun beat at his back, drenching his shirt insweat, and man was his throat parched! He wished he could turn backthe clock to before he left the studio, just so he could ask to usethe restroom and drink from the sink. Each time a car passed, hewas tempted to stick out his thumb and hitchhike, but Noah worriedthat wouldn’t be safe. How ironic! He was about to sleep with totalstrangers for money, and he thought hitchhiking was too dangerous?He hoped Marcello’s business had a way of weeding out violentcreeps.
Another car passed him, a silver sedan. Noahignored it until the brake lights glowed and it pulled over to theside of the road. When he reached the car, he kept walking, unsureif it stopping was merely coincidence. The electric whirr of awindow rolling down attracted his attention. The driver leaned overto be seen.
“Unless you lied about youraddress too,” Nathaniel said, “you’ve got a long walk ahead ofyou.”
“I know,” Noahresponded.
“Get in.”