Howard University . Cramton Auditorium . WDC . 2 July 1997
Elvert Xavier Barnes Photography . Writings . Ads
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It was the week before 4 July and I though I was scheduled to work on the 4th with Occasions on the National Mall I had the next few days off. Reflecting on 4 Julys, of the past, I remembered that in 1992 when celebrating 4 July in NYC that while out dancing at the Roxy in the Village that I'd meet a hot Irish cop and that we'd catch the train out to Hoboken and spend the night in a hotel. Once back in DC he'd call several times wanting to come down and visit with me. And as he had suggested the night that we had met reiterating that he had had a good time and that he 'liked me' ... he'd say that he hoped that when he'd visit me in WDC ... and unlike our first experience ... that I would have some cocaine and/or would smoke some crack with him. Though I was very attracted to him, by the summer of 1992, and after years of expereince, I was very cautious of starting up another relationship with another white guy whose right to do drugs was connected to his association with black men.
And when on the night of 8 September 1992 that he'd suggest a Columbus Day visit I'd inform him that 'perhaps it was not a good idea that we see each other ... ever again'. Citing that though my partner had just left for Naples for a 2 year assignment that I did not want to engage in another relationship with another 'white guy' whose association with me was connected to drugs since such a relationship would be unfair to my partner I'd end with 'though we hit it off ... and had a good time ... white guys, in the past , have always created problems for me.'
And when I now reflect on the past I realize that one of the reasons that he had insisted on coming down over Columbus Day weekend 'to smoke crack' was because on 16 October I would have my first meeting with the probation officer in Fairfax County due to the incident in May. Which I had mentioned to him when we first met on the night of 4 July. Just as I had mentioned 'it' to Greg, my ex-lover, and a few other close friends. And, yet, it was on the very day when Richard would leave for Naples that Greg would surprise me with 'a gift' which he had only done once before during the course of our then 10 year relationship. Which would bring to mind Easter 1985.
On the afternoon of Tuesday, 8 September, and shortly after I'd bid Richard farewell Greg would invite me over to his house for dinner which was just a less than a block away. Once there he'd hand me a package of cocaine saying that it was 'some of the best stuff' that he'd had in a long time. And that 'you deserve it'. Which is what he said on Easter Friday 1985. I'd remind him that due to the incident in May that I had just started a court ordered program with the Whitman Walker Clinic. Turning toward the kitchen and as had many white guys who'd approach me about drugs he'd say "Oh' please ... they'll never know!". Reluctantly, but thinking that I'd save it for when the NY Irish cop would visit me I'd stuff it into my right pant pocket and head to the kitchen. After dinner and as had been our ritual when we lived together and though we'd always take turns cooking I would do the dishes before joining Greg in the living room to watch TV together. Since the start of our relationship, in February 1982, and though he would often flip flop as pertaining to our status it was not uncommon for Greg and I to sleep together. As would have been the case on the night of 8 September had I not been in a committed relationship with Richard. Saying that he did not want to cause any problems with my program or with Richard he'd ask if I'd stay the night. I can still remember the look of disappointment on Greg's face when I would decline.
Once home I'd realize that the cocaine was 'uncut'. And well over a gram. Surprised since Greg was not one to part with uncut coke I'd take a hit and just as I did the phone would ring. It would be the Irish cop from NYC.
I had just moved to 340 15th Street in SE which I would rent from George McDonald. an antique collector, who in 1979 I had purchased a signed Maxfield Parris poster from. Wanting to see the place a friend would drop by a few days after Richard's departure. Who, and as had Greg just a day or so before surprised me with a house warming gift my close friend would catch me off guard by offering me a gram of hash that, according to him, he and a friend had just picked up from NYC. Reminding him that it was not my practice to smoke hash nor pot I'd reiterate that as a result of the May incident that I had just started a court ordered program. Insisting that I keep it for a couple of days and that if I changed my mind I could simply give it back and after visiting me for only a few moments he and a catering associate would hurry off ... saying ... that he did not want to cause me any problems with 'my program'. And that he would contact me in a couple of days regarding the money. And my decision.