Respectfully, they immediately filed out. I went to use the john right after they exited and while I was at the sink, my phone vibrated. I dried my hands and checked the number. It was Tara. I let it go to voicemail. The thought of her made me want a drink so I went down to the bar. As I got off the elevator, I threaded through the crowd of people and made my way to the bar. That’s when I noticed the beauty, who we watched dance from my office, had won second place. She was on stage accepting her prize behaving rather modestly, quite a contrast to her on-stage minx persona. I laughed to myself thinking she deserved first place with those moves.
I ordered my drink and exchanged a few pleasantries with one of the bartenders we’d just hired. I walked around the floor to get a feel of the crowd. As I made my way toward the entrance I heard a little rift-raft. That’s when I saw Lil’ Mikey making a comment to the beauty from the stage, something about if she wanted to make some money to call him. I immediately thought to myself, Never again will these dudes come here. They can keep that bullshit back at home!
Lil’ momma spit back some vicious shit back to him, though. It had his boys laughing. Once she finished she continued out the door with some guy she appeared to be with. She looked over at me and I noticed her eyes. Though covered in dark make-up, they were a captivating crescent slant. From her hair, I could tell she was the “Nasty” song girl even though she wore more clothes off stage. Her face was just as fine as her body. She was a beautiful caramel shade of brown with plump lips and a slender nose. She was the total package. I got a kick out of the way she rolled her eyes at me just before storming out. I didn’t understand what that was all about but I brushed it off and went about my business.
My phone vibrated again. It was Tara again. I put the call straight to voicemail again, but decided to go upstairs to call her back. I’d have to face her sooner or later.
~~~~~~~~~~
Rayna
About two years had flown by and found me graduating from Cal State with my Master’s degree in Physical Therapy at the top of my class. I was extremely proud of myself and couldn’t believe it was finally over. As I walked off the field there was Michelle holding little Erin who was chanting, “Aun-Tee Na-Na! Aun-Tee Na-Na!” Also present was Richard, a friend of mine. I thought it was so thoughtful of him to come and support me.
“So what are you doing to celebrate tonight, Ms. Rayna? By the way, I love your new hair color!” Michelle beamed as she bounced the tot on her hips.
“Well, I do have a dance off tonight that I’m excited about.” With that thought came all the little nuances I had to do to prepare for it.
I started taking dance classes when I moved into my own place. Between work and school I needed an outlet and to stay in shape. I had taken a dance course for an easy credit in undergrad and told myself that I would take it up recreationally once I graduated and I did. I started out with Salsa and that’s how I met Ricardo, better known as Richard. He was fairly good looking and attentive. The only problem was he had no personality. Michelle had her hopes up for my Latin love. She figured it would be good if at least one of us was getting some. Michelle felt she was out of the game because she wasn’t ready to have men around Erin. And I, quite frankly, just hadn’t found anyone of interest.
I was dating a patient’s nephew from the practice just to find out five months down the line that he was bisexual. I thought, No, not another one! At any rate, Richard was good company but it seemed like he was hiding something…almost like he’d had another life.
“Will you be attending with her, Richard?” Michelle asked while placing Erin in her stroller.
“I don’t know. I haven’t been invited,” he responded in his thick Latin accent as he eyed me suspiciously.
I knew what Michelle was trying to do. She was trying to put me on the spot so that I would ask him to come. The truth of the matter was I preferred to take on my hobby alone with unknown spectators. I never invited Michelle to a class or event so I certainly wouldn’t ask Richard.
“Michelle, Richard is just as informed of my rule as you are. I don’t invite people I know to see me dance. This hobby that I’ve taken on is very private, self-gratifying, and therapeutic.”