“Okay. My place…let’s say 6’ish?” I proposed noncommittally.
“Sounds good to me. Let me call to see if I have a sitter for Erin. You’ll be fine, girl!” she tried with enthusiasm.
Here was another night I couldn’t sleep. I had to save my career. I’d be damned if I was going to let this man ruin what I’ve worked so hard for because he couldn’t keep his dick in his pants. If he thinks I’m that disposable he’s got the game so twisted!
It was nearly ten at night when I jumped from my sofa and headed over to Long Beach City to the recreation center. By the time I got there, it was thankfully still open so I ambled inside and pretended to be interested in a membership in hopes of getting a tour. As I walked through the automated sliding doors, I got the attention of a young man who seemed to be an employee. He was about five feet three inches with brown skin and a mini afro.
He walked over and greeted me, “Welcome to Optimal Health Recreation Center. How may I help you?” His tone was very warm and his bright eyes inviting.
“Hello. I’ve been looking for a gym to join and I’ve been referred here by several people. I thought I’d come and see what that rave was about. Would it be okay if I took a look around?” I smiled appealingly.
“That would be fine by me. How about I show you around?” He maintained his eager smile.
“I’d like that.”
The young brother was extremely professional and well versed on the amenities of the center. This place was even better than Michelle had described it. There were flat screen televisions throughout each corridor, pictures of professional athletes—headshots as well as candid photos of them in the recreation center. Soundproof glass rooms, waiters and waitresses around and alert to serve water and energy drinks at the patrons’ requests, health tips announced periodically on the P. A. system, all staff members greeted me and were extremely polite. The women’s locker rooms and bathrooms were impeccably clean and immaculately decorated with marble sinks and walls. The guide also mentioned how the bathrooms met all sanitary measures and called my attention to the hands-free soap, lotion and paper towel dispenser and faucet. Each hallway played different types of music, setting different moods, some calming and others upbeat. This place was unparalleled!
I tried probing to find out more about the owner. “So tell me about the manager and owner of this place. How often are they onsite to manage and observe the day-to-day activities?”
“Well ma’am, I can proudly say the owner of Optimal Health Recreation Center is the chief-operating-officer as well. Mr. Azmir Jacobs, while an accomplished entrepreneur with many other thriving enterprises, is extremely dedicated to the success of the recreation center. He says in this project he has a special interest as he comes from similar conditions that this community has been subjected to. This, he calls his ‘baby’. And to answer your question he’s here virtually every day. His office overlooks the largest basketball court in the center.”
What type of name is Azmir Jacobs? rang through my mind.
I had taken up enough of his time and felt that this part of my research was done.
“Okay. Well, thank you for your time. You’ve been a wonderful guide! Is there an application I can leave with?” I asked.