JAMES AND AMARA
1296 Words
James thanked God, Buddha, and any other deity that may have played a role in him meeting Johari.
To him, she was a goddess among mortals. He had spotted her almost immediately. After making conversation with the other fighters and flirting with a reporter, he had finally worked up the nerve to approach her.
She was a bit skinnier than he usually went for, but her strapless purple gown hugged her body in all the right places.
Despite the anxiety he had felt watching her reject more handsome suitors he found the conviction to talk to her.
Having accomplished that miracle, he was pleasantly surprised that he had not stuttered any of the four syllables in his greeting.
A handful of minutes after they had entered the elevator, James, Johari and an older gentleman stepped into the hallway.
They followed the older gentleman to the hotel’s east banquet hall, where the man produced a key card and unlocked the door.
He stood aside to let them enter then Johari whispered something into the man’s ear. James followed her to the middle of the floor while the older man busied himself elsewhere.
They briefly talked about his upcoming fight. She offered a few helpful suggestions on how to neutralize his opponent's world class striking ability. He was thrilled at her knowledge of techniques and told her as much. The way she smiled at him infected him with one of his own.
Before she could reveal who her favorite fighter was, soft piano music drifted into the room.
"Well James, show me your moves." He pulled her closer.
"I'll show you mine if you show me yours."
As they danced it was obvious that she had studied under a professional. It was all James could do to avoid stepping on her tiny toes.
Her dazzling smile remained on her face for the duration of the song and James could not help but wonder what it would be like to see that smile all the time.
"Not bad." Johari curtsied.
"Don't see that every day." James answered the curtsy with a bow.
"Old habit. Thank you for the dance."
"It was my pleasure." He hoped he was not grinning like an i***t but knew he probably was. "You have a beautiful smile."
"I bet you say that to all the girls."
"Doesn't make it any less true."
"You're so sweet." She took his hand and led him towards where the older gentleman stood. "Sorry to cut this short, but the guy that opened the door for us is one of my chaperones and I think my time is up."
"Where do I sign up for that job?" She closed the small distance between them.
"Trust me James, I can think of better ways for you to spend your time than doing Frank's job."
She reached into her evening bag and retrieved a pen. Taking James' hand, she wrote her phone number in his palm.
"Call me." She closed his hand then kissed his hand softly. "Good night James."
He was speechless and simply watched her leave with the man he guessed was named Frank. James looked at her number and prayed that he did not start sweating before he could enter it into his cell phone.
*
The previous night's dance seemed like a distant memory. James shifted in his bed as he clung to his mind's replay of Johari in all her stunning glory. Losing that battle, James reluctantly opened his eyes and searched for his cell phone.
White digits indicated it was ten in the morning. He yawned then checked the phone's address book. Her name and number were there as was the record of the twenty four minute call they had engaged in after he left the meet up.
When he made it back home, he had planned to leave her a message but she had answered on the fourth ring.
Their conversation covered their shared inability to understand all the new features on cell phones, recaps of fights they had seen in person, and how nice it was to meet the other. Much to his delight, she wanted to come see his tryout.
James took his time putting on a pair of blue jeans and pulling a red K.O. Fitness t-shirt over his head.
He authored a quick good morning text message to Johari then pulled on his shoes and left his room.
Downstairs, he found his best friend, Amara Watson, on the couch eating a bowl of cereal.
"About time you woke up."
"I see you helped yourself to my cereal." He plopped down next to her. "“You always did look good in blue.”
“Like you ever notice anything other than my breasts.”
“I’m hurt that you think that way about me. Hurt. Though to be honest, they are spectacular.” That remark earned him a jab with the handle of her spoon.
“So what happened to you last night? I called you at least four times.”
“Were you worried about me? Feeling neglected? Come give daddy some sugar.” He leaned over her shoulder but she palmed his face and gave him a firm, but playful shove.
“I just wanted to see if you remembered your promise.”
“Of course I do," he replied then gave her his best attempt at a soulful singing voice. "Baby it's a promise between me and you. Don't let nobody say it ain't so." He could see her serious facade begin to crumble. He grabbed her face gently and stared deeply into her eyes. "Baby, I promise. So girl just believe, I promise."
Her laughter escaped from her in the form of a snort and she placed her head against her shoulder.
"I cannot stand you sometimes," she choked out.
"You know Mitch love the kids. I'll be there early.”
“Uh huh. It wouldn’t have anything to do with all the single mothers that will be there.”
“You know I only have eyes for you.”
“Oh really? Didn’t meet anyone last night?”
“Well there was this one girl…”
“Got you hearing love songs in your head all early in the morning?”
“Yeah. I mean no. I mean…”
“So you're cheating on me.”
“It’s not like that Mar Mar. She was just, different. Something about her just made her stand out more than every other woman there.”
“She must be really pretty for you to be blushing like that.”
“Woman, please. I don’t blush.”
“Ah, you’re embarrassed. That’s so cute.”
“I bet you’re just jealous that a beautiful woman kissed me.”
“Insanely. Did you force yourself on some innocent young lady? Seduce her with your muscly arms?”
“Definitely jealous. I’d be more than happy to let you kiss me too.”
“Keep your lips to yourself, Casanova. You gets none of this."
“As heartbreaking as that is, I'll respect your wishes. You wanna hang for a bit?”
“Can’t. I just stopped by to tell you that I took care of the admin fees for your course materials.”
“Really? You're the best."
"I know. Figured since you're showing up for the kids, I could spend a little money on you." She titled the bowl to her mouth then handed him the emptied bowl. "Can't wait to show you around campus."
They embraced and exchanged farewells.
The moment she left, he checked his phone and smiled at the notification.
- Writer
