Crossroads (24 page)
Authors: Skyy
33
Denise stood outside of the tall community center building. She watched people walk in and out of the doors. She thought about her days of playing ball at the local community center in Memphis, back when she played for fun, not for school or a scholarship.
“Hey, you.” Farih smiled, walking up to Denise.
Even in a simple pair of jeans and a baby doll tee Farih looked like a supermodel.
“Ready to get your ass kicked?”
Denise laughed. “Right. Even though I'm rusty, I doubt you will kick my ass.”
“I guess we will see then.” Farih walked past Denise and headed up the stairs.
Denise followed. “So, I have one question,” Denise said as they walked into the rundown facility. “Why are we playing here and not at some swanky place?”
Farih smiled. “I'll show you.”
She opened a door. A group of young women were laughing in the small room. “Hey, ladies.”
Denise watched as the young girls greeted Farih like she was a big sister.
“Everyone, this is my friend Denise.”
“Hi, Denise,” the seven girls chimed in unison. Denise waved back.
“Denise is a basketball player and model.”
“I'm not a model,” Denise chimed in.
“You played for Freedom in Memphis, didn't you?” One of the young women pointed at Denise.
“Yeah, I did.” Denise was surprised. The girl reminded her of herself. Her long body was covered in oversized basketball shorts and shirt. The girl's hair was braided to the back.
The girl smiled. “I thought about going there when I graduate. Y'all got a good team, for a black school.”
“We do indeed. You play?” Denise asked.
“Yeah, I do.”
“Well, we are gonna have to play some then.” Denise smiled.
The young girl nodded her head in approval.
Denise watched in amazement as Farih talked to the group like she was one of them. They talked about everything, from boyfriends to sex.
Farih gave honest answers. She didn't fill their head with nonsense like many would do. She didn't try to force the abstinence idea on them. She was honest, open, and the young women showed their respect in return.
Farih wasn't the supermodel in that room; she was just a woman who was sharing her knowledge and time with a group of young women who might not have anyone else to turn to.
Denise couldn't believe how down-to-earth Farih was; it was sexy as hell to her.
A bell rang, and the girls all stood up. They said their good-byes and headed out the door.
“So what did you think?” Farih picked up her bag.
“This is cool. It's great that you are doing this.”
Denise and Farih walked out of the room.
“I can tell those girls really love you.”
“And I love them too.” Farih's face lit up. “When I was younger, I went to a place like this. I had a woman who I could talk to. I just wanted to do the same for others.”
“Dig that.” Denise was feeling Farih even more. “So, what's next?”
“Next, I kick your ass at ball.”
They walked into a gym. A group of men were playing a pickup game. Farih pulled a basketball out of her bag.
The ball sent chills through Denise's body. She hadn't picked up a basketball in a while. She held the ball in her hands; it felt good.
Farih pulled her shirt over her head. The men playing the game found it hard to focus as Farih pulled off her jeans to reveal a pair of tight Nike Be Fast capris.
Farih's pants and sports bra also consumed Denise's thoughts; she knew how the men felt at that moment.
Some of the men began to wolf-whistle, and yelling in her direction. Farih smiled, ignoring the men's advances.
Denise felt very protective. She wanted to grab Farih and hold her so the men would know what the deal was.
“So, that's not bothering you?”
“Comes with the job.” Farih leaned back. “I'm sure some of them are for you too.” She winked at Denise.
“Hi, Farih.” A gentleman in a Nike track suit walked up to them.
Farih stood up and hugged the gentleman. “Hey, Jessie. This is my friend.”
“Denise Chambers. I know who you are. Played for Freedom. I thought you were going to be playing for Liberty this year.”
Denise hoped her face didn't show her feelings. The subject was still sore for her. “I got injured, but hopefully I'll be back next year.”
“Jessie is the coach of the young women's team here,” Farih said as Denise shook his hand.
“Yeah, Denise, if you ever want to come around and drop some knowledge, I know the girls would love it.”
“I will.” Denise smiled. She loved the thought of helping young women.
The men's game ended. Farih and Denise headed onto the court. The men all paused as they watched Denise and Farih walk to the middle of the court. They all put their things down, ready to see the two women go at it.
“First to twenty?” Farih bounced the ball to Denise.
“Let's do this.” Denise dribbled the ball. It was like riding a bike; she was back in her element, with the sexiest opponent ever.
The game grew intense. Denise's dream of a quick victory was quickly ruined. Farih was better than good; she was an amazing ball player. Her flirting ceased; she had her eye on the prize.
Farih's supermodel status was gone; she was now a ballplayer trying to beat Denise.
The men all stayed to watch the game. They yelled like they were watching an NBA game. Denise and Farih were both soaked in sweat. Denise knew she had to get back to working out; her energy wasn't what it should have been.
Finally, victory was hers as she shot a lucky three-pointer that caused her to win the game.
“Good game,” Farih said. “Guess I didn't beat your ass, after all.”
“Please, you came close. Too close. I wasn't expecting that.”
“Man, that was the sexiest basketball game I've ever seen,” one of the ballers yelled toward them.
“Yeah, maybe next time we'll join your game.”
“Naa,” the older man stated. “I'm not trying to get my ass kicked by women.”
Everyone laughed.
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Denise and Farih showered and changed then headed out of the community center. Farih signed a few autographs for a few kids who recognized who she was.
“You really have surprised me, Farih.”
“Let me guess, you were expecting a stuck-up, prissy supermodel.”
“Well ... yeah.” Denise laughed. “I definitely wasn't expecting what I got.”
“Is that a good thing?” Farih looked at Denise.
“It's a great thing.”
Denise and Farih's eyes met, and they both blushed. Denise was anxious, a feeling she hadn't had in years. She was anxious to see what was going to happen. She welcomed it.
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Denise heard the familiar male voice outside of Mariah's apartment. It didn't bother her anymore. The only woman on her mind was Farih.
“Hey, Dee.” Mariah smiled as Denise walked in the apartment. She was lying in Richard's arms while they watched a movie.”
“Hey.” Denise closed the door.
Mariah sat up. “Richard, this is Denise.” Mariah's face was flushed.
Richard stood up. He was taller than Denise remembered. Denise shook his hand. She had to admit, he wasn't an ugly man. He reminded her of David Beckham.
“It's nice to meet you.” Richard's voice was also deeper than normal.
“Nice to meet you too. Well, I'm tired. I'm gonna go lay it down.”
“You've been playing basketball?” Mariah questioned when she noticed Denise's attire.
“Yeah, I went to a community center.”
“That's great, Dee. I'm glad you are playing again. Keep those skills up.”
Denise wanted to laugh at how quick Mariah was in agent mode. “Yeah, it felt good. I didn't realize how much I missed it.”
Mariah smiled. Denise noticed Mariah's demeanor. She could tell Mariah was very happy. “Well, I'm gonna leave you two alone.” Denise headed toward her room.
Denise knew her feelings had changed for Mariah. She sat her bag on the floor. Farih consumed Denise's thoughts. Denise knew she was dealing with feelings she'd never experienced before. The only other woman who had her open was Lena, but that was a forbidden love.
Lena's face entered Denise's mind. Lena was a forbidden love her heart didn't want to completely let go of.
Denise's thoughts were interrupted by her phone. She smiled when Farih's face appeared on her screen.
“Hey, you.”
Farih relaxed back in her favorite black oversized chair. She put her feet up on the ottoman. “I just wanted to let you know I really had a great time today.”
Denise felt a warm tingle in her cheeks. “I had a great time too. Thanks for taking me. I really enjoyed myself.”
Farih grinned; she had never met a woman like Denise. “I was wondering if you would like to come to a photo shoot with me tomorrow.”
“Photo shoot?”
“It's for Victoria Secret.”
Denise paused. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. “Victoria Secret? Are you serious?”
“I understand if you don't want to go,” Farih playfully replied in her low, seductive voice.
“Naaa, I would hate to go watch you model in lingerie. That sounds like the worst idea ever.”
Denise and Farih laughed.
“I'll pick you up at five.”
“In the morning?” Denise frowned.
Farih let out a snicker. “The early bird catches the worm, Denise.”
Denise was smitten. Farih's quick remarks kept her on her toes. “I think I can manage that.” Denise lay back on her bed. “Hey, Farih, what's your zodiac sign?”
“Cancer. And you?”
Denise's body tensed. “That explains a lot. Hey, I need to get off if I'm going to wake up in the morning.”
Farih sat up, taken back by Denise's change in attitude. “Oh OK, see you in the morning. Hey, wait. You didn't tell me your sign.”
“Scorpio.”
Farih smiled. “They say Cancer and Scorpio's the perfect match.”
Visions of Lena filled Denise's head. “Yeah, I know. See you tomorrow?”
“It's a date.”
Denise hung the phone up. The wall around her heart that Farih was breaking down was slowly starting to rebuild itself. Farih was too good to be true. She knew from her past that things that were too good to be true usually were.
34
Lena watched the polar bears swim from end to end of their new exhibit at the Memphis Zoo. The polar bear building was her favorite place to think. The underwater viewing room was dark, illuminated by the sun and the blue water in front of her from the wall-sized viewing glass. She took a sip of her Dasani water. She loved coming to the zoo midweek during the day. It wasn't crowded with people like on Tuesdays when the zoo was free. Lena was able to think in peace.
“Did you know you are staring at the world largest land predator?”
Lena turned around. A tall, brown-skinned man stood behind her. His slender body was fit, his clean-shaven face better looking than any other zoo worker she had seen before.
“Really? That's interesting.” Lena watched the attractive guy walk down the stairs.
“Yes. I figured I'd tell you a little something since I see you here a lot.” The man smiled. He extended his hand. “I'm Derek.”
Lena read this name tag, Derek Harris, Zookeeper. “So you are the zookeeper. So you like, get to touch the animals?”
Derek let out a baritone laugh.”It's a little more than that, but yes.”
“I've never seen you around here before.”
“I've seen you.” Derek smiled.
Lena felt herself blushing. “So, what does a girl have to do to touch an animal?”
Derek's almond eyes slanted. “Go over to the farm area. There are plenty of animals you can touch.”
They both laughed.
“I was thinking something a little more exotic than a cow.” Lena drank some more of her water.
“I see the beautiful woman is trying to make me lose my job.”
Lena laughed. “No, I'm not. I know it's impossible.”
Derek sat next to Lena. He leaned in to her ear. “Nothing is impossible. Come with me.”
Lena followed Derek through the employees only area of Primate Canyon, where the monkeys resided. They walked down a long corridor. The wild smell of monkey droppings hit Lena's nose. She wondered how they kept the smell from being so bad in the front of the zoo.
Derek opened a door that said DIRECTOR. “Sit in here I'll be right back.”
Lena obeyed. She was impressed. The office window overlooked the gorilla exhibit. Derek's office was filled with rich browns, oranges and deep reds. A beautiful mural of a variety of animal faces covered half of the wall behind the brown leather sofa. Lena noticed a picture of Derek on his desk holding a baby white tiger. Lena got excited; she always loved white tigers.
The door opened. Derek walked in holding a tiny brown and white monkey in his arms. Lena's mouth dropped at the sight of the adorable creature.
“This is Katie. Our newest Atelidae.” Lena looked at Derek confused.
“Spider monkey.”
“Oh, she's so cute.” Lena squealed. “Can I?” Lena held her hand out.
Derek nodded.
She petted the baby on her head. “Oh, she's adorable. I want one.”
Derek's laughter rumbled. “See, this is why women don't need to see exotic animals.”
Lena couldn't help but laugh.
Derek handed Lena a bottle. She put it to the monkey's mouth. It began to suck like a baby. Lena felt a mothering sense take over her body. She thought about her child. Lena pulled away.
“Thank you, Derek. That was amazing.” She handed Derek the bottle.
“You aren't trying to leave me yet, are you? I risk my job and you are ready to bounce.” Derek smiled.
Lena was impressed by his charm.
“I would like to stay, but I really need to be getting home.”
“OK, let me put Katie back, and I'll walk you out.” Derek turned around. “Don't pull a Cinderella on me, OK?”
Lena couldn't help but laugh.
Derek returned holding a bottle of anti-bacterial gel. Lena cleaned her hands, and they headed out of the office. Derek's slender frame was a change from Brandon's massive body, Lena liked it.
“So, Lena, what brings you to the zoo so often?”
Lena and Derek walked around the area, passing the various types of primates. Lena stopped in front of a sunbathing gorilla.
“I just come here to think. I love the zoo.”
“Well, I must say, I have been watching you for a while.”
Lena smirked. “Really? Stalk much?”
Derek laughed. “No, I just figured that someone as beautiful as you had to have someone waiting in the wings. I guess you can say I was waiting on the day a man comes in with you.”
“Is that right.” Lena looked at Derek's handsome face. “So what made you come up to me today?”
“I don't really know. Guess I got tired of letting you leave.” Derek giggled.
They stopped at the gift shop. Lena pulled her keys out of her pocket. Derek stood fidgeting with his ID tag. Lena was amused that an obviously confident man was a little shy around her.
“Well, thank you again Derek. I really appreciate it.”
“Hey, um, how about a private tour of the zoo? If you come late tonight, you can see things you'll never see during the day.” Derek smiled.
“Is that legal?”
“Yes, we administrators have some clout,” Derek boasted. “So how about it?”
Lena smiled. “OK, what time?”
“Ten.” Derek reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card. “Just call me when you get outside.”
“OK, I will. See you later, Derek.”
“I'll be looking forward to it.”
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Lena was floating as she opened the door to her loft. She was excited about her special plans. She pulled off her flip-flops. The cool floor sent a chill through her body. She started thinking about what to wear; she had no idea what to wear to the zoo at night.
She heard a faint ringing coming from her purse. She ran to the table, trying to catch it in time. By the time she pulled her phone out, she had missed the call. She looked at her call log. It was from Terrin. Lena pressed send to call her back.
“I was just leaving you a message.” Terrin tried to sound cool.
“I'm sorry. I didn't hear my phone ring. How was your day?”
“Long. Had this one child whose mouth was full of cavities. Poor kid had to have five teeth pulled.”
Lena cringed. “Oh my God.”
“Oh well, comes with the job.” Terrin poured a glass of orange juice. “So I was wondering if you wanted to grab a bite to eat. I have been craving some of Onyx fish and chicken.”
Lena froze. She knew that was the last place she needed to go. She suddenly felt guilty. Technically she was single and could do what she wanted, but she still felt a little guilty. “I, um, actually already have plans tonight.”
Terrin's body tensed up. “Oh, a date?”
“Something like that.”
Terrin covered the phone with her hand. She mouthed a few obscenities. She realized she didn't have Lena the way she thought she did. “Oh, OK, that's cool. Well, just get at me when you can.”
“Are you sure you're OK with it?”
“Lena, I'm not your woman. I don't have to be OK with it.”
Lena sat down at her kitchen table. “I know, but I don't want you to think badly of me.”
“I don't, Lena. You are cool. I'll holla at you later.” Terrin hung up the phone before Lena could respond. She didn't want Lena to hear the hurt in her voice.
Lena was in shock. She couldn't believe Terrin hung up in her face. She suddenly felt horrible. She didn't want to hurt anyone. She picked her phone up and called Carmen.
“Hey, girl.” Carmen held the small cell phone with her shoulder while she seasoned the chicken she was about to cook.
“So I met a guy today at the zoo and he was real nice. He let me touch a monkey.”
“What! Shit!” Carmen yelled as she almost dropped her phone. “Hold on Lena.” Carmen placed the phone on the counter; she washed her hands and dried them on her shirt. She picked the phone back up. “OK, now you touched his monkey? What the fuck?”
“A real monkey, Carmen. He's the director over animals. Like the head zookeeper.”
“Oh, that's interesting. Is he cute?” Carmen sat on her sofa.
“Yes, he really was. He invited me to come to a private tour of the zoo tonight.”
“Oh, really? Now that sounds like fun.”
“Yeah, but I told Terrin, and she sounded upset.”
Carmen looked up. “So.”
Lena headed to her bedroom. “What do you mean?”
“I'm sorry, Lena. When did you get into a relationship?”
“I'm not.”
“Then you don't owe her anything.”
“That's what she said but ...”
Carmen stood up when she heard water hit her stove and sizzle. “Look, Lena, you are single, and you don't owe either one of them anything. If it's one thing I've learned from Cooley is that if you keep it real with the women, they really can't get mad at anyone but themselves.”
Lena opened her closet door. “So you think I should tell Derek the truth too? That I'm a married but separated confused girl who's currently dating a woman as well?”
“Maybe not in those words, but yeah, oh fuck.” Carmen ran into her kitchen. She pulled the boiling pot off of the stove. “I gotta go before I burn my house down. Have fun tonight.”
“OK, girl.” Lena hung up the phone. She knew Carmen was right. She took a deep breath and began to pick out the perfect outfit for her date.
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