by Skyy
A few years felt like a lifetime. Carmen and Denise snapped photos outside of their old dormitory. The three laughed about past times as they walked to the University Center. When Denise was in school, the only thing on her mind was getting out. Now that she was out, she missed the old walls and the safety inside them.
Carmen yelled her Chi Theta call and greeted tons of her sorority sisters as they arrived in front of the University Center. It took only a few moments for people to realize who Denise was. Soon she was smiling for flashing cameras and signing autographs. Nic made a joke about being security. Denise had to admit it felt good to be shown so much love in Memphis.
“I’d like a photo too.”
Denise felt a tap on her shoulder and heard an oddly familiar voice. Denise’s face lit up like a light bulb when she saw the familiar face. She couldn’t believe her eyes as she stood in front of her was her old teammate Stephanie.
“Oh my God!” Denise didn’t know if seeing Stephanie or seeing her standing up was the bigger surprise. Denise threw her arms around Stephanie, holding her in a tight embrace. “I can’t believe you are here!”
Stephanie wanted to burst when she saw Denise. The flame that was growing between them had died after she was injured in a hit-and-run. Stephanie never thought she would see Denise again.
“You can’t believe I’m here, and I can’t believe you are here.”
“Denise Chambers!”
Denise’s and Stephanie’s heads turned. Michelle strolled toward them with her arms open. Together they had made Freedom’s women’s basketball dream team. The school hadn’t gone to a championship since their departure.
Elated, Denise gave Michelle their typical guy dap before wrapping her arms around her. They play fought for a moment. Stephanie laughed, not taking her eyes off of Denise.
“I can’t believe both of you are here.” Denise was over the moon. It felt like college all over again, except for a few noticeable differences.
Stephanie, the girl who went from stud to femme their senior year, was now sporting a very tomboy pair of loose-fitting jeans and a Hollister fitted tee. Her hair was pulled back in a demure ponytail, with a pair of silver hoop earrings adding a bit of femininity. Stephanie had always reminded Denise of the late Aaliyah, on whom, like most lesbians, Denise had had a huge crush as a teenager.
Denise noticed that Michelle’s look had evolved as well. She wasn’t in sweats and a shirt two sizes too big anymore. Her jeans were loose but didn’t hang off of her butt anymore. Her polo shirt had a Central High School crest engraved on it. She had also traded her usual short boy cut for locks, which, Denise could tell, she had just begun to grow.
Denise noticed how the two looked at her. She knew what they were thinking. Denise had long changed her look. The last time they were on campus, she had mostly rocked Freedom sweats and shirts, and had had her hair pulled back into a ponytail so it didn’t get in her face. Ever since her first modeling gig, she had been sporting a tomboy look. Her jeans were fitted, and her button-down didn’t hang off of her body, but clung to her in just the right places to show off the fact that she still had an amazing athletic body. Her hair hung down to her shoulders. She suddenly wished she had a ponytail holder.
“Yeah, right. You the one off making movies and shit,” Michelle joked. “We never in a million years would have thought you would be here.”
“Oh, whatever.” Denise blushed in embarrassment. She wondered what her friends thought of the drastic career change.
“Only Denise would go off to New York to play ball and end up a damn movie star. Lucky muthafucka.” Stephanie’s smile still warmed Denise’s heart.
“Trust me, it’s not all it’s made out to be.” Denise thought about her looming relationship issues in Atlanta.
Michelle scanned the area around them. “Yo, tell me that fine-ass girlfriend of yours is here.”
“No, she’s in Atlanta.” Denise noticed the shift in Stephanie’s eyes.
“Oh, you should have brought her.” Stephanie rubbed her hands together. “A Victoria’s Secret model, Denise? Seriously? How the hell did you pull that off?”
Denise smiled. “I’m not really sure myself.” Denise knew from the outside looking in that Farih was beyond a great catch. Denise snuck another peek at Stephanie. Even with her model girlfriend, Denise couldn’t take her eyes off of Stephanie’s natural beauty.
“Man, that sucks. I really, really wanted to meet her,” Michelle whined.
“Yeah, hell no! So you can taint my image? So glad she didn’t come now,” Denise said. Michelle hit Denise on her arm, causing Denise to giggle.
Stephanie could feel Denise’s eyes on her each time she gazed at her. “Whatever. You never did anything that we could use against you.”
“I know, right?” Michelle interjected. “If you did, it would have been sold to the papers by now.”
The three giggled like schoolkids. Their attention wasn’t on the step show happening just like when they were in college. Denise could remember attending only one step show, and that was Carmen’s, Lena’s, and Misha’s probate when they all crossed into Chi Theta Sorority.
“You know what we would be doing when this type of stuff was going on?” Denise watched the Kappas throwing their canes to each other, to the crowd’s delight.
“In the damn gym.” Michelle had a goofy grin on her face.
All three looked at each other with the same thought on their minds. Before the Kappas could finish, Denise had shot Carmen a text to let her know where she was going and they were running off in the opposite direction.
The ladies’ gym was dark. They quickly fell back into the same motions. Denise headed to turn on the court lights, while Stephanie and Michelle headed to the equipment room. It didn’t take them any time to pop the lock and grab two basketballs.
“Yo, Chambers. When was the last time you held one of these?” Michelle called, then tossed the ball in a hard chest pass. Denise caught the ball with both hands and tried to remember the last time she’d played ball. She thought about the days when she and Farih would play. Basketball was another thing they shared that had disappeared from their life over time.
Denise gripped the orange Spalding. She closed her eyes. It felt so natural in her hands. She opened her eyes and tossed the ball at the basket. The ball flew through the air like it was in a slow-motion segment in a TV commercial, and landed in the basket with a clean swoosh. Denise smiled. Michelle and Stephanie laughed and cheered.
“Maybe it hasn’t been that long,” Michelle joked as she picked the ball up. She looked at Stephanie, who was sitting on the bleachers. “How about you, ma’am?”
Even with a smile on her face, Denise could see right through Stephanie. Stephanie rubbed her bum leg. “I’ll leave it up to you two.”
“Nah.” Denise walked over to Stephanie. She held her hand out as she looked into Stephanie’s eyes. “Can’t be the dream team without you.”
Stephanie hesitated. A warm feeling consumed her body. She placed her right hand in Denise’s hand. With Denise’s help she stood up. Denise handed her the ball.
“I haven’t played in almost five years,” Stephanie confessed.
“No time like the present.” Denise pointed at the basket. Stephanie threw the ball. The shot wasn’t as clean as Denise’s, as the ball circled the rim before going in. Stephanie yelled in excitement as Denise picked her up, spinning her around in the hug.
The three took turns taking shots. Michelle and Denise ragged on each other, trying to show off the various facial expressions they used to make during games. They took a much-needed break after Michelle’s phone began to ring. She ran across the gym to take the private phone call from one of her girlfriends. Denise and Stephanie sat on the bleachers, laughing at Michelle’s expense. Denise’s and Stephanie’s eyes met. Stephanie quickly shifted her glance, unable to stare into the eyes of the one that got away.
“So how are you, Steph, for real?” Denise glanced at her
bum leg.
“Much better. You know, I really thought I would never walk again. But as you can see, that’s not the case.”
“I’m really happy to see it.” Denise’s guilty conscience started to bother her. She and Stephanie had been on their way to dating when the accident happened. She felt bad she hadn’t kept in touch with her friends, especially Steph.
“Steph—”
Stephanie grabbed Denise’s upper arm. “Don’t do it.” Stephanie looked right into Denise’s eyes. “I know what you are going to say, and it’s not needed.”
“But I really should have kept in touch. I don’t want you to think—”
“I didn’t, Dee. Look at your life. I know you have been busy. By the way, I saw your movie. It was amazing.” Stephanie smiled. “And besides, things aren’t terrible for me. I have a job I love, writing about women’s sports in Houston.” Stephanie looked into Denise’s brown eyes. “And I have a girlfriend.”
Denise’s eyes instantly widened. “That’s wonderful, Steph. I’m really happy for you.” She put her hand on top of Stephanie’s hand. “Really happy.”
Denise hoped she was a good actress, because she was putting on the performance of a century. She could tell by Stephanie’s face that as much as she might be interested in Denise, she was actually happy with the Houston mystery person. Denise realized the two women she had feelings for didn’t feel the same about her anymore.
Denise leaned back, resting on the bleachers. She wasn’t a star with Stephanie and Michelle. She was back to what made her who she was and was surrounded by people who didn’t care if she ever made another movie. It was calming, and she missed it.
“I really need for us to keep in touch. Seriously, I hate that we haven’t been in touch in this long. I never want to lose this.”
“Then don’t, nigga.” Michelle joined them with her usual humor. It quickly brought the room back to a light level.
“I’m in Atlanta now. You two have to come visit. For real,” Denise urged.
“Shit, I’m there. Just tell me when.” Michelle said and sat next to Stephanie.
“Me too.” Stephanie squeezed Denise’s hand. “Besides, you have to meet Lauren.”
“And I have got to meet Farih and all her model friends.” Michelle rubbed her hands together.
“So let’s make a date. Atlanta soon.” Denise extended her arm, with her fist balled. Stephanie smiled, placing her hand on top. It was their tradition before games. Michelle stood up. She shook her head as she smiled, placing her hand on top.
“Freedom on three.” Denise led with her captain’s call. The three did their old Freedom chant, ending with their hands in the air. They laughed at the nostalgic chant as they headed out of the gym.
Denise couldn’t help but feel thankful for her life. Stephanie and Michelle had as much talent as she did, but they hadn’t had the career outcome she’d had. Michelle had played overseas but had never made it to the WNBA, and now she was a high school math teacher and a coach. Stephanie had been headed to the pros when the accident ruined her chances. Now the closest she got to the game was writing about it. Denise knew her life was completely different. She wasn’t playing ball, but she was doing something she enjoyed, which was all she wished for her friends as well. Her visit to Memphis had been long overdue.
Chapter 19
Lena walked into the lobby of the W. She had never been so excited for a date before. She headed to the familiar elevators. Her stomach jumped when she pressed the button. A flashback of the last time she was in the elevator hit her. She closed her eyes and took another long, deep breath. When she exhaled, a calming sensation spread through her body.
Danni opened the door while talking on the phone. She put her finger up to her mouth, alerting Lena to be quiet. It wasn’t the greeting Lena had expected, but she followed the instructions, walking in quietly. Danni headed back to her office. Lena could hear her deep voice sternly telling someone that the price she’d given would be her final offer. Everything about Danni seemed to excite Lena. The idea that she wasn’t some rich snob, but a serious businesswoman, gave her even more points in Lena’s mind.
Lena wanted to make herself comfortable but opted to stand against the bar top. She poked her ass out, wanting her body to be the first thing Danni saw when she walked out of the office. She opened Angry Birds on her phone; she had become addicted to the silly game.
Danni ended her phone call, happy with the results. She walked out of her office and stopped dead in her tracks. Lena’s tight pants were putting on a show for Danni. Her perky ass and thighs were calling Danni’s name. Danni shook her head as she walked up behind Lena. Lena felt Danni’s hands on her waist.
“Angry Birds, really?” Danni joked.
“It’s so addictive.” Lena turned around, finding herself face-to-face with Danni.
“Yeah, tell me about it. I play the Angry Birds Seasons one on every flight, when I should be reading.” Danni planted her lips on Lena’s forehead. “Sorry about that a minute ago. I had to finish up that call.”
“I understand.” Danni’s cologne was making Lena’s body heat up. She needed Danni to move before she became an inferno. Lena turned away.
“Is something wrong?” Danni noticed Lena’s movement.
“No! I mean, no. I just . . . um . . . So what would you like to do today?” Lena didn’t want to let Danni know what she was doing to her. She tried to keep a poker face.
“Well, since I’m leaving tomorrow, I was thinking, how about we just chill? Watch some movies, order some takeout or something?” Danni looked at Lena’s amazing figure. “Or if you want to go out . . .”
“I think staying in sounds nice.” Lena smiled.
“Good.” Danni walked into the kitchen. She grabbed a bottle of wine from her wine chiller. “’Cause I’m not trying to go anywhere with you wearing those pants.”
Lena looked down at her pants. “What’s wrong with them?”
“Are you trying to have me fighting off every man in Atlanta?” Danni winked. Her phone rang. Danni pulled the iPhone out of her pocket. She rolled her eyes. “Yes, Mother?”
Suddenly Danni surprised Lena again. Out of nowhere a deep island accent emerged as Danni went back and forth with her mother. Lena could make out only certain words. She heard something about visiting and a promise.
Danni hung the phone up and looked at Lena, whose shocked face was priceless. “What?” Danni tried not to laugh.
“You tell me what.” Lena couldn’t stop grinning.
“Sorry. When I talk to my mother or grandmother, it just kind of comes out.”
“Okay, what are you?” Lena questioned, causing Danni to laugh.
Danni held Lena’s hand. “My dad is from New York, and my mother is Trinidadian.”
“So you are from Trinidad?”
“Well . . .” Danni led Lena to the couch. They both sat down. “So that old money I was talking about is from my father’s side. He is mixed, black and white. His mother is white, and his father was black. He met my mother at carnival while he was in college. To make a long story short, they hooked up in Trinidad, got busy, and she got pregnant. So I lived in Trinidad until I was ten, then moved to New York to live with my father and his family.”
“Wow. Every day is a surprise with you.” Lena loved it.
“And you haven’t seen anything yet.” Danni winked.
They spent the remainder of the day watching movies and enjoying each other’s company. Lena felt at ease with Danni. She told her about Carmen and her upcoming marriage. She talked about her relationship with Brandon and how they were still good friends.
“So are you out, Lena?”
The question put Lena on the spot. “Well . . .” She sat up on the plush couch. “Not really.” Lena knew the answer was no. Her mother had caught her with her ex Terrin, but Lena had assured her it as an experiment. When faced with the question again in front of her mother and father, Lena had opted to say no, she wasn’t gay.
“It’s cool. I just like to know what I’m dealing with.” Danni rubbed Lena’s leg, sensing how uncomfortable the question had made Lena.
Danni’s touch soothed Lena.
“I don’t want you to think I’m some type of closeted weirdo. I just honestly don’t know what I am yet, so I didn’t want to label myself as anything.” The words even made Lena not want to date herself.
Danni smiled. “You’re a newbie, aren’t you?”
“Newbie?” Lena smiled. “I wouldn’t say that. I’ve had experiences.”
“Experiences.” Danni laughed. “You make it sound like a science project. So how many experiences are we talking about?”
“Well, two. I fell for my college roommate, and that was the first girl I ever did anything with. But it didn’t go far, as I was with Brandon. When I finally realized I wanted to be with her, she had moved on.” Lena’s voice trembled.
She hated thinking about the way she had treated Denise. She could understand why Denise would pick Farih over her. Lena cringed at the idea of all the missed opportunities she had had with Denise. Danni’s eyes were burning a hole into the side of Lena’s face. Lena fought to keep all her emotions inside. The last thing she wanted Danni to think was that she was still stuck on someone from her past.
“I dated one other girl after her. She was cool, but she wanted more than I wanted. Then I found out I was pregnant, so I moved back to Atlanta, and that was it.”
“So at this moment, right now, do you like being with men more or women?” Danni said, never taking her eyes off of Lena.
“Honestly, I’m really not sure. I haven’t dated since Bria, so I haven’t really had to figure that out.”
Danni nodded her head, taking in everything Lena was saying. “So what made you want to try now? I mean, you are sitting here in my living room, wearing jeans that are making it very hard for me to control myself. You had to do that for some reason.”