And This Too Shall Pass

by E. Lynn Harris

  “Don’t tell me you’re nervous after the game you just played,” Mia joked.

  “You bet. That was an exhibition, the Atlanta game is the real deal, and if I play badly on Sunday, I will be old news. My backup does not enjoy being a backup,” Zurich said.

  “I think he better get used to it,” Mia said as she took a sip of the wine the waiter had finally placed next to her. She savored its wonderful taste as it spread a warm glow through her body.

  “So, tell me about this commentator’s position,” Zurich said in a suddenly businesslike tone.

  “Well, I don’t have all the details. But I know you will be perfect for the job,” Mia said as she took another sip of her wine. The glass was almost half empty.

  “I would like to hear more about it. And I would have to talk it over with Gina to make sure it won’t conflict with some of the companies interested in me endorsing their products. But this position is something I’d like to pursue.” Zurich wanted to express interest, but not appear too eager.

  “So are you hearing from a lot of companies?” Mia quizzed.

  “Yes, we are. Shoe companies, sportswear, cereal, and even underwear. But I want to make sure I’m not overexposed,” Zurich joked.

  “I wouldn’t worry about that. It’s not too often that sponsors have a chance to have a good-looking, intelligent, black quarterback represent their products. Lord knows we need men like you,” Mia said as she finished her first glass of wine. She asked the waiter for another glass when he brought the appetizers.

  Zurich plunged into his calamari, while Mia toyed with the shrimp dish and gazed at Zurich. Realizing Mia was staring at him, Zurich stopped eating for a moment to ask, “Is everything all right?”

  “Oh, everything is fine. Just fine,” she said, looking away as she took a long sip of wine. An awkward silence fell over the table until the waiter brought out their dinner salads.

  Mia acknowledged the waiter as he placed the salad before her, and then looked back at Zurich.

  “Does my looking at you make you nervous?” Mia asked.

  “Oh no,” Zurich lied as he dived into his salad.

  “If you just weren’t so damn fine,” Mia laughed, as the wine began to talk for her.

  “Mia, you’re awfully nice to say that. But what do the young kids say? I’m not all that,” Zurich said.

  “Please. You are all that. You know you’re fine,” Mia said. She wanted to break through his shyness and let him know that she was definitely attracted to him.

  Zurich looked at her and saw how attractive she was. He knew she was just flirting, but it was making him uncomfortable. Besides, he had been under the impression that this was a business dinner. A dinner that could enhance his future in broadcasting. Zurich thought that Mia was drinking too much and too fast. But he knew that broadcasting was a cutthroat business. She probably needed a couple of drinks just to unwind. Besides, Mia wasn’t his sister or his girlfriend. She wasn’t even his type. A personal comment about her drinking could be misinterpreted. Zurich knew to keep his business separate from his personal life and this dinner, in his eyes, was strictly business.

  The waiter brought Zurich’s lobster and Mia’s pasta and the two of them chitchatted over their entrees. They talked about sports, Mia’s career, and how Zurich was adjusting to life in the Windy City. Zurich was enjoying his food while Mia picked at hers. Several times, restaurant patrons came over and asked the two of them for autographs. One, a matronly-looking, fat woman commented on what a handsome couple Mia and Zurich made. They both smiled and then giggled like school kids out on their first date. Mia giggled because she was thinking how great being a couple would be, while Zurich’s laugh was more diplomatic, the raction he thought was expected of him. It was a part of his unique charm. His incredible ability to flow with people, not against them. By the time dessert arrived, Mia had finished her fourth glass of wine and had ordered Kahlúa and coffee, telling Zurich he didn’t know what he was missing. When Zurich offered Mia a taste of his cheesecake, she smiled and leaned closer to him, and whispered, “What I have is sweeter.” Zurich looked at her, puzzled, and Mia laughed nervously. “I meant the Kahlúa and coffee,” she said. Mia brought the cloth napkin to her mouth and tried to wipe away the embarrassment she felt, hoping Zurich hadn’t taken her last comment the way she had intended. Didn’t he think she was sweet, that she would taste sweet? She took a sip of the piping hot coffee, hoping it would sober her up just a bit.

  Mia seemed to regain her composure and turned the conversation to the television show, much to Zurich’s delight.

  “Have you ever done any commentating on television before?” Mia asked.

  “Yeah, I did a couple of guest spots with a station in Canada,” Zurich said as he finished his cheesecake. He had taken his fork and was playing with the lone strawberry that had adorned his dessert.

  “Do you have a tape?”

  “A tape?”

  “Yes, a tape of your broadcast?”

  “I think so. Matter of fact, I think I have one in a box my father just sent me,” Zurich said.

  “Do you think I could get it and make a copy of it?” Mia persisted.

  “Sure. I’ll get a copy made for you when I get back from Atlanta,” Zurich said.

  “No, I need it sooner than that. It would help if you would let me take the copy you have. I can get another copy duped while you’re in Atlanta. We can stop by your apartment and do the jazz thing at a later date.” Mia started to relax because it seemed her plans were finally taking shape. Just as she had dreamed, they would be alone and she knew he wouldn’t resist her.

  “Okay. But then why don’t you let me drive you home?” Zurich offered.

  “Oh, don’t worry, I’ll be fine. But I could ride over to your apartment with you and then you could bring me back to get my car. Do you have a VCR?”

  “Yeah,” Zurich said.

  “We can take a quick look at the tape to make sure it’s what I need,” Mia said.

  “Sure, no problem,” Zurich said as he motioned for the waiter, glad to see Mia hadn’t completely forgotten the purpose of their dinner meeting.

  “Now, don’t forget, I’m paying for this,” Mia slurred slightly as she reached for her purse and took a last sip of her coffee. Zurich looked at her with his eyebrows raised, but she didn’t seem to notice his concern. He hoped that the composed, professional Mia would be the one that went to his apartment to view the tape.

  When the waiter returned her credit card, she and Zurich walked to the front of the restaurant, and the valet brought his car. Minutes later, they arrived at Zurich’s apartment and he offered to run upstairs and retrieve the tape, but Mia wasn’t having it, informing Zurich she wanted to “see where he slept.” Again, that uncomfortable feeling stabbed Zurich. As he gently pushed the revolving doors, Mia managed to negotiate her way into the lobby. Zurich nodded at the concierge and Mia waved toward him and said good night, as if she herself lived there. When Mia and Zurich were on the elevator heading to his apartment, they were both silent. Zurich was thinking about packing for the trip to Atlanta, while Mia was wondering if she would have problems getting her car from the valet the following morning. As the elevator approached the twentieth floor, Mia finally broke the silence. “What floor do you live on?” Mia asked.

  “The twenty-second floor,” Zurich said.

  “Then we’re almost home,” she said.

  Zurich didn’t comment as the elevator came to a stop. Mia walked out first and asked, “Which way?”

  “Left.”

  He slipped his key into the door with 2239 in polished brass across the top. He held the door open and stepped aside as Mia walked in. Once inside Zurich pushed a beige dimmer on the wall and the room filled with a soft muted light that enhanced the magnificent view of the Chicago skyline that dominated the tastefully decorated room.

  “Have a seat, Mia, and I’ll get the tape,” Zurich said as he headed toward his bedroom.

  �
�Do you have any wine?” Mia asked.

  “No, but I have juice,” Zurich yelled from the bedroom as he rummaged through one of his footlockers. When he could not find the tape, he looked in the closet, with no luck, and then in his underwear and sock drawer. Still no luck. Zurich walked back to the living room, rubbing his cheeks with both hands. “That’s strange,” he said. “I could have sworn the tape was in the box my father sent me.”

  “Oh, sure,” Mia joked. “Anything to get me up to your apartment.”

  “No, for real. I know he sent me that tape,” Zurich said.

  “Don’t worry about it. I can get it later. Come over here and talk to me,” Mia said as she patted the sofa next to her. Zurich gave her a strained smile and said, “You sure I can’t offer you some juice?”

  “No, thank you.”

  “I think I’ll have some,” Zurich said as he walked into his kitchen. Mia felt a little shaky as she stood and walked over to the entertainment system against the wall. She flipped through the CD’s that were opened and called out to Zurich, “I see you’re a big Natalie Cole fan.”

  “Yeah, I love Natalie,” Zurich yelled as he placed the juice container back into the refrigerator.

  “Do you mind if I play one?” Mia asked as Zurich walked back into the living room with his juice and an unpeeled banana. “No problem. Here, I’ll put it on,” Zurich said, peeling his banana.

  “Great. Where is your ladies’ room? I’d like to freshen up,” Mia said.

  Zurich placed his glass on the coffee table and finished the banana in two huge bites. “Let me make sure it’s presentable,” Zurich said as he went to his bathroom. It looked fine except that the lid was off the dirty clothes hamper. He placed the wicker top back on the basket and warm water over the bar of soap that rested in a ceramic dish on the sink, giving the soap a barely used quality. He hastily arranged the face towels hanging outside the shower and returned to the living room. With a sweeping motion of his arm, he announced, “It’s all yours.” Mia grabbed her purse and gave Zurich a mock curtsy as she passed him and went into the bathroom.

  Mia took a quick look in the bathroom mirror and pulled her lipstick out of her purse. The color had left her full lips, but her cheeks were quite flushed. She applied fresh lip gloss, tightened the bow on her hair, and decided that she still looked pretty good. Mia realized that it was getting late and if she was going to make a move on Zurich, it was now or never. He did have a plane to catch the next morning. Mia wished she had just one more glass of wine to boost her courage. She even thought about telling Zurich to call the liquor store she’d spotted at the corner and have them send up a nice bottle of chardonnay. A bottle they could take to the bedroom.

  From the bathroom, Mia could hear Natalie’s soulful voice fill the apartment. She checked to make sure her bra and bikini panties were in place, but then Mia did something she felt would ensure a night of passion with Zurich. She removed her panties. She balled them up and opened her tiny black leather purse. But there was no room for them, with her credit card holder and her makeup. She started to put them back on, since these were special panties, when she spotted the wicker hamper, where she thought the panties would be safe for the night. She could put them back on when she left the following morning. She got a little thrill tossing her panties into the same hamper with Zurich’s masculine-smelling T-shirt, socks, and underwear. She took one last look in the mirror and then sexily sashayed back into the living room, where Zurich was sitting on the sofa gazing out the large picture window.

  “Did you miss me?” Mia asked. Zurich answered with one of his boyish smiles. Mia sat down on the sofa and enjoyed the way her naked bottom felt on her silk dress. This was a nice feeling, she thought, as she gazed at Zurich with an I’ve got a secret look. While Natalie sang her heart out, Mia and Zurich sat in polite silence. For the second time this evening perspiration formed at the small of Zurich’s back.

  Zurich rose from the sofa and walked over to the window. The night was clear and cloudless, and the light from a full moon cast an eerie glow over the room.

  “I hope I’m not making you nervous,” Mia lied while she drank in every curve of Zurich’s muscular frame.

  “No,” he said as he turned and faced her. “Not at all,” he lied back.

  “Then dance with me,” Mia said.

  “Dance?”

  “Yes, sir. Dance with me,” Mia said as she stood and walked over to Zurich. She placed her slender arms around his neck and looked into his dark brown eyes, which almost seemed black. Zurich froze. Mia leaned closer to him, their bodies touching, and she could smell the freshness of his body. His clean, masculine scent soothed her. She felt safe in his arms. Mia started to sway against him, but he still did not respond. For a moment, he seemed carved from stone. She began to massage his shoulders, and felt the tenseness and rigidity in his neck.

  “What’s the matter?” Mia asked.

  “Nothing,” Zurich mumbled.

  “Then dance,” Mia commanded. He forced a smile, but his eyes expressed something other than pleasure.

  Zurich allowed Natalie’s voice to dictate his movements. Mia rested her head against his chest, and it seemed to her that Zurich was pulling her closer to him. The music saturated the room and Mia whispered, “This feels nice.” She let her hand glide down Zurich’s back to his sleek waistline. Zurich became even more tense. He stared at the wall, watching their shadows embrace. The music played on. Mia began to move with a little slow, seductive grind, lifting her abdomen up toward Zurich’s midsection. She wanted to release his stiffness. “I thought you told me you were a great dancer,” Mia said playfully. Zurich avoided her eyes and seemed only to move his legs … one … two and back. Mia realized that she was going to have to take matters into her own hands. This man was too shy. She searched for his heavy fingers and moved them toward her buttocks. Zurich quickly moved his hands back to her waist. He felt his sex betraying him as it gained weight. Zurich wished he was wearing a different type of underwear, rather than the Lycra-cotton blend that provided no support for an expanding muscle.

  “What’s the matter? You don’t like the way it feels?” Mia teased. She felt his hardening sex pressed against her. She thought she was almost there.

  “I just don’t think my hands should be there,” Zurich said without looking at Mia.

  “They should if I put them there.”

  Suddenly Mia kissed Zurich on the lips, and his own lips responded automatically. Her lips were soft, her breath full of wine. Zurich tightened his lips together and pulled away, holding Mia at arm’s length.

  “Mia, maybe we shouldn’t be doing this. I think I should take you home,” Zurich said.

  “Why? What’s the matter? I thought you liked me.”

  “I am fond of you, Mia. I think you’re a very nice person. But I think you’ve had a little too much wine,” Zurich said softly.

  Her voice changed, laced with anger. “If I’m so fabulous, then why am I single and having to force myself on you?” Mia demanded. Zurich did not answer. Instead his heart started to race and a cold sweat covered his body, chilling him.

  “Well, let’s at least finish the dance,” Mia said, as though her angry outburst had never happened. Zurich reluctantly moved closer to Mia and placed his hands around her firm waist. Mia took Zurich’s hands, and this time, more forcefully, slid them under her dress onto her naked buttocks. She held them there, before Zurich could pull them away. Her body was as hard as a dancer’s and for a split second, Zurich’s hands lingered on her buttocks, enjoying their firmness despite himself. But when he realized that Mia didn’t have any underwear on he jerked his hands away and pulled back from her with a shocked look on his face. How could he have gotten himself in this situation? He had taken great effort to avoid compromising situations that might jeopardize his promising career. His older brothers, his father, and MamaCee had all warned him about women like Mia.

  “Mia, like I said, this is getting out of hand.” H
e was trying to be firm, but polite. He didn’t want to hurt her fragile feelings.

  “What’s the matter with me?” she shouted. Mia felt hot tears welling up in her eyes.

  “Nothing’s wrong. It’s just that …”

  “It’s just what …?”

  “This is just too fast. Mia, we need to talk about this,” Zurich said.

  “Talk? Talk about what? I want you. Isn’t that talk enough?” she demanded.

  “But you don’t even know me,” Zurich said.

  “I know I want you,” Mia said.

  “Come on, Mia. Let me take you home,” Zurich said, reaching for her.

  “Take me home. Fuck that!” Mia shouted, throwing his hands off her. Zurich was shocked at her language and her tone. He looked at her sympathetically.

  “Where is my purse? I can get my own ass home,” she said as she looked around. She retrieved her bag from the floor next to the sofa, and screamed at Zurich, “You don’t have to take me anywhere. I can get my own ass home. Just please forget that this ever happened. Forget that we ever met. Because that’s what I’m going to do about you.” The tears spilled from her eyes and Mia covered her face with one hand. Zurich walked toward her to try and comfort her. Suddenly her sobs turned into heaving sighs and then she started screaming, “Let me the fuck alone! Leave me the fucking ass alone! I don’t need your pity, you sorry ass mutherfucker. Leave me the hell alone.”

  “Mia, come on. Please stop crying. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Zurich reached out to pull her to him and Mia’s nails cut a bloody trail across his massive hands. Zurich looked at the deep scratches, while Mia bolted out the door.

  Zurich started after her, but realized he needed his apartment key. He ran to his bedroom, snatched the key from the dresser, and raced out of his apartment toward the open elevator door. Zurich caught one last glimpse of her tearstained face as the elevator door closed just out of his reach. Zurich quickly pushed the down button and within seconds the other elevator door opened. He jumped in and hit the button marked “L” and silently prayed that he would reach the lobby before Mia left. When his elevator door opened, he saw the back of Mia’s black dress pass through the revolving door.