“Just kidding, I’ve been watching from the other end. It’s fun to see two old folks try to play a young man’s game.”
I looked him over. “Oh, you’re so dead skinny. You need someone to take you to school?”
He laughed heartily. “You gonna be my teacher? Bring it on.”
PJ couldn’t help but laugh. “Shannon, you said the wrong thing.”
“Let’s play a round of horse to get warmed up, if you think you can hang, Ms. Charley?”
“You’re on.”
I took the ball and dribbled to the top of the key. Without stopping I lifted in the air and stroked a perfect three-pointer. Shannon popped an equally perfect three, a staple of the Curtis arsenal.
We raced through the book of basketball shots, floating layups, sweeping hooks, three points from the corner, reverse layup, and on and on. The only shot I couldn’t make was the power slam dunk which Shannon used to punctuate a drive to the basket.
All I could do was applaud and cheer him. “You’re good, big man. I give up!”
“Where did you play ball Charley?” The sarcastic Ms. Charley was now dropped in a show of respect. “You are damn … oh, excuse me … I mean real good.”
“Thanks, Shannon. That means a lot to me.”
I surprised the young man by hugging his six foot one inch frame, and planting a kiss on his sweaty cheek.
While we were matching shot for shot, Edelman, Johnston and three others entered the gym and sat watching the battle. They hooted and booed, and cheered each shot, generally ragging Shannon and cheering me.
With the game of horse apparently over, Edelman piped in. “How about a game guys?”
Edelman was ready to play. We split up, with PJ and me on one side with two of his prized freshmen. Shannon, Edelman, a young walk on and Johnston were on the other.
Shannon and I were naturals to guard each other. I was quick and experienced, but Shannon was quicker, and he had his ego on the line as a motivator. We seemed evenly matched for about ten minutes.
We scored and the ball went out to Shannon to start a play. He dribbled right and I dogged him, nearly tipping the ball out of his hand. He backed up and dribbled to the left, where he expected a pickup from Johnston. I saw the pick and squeezed through it, continuing to annoy the young collegiate. As we battled, the other six players noticed the heated contest and stopped to watch. Soon the floor was cleared except for Shannon and me, two sweaty and nearly exhausted gladiators, neither of whom was willing to give an inch.
Shannon spotted a small opening to his right, and drove around me heading for a smooth layup. Recovering a shade too late, I left my feet at the same time that Shannon began his layup. I extended a hand to block his shot from behind. I missed the ball, but my momentum slammed my full body into Shannon, sending him into the padded wall behind the goal, and onto the floor where he lay for a few seconds.
I rushed to the fallen guy and knelt beside him. “Are you okay? I didn’t mean to hurt you, I’m so sorry.”
“No problem Charley, you can knock me down anytime.”
And a wide grin covered his young face.
“Hey, Shannon. You flirting with my girl?”
“Nah, Coach … I’m just jiving to another player.”
Chapter Forty-Five
“Hey everyone, I’m hot and sweaty and dog-tired. I’m going to have to leave it to you guys.”
“Don’t leave now Charley, the fun is just starting.”
“Sorry … PJ, I need a shower. Any available in this old gym?”
“Sure. Guys, give us an hour, okay. Charley’s moving kind of slow.”
“You two be good now,” Edelman shouted back, as we left the gym floor and headed towards the locker room.
“There’s only one set of showers in this old place. Why don’t I get one first while you relax a minute?”
PJ was still laughing about Shannon and me.
“Wouldn’t give up, would you?”
“I couldn’t. Boy, he’s a smooth one.” I limped down the ancient hallway, stopping every few steps to flex my legs and prevent them from cramping. My mind was willing, but my body was not able to take one more step. I was totally exhausted. Finally I slumped against the wall and weakly called out. “PJ, stop.”
PJ had been walking ahead of me talking about something or other. I was too tired to pay attention. When he finally heard my plea, he turned around and rushed back to my side. “What’s wrong sweetheart?”
I had already slid down the tile wall, and sat on the floor, grabbing my leg in pain.
“Damn. You okay?”
“No, my legs are cramping and I don’t have the strength to go on.”
PJ reached for my calf and started to massage the cramp. “I’m sorry sweetheart; we should have warmed up first. Here, let me help you.”
“PJ, I don’t think a shower will help. I really need to soak in a tub of hot water. Would you mind if we went home and let me soak awhile? Maybe we can go shopping later. Okay?”
“Of course. Think you can make it to the car?”
“I’m not sure to be honest.”
As he had done before, PJ bent his six foot four inch frame and took me in his arms and headed for the front door. The sounds of the pickup game reverberated from the gym and into the hallway. As we left the musty old gym, a quick smile covered my face and I said to no one in particular. “I love basketball …”
*****
“Just let me soak for a while, and I’ll be as good as new, I promise.”
“Okay, I’ll get a quick shower in the other bathroom. After that I’ll be in the den reviewing game film if you need me. Just give me a shout. Why don’t I light a scented candle and put on some music for you? Might help you relax.”
“Great idea PJ.”
The water of the Jacuzzi was on the hot side as I eased my body into the deep tub. I turned the nozzles on, slow at first, and nearly cried as the hot water whirled around my aching limbs. I slowly leaned against the back of the Jacuzzi, and let the therapeutic water cover me to my neck. Fortunately the tub was built to accommodate PJ’s tall frame, so I was able to lay flat with my legs fully extended. Strangely, my shoulders and arms were not sore, but every muscle, from my waist to my thighs and my little toe, hurt. “This is soo … good.”
I closed my eyes and cleared my mind to let the heat have freedom to work its magic. The warm sun filtering through the palladium window over the tub, the soft music from PJ’s sound system and the sweet aroma of the candle, combined with the hot massaging water to create a soothing balm for my weary body. Within minutes my eyes closed, and I allowed myself to take a brief cat nap.
Suddenly, I was gasping for breath. I opened my eyes and the hot water burned my pupils. I was drowning. I lashed out, kicking and paddling to regain my balance, and to escape from the deadly waters. My hand hit the side of the tub and I grasped the slippery side, trying to pull myself out of the water. I was splashing, coughing and grasping for a handhold on the side of the tub. I still couldn’t pull myself up, but had time to yell. “Help! Help me!” before I sank down under the turbulent waters.
I struggled to sit up, but the slick tub surface and the length of the tub wouldn’t give me any traction. I couldn’t breathe, and very real fears flooded my consciousness.
PJ rushed into the bathroom. From under the water, I could see his water-blurred face, and I wanted to scream, I’m here, please help me. But only precious air bubbles escaped from my mouth. As my oxygen-starved brain began to send me into darkness, I suddenly felt something under my head and shoulders. Coughing, and trying to fill my lungs with air, I was lifted up to the surface.
Spurting and coughing, I saw my rescuer and reached to pull myself out of the water. I clung hard to that solid anchor as I struggled to catch a clean breath. “I thought I was going to drown,” was all I could say in-between coughs.
PJ calmly held me tight, whispering reassurances in my ear. “Hey, you’re okay now … I have you … you’re safe with me �
�� don’t worry … I love you.”
After I regained my bearings, he asked. “What happened?”
I held onto him tightly, not quite ready to release my stronghold, pulling my thoughts together again. “I had the strangest dream. I was on a raft with a man, I couldn’t tell who, but he was holding me and I felt safe. The water began churning and became rough, and the raft keep rocking, and the man was washed overboard, and I was left all alone on that flimsy raft, and the waves got higher, and I fell in the water and screamed. But no one was there, the water was rough, and I was drowning and sinking. I was petrified. I couldn’t help myself. I was so totally helpless.”
I paused to catch my breath. “I looked up, and saw a man reach out and pull me out of the water.” I stopped to get another breath, smiled and said. “And he was you. PJ you saved me!”
And I hugged him tighter.
“Sounds scary, but I have you now.”
PJ pulled me to my feet and helped me step out of the tub. He quickly wrapped an oversized bath towel around me and pulled me tightly to his chest, gently rubbing my body through the towel to dry me off. “You’re safe now. I have you … relax.”
He continued his soft cooing.
“PJ, this is the weird part. I felt like I knew the man, and was sad when he was washed overboard. But I don’t know who he was.”
“Charley, it was just a dream. You must have gone to sleep and slid under the water for a minute. Sweetheart, you still look exhausted. I’ll get something for your muscles.”
“No need, PJ. I think I just need to get some rest. Let me get a nap, and we can go shopping after that, I promise.”
“It’s off to bed with you. We’ll talk about shopping later.”
“I’m sorry that I ruined your birthday.”
“Sweetheart, you haven’t ruined anything. You are my birthday present.”
He is so sweet.
I whispered. “Lay down beside me.”
PJ slipped under the covers and rolled over to my side. Lying on his side, with his head propped in his hand, he said. “You were magnificent today; I didn’t know you were a baller!”
I relaxed. The pale blue room with the thin curtains on the bay window, and the white spread and the clean sheets, all seemed to be mine. I was at home. This is where I belong.
“PJ, would you do something for me?”
“You know I will.”
“When I was a little girl, my daddy would lay down with me at night time and tell me stories. After the stories, I would lie on my back and he would tickle my stomach, and my arms and my neck. Not hard, but just soft and gentle. Just light enough to make goose-bumps run up and down my body. Mom made him stop when I was ten, but I’ve always missed that. Would you tickle my stomach so I can go to sleep?”
I closed my eyes.
PJ’s finger touch on my stomach was soft and gentle. I could feel him moving the tip of his finger nails lightly in an ever wider circle around my navel. The familiar chill floated across my body, and with the chill came feelings of what could have been; what I really wanted. As PJ continued his soft touch up and down my sides, the goose bumps shook my body and my soul. I raised my arms over my head, hoping he would understand where I wanted to be tickled next.
He didn’t disappoint.
He traced a soft line under my armpit and softly caressed the soft tissue. With a feather like touch his fingers traced the length of my arms and ran back to my shoulders. I turned my head as the magical fingers lifted my hair, and traced around the hairline on the back of my neck. I shuddered as I felt a tingle electrify my body.
I turned to him and with eyes still closed, whispered. “Do my breasts.”
Without a word, the obedient fingers slid tenderly, barely touching, down to my neck and across the top of my chest. They traced a line from one side of my chest to other. The tracings across my chest were like the lines of a ruled tablet, straight, stopping at the same place, moving down slightly and tracing softly back across. As the lines moved down my chest ever so slowly, my breath became deeper, anticipating how the lines would negotiate my flattened breasts. I lay deathly still, fighting to keep from arching my back to receive the pleasure. Each breast lay flat against my chest and slightly to the side. My body responded to the sensuous feelings rushing through me. My hips twitched, my knees came up slightly and my thighs gradually parted, while my arms rose instinctively higher above my head.
The light touch approached my right breast, and softly tickled up the hill and over the top and down into the valley, before tracing up once more and over, and down the other way to its turnaround place at my side. His fingers began their journey again up the left hill, matching their tender touch with the rising and falling of my body. At the summit, the finger stopped moving in a straight line, and began to circle the top of my breast, beginning at my erect nipple, and slowly getting wider, until the finger touch circled the entire breast to retrace the same route, ending at the erect nipple on top. This was more than I could take. My emotions rushed to the surface.
“Hold me,” I pleaded as I circled his neck and pulled his head to my chest.
I held him tightly to my bosom, stroking his head and gently tickling his back. A tear came to my eye, followed by another, and another. A soft sob snuck past my lips.
My savior pulled his head up and looked into my teary eyes.
“What’s wrong?” he whispered.
“Nothing. I’m just happy. I’m just so happy to be home!”
Chapter Forty-Six
It was Monday morning in mid October, and I needed to talk to PJ. We had gotten a final proposal back from the Player’s Investor Group, and they wanted us to meet and sign the final papers. But as exciting as that was, I had something else to show him. Wilma and I had had a good talk one evening, and I made a decision that could affect PJ and my relationship. So I closed the door to my apartment, and I sat at my mom’s antique vanity to get ready before I called my honey.
When he answered the phone, I heard him say.
“Guys, it’s Charley, can you give us a few minutes please? Thanks.”
“Hi sweetheart. Have you got a few minutes to talk?” I said in my sexiest voice.
“Sure, for you I always have time,” he replied.
Next moment he saw me, I mean really saw me. I was sitting cross-legged on the bed with a towel wrapped around my head. All he could see was a head shot.
“You just getting up?”
“No, been up for a while. I had a couple of things to talk to you about. One is business, and the other is about us.”
“Let’s get the business out of the way first.”
“Okay. We finally got a firm proposal from the Player’s Investor Group. Everyone here has looked it over, and they seem pleased with it.”
“And you, what do you think, Charley?”
“Well it looks good. But I would feel better if you looked at it. Plus, you were going to have your agent look into this group to see if he could find out anything. Have you heard from him?”
“No, I haven’t. I called him Saturday, and he assured me he hadn’t forgotten about it.”
“Well they want to meet Friday next week to sign the documents. Could you come down and meet with us? Besides I’m invited to a party Friday night, and I want you to go to with me. If you can of course.”
“As it turns out we’re having exams next week and there’s no game scheduled for the weekend. I’ll get a flight in as soon as possible. I think there’s one that arrives around 11:30. Now what is this party?”
“It’s the annual Chamber of Commerce meeting. I have to be there, and I want you to be my escort, so bring a suit. It’ll be fun.”
“Was that the personal business you wanted to talk about?”
“Well no! Shut your eyes, I’ve got a surprise. I’ll tell you when to open them.”
I got ready and positioned the phone’s camera just right.
“Okay, open your eyes.”
PJ’s eyes were
as big as saucers when he opened them. I heard him gasp. “Oh my God!”
All he saw were my two breasts staring back at him on the phone.
“‘The twins just wanted you to know they missed you lots. Hi, sweetheart.”
He let out that big ha-ha laugh of his, and nearly dropped the phone. Once he recovered, he said. “Well, hello twins, I see you both are staying healthy. Is mama feeding you enough?”
I had his attention now.
“Enough of the small talk with the girls, I have something else to show you,” I said.
“Lord, woman you’re completely naked! Gracious Charley, warn me next time. Someone else might be in the room. I hope you’re in the apartment or the condo. You’re going to catch cold, girlfriend.”
“PJ, seriously, there is something else you need to see. I hope you like it. Now close your eyes. I’ll tell you when to open them.”
This time I panned the phone to my face and took off the towel from around my head. “Are you ready? Okay, open your eyes.”
I continued to pan the screen to a full view of my face, and my hair. “You like it? I’m letting it grow out. You like it? I colored it to show the natural color. You like it?”
I was so excited.
“Lord, honey, I love it. The color brightens your face. I can’t even describe how much I like it, I love it! But why in the world did you change your hair color. You told me …”
“I know what I told you. I told you Randle liked my hair brown. Wilma and I have had a long talk, and I realize I love you, and I’m ready to put Randle back in my past where he belongs. You’re my future now!”
PJ couldn’t say a word. It might have been a reflection of the sun, but I saw a small tear on his cheek. “Are you okay?”
Finally, PJ was able to say. “I’m better than okay, I’m fantastic, I’m stunned. Charley, I need to see you. If I can get a flight, can I come down on Thursday?”
“I hoped that would be your reaction. Call me when you know your flight and I’ll pick you up. I love you. By the way, don’t forget the Chamber of Commerce meeting on Friday evening. Love you!”
Charley Page 21