Bouncing

by Jaime Maddox

  “Will the team be good?” Sue asked.

  Alex didn’t want to get her hopes up, but she was excited about one particular player. “If the center has a good year, we might be okay. She’s big, but she’s not real confident.”

  “Who’s that?” Sal asked. “Kelsey Kincaid?”

  Alex knew Sal had never stopped following the team.

  Suddenly Brit leaned forward. “Wait a minute. Kelsey? Like six-two Kelsey with short black hair?”

  Alex nodded at Brit’s description. “Yeah, sounds like. Do you know her?”

  Brit pursed her lips. “Maybe. I’ve been playing at the park by my apartment for the past couple of weeks with a girl named Kelsey. And if this is your center, Alex, you have no worries. She’s phenomenal.”

  Alex frowned. “That doesn’t sound like my Kelsey. Mine’s marginal.”

  Brit shrugged. “Well, this girl’s going to be a senior at Endless Mountains, and how many six-two Kelseys can there be in one school? It has to be her. And she’s great. She went to camps all summer and told me she worked hard on her game.”

  “Maybe it is her. I can only hope.” Truthfully, Kelsey was the key. If Brit was right and this was the same player, it could make the difference in the season.

  “Well, that would make things easier, huh, Coach?” Sal asked.

  “It sure would. That and an assistant coach.”

  “So you haven’t found someone yet?” Sal asked.

  Alex sighed. “No such luck.” Alex had asked half a dozen friends and associates, but for one reason or another, all had declined. She needed an assistant, someone she could depend on, someone who’d be there in those first days and weeks and months of her career—someone to talk with and bounce ideas off, and to share the triumphs and failures. Not to mention scouting opponents and helping run practices.

  Sal looked directly at Brit and pursed her lips. “Brit,” she asked finally, “what about you? Any interest in coaching?”

  Britain’s jaw dropped. She looked from Sal to Alex, her eyes wide open, but she said nothing.

  Alex leaned closer to Brit, filled with excitement. During dinner they’d talked basketball, and Alex was aware of Britain’s accomplishments on the court. She’d be perfect. “What do you think, Brit?” she asked.

  “I have absolutely no experience,” she confessed.

  “Hey, neither do I!” Alex retorted, and they all laughed. Leaning back into her chair, Alex smiled hopefully. Hiring Brit would not only solve her problem, but it also would give her the opportunity to get to know her much better. During the basketball season, they’d spend most of their free time together, at strategy sessions, practices, and games. She only hoped she’d be able to concentrate on basketball with Brit around. She’d spent the evening trying hard to follow the conversation and ignore the distraction of Brit’s big eyes and smile. Sticking to business would be a challenge, but one worth taking.

  Sal tried reassuring Brit. “Brit, you played the point. You know the game. You know how to teach. You’d be a great coach. A natural.”

  “Alex, are you serious? Are you offering me the job?”

  She turned her eyes to Alex, and at that moment Alex would have given her anything she asked—money, sex, her grandmother’s diamonds. Anything for the beautiful woman with the great smile. A job was easy. Alex nodded, embarrassed that she hadn’t thought of the idea herself. “Yes. It’s a great idea.”

  Brit smiled. “Then, yes, I’ll do it.” She answered with such enthusiasm they couldn’t help laughing. They talked for a few more minutes before Alex announced with regret that she had to say good night. “I’m meeting my roommates for a drink and should already be there.”

  “I should get going, too,” Brit added.

  “Hey,” Alex said, addressing Brit, “would you like to join me?” The thought of extending her time with her new assistant appealed to her. They’d shared a really fun evening. Besides, she was curious about Brit’s sexuality. Taking her to a bar where lesbian couples were openly affectionate would give Alex a chance to get a better read on her. Since the bar had a large straight crowd as well, it wouldn’t be uncomfortable for her either way.

  Without seeming to give it any thought, Brit smiled and replied. “I’d love to.”

  Chapter Nine

  Too Good to Be True

  Parking at the beach is a limited resource no matter what continent you’re on, and such was the case in Rehoboth on this Saturday night. Brit had followed Alex to her condo, and she’d parked her car for the night, figuring she’d catch a ride home with her roommates. In a pinch, she could always walk. Now they circled the block around the Frogg Pond, trying to find a place for Brit’s car.

  “Turn right here,” Alex suggested after they found no parking spots on the main street. The side streets were no different. In the end, they had to hoof it six blocks to the bar, and Britain suggested writing directions to help her find her way to her car. “Do you have any string?” Alex asked playfully.

  Brit smiled. “Theseus?”

  Alex nodded, impressed. “Very good. But you don’t need a ball of string. I’ll get you back safely.”

  The bar was crowded and noisy, and immediately they were thrust together as they stepped through the front door. Both of them looked down to where their arms touched, and then up. Their eyes met, and for a shocking moment Alex thought of kissing her, but then she was jostled from the side and the moment ended. And she was relieved. As much as she would have liked to, Alex thought kissing Brit wouldn’t be such a good idea. Brit wasn’t like any girl she’d ever met, and after just a few hours, Alex suspected she couldn’t act with her the way she usually did. Brit wasn’t going to be interested in a single night, and Alex was reminded that she didn’t want that anymore, either. She’d enjoyed what she’d had with Anke. Maybe she was ready for the next step.

  Looking over the top of the crowd of mostly women, Alex spotted her friends. The serious thoughts were disconcerting, and she suddenly felt the need for a little bit of space, and Kim and Tam would provide a great buffer. Then, without thinking, she grabbed Brit gently by the elbow and led her to a corner of the bar. “I see them.”

  Tam and Kim were seated at a cocktail table and already occupied the only two chairs in sight. A bucket sat on the table, and bottles of beer peeked through the blanket of ice that filled it.

  After introductions, Alex took a beer for herself and offered one to Brit, who declined with a sigh. “I’d better stick to water. It’s a long drive back to Bethany.”

  “Hey, you can crash at our place if you’d like,” Kim offered.

  Alex choked, and Tam, who was seated closest to where she stood, began beating on her back. “What happened? Are you okay?” she demanded.

  Playfully, Alex pushed Tam’s arm away. “I will be if you stop beating me up.” She coughed a few more times to clear her airway.

  Only Kim seemed to notice that Alex’s choking happened when she suggested Brit stay the night. As Tam engaged Brit in conversation, Kim eyed Alex suspiciously.

  “What?” Alex whispered defensively.

  Kim shook her head, smiling. “If only I had your luck.”

  Alex feigned confusion but couldn’t help smiling. As nonchalantly as possible she scanned the crowded bar. It was a typical mix—mostly young people, some in their thirties and forties, and an equal blend of gay and straight. At the table next to them, a woman had her arm draped casually around the waist of the woman beside her, and as Alex watched, the first playfully kissed the other’s neck. At another table, a girl was sitting on the lap of her female date, and their intimacy level was way beyond casual.

  Alex looked at Brit, who was talking with Tam while she scanned the crowd. She showed absolutely no reaction to the behavior these women displayed. Either she was very comfortable around lesbians or…well, she was obviously comfortable around lesbians. Did that mean she was gay, too? Alex could only hope.

  A waitress approached, and when Brit ordered water,
Alex took advantage of the interruption to engage her. She’d been chatting with Tam since they arrived at the bar, and Alex felt jealous. Because of the noise level, conversation required very close proximity. “Are you having a good time?” Alex asked, leaning far into Brit’s personal space.

  Much to her delight, Brit moved even closer. “I’m having a wonderful time. Your friends seem very nice.”

  “They’re okay.” Alex smiled affectionately at them.

  Brit asked, “How long have you known each other?” and leaned still closer to hear the answer. Alex was grateful for the noise that forced Brit to bridge the gap between them. This time Brit placed her hand gently on Alex’s forearm as she spoke, and Alex had trouble answering the question as she focused on the heat of Brit’s hand.

  After another sip of beer, Alex told the story about how she’d met her friends in college. They laughed as they talked, and Brit couldn’t help but think of her own college friends.

  Would she have chosen the same friends if she’d been aware of her sexuality earlier, or would she have sought other lesbians, as Alex had done? She loved her friends, and it pained her to think of not having them in her life. Yet, it was even more painful to deceive them, pretending she understood their dating rituals and shared their attraction to men. She was attracted to women. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if she could share that with the friends she loved so much, just as Alex did?

  There was something comforting in the vision of the two casually intimate women at the next table. She’d felt the same way with Syl and Marianna, and at Sue and Sal’s, and watching them interact had filled her with happiness. She definitely needed more lesbian friends, people who shared this aspect of her life.

  “Do you guys want to get out of here?” Kim asked after yet another attempt to communicate over the background noise. “I can’t hear myself think.”

  Alex looked to her for an answer, and Brit nodded. It was really loud, not to mention hot.

  They left money for the waitress and then squeezed through the crowd and out the door and onto the sidewalk. The crowd was noisy outside as well, so they had to walk a ways just to be able to speak.

  “Do you want to go back to our house?” Kim asked, “I think it’s the only quiet place in town.”

  “No! It’s too early,” Tam exclaimed. “And it’s our last night together. Let’s go for a walk on the beach.”

  The night was perfect for a walk. It was still warm, but down by the water it would be cooler, and Brit knew that above the glow of the streetlamp a million stars were twinkling in the night sky. She’d seen them at Sal’s house where there were no distracting lights.

  They all agreed with Tam’s idea and began their stroll toward the ocean, stopping on the narrow sidewalks to allow others to pass. At the boardwalk they melted into the large crowd and headed south. After a few blocks, when the wooden planks beneath their feet ran out and the noise of the mob began to fade, they removed their shoes and continued their journey. The sand was cool and soft as it flowed between her toes, and Britain loved the freedom of being shoeless in the moonlight.

  Before long they were at the water’s edge, and to her surprise, Brit found that they had split into pairs, with her and Alex in the lead, matching strides as they dodged waves sneaking onto the shoreline. Brit was amazed at how right it felt to be beside Alex.

  How right the entire night felt, from the moment she’d arrived at Sal’s house. She’d enjoyed their company, and landed a new job. Now she was walking on the beach with a beautiful woman, under a sky full of stars and a big bright moon. That woman was amazing—tall, intelligent, funny, with an interest in sports and summers off to travel and play golf. Alex was perfect.

  “So, do you come here often?” Brit asked, breaking the silence and steering her thoughts from a place she feared they were heading too quickly.

  “Surprisingly, no.”

  “Really?” To Britain, walking on the beach was the best part of a beach vacation, especially in the evening, on nights like this, following a path laid out in the heavens. Of course, she was usually alone.

  “Yeah. I guess when you’re here all the time you just take it for granted.”

  “So you don’t go to the beach at all?”

  “Oh, no, of course I do. Every day. I was just talking about the moonlight walk. That, I never do.”

  Brit felt a sudden heat at Alex’s confession. “I’m glad you’ve made the exception for me.”

  The bright moon lit their path, and Brit could discern the magnificent features of Alex’s face. She snuck a glance her way and caught Alex looking back.

  Alex quickly looked down and spoke. “Me, too.”

  They were quiet for a moment before Alex spoke again. “So, tell me why you decided to become a teacher.”

  “Hmm. I think the answer keeps changing. I used to think it’s because teaching is important. America is way behind other countries in science and math, and that’s going to cause problems for us all one day. We can’t follow the rest of the world and still be a leader.”

  “Is it just science and math?” Alex asked. “Should we learn literature and music, too? Do we need to be leaders in those fields?”

  “We should try to excel in every way we can. Each of us has different gifts and strengths, and we should all find ours and use them.”

  “If it were so easy,” Alex said softly.

  “Yeah, I hear you. But we can do this, Alex. We’re so much better off than so many other people. We just don’t realize it. We focus on what we don’t have and what we want and forget our blessings. I did a service trip to Brazil this summer. We went to this small village and built a town hall with a classroom. They just wanted their children to learn basic math so they can count the money they make from their crops and not be cheated. They live in little huts and have no shoes, and they’re happy anyway. Probably the happiest people I’ve ever known.”

  Alex was silent for a moment. “Were you tempted to stay?”

  “Not at all!” Brit confessed her need for creature comforts, and Alex agreed with her.

  “I try to live my life very simply, but I’d have a hard time without electricity and running water.”

  Brit laughed. “It was an eye-opening experience, that’s for sure. But a good one. I feel more grounded now. Like I have my priorities in order.”

  “That’s great. I try to live each day, not getting caught up in the worries and the what-ifs and money and prestige. I infuriate my parents.”

  “What do they do?”

  “They’re capitalists. They own car washes and Laundromats and dry-cleaning stores, and they’re filthy rich. How about you?”

  “My dad’s a doctor. Cardiology. My mom was once a nurse, but she retired when she was thirty to focus on her career as a devoted wife and mother.” There was no way she could keep the sarcasm from her voice.

  “How’d she do?”

  Apparently, Alex didn’t notice the sarcasm, and Brit let it drop. Even though her mom tended to be tough, Brit loved her, and she had to admit she was a good mother. Mostly. “Fine, I guess. None of us are in jail.”

  “Hey, you two,” Tam called from behind them, “if we don’t turn around soon, we’ll have to call a cab to get back.”

  Brit had been caught up in their conversation, watching the starry sky and the moonlit waves, with an occasional stolen glance at the woman beside her, so she was surprised when she looked back to see the lights of the boardwalk so far in the distance. They were on a quiet stretch of beach, the only light coming from the decks and windows of the houses a hundred yards back from the ocean, and of course that big, bright moon.

  Alex looked up at the sky and then to her friends. “Let’s sit for a while,” she suggested. She wanted to go anywhere but back. This night had been so perfect she never wanted it to end.

  They huddled a little more closely as they sat on the sand, but Alex kept a respectable distance from Brit, while her friends sat a few feet away. The sand was cool compared
to the night air, but not uncomfortably so. Alex sat with her legs crossed, and Brit sat on her butt, knees bent and pulled up close, and long arms wrapped around them. She rested her head on her knees, and when Alex turned to her, their eyes were nearly level.

  “This is nice,” Brit said.

  “It is.” Alex smiled, feeling something unfamiliar and exciting and delightful. She liked Brit. In fact, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d enjoyed another woman’s company as much as she had this night.

  She turned her gaze back to the ocean, forcing herself not to stare at Brit. Her long hair fell across her shoulders, glistening in the moonlight. Those same moonbeams kissed her nose and her cheeks and her lips. Perfect, inviting, they called to her. She’d never wanted to kiss someone so badly, yet she knew she shouldn’t. She turned her focus to her friends.

  “Can I lean on you?” Tam asked Kim.

  “Sure,” Kim replied, and Tam rested her back against Kim’s chest and shoulder.

  “Why don’t we do this every night?” Tam asked.

  “We should,” Alex said softly.

  Kim chimed in. “No argument from me.”

  “I do this every night,” Brit told them. “Except there’s no ocean. Just my deck and some trees and a clear, bright sky full of stars.”

  “We don’t have stars in Philly,” Kim informed her.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many,” Tam said.

  They were quiet again, and Alex’s every sense was heightened as Brit reached her hand across the foot of space separating them. With a feather-like stroke, she touched her arm and whispered, “Thank you for inviting me to come with you tonight.”

  “You’re welcome.” Alex didn’t even twitch, lest her action prompt Brit to move her fingers from her arm. Brit’s touch was electrifying, but Kim’s voice broke the spell.