“Aj wanted me to remind you the kids are having that bonfire thing this weekend that you promised and you guys need to go over the list and stuff.”
“Ok tell him I will be right there.” He said eager to return to the phone.
“Also he wanted to know if you could bring the list of parents with you because he needs to see which ones need a place to stay.”
“Ok got it.”
Ramón shut the door and went to the phone.
“Hello.”
Ramón laughed as he heard a full-mouthed Desiree say hello.
“Are you eating?”
Desiree swallowed taking a sip of gulp of her drink.
“Guilty, I was trying to be slick but hey you did call in the middle of my dinner I'm hungry.”
As the last word left her lips a burp followed and she could feel her face turn red.
“Oh my gosh I am so sorry about that…that must have been super loud in your ear.” She said embarrassed.
“Well hey in the words of a mean ugly ogre “it’s better out than in,” he said knowing if she laughed at his joke she was awesome. She laughed and Ramón couldn’t help but laugh with her. There was something about her that made him feel so different. That made him not want to end their conversation. “I see you like Shrek too.”
“It’s one of our favorite movies…we love that movie.”
He said wishing they could just stay on the phone talking for the rest of the night.
“Well you go ahead and eat I have to go anyways we have this huge bonfire this weekend and I gotta get the stuff together for it.”
“A bonfire? Really?”
“I know this is supposed to be a basketball camp but I promised these kids if they worked hard and pulled their weight the first two weeks at the end we could do something you would do at a normal camp. They voted and I guess making S’mores and being around a bonfire is what they felt would make them happy.”
She grinned sighing. “You are such a great guy.”
“How you figure?” he asked fishing for a compliment.
“Taking time out your schedule to host a camp for kids that is pretty amazing.”
His started to gather the things on his desk together. “Well to be honest it's sponsored by the Eagles but run by people who really do know what they are doing. Once or twice a week we show up and run drills with the kids talk to them, and get to know them but that’s about all we can do. We have off-season training and then there is the traveling and shows I get to do. It’s hard but I make it a point to get back here every week.”
“That still makes you an amazing man. You don't have to do that you could give your money and not your time.” She said admiring him.
“But what fun would that be? I am and always will be all about my fans.”
“Well you have certainly made Zack’s year! Maybe even longer, I know he is enjoying himself. I just wish I could see him you know?” he could hear the sadness develop in her voice.
“Why can’t you no one will stop you from coming up here.” He said hoping she would take him up on the offer.
“Well I do miss Zack but I'm not sure if I can make it.”
“Oh? Can I ask why?”
She sighed heavily. “Honestly I don't have the money.”
“That’s all that’s stopping you?” he asked confused at her admission.
“Yes that’s all.” She felt herself getting annoyed. “I don't have the money to just hop a flight you know. Not all of us can be worth a million dollars.”
“Millions.” He said joking.
“What?” he could hear in her voice that she did not get that he was kidding.
“Nothing just wanted to lighten the mood.”
“Ha ha ha funny.” He could hear the sarcasm in her voice.
“Well what if I sponsored you?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean what if I bought your ticket?”
She felt anger rise in her stomach. Did he really think she was one of those girls who couldn’t do for herself? “And why would you do that? Does it look like I need some help? Like I can’t make it without Ramón Norris coming to the rescue?”
Ramón started to laugh really loudly. “Ohmigosh you have a really smart mouth!”
He laughed harder but upon hearing her sigh loudly. He stopped and calm himself down.
“Look truth is Zack is an amazing player but I know he misses you and I know if my daughter missed me and I couldn’t get there then I would love to have someone send me to her.”
“I don't need a guilt trip right now.” She shook her head beginning to feel like a bad mother.
“I'm not trying to give you one. I just want you to know that you will have a plane ticket waiting for you tomorrow.” He said sincere.
“And do you do this for all of your player’s parents?” she questioned.
“If they needed help.”
Desiree sighed.
“I can pay half of the cost.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Are you sure?” she asked still in awe that this man would help her like this.
“I am extremely sure. So what do you say?” he held his breath as she thought it over. Twenty seconds went by but Ramón could have sworn it was longer.
“I say as long as you allow me to do something then yes.”
His face broke out in a wide grin and he began looking online for flights for her. “That is great so I am looking now. I am going to be honest I cannot wait to see you again.”
“Why not?”
“Truth?”
The question puzzled her for a second. “Please.”
“I have never been able to talk to anyone like I have talked to you and I hope you feel the same.”
She smiled. “I do.”
“Ok then. I hate to go but duty calls. It was a pleasure talking to you and I will see you tomorrow. Just go to the front desk give them your name and the password will be Eagle789.”
“Thank you again.” she grabbed a piece of paper and wrote the password down.
“No problem just come.” He said dreading hanging up the phone.
“Ok.”
“Bye.”
“Bye.”
They both stayed on the line a second longer before sighing and hanging up. Desiree looked at her phone and shook with pleasure as she dialed Nikki.
“Desiree I am in the middle of dinner this better be good.” Desiree loved how no matter when she called Nikki always had something smart to say.
“Guess who I just got done talking too?”
“Who?” she asked annoyed.
“Ramón. He is flying me out to see Zack tomorrow.”
“What? Why?”
Desiree could hear the concern in her voice and immediately frowned.
“Well aren’t you a buzz kill?”
Nikki shook her head.
“All I asked was why?”
“Well because he is a nice guy that’s why.” Desiree didn’t mean to sound annoyed but she if she did it went over Nikki’s head.
“Are you sure?” she asked wanting her best friend to be absolutely sure of what she was doing.
“Of course I am sure. This is a nice gesture and I think I am gonna take him up on it.”
“How long did you guys talk before he just asked you to come there?” she questioned.
“We were on the phone for a while and then I told him how much I missed Zack and he wan ted to do something nice for me so that is what he felt the need to buy me the ticket and I really miss Zack so I am gonna take him up on his offer.”
“Desiree you know I love you right but.”
“But what?” Desiree heard it in Nikki’s voice she didn’t want her to go.
“I don’t want you to get your hopes up.”
Desiree stood and walked into the kitchen and began rinsing her plate off.
“What do you mean get my hopes up?”
“I mean he may not be looking at you the way you are l
ooking at him.’
“What are you talking about Nikki? We enjoy talking to each other we are going to see each other tomorrow and whatever happened happens.” When Nikki heaved a sigh Desiree turned off the water.
“What ok what is the problem just spit it out?”
“Fine you like him and I am just not sure he likes you in that way.” Before Desiree could say a word Nikki continued.
“You know I think you are very beautiful and kind and sweet, but we both know that you are not his type.”
Desiree felt like someone punched her in the gut.
“And why would you say that Nikki because I am not as thin as you or as pretty I can’t believe you would even say something like that.”
Nikki got defensive.
“I didn’t you did. Not being his type from my point of view is you are not famous or someone who sleeps around. I wasn’t trying to put you down. But if you think that way then that must be something you are feeling.”
Desiree sighed
“I am not thinking that…ok so I am ok what if he really is just trying to be nice…what if all the talking and laughing was just that.”
“I never wanted to make you feel like you are not worthy of a man like that. Because you are. I just want you to know that if he doesn’t like you then that is on him not you.”
“You are right and I know it I guess I just needed to hear it.” Nikki smiled through the phone.
“Now that we got that out of the way…I cannot believe that you are going to see him” Nikki squealed.
“If you’re so worried come with me.”
“Don’t tempt me because I will but I have kids so no but you better call me.”
“I will you go back to dinner and I will do that same.”
“Ok you want a ride?”
“Please.”
“Ok I will pick you up in the morning. Good night sweetie.”
“Night chica.”
Desiree hung up and walked into her room. She had to find something to wear.
Ramón walked over to Aj humming. He joined him and sat on the bench.
“Ok I am here let's go over the plan for Saturday.” He said glancing down at the forms in his hands.
“Where were you?” he asked glancing at his best friend.
“I had to make a few phone calls.” Ramón said smiling to himself.
“Oh really?” Aj looked at him lifting his right eyebrow and cocking his head. “And to whom were you speaking with?”
“I took your advice and invited Desiree here tomorrow.”
“What?” Aj stood in front of Ramón. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah it kinda just happened I called her to talk to her about how well Zack was doing and we just started talking about the past and life it was nice you know.”
“So you just bring her out here?” he asked.
Ramón shrugged. “It’s not like I don't have the money to bring her here and make her happy, and I want to make Zack happy too. He is a great kid and seeing his mom is something I know he would love.”
Aj noticed the far off look in his eyes and knew there was something more to it.
“What’s going on?” Aj sat back on the bleachers.
“What do you mean?” Ramón asked knowing what he meant.
“I see it in your eyes. You really like her don’t you?”
Ramón looked at him and sighed deeply.
“I thought I liked her before, but after talking to her I just I can’t get her out of my mind and I don’t think I want to.”
Aj looked at him. “You don’t think?”
Ramón ran his fingers over his head and rubbed as he sat down next to his best friend.
“I don’t know.”
Aj lightly slapped his back.
“Well I am kinda curious to meet her.”
Ramón looked at him “You're gonna be nice aren’t you?”
“Yes I am. I’m always nice.”
“Not always.”
“Well most of the time I am.”
Ramón exhaled. “I need to tell you though see she is not my typical kinda girl.”
“I know you told me.”
“She’s amazing really but she is no America’s next top model.”
Aj glanced down to the forms Ramón handed over to him. “Does that bother you?”
Ramón looked over to him and smiled. “No, it’s crazy normally it would but with her I don’t seem to care.”
Aj smiled impressed with his boy.
“That is good to hear.”
“I really do wanna see if there is something here.”
“And for your sake I hope there is something there. I haven’t seen you smile this much in a long time.”
“Oh whatever let's go get the things for this weekend.”
***
Desiree pulled out another shirt and threw it to the floor. She hated her clothes and hated her body. Everything she wore made her look like a fat slob. Someone knocked on her door. Desiree ran to the door and Nikki smiled.
“I am getting sick and tired of being your taxi driver.”
Desiree let Nikki in shut the door. Nikki smiled widely.
“I love your hair, did you do it?”
Nikki twisted one of the spirals from Desiree’s hair.
“Yeah took me three and a half hours last night to put the tracks in and get the invisible part just right but it turned out great.”
“What style is it?”
“French Roll.”
“Cute I like that little Aaliyah swoop.”
Desire laughs. “Shut up.”
“Ok so where was I? Oh yeah hate being your taxi.”
“You love it and you know you do. But I have an emergency my flight leaves in two hours and I have nothing to wear. I don't know what I am supposed to be wearing to see my son but also Ramón.”
“You really like him don't you?” Nikki asked as she followed her best friend back to the bedroom.
“Nikki he is Ramón Norris come on of course I like him.” Desiree said throwing her hands in the air after punching a shirt on the hanger. Nikki laughed shaking her head and looking through the closet.
“Well if you really wanna impress him then you need to wear something that is accessible but cute.”
She began moving the hangers aside as she shook her head no. “How about…this.” She held up a black sheer blouse, with a studded V-neck and sultry slits in the 3/4 sleeves. “Add a pair of jeans and your black heeled boots and that new do you will definitely turn heads.”
Desiree smiled as Nikki held up the outfit. “What would I do without you?”
“I don't think either of us wants to know. But I think you need to finish getting ready and come on so you don't miss your flight.” Desiree looked at her watch and smiled.
“You’re right I gotta get going.”
Four hours later Desiree as walked out of the ladies room towards the baggage carousel with her carry on book bag hanging off one shoulder, she ran her palms down her jeans as she waited for her bag to move by. Once it did, she grabbed her rolling duffel bag and turned noticing man with long sandy brown hair, black sunglasses and a sign that read Desiree Holloway. She walked towards the man.
“I am Desiree Holloway.”
“Can I see some form of ID not that I don't believe you but I have had people tell me they are someone and I give them a ride and find out I was played I just like being on the safe side.”
Desiree looked at him for a second and then folded her arms.
“How do I know you are who you say you are? Let me see some ID first?”
Karl’s lips twitched for a moment then pulled out his ID.
“Mr. Norris said you might be curious so he said to tell you Eagle789.”
Desiree glanced at his ID then handed it back.
“Sorry but you can never be too careful.”
“I understand and that’s not a problem.”
She dug in her wallet and handed him her ID. As he handed it
back at her he held out his hand.
“So can I grab your bag?”
“Ok?” she said as she grabbed her bag and handed it to him. “So your name is Karl?”
“Yes and I will be driving you to the gym.”
“It’s nice to meet you Karl and thank you.”
He nodded as he opened the car door and waited for Desiree to enter. She stepped into the all black Lincoln Navigator and placed her seatbelt on. She felt nervous as he drove onto the expressway and towards the camp. She grabbed her compact mirror and looked gave her face one last look over smiling at her reflection. She placed her hair behind her hair and secured it with a bobby pin and smiled running her tongue over her teeth. She pulled out a winter green life saver and placed it in her mouth. As they arrived to the camp Desiree beamed as, she saw the kids running laps around the outside track.
She saw Zack leading the pack and was immediately proud of her son. She placed the compact back into her bag as Karl opened her door.
“Thank you Karl.”
He nodded as she stepped out the car and Ramón ran outside to greet her.
“Desiree, glad you made it safely.” He hugged her and Desiree felt her body shutter as the butterflies set loose in her stomach.
“Me too, thank you again for helping me get here.”
“No problem. So if you would follow me I can take you to where the rest of the parents are.”
“Rest of the parents?” she asked. She didn’t know why she thought it would just be her. She smiled trying to hide her disappointment.
“Yes we have a few other people wanting to visit their kids.”
“Oh ok.”
Desiree followed Ramón into a large gym and grinned as she saw all the excited parents waiting to see their kids. She sat down on the bench and felt jealous of all the women suddenly fawning all over Ramón and the attention he gave them. She knew they would but couldn’t help and feel jealous of the way he smiled and laughed back at them and with them.
Desiree didn’t understand why she thought things were going to be different, why she thought she would come and he would sweep her off her feet. He was just being generous and she had to thank him for that. She was determined to make the best of this trip because at least she got to see her son.
She sighed as she began to sit silently as Aj walked over to her.
To Love a Man Page 7