by Night, H. T.
He stuck out his hand and I gave him a firm handshake. “Nice grip. I’m Daniel, Daniel Reign. Come in. Maya is almost ready.”
I entered their house and looked around. It was like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting. The house fit every description of a good, old-fashioned country home. There were paintings of cowboys on the wall, a throw rug in the middle of the floor, and all the furniture looked to be handpicked from an antique shop. There was even an apple pie aroma in the house.
And sure enough, a short, buxom woman came out of the kitchen wearing an apron dusted with flour. She had blonde hair and blue eyes and was probably the most beautiful 50-year old woman I had ever seen. I was a little thrown off by how pretty a mom could be. I definitely saw where Josiah and Maya got their good looks.
“Hi, Tommy,” the curvy woman said.
“Hello, Mrs. Reign,” I said, blushing. I was never very good at this, but this was highly awkward, considering how normal everything was. For crying out loud, I had a werewolf and a vampire spooning in my bed at my apartment.
“Have a seat, Tommy,” Mrs. Reign said. I walked over and sat on their brown couch. As I sat, my entire body sank into it like a hammock.
“Wow, this is probably the single most comfortable couch I’ve ever sat on.”
“Exactly! Tommy!” Daniel stated, with an exclamation point. “Margaret wants me to get rid of it.” Margaret was apparently Mrs. Reign’s first name.
“It’s ugly, Dan. And it’s filthy,” This was obviously a daily argument. I couldn’t help but smile at how cute they were.
“So, Tommy what do you do? Are you in college?” Daniel asked as he packed himself a pipe.
“Actually no. I’m a professional athlete.”
Daniel eyes grew large. “An athlete? What kind?”
“I’m a fighter.”
“You mean like a Sugar Ray Leonard kind of fighter?”
“Well, not exactly,” I said. “There’s a new professional fighting sport called mixed martial arts.”
“Oh, MMA,” Daniel said. “Josiah and I watch that all the time. I just took him to a match a couple weeks ago at the Staples Center.”
“He mentioned that to me.”
“Wow, do you know any of those guys?” Daniel looked at me and his pipe seemed to be ready.
I smiled and said, “I was one of those guys.”
“You were? Which fight were you?” Daniel was as excited as I wish my own dad would have been to find out this information.
One of the hallway doors opened and Josiah came walking out. “He was the first fight, dad. You didn’t see it. You were too busy getting nachos.”
Daniel looked at me and grinned, “I do love my nachos. Especially the ones at the arena! It’s like the cheese is more heavenly.”
I smiled because I could see where Josiah got his love for food. “I wouldn’t know. I haven’t had nachos since the third grade.” I looked over at Josiah and said, “What’s up, man?”
Josiah came over to me and I stood up to shake his hand, but instead he gave me a bro hug like we been pals for years. Damn, I liked this kid.
“Dad, Tommy is only 22 and he is already making a living in the sport,” Josiah was trying to convince his dad of something.
“And that’s fine, Josiah. You can do whatever you want after you at least try-out for the 2008 Olympic team. Son, you haven’t lost in 25 fights and the only reason why you lost your first one was because we didn’t know how to tighten your gloves right.” Daniel looked at me and laughed. “They kept slipping during the fight. It threw off the poor kid’s rhythm. He was only 12.”
“Wow, you haven’t lost in 25 fights! That’s amazing.” I looked over at Josiah and he seemed to care less that his dad was gushing over him. He had no idea how lucky he was, how I would have given anything to hear my biological father talk about me that way.
Suddenly, a hallway door opened and Maya walked out. She came walking down the hallway looking spectacular. She was wearing a white blouse with light blue jeans. She had done her hair in an up-do and it took everything I had to keep my jaw from hitting the floor.
“Wow, you look great,” I said.
“So do you,” Maya said back to me.
Maya and I were locked into each other and as far as I was concerned, there was no one else in the room.
“So, where are you two kids planning on going tonight?” Maya’s dad asked.
“I was thinking about taking her over to Irvine. There’s a spot called Irvine Spectrum. There are a lot of shops and a giant movie theater.”
“Oh, that sounds like so much fun,” Maya’s mom said.
Daniel looked at me and nodded his head. For the first time he gave me that ‘you better look out for my daughter look.’ I smiled and told them how wonderful it was to meet them. Josiah seemed a bit jealous that he wasn’t invited but I knew he and I would hang out eventually.
I walked over to the door and was still mesmerized by how great Maya looked. I had a quick moment of clarity when I remembered that I had something for Josiah
“Hey Josiah, come here.” He walked over to me and I reached in my pocket and pulled out a card to the gym where I work out.
“What’s this?” he asked.
“Well. When your dad thinks you’re ready I’ll put in a good word at my gym and get you a membership.”
“Really?” Josiah looked at his dad for approval.
“As long as you continue to focus on boxing, I think it would be great if Tommy showed you a thing or two about MMA.”
Josiah stared at the card like a kid looking at a video game cover. “Thanks, man.”
“No problem. Until then, I’ll come back and we could work out together. We can do something more interesting than you running across San Bernardino.”
“That sounds great, Tommy.” Mrs. Reign said. I smiled, and opened the door. I said goodbye to everyone and Daniel told me to have Maya back by one in the morning. I said, “No problem.”
When we left the house, the first thing Maya said to me was, “I don’t have a curfew. I am twenty-one years old. My dad likes to think he can still make rules for me.”
“It’s okay,” I said, “I plan on having you back by then.”
We walked down the driveway, and I ran around my car to open her door. I let her in and closed the door behind her. I walked around the car and waved to her parents who were looking out the window. I sat into the driver seat and looked over at Maya. She smiled “I am so sorry that my parents and brother are such dorks.”
“You have no idea how awesome they really are,” I said, as serious as I had ever been.
“Really?”
“Yeah, really. They’re amazing. I really mean that.”
Maya smiled and leaned back in her seat. I started my engine and made my way to the 91 freeway.
“Have you lived here all your life?” I asked
“Born and raised in San Bernardino,” Maya replied. “What about you?”
“I lived in Southern California all my life, but I’ve been all over. I lived in Buena Park, Fullerton, Corona, I even had a stint in Garden Grove.”
“So, you said your grandmother raised you?”
“Sure did. Mother Teresa had nothing on my nana.”
“That’s cute.”
“I’m serious. She is one of those really religious people who actually lived the way she was supposed to, according to her faith.”
“How so?”
“She doesn’t judge. She just loves people. Even to this day, she finds the strength to go to the more needy areas of town and just gives herself to those communities.”
“She sounds wonderful.”
I looked outside my window and felt guilty singing my grandmother’s praises. I hadn’t seen my grandma in months and I had been feeling bad about that as of late. “Yeah,” I said, “She is wonderful.”
It took about a half hour to get to Irvine Spectrum. The Irvine Spectrum is a giant block that had been turned into so
mething that resembled a street fair. It had a variety of shops ranging from chocolates to novelty stores. There were street performers, tarot card readers, and a lot of places to eat, dance, and have a great time.
I pulled into the back parking lot and found a spot. It took about ten minutes but my grandmother had always taught me ‘patience is a virtue.’
We got out of my car and I looked up into the sky. I was really hoping for a normal night: no werewolves, no bloodsucking vampires, no drama.
All I knew was, I had planned on Maya and I having an old-school, all-American date. There are four necessities that make up a great first date. One, go to a cafe for an appetizer or a drink and have conversation. Two, head over to a plush restaurant for a nice romantic dinner. You’re laying the groundwork to really get comfortable with the person you’re with. The second half of the date is about having a great time. Third thing was engaging in a fun activity like batting cages or even a nightclub with great music and maybe some dancing. That’s where you let loose and showed your real colors. After all that, you have the grand finale. It actually isn’t that grand, but more of a mellow and introspective activity. Number four: Right before you drop off your date, you stop by a nice coffee shop and end the night the way you started, with great conversation. And how does a player like me know all of this? Hey, a player needs love, too.
After I parked, I got out and walked around my car to open the door for Maya. As I helped out Maya, she stumbled in the parking lot and fell into my arms. It was nothing major, but I got a glimpse of the kind of intimacy to expect.
“I’m sorry,” she said. She was clearly embarrassed. “That was klutzy.”
I tried to make light of the situation by saying, “It’s okay, I’ll let it slide this time because you smell nice.”
“Oh, you did?” She said, flirting back at me. “That’s very nice of you.”
“What can I say; I’m a sucker for things that smell pretty.”
Maya laughed at my little joke and pulled herself together. Once she was situated, we headed up to the front of The Spectrum.
“Wow, this is pretty,” Maya said, looking at the lights.
“It’s no Las Vegas, but it’s about the best you’re going to get in Orange County.”
We decided to walk around a bit and scope out the various shops. We stopped in at an arts and crafts shop and Maya was like a kid in a candy store.
“I love this store!” she said. “If I could, I would buy the whole shop.” She went from item to item with eyes as big as gumballs. I couldn’t help but be amused at this beautiful woman who so interested in miniatures, doll houses, and scrapbook items. “Tommy,” Maya said “When I die, I want my ashes spread out in this store.”
“Well,” I said, “that might be hard for the cleaning crew to clean up and I’m pretty certain it’s a health hazard.”
“Oh, you’re no fun,” she joked.
“I hope you’re not planning on dying anytime soon.”
“For you, Tommy… I’ll live to be a hundred.”
I smiled and said, “I hope so. If you do, I’ll make sure your ashes make their way over here.”
Maya smiled and we left the store. We walked further down the street until we saw a palm reader. I tried to look away, but the damn gypsy-looking woman made direct eye contact with me and it was too late. Maya caught her looking at me and something told me that a palm reader was right up Maya’s alley. “Hey Tommy, the palm reader is making goo-goo eyes at you.”
“I can see that. I must have ‘sucker’ written on my forehead.”
“Sucker? Never! I have always had good readings when I’ve had them done.”
“Let me guess, they were generic things like you’ll find love, have some success the following month, and you will encounter something that you hadn’t anticipated.”
“More or less, yes.” Maya laughed.
“That’s because love is a big word and it could mean a variety of different relationships. And unless you’re the unluckiest person in the world, everyone is going to have some kind of success, month to month.”
“Okay, smarty pants, how did the last lady know ‘Fitem’ would accept me into their designer college?”
“She didn’t know unless she said, ‘Maya, Fitem, the designer college you are trying to get into, will accept you.’ It was just a generic shot in the dark. It could easily have been something as unexpected as finding a beautiful puppy. These psychic people need to give you specifics and they don’t.”
“Okay, Mr. Skeptic, just give it one shot, because something tells me you have never done anything like this before. Am I right?
I looked Maya and grinned, “No, I haven’t done anything like this before.”
“Wow, and you’re such an expert!” she mocked. “Come here!” Maya grabbed my hand and led me to the psychic. I had to admit, it was worth giving it a shot to be able to hold Maya’s hand for the first time.
“Hello,” the lady wearing the gypsy outfit said. She, apparently, had gone to a costume shop and found the most authentic layers of clothes she could find because she did look good. I’d give her an A+ for first impression.
“Hello, to you, madam,” I said, smirking from ear to ear.
“May I take your right palm, sir?” she asked.
“Sure,” I sat down in the empty chair opposite her.
“May I have your first name?”
“It’s Kyro,” I joked.
“Kyro?” she asked.
“No, I’m just kidding. It’s Tommy.” I put out my right hand and she flipped it over and looked at my palm. Then something unexpected happened. When she touched the palm of my hand, I saw a flash of light. At first, I thought one of the outdoor cover lights had burned out, but I looked up and realized I wasn’t even under anything. As a matter of fact, there wasn’t much light around us.
“Oh, wow!” she said. “I can feel a lot of energy coming through you!” She paused and stared at my palm like it was a treasure map. “This line here,” she said, pointing to the longest line on my palm, “shows that you are going to live a very full life.”
“That’s good. I should, with all the exercise and nutritious food I eat.”
“No, Tommy.” And this is where it began to get very weird. This bizarre woman looked deep into my eyes as if she was trying to speak to my innermost self. “Tommy, you’re going to live a very long life.”
“A very long life? That’s good, right? Isn’t that the whole point to all of this, to try to live as long as possible?” I looked up and winked at Maya. Maya looked on, with as serious of an expression I had ever seen from her.
The psychic then grabbed my arm. “An exceptionally long life!” she said, loudly.
“I get it,” I said. “I’ll probably see a hundred candles on a birthday cake when all is said and done.”
She continued to look at me with a freakish glare and continued, “Your life span is not the part that is overwhelming me.”
Overwhelming her? That’s a bold statement!
“You will have an extraordinary life, Tommy! I almost want to tell you that it will be the stuff of legends.”
I once again looked up at Maya. “Legends, even!” I laughed.
The lady then let go of my hand and stood up. She turned around and didn’t say a word.
“Are you all right?” I asked.
“Yes, I’m sorry,” she said. “I have never had a reading like this. I’m not even sure how to act.”
“It’s okay…really it is. You can tell me anything.” This woman was obviously pushing for the biggest tip she’d ever gotten.
She sat back down and said, “It will be a life full of adventure and also one full of heartbreak.” She then looked up at Maya and smiled. Okay, that was creepy.
Still, I had to admit, she now had my attention. “What kind of adventure?” I asked.
“You will be the first do certain things and also be the last to do others. You will have whatever you want, whenever you want it.
But all of that will come with a price.” She again let go of my hand and looked at me, perplexed.
“You okay?” Now she was freaking me out.
The lady got up and just walked away from the table. She didn’t even ask to be paid. She just continued to walk as if she was trapped in a daze. I looked up at Maya and grinned, “What a kook!” But it wasn’t over. The lady turned around and walked back to us. I thought she must have realized she didn’t get paid. I reached into my wallet to pull out a twenty. She walked right up to me and I handed her the money. She rejected the money and said, “Make the right decision, Tommy. Everything rides on it. Everything!”
“Right decision…regarding what?” I asked.
“You will know when it happens. It will be a coin flip and you need to follow your heart!” She then sat down and shooed us away and that was it.
I got up and grabbed Maya’s hand and we went down the street and we were both pretty weirded out.
“That didn’t go anything like I thought it was going to,” I said. “Don’t they usually want to get paid for the reading?”
“Always,” Maya said. “Except this time.” Maya stopped in the middle of the city walk and looked at me. “I have gone to these ladies over a hundred times in the last five years. I have never heard anyone get a reading like that. And I always paid.”
“A hundred times? Look, Maya, I respect that you really believe these women have the ability to see into the future, but I’m still pretty skeptical. Was that off-the-charts weird what she did? Yes! Does it validate that anything she said would come to pass? I hardly doubt it. Let’s go get something to eat.”
Maya smiled and said, “That sounds like a good idea. When in doubt, eat something.”
I decided to go straight to the plush restaurant part of the date, considering we needed a change of scenery fast. There was a nice seafood restaurant at the end of the strip and I was craving some mahi mahi.
“You like seafood?” I asked.
“Love it.”
I escorted Maya into the restaurant and they immediately seated us. We ordered quickly and ate even faster. I had the mahi mahi, and she had the shrimp platter. We were both incredibly quiet during dinner. She was thoughtful and I wondered that wheels were turning in her head.