Kiss & Cry, Where Passion Awaits

by Lipson, Ramona

  “We have a lot to do. I’m going to make an announcement to the CSA later this afternoon. We’ll be working very closely together, and I’m looking forward to every second of it. Your salary will be $225K. Year two, if you are successful, your salary will increase to $250K. Do you accept this offer?"Bradley asked.

  “It's very generous,” Dhalia commented. “Thank you, I do.”

  “We will have you sign a contract before you leave. Dhalia, I think it’s appropriate for you to tell Ryan before the announcement is made. I’ll catch up with you at 3:30 in my office. I want you to make a list of what needs to be done before you head out and create the letter that’s going to be delivered to the coaches and athletes. Also, I’ll assist you with everything you need, before you leave.”

  “Only in the office?” Dhalia flirted.

  Bradley smiled large. “Anywhere, anytime, any reason you need me!”

  “I’m getting naughty ideas!” Dhalia warned.

  Dhalia grabbed her latte and her purse and followed Bradley back into their building. This was one of the best days of her life next to the day she stood on the podium by Ryan’s side. Nothing would ever outshine that experience. The increased salary she would be making would pay all her bills and make everything better.

  When Dhalia got back into her office she turned on her computer and decided where everything was going to be held. The choices weren’t difficult. It would be wise to use the Olympic facilities already in place from the 1988 Winter Games. The arena was beautiful and she would make sure that all the residences necessary would occupy one floor.

  Dhalia reviewed the competition results from the previous year and created a list of people they would invite. It was easy choosing the competitors. The female Canadian defending champions - Sheena Smythe, Paris Felthim, Brandy Grey, Sally Camden, and Diane Lynch. The male Canadian defending champions were Rick Farris, Brett McColl, Trevor North, Scott Novak, and Liam Gryswall.

  She wrote down all of their coaches and chose the top ones who were experts in their area. The off-ice trainer would be Matt Wilson. He had a reputation for being strict and yelling at the athletes, but he got the results he was trying to achieve every time. Jumping coaches would be Jay Russel, who was Ryan’s original coach, flamboyantly gay and proud of it, and Michael Web, who previously coached Ryan and Dhalia. The choreographer she unwittingly picked was Sandy Chatterton, someone Dhalia had never met before, but would subsequently overstep her bounds when it came to Ryan.

  Dhalia called the Village after she Googled their number to see about booking rooms for the year. They told her they would become available February 2014. She requested March 2014. She chose March because that was when Worlds took place. When the 2013 World competition ended the athletes could be flown directly to their training camp for two weeks of rest and relaxation before the rigorous training was to begin.

  This allowed for four months of planning. To ensure Dhalia had the best skaters picked for the camp, she would have to put a stipulation with her offer, that to maintain a spot in the camp, the athlete would have to make the top ten at Canadians in 2013. She booked the Village immediately without approval from Bradley because she didn’t want to lose the venue.

  It made sense to have Divisionals, Canadians, and Worlds in Calgary. She would have the competition come to her skaters but the smaller competitions would have to be held in the appropriate localities predetermined by geography. Dhalia made a note to herself that the athletes would have to be flown out for the nominal competitions. More hotel rooms would have to be booked.

  Cameras would have to be set up in the rooms before the athletes showed up for the competitions. The importance of setting up the cameras beforehand was to assure the athletes didn't dwell on the fact they were being filmed. Behavior would then be natural.

  Rules and regulations would be extensive. It was detrimental for the Association to have the power necessary to manage the program in its totality. They would section off everything according to conditions of competition, living, training, and performance. They would reserve the right to send an athlete or coach home at any time, for any reason.

  The male and female competitor who placed the lowest would be sent home early, leaving the camp with eight competitors. Before Worlds, they would end up with four coaches and eight skaters. Dhalia picked November for Divisionals and January for Canadians.

  Breaking The News

  Time flew, as Dhalia knew it would. She decided to grab lunch. She called Ryan, who answered after the first ring.

  “Want to grab lunch?”

  “Sure. Come over to my office,” he said. He was always genuinely happy to hear from Dhalia. She was worried how he was going to take all her news.

  She gathered her purse and locked up her office.

  Dhalia went to Ryan's office. She smiled seeing the pictures of them skating displayed on his desk. When it came to Dhalia and Ryan, and their career, he was just as sentimental as she was. He turned off his computer, looked up at her and smiled. “Feel like Chinese?” he asked.

  Ryan was six-one and still in great condition from his skating days. His muscles showed through anything he had on. He was wearing an expensive suit and the watch given to him when they placed at the Olympics. Dhalia admittedly felt a strong sense of affection towards him.

  Every time Dhalia looked at Ryan she secretly longed for him, but he just wasn’t the same man he was when they were competing. It was as though something inside him died with his career when the two retired from skating.

  “Sounds great, Ryan.” She took his arm and let him lead her to the restaurant. It was their favorite and she fondly recalled the great times they had celebrating there.

  It was after the lunch rush, so the restaurant wasn’t busy. Ryan and Dhalia seated themselves in the dimly lit restaurant with the ugliest red carpet that had Chinese writing on it and shiny black chairs placed at round tables with white plastic tablecloths. The restaurant had good food, but the decor left something to be desired. They waited for their server to take their orders and bring drinks. Ryan had a beer; Dhalia chose white wine. She was trying to come up with what to say, when she noticed Ryan staring at her. “I saw Bradley’s arm around you this morning.”

  Dhalia tried to avoid making eye contact. He refused to let her.

  “Yes,” she responded, feeling somewhat defensive ... “He’s like one of those southern gentlemen.”

  “Something you want to tell me?” Ryan asked.

  “I hardly know him. He's our boss, you know,” Dhalia reassured and took his hand.

  Ryan leaned into Dhalia and kissed her on the lips. His kiss was familiar, soft, and most importantly, affectionate. After the kiss, he touched her cheek. Ryan brought her face back to his and took another kiss from her. He had a baby face with handsome features, a shaved head and beautiful blue eyes. His lips were full and he was confident in his appearance. “I got the divorce papers yesterday in the mail,” he said looking into her eyes. If Dhalia wasn’t mistaken, they had a sad sheen to them.

  “Me too.” Dhalia averted her eyes. She wanted to direct the conversation away from the divorce. She still questioned if they had tried harder, whether they might have been able to save their relationship. They certainly weren’t acting like they were divorced.

  “I have some good news I want to share with you!” Dhalia made sure to stress the word good. “It’s why I came to your office. Do you remember my idea for the reality skating show? Well, it’s officially been approved, so I’m going to be moving to Calgary in March for a year, maybe two if the pilot is successful. Bradley is going to announce it internally later today.”

  An immediate look of disappointment befell Ryan’s face, no doubt over the combination of Bradley’s interest in Dhalia and the possibility of being separated for such a long time. Dhalia knew she would have reacted the same way if the roles were reversed.

  “I’m happy for you, really,” Ryan finally said. He was sincere, yet at the same time he sounded
like he was trying to convince himself.

  The waiter brought their lunch orders. They ate in silence, a feeling of sadness descended on both of them. It was obvious, even the waiter picked up on the mood because he addressed them in a somber way. He didn’t come to their table more than he had to. Ryan picked up the bill. As they walked back to the building, he slid his arm around her. She could feel the bulge of his bicep in the back of her neck and she liked it. Dhalia stopped when they reached the doors to the Association and turned to look at Ryan. Chemistry still sizzled between them, and Dhalia could feel his stare on her, almost like he was touching her with his eyes. His chest was firm, packed full of muscle, and she buried her head into the cove of his shoulder. The spot on his body felt like it was made for her.

  “I will always love you,” she assured Ryan. She stroked the back of his neck and he dropped his face into her shoulder.

  “Me, too,” he sighed. Neither of them moved.

  Their bodies were consistently in sync with each other, on and off the ice. They were like two Lego pieces that clicked into each other. Their hard work and championships united them in ways no one else could imagine.

  Ryan and Dhalia knew they were the only ones who understood it and the nice thing was that no matter what happened to them, their experiences and feelings for each other could never be taken away. When they were on the ice together they were visibly intimate with one another more than most couples could achieve in the privacy of their own bedrooms.

  “Take me with you.” Ryan's eyes pleaded with hers. “I don't think I could go a year without seeing you.” Dhalia felt the same way, she just didn’t share it with him.

  When Dhalia got back into her office she saw the memo on her computer Bradley put together announcing the Universal executives' acceptance of her idea. She couldn’t help but stare at the screen with what felt to be a stupid grin, proud of her accomplishments.Woohoo, my idea is going to come to life!

  Bradley must have waited for Dhalia to go out with Ryan before posting it.

  She didn’t want to leave things between her and Ryan the way they were at the end of lunch. She texted Ryan on his cell:

  Dhalia: Can you come to my condo tonight?

  She waited for a reply.

  Ryan: Sure. What time?

  Dhalia: For dinner? 6:00?

  Ryan: That would be great.

  Dhalia: I have a meeting with Bradley, gotta run.

  The Shower

  Dhalia headed over to Bradley’s office. His door was open, as he was expecting her. He looked up and greeted her with a smile and a slight nod of his head. She went over her ideas with him and informed him of the arrangements she made for the Village in Calgary. He said, “Our next step is to delegate responsibilities to the members of the association. We have to develop a strategy.”

  “I had one or two of my own,” Dhalia informed him mysteriously. “We can discuss them later, if you don’t mind.”

  “You’ve piqued my curiosity,” Bradley admitted. “Are you sure you don't want to discuss them now?”

  “In due time, in due time.” Dhalia begged off.

  Bradley and Dhalia discussed each member who was to accompany her to Calgary, and when they got to Ryan, she insisted she needed him. Bradley’s raised eyebrows suggested he was going to nix her request, but before he could say anything, she continued. “Ryan should be the one to attend to the immediate needs of the skaters and coaches, to free up my time for production. I would take you, but you have too many other prior commitments here. You will have all the other competitions and shows to oversee to while we’re away.”

  “I also must remind you, that other than myself, he has the most extensive knowledge when it comes to figure skating. I can’t think of anyone else belonging to the Association that knows more than he does. Honestly, Ryan coming to Calgary is strictly a smart business decision. If there was anyone else who could do the job better, I would suggest it. I don’t like the idea of spending countless days with my ex-husband any more than you do. You have to believe me, Bradley.” Dhalia was proud of herself, and she knew her argument sounded convincing. Bradley looked deep in thought.

  “Even at this early stage, I have to admit I don’t want to share you with anyone, especially your ex. I certainly admire Ryan, but you two have a history. I can’t compete with that. Do you really need him there? There’s any number of other people who can be reassigned.”

  “Yes, I know,” Dhalia half-lied. “I need his help running it if you can’t be there.” He stared at her as though he were looking into the depths of her soul, trying to determine if she was being honest.

  “Everything in me wants to say no to this,” he admitted. “Against my better judgment I will allow it. Ryan will have an active role as coordinator. He will answer directly to me, as will you. That way, no lines will be blurred. You will stay in separate rooms. I will ask him to take on the new position, and, on a separate matter, will go out to dinner with me Friday night?”

  Dhalia did a happy dance in her imagination. She landed both Ryan a position and another date with Bradley.

  “What will people think if they see us together? You are the boss, after all. Oh, Bradley, you do like to skating on thin ice, don’t you?” Dhalia teased.

  “Seven o'clock too late?”

  Dhalia gave Bradley the impression she was debating it, but she already knew the answer.

  “It’s perfect.” She smiled back at him.

  “So, it’s a deal?” Bradley questioned.

  “Deal!” They sealed it with a handshake for the time being.

  “Get back to work,” he ordered.

  “I love it when you boss me around,” she commented.

  “Get used to it.” He dismissed her without further ado.

  Not long after Dhalia returned to her office her phone chirped. It was a text.

  Ryan: You never let me down.

  Good, she thought,Bradley must have already spoken to Ryan and requested his presence in Calgary.

  Dhalia: Neither do you.

  Ryan: See you tonight?

  Dhalia: Looking forward to it.

  Dhalia went home to the condo and cleaned it as quickly as she could. It had been a while since she had any company, even if it was only Ryan, she didn’t want the place looking untidy. She hardly gave herself enough time to get ready for their date. She jumped in the shower and washed her hair. Dhalia spritzed herself with her most alluring scent, wrapped a towel around her and stepped out. She opened the bathroom door and standing before her was Ryan, stealing her breath away! The room pulsated with electricity. Dhalia felt an immediate need for him, his lips, his fingers, his everything. She wanted to beg him to take her, but knew better of it, and she didn’t.

  Ryan tugged the towel away from her, and holding his arm out in front of his body, he deliberately dropped the towel to the floor. Dhalia stood naked before him. No words were exchanged. There didn't need to be. Ryan carried Dhalia to her room and laid her on her bed. Gently, seductively, he massaged her body. She straddled his waist and returned the favor massaging her best cream into his muscular back. As she lulled him into a relaxed state, Ryan opened up to her. It became clear, hindsight being 20/20, their biggest problem was that he seldom did it. He cooed, “I need you as much as I need water to drink, or air to breathe. Honestly, Dhalia, you’re everything to me. I always want you to know that.”

  At that moment, they no longer felt like going out. They ordered in and snuggled in bed, holding each other. When the food came they fed each other; it was intimate and beautiful. They cared for each other in a primal capacity. They expressed love to one another, without doing the act, and yet it was more intimate than if they had. Dhalia didn’t want to take from him, what he wasn’t ready to give. Anything she ever said or did to upset him was so petty in retrospect. It shocked her how they could lose themselves and not get along after having gone through as much as they did together.

  The Invites

  November 14, 201
3

  Canadian Skating Association

  1234 Yonge Street

  Toronto, On

  M2M 2M2

  Dear [insert skater's name],

  It is our great pleasure to inform you that you have been chosen as one of the top ten figure skaters in all of Canada based on your performances from last year's competition results. For this we would like to congratulate you! Universal Television and the Canadian Skating Association would like to extend to you a special invitation to train in Calgary, Alberta for one year starting in March 2014 to March 2015. All expenses will be covered by the CSA.

  You, the skater, will live in your own room in the 1988 Olympic Village in Calgary, Alberta. Training will take place at the Olympic Ice Facility to which you and nine other competitors chosen will have 24 hour access. You will also have 24 hour access to the gym facilities for off-ice training. We have hand selected Matt Wilson be your off-ice trainer, Jay Russel and Michael Web as regular coaches and Sandy Chatterton as your choreographer. These coaches have produced the best Canadian skaters over the past five years.

  You will be expected to compete at all levels of competition, where you will be flown to those competitions and all expenses will be paid. At the divisional level, the camp skater who does the worst in his category will be asked to leave. The same will occur at Canadians until the camp is left with four top male and four top female skaters who will progress to Worlds. Divisionals, Canadians, and Worlds will be held at the Olympic Ice Facility in Alberta, so essentially the competitions will be brought to you.

  Universal Television will be recording at all times. This new reality show is expected to bring the viewers into the athletes' world, the highs, the lows, and finally we would hope the podiums. You are expected to act like dignified, trained professionals at all times. The top placing Female and Male competitor at World level will win $100K, even if s/he does not make the podium at the World competition.