Life should be about letting go, being free and growing into who you are meant to be. Follow the young character, Karlie Sims, as she attempts to transition into life after school in a new city; without all of her friends and family.
Antonio is a young man with an unexpected past. Karlie is a woman with a developing unexpected future. The present moments brings them together. Of course love will be an option, but are they ready to Live, Laugh and Learn?
Missed the very beginning? Click HERE to read Chapter 1: Realize, Honey...
~*~ CHAPTER 2 ~*~
THE ENCOUNTER
(Continued)
Two months later I was starting to settle into the new city.
I
found a dog park and met all kinds of dog owners. Plus Jiggy found
himself a little bull dog girlfriend named Darla. I guess Jiggy likes
them with a little meat on their bones, I laugh when I see them
together. I met up with Darla and her owner every once and a while. She
was 27 year old diva from North Carolina named Stacy. She was fun to be
around and she showed me a lot of her favorite places; like where she
gets her eyebrows threaded, where she gets her hair done, her favorite
cupcake bakery and her favorite grown N sexy lounge. She made me laugh
also; she was almost as crazy as her dog. Next month we made plans to go
out of town for a fashion show that one of her male-divo buddy’s from
college was throwing.
Mrs.
Blake, my coworker that looked like Coretta Scott, lightened up bit and
kind of took me in as her own. I attended some of her favorite
charity’s programs and did a lot of volunteer work with her. Mrs. Blake
had me on a roll in the community. I even became a big sister to a 9
year old girl with a big heart.
I
had always dreamed of being apart of the big brother/ big sister
program, and now that I was settled and had a money flow, I had no
excuses. My little sister was from a troubled home, her name was Raven.
In these past couple of months, she had really grown on me. It’s not
that she wasn’t lovable to begin with, but her circumstances already had
her walking around with a chip on her shoulder. Eventually she opened
up, and I became attached. I bought her new school clothes/supplies,
took her to chuck e cheese frequently (at her request, of course) and
even took her to a water park. Most of the time I spend with her, I
utilize helping her with her homework; her mother didn’t get that far in
school and isn’t capable of helping her herself.
Four
days a week I still go to the gym. I even lost 8 pounds doing that Hot
Yoga stuff. I could see my body changing, and it was exciting. Time to
time I see the winking, smooth skin, white teethed brilliance who
remains nameless. It’s awesome to look at him, but as long as that ring
is on his finger I wouldn’t dare make a move. I am far too respectful to
become a Joseline Hernandez.
Yesterday
I decided that I might try my luck at the rock climbing wall. I made it
to the top on the easy, and about half way on the medium side. I don’t
think I strategized as well as I could have. I made up my mind that I
might try again next week. But today; today was Friday, oh lord today---
my body was aching.
After
work I made my way to the gym for the sole purpose of getting my free
monthly massage in the conjoining spa. After the relaxing massage I made
my way to the pool and Jacuzzi area. I walked towards the Women’s
Jacuzzi, but it was blocked off by a cart, a cone and a sign that read
“Closed for Cleaning”. I sighed as I continued to read,
“Men’s Jacuzzi is Co-Ed in the meantime”. I walked around to the other
side to see a sign on the men’s door that read “Co-Ed all day”. “Fuck
it” I said to myself as I pushed on the door and entered. It smells like
Jean Paul Gaultier cologne in here, I cringed up my nose. It was
strong. I took off my sandals and robe, revealing my bathing suit. I
smiled. Finally I can finish relaxing. I placed my belongings on a bench
nearby and turned on the bubbles. I slowly climbed in. It was hot, absolutely lovely.
I
sank in, dipping my entire body, then back up only enough to breath; my
chin still submerged. I closed my eyes and my mind began to wander to
what that fashion show might be like. I imagined something like
America’s Next Top Model meets Ru Pauls Drag Race; An eleganza
extravaganza! Will it be the Kiki of the century, where they serve tea, shade, and just deserts? I giggled. I watch too much TV.
“She does smile”, I heard a baritone speak.
I
crack my eyes open and look around to see Bronze standing near an open
shower not too far from me. He takes off his basketball shorts and
sweaty t-shirt until all he has on is his swim trunks. He smiles as he
turns towards the shower, enters and turns on the water. He turns back
to face me as he rinses off his body. I struggle to close my eyes back
because I am admiring his being. I try to hum songs in my head to get him out of my mind. The water stops.
“Are you always this cold?” he spoke again, climbing into the Jacuzzi with me.
SHIT. I
pause. “Hey”. I never realized how rude I probably looked for always
staring him down and not speaking. Or how many other things he probably
thought I was. Cold? , “How are you?” I nodded at him trying to play
cool.
“I’m
doing great. Had an awesome workout”, I bet he did. I bet all his
workouts were. A chest like that? I began counting his abs as each one
went under water…. 2, 4, 6….. Jesus. He has 8. “Antonio”, he said extending his hand. “Antonio Duval”
I returned the greeting, “Karlie Sims, nice to meet you”
“Karlie Sims. That’s very pretty”, he smiled again.
“Thank you” I said, turning my face from him.
He continued, “You wouldn’t happen to be named after THEE Carly Simon, would you?”
I
was fairly surprised a young guy like him even knew who that was, “The
one and only. My dad thought she was stunning”, I think I was even more
surprised that I was picking up on an accent. “Where are you from?”, I
added.
“New Orleans, Louisiana”, I guess that explained the French last name.
“Cajun?”, I asked.
He responded with, “Creole, sweetheart”. Trust me when I say I wanted to laugh. He dragged out and emphasized every vowel.
“What are you doing in south haven Mississippi?” I inquired.
“Engineering.
But, I’m still in the south. If anyone is out of place, it would have
to be you.” He smiled. “So I should be asking you. What are YOU doing
here?”
“Same, Work opportunity.” I said. Then I began I get out of the water.
“Leaving so soon?” he asked, his face looking a bit disappointed.
“Yeah,
I have somewhere I have to be”, I promised raven that if she passed her
math test, I would take her to get ice cream today. It was the truth,
but I definitely used her as an exit strategy. I really needed to get out of that Jacuzzi, because him and the hot water started to make my body overheat.
“Well
it was nice to finally meet you Karlie, see you around” He grinned
again. I glanced at the ring on his finger. There is a great possibility
that I might need to change gyms.
“You too, goodbye” I huffed as I exited. I got dressed in the woman’s locker room and went into down town to get raven.
What’s
funny is, I haven’t told anybody about Antonio except for raven. She
did what every 9 year old would do; she teased me for having this absurd
crush. Can I call it crush? It was more like… well. I don’t know. Every
time we met up she would ask me if I had talked to him yet. It’s a pity
how my best girlfriend is a 9 year old. I skipped on telling her about
the Jacuzzi. What’s even more strange is that little kids give the best
advice. She is completely logical. Like someone? Talk to them. Want to
go on vacation? Save money. Etc. I should really start selling her
advice as my own.
After ice cream, I dropped her back off at home. On my way back into south haven, Stacy Called.
“GUUURRRRRRRLLLLL”, Stacy sang on the other line. I laughed.
“What’s up?” I just knew she was getting ready to tell me something.
“Three things!” She paused for dramatics. “One, the male revue will be here the weekend of my birthday”
“You mean the strippers?”
“Girl YAASSSSS!!! WE ARE GOING!!!”
“Im down”
“Bay
–BAY, you didn’t have a choice hun-tee” she demanded comically. She
continued “TWO. My homegirl just got a promotion. WE ARE CELEBRATING
TONIGHT. You MUST come with. SAY YOU’LL COME WITH?” she begged.
I looked at the time. I’m not getting any younger. “Sure, what time are we meeting up?”
“YAAAAASSSSSSS!!!! 9:30 at my place for margaritas and last minute prep”
“Alright, I can do that!” I agreed.
“Ok, I’ll see you in a few then.” She confirmed.
“WAIT!!!!!” I said, waiting to see if she hung up.
“What’s up?” she replied
“What was the third thing?” I remembered
“Oh HUN-TEE. You fell for that old trick?” She laughed. “Number three. IM STILL FABULOUS!”
I shook my head as I hung up the phone laughing. She is wild. What the hell am I going to wear?
*Stay tuned for Chapter 3 next week!*
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