“Wow. You have an amazing memory.”
“I told you, I remember everything. But you’re not just interested in competing in the Olympics. You want to win a gold medal.”
She blushed. “It’s a dream, I know, a crazy dream. I’m not in the same league as the Africans. No one is. The trials are only two weeks after the NCAA finals. I’ve been training like mad. I spend more time at the track than I do in class or with Matt.”
“Is he supportive?”
“He acts a hundred percent supportive. But I think he resents the time commitment. And now that I’m working for you, I’ll probably see him even less.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about this dream the other day?”
“The day we met, you saw Matt play, and I’d be the first person to admit his talent is a lot more interesting than my ability to run around a track.”
“Don’t diminish your gift. I love track and field. There’s no sport more primal than a race. At the dawn of civilization, I’m sure cavemen used to boast to one another, ‘I bet I can run faster than you.’ Or, ‘I know I can run farther than you.’ You laugh, but it’s true. The first sport on earth was racing. That’s why the Olympics never get old. And that’s why I admire your desire to compete at the highest level.”
“Thank you. It means a lot to me to have your support.”
“You mean my money.”
“No! I mean—”
“I know what you mean, Teri. Relax, I was just teasing.”
“Well, frankly, your money helps. If I went back home, I’d be forced to work full-time and I wouldn’t be able to train as much. But if I can stay here, when classes get out I’ll have all the time I need to work on the track.”
“You said before your coach wants you to train on the track. But you don’t like it.”
“Coach Tranton insists on the interval training. But he’s a genius when it comes to developing runners. It’s one of the reasons I decided on Truman. It’s a small college, but every year we compete for the NCAA championship. He’s an expert on the mile. My time keeps dropping. It’s all because of him.”
“I envy you, Teri. You know exactly what you want. Now all you have to do is go get it.”
She laughed. “And beat out a hundred other women who will be competing for the three spots on the Olympic team.”
“My intuition is almost as good as my memory. I have a sneaking suspicion you’re going to make it.”
That made her smile. Teri has such a lovely smile.
But I don’t know why I told her that.
It wasn’t like I was going to give her a pint of my blood.
No way. It was out of the question.
However, I did want her to make the team. . . .
The next day Matt stopped by. He used the excuse that he was looking for Teri, but we both knew how feeble it was. He wanted to see me, and of course I wanted to see him. He’s such a pleasure to look at. He came from the gym, dressed in shorts, Nikes, and a sleeveless sweatshirt. He smelled of sweat, but to me it was a great smell. I offered him a bottle of beer and he took three. He said he was thirsty after his workout.
“And you like to drink,” I said as we settled in my living room. He sat on the couch beside me. Our feet were inches apart.
“Did Teri tell you that?”
“I saw you at the club last Friday, remember?”
“Did I drink much that night? I don’t remember.”
“Six Scotch and Cokes, before the second show.”
“I must have been drunk then.”
“Liar. I don’t think you can get drunk.” It was true what I said. He seemed like one of those rare people who can function with a large amount of alcohol in their system. Nevertheless, I knew I could drink him under the table.
“I notice you kept up,” he said.
“I was just being sociable. What brings you here this evening?”
“I told you, I was looking for Teri.”
“Uh-huh. Now tell me the real reason.”
He smiled. “You never give a guy a break, do you?”
“Not guys like you. You don’t need them.”
“That sounds like a backhanded compliment.”
“It’s a plain insult. Why are you here?”
He shrugged. “I wanted to talk, get to know you better. It’s hard for me to loosen up sometimes when Teri’s around. As I’m sure you’ve already guessed, she’s more proper than I am.”
“She’s a sweetheart.”
He stares at me and nods. “She’s also innocent. She has an IQ through the ceiling, and it sometimes hides the fact she’s only a year out of high school.”
“Are you worried I’m going to take advantage of her?”
“That’s not your style. I can see that already.”
“Then what’s bothering you?”
“You. You’re the mystery woman.”
“Don’t tell me I inspired that song you sang the other day.”
“Maybe. Let’s be blunt, Alisa. You’re clever at getting people to talk about themselves, but you don’t volunteer much about yourself. You know, we have no idea where you were born, where you went to school, who your friends are.”
“Do you really give a damn about that stuff?”
He holds my eye a moment longer before smiling. “I guess not. Shit like that doesn’t tell you who a person is. Still, my point is valid. You’ve burst into our lives in a big way. But who are you?” He reached out and touched my bare foot. “Tell me who you are, Alisa.”
“Careful. Touch them and you have to rub them.”
He didn’t hesitate. He pulled my feet into his lap and started massaging them. “Talk,” he said.
“Or you’ll pull out my toenails?”
“Something like that.”
I took a slug of my beer. “My past is complicated. I don’t like talking about it because I can give people the wrong impression. Let’s just say I’m not the person I used to be.”
“Do you have a criminal record?”
“Maybe. Do you?”
“No. Where were you born?”
“I thought that didn’t matter to you.”
“I changed my mind.”
“India. In the north.”