In with the New Baby

Two college girls approach and wait for the light as well. One of them talks about how hard her genetics exam was while the other whispers something in her ear.

I’m not really paying attention, but I look over at them and they smile and laugh.

“Mornin’, ladies,” I say.

They say nothing and laugh again.

The walk light flashes and I run off with Rexie. As I start to cross the street, I hear one of the girls say to the other “he’s hot.”

I smile, glad they think so, but my heart and my cock are taken. I only want Amanda. I continue to run for about another few blocks as I circle back and head for home. As I approach my place my phone dings and vibrates in my pocket. I take it out and look at it.

It’s a text from Bill, my agent.

“Take a look at this,” it reads. I click on it and it seems like an on-line ad. César Ramirez stands against a black background with his hands crossed over his hairy pecs. “Is Lincoln Drake afraid of the Latin Snake?”

I laugh. The Latin Snake? What happened to being the Latin Monster?

I dial Bill.

“Hey, Lincoln,” he says. I can hear him smoking and coughing. He’s probably on his seventh can of Coke by now. When it comes to personal hygiene and dental care, he’s low on the list. But he knows more about wheeling and dealing in the MMA world and everyone wants him for his agent.

“Hey,” I say. “Just got your text.”

“Whaddya think?” he asks and lapses into a coughing fit.

“I think it’s hilarious,” I say.

Honestly, I don’t know what to think but it is good press, for both Ramirez and me.

“I’m fuckin’ pissed at you!” Bill says.

I can hear him stand up as the metal office chair screeches against the tile floor in his office.

“Sorry,” I say.

I’ve learned to tolerate Bill’s moods and to soothe him when he’s like this. He’s like having another girlfriend, except one with a penis.

“Are ya gonna fight this motherfucker or not?”

“Funny you should say that.”

I sit on the front steps of my place. Rexie plops down on the ground and pants after our run.

“So what is it?” he asks and takes another drag of his cigarette.

“I’m thinking about it.”

I hear nothing on the other end.

“Bill, you there?”

“Oh, my Gawd!” he says.

“What?’

“Ramirez is running another ad about you!”

“Just now?” I ask.

“Yeah, that’s two in a row just this morning!”

“OK,” I say.

I hear Bill laugh, then cough, then wheeze.

“We can really use this to our advantage!”

I had already drawn that conclusion but it’s best to let Bill think that he’s come up with the plan himself.

“Ya think so?” I ask and smile to myself.

“Call ya back!” he yells and hangs up.

The sun was almost at its noon high. Rexie is almost asleep on the ground. I think of Amanda, my run and even César Ramirez in all of his goofy masculine prowess.

What he doesn’t realize (or maybe he does) is that he’s just given me the best press I’ve received in a long time.

“I think I’ll call him up and set up a date,” he says. “For the fight, that is.”

I shrug.

I don’t know how to tell him this, but I’ve actually been thinking of retiring. I want to be in good health, and happy with Amanda.

I know he’ll think I’m a pussy though.

“Hold off,” I tell him.

“He said he’ll fight you anywhere, any time,” Bill says. “All we have to do is say the word.”

“I’ll let you know,” I say, and hang up.

It’s decision time, for a lot of things. And I’ve never been great at making decisions.

Chapter 20

Amanda

Ah, bliss! Finally, a much needed day off. It’s the long Thanksgiving weekend, so Anne, Margie, Catharine and I go out to Sushi Heaven. It’s Anne’s favorite place. We always tease her about it being ironic, that a place called Sushi Heaven is located in the Hell’s Kitchen area of Manhattan.

We sit down and look at the menus.

“For someone who doesn’t like fish,” Margie says and looks up at Anne, “you sure do like fish.”

“Margie!” I say and slap her lightly on the hand.

“That’s OK, Amanda,” Anne says. “Sushi is good fish and doesn’t smell like dirty clam chowder from 1992.”

“Oh!” I scream. “And how would you know?”

“I don’t, and I don’t want to know,” he says.

We all laugh and then just then our server comes over.

“How y’all doin’ today?” she asks.

“Just fine, just fine,” Anne says.

“Glad to hear it.”

Anne orders the tuna tataki while Margie gets a bento box and Catharine gets a dragon roll.

“Seaweed salad for me,” I said.

“Is that all, honey?” the waitress asks.

“Umm, could I have some fresh avocado as well?”

“Sure thing, honey, be right back.”

“That’s all you’re getting?” Anne asks.

“Yeah.”

“She’s watching her figure for Lincoln,” Margie says and sips her ice water.