“You are no good.” Cathy howled with laughter.
“It’s the truth,” he said.
“We can’t handle the truth,” Anna chuckled.
“Anyway, Cathy, my point is, Marcus Fox is interested. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if he called you.”
“Then you’d be by yourself because I would be floored.”
“Did you get his number?” Anna asked.
“And why would I do that?”
“To call him, of course.”
Cathy was exasperated at having to explain over and over. “Listen, Anna, I really enjoyed talking to him. He’s charming, well mannered and intelligent. He’s even more of a treat to see in person but I’m a realist. Today was as close as I will ever get to him in life and that’s okay with me.”
“I will never understand why you always sell yourself short.” Anna was dismayed.
“We have the same mother, you know why.”
“You have to put that out of your head. You can’t let your mother’s obsession with religion, weight and size rule your whole life,” Madison added.
“You’re right. I shouldn’t and most of the time I don’t. But come now, you’ve read the tabloids and seen the entertainment reports, Marcus Fox dates models and actresses with legs that start at their shoulders. My legs start at my knees. I am so not his type.”
Anna was clearly aggravated with Cathy. “That is total bull. Then how do you explain his interest in you when he only dates supermodel types?”
“I have no idea. Maybe he needs new contact lenses.”
“That man could be the one and you’re too afraid to find out.”
“You know for someone who takes risks on new writers, you sure play it safe when it comes to your own happiness,” Madison added.
“I’d rather have no expectations this way I won’t be disappointed.” Cathy maintained her position. “It’s the way I want to live for now, Madison. Maybe it will change down the road, but for now it’s working for me. And speaking of the Yankees, it’s almost game time.”
“We’ll leave you alone for now but you can bet we are going to revisit this topic,” Anna said.
“I know you will. By the way, Madison, don’t forget to load the dishwasher.”
Cathy headed upstairs as quickly as her legs would take her. She rushed into her room and flipped YES on. It was 7:10 P.M. and she’d missed the top of the first. However, her immediate concern was the score. Thankfully, the top of the first was a one, two, three inning. It was time for her man of the hour to step up to bat. Catherine watched the count intently when Marcus hit a triple.
“All right man! That’s how you do it!” She clapped.
Cathy knew her sister and cousin meant well but the way she figured it, speaking to Marcus bought a little more time for her self-imposed moratorium on dating. They just wanted her to be happy. She settled in to watch the rest of the game in peace. Today had been a fluke. As Chris Rock said, “Here today, gone today.” For Cathy it was a matter of being realistic. Not everyone got their happy ending.
The YES post-game report ended and Cathy was ready to turn in for the night. It was a good night for her. The Yankees had beat the Oakland A’s 11-4 to wrap up the series. Life was good.
v
Back in the Bronx, life was very good in the Yankee clubhouse. The team was on a winning streak and the press was happy. Marcus had given his obligatory interviews and now he wanted to find a quiet nook to make a call.
“Hey, guy.” His agent patted him on the shoulder. You had a pretty good game tonight.”
Marcus searched for Cathy’s business card. He’d written her home number on the back. “Thanks.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, man. I’m just looking for something.” He finally found the card in his duffle bag. “Got it.”
His agent raised an eyebrow. “Are you calling that cute little devil in the blue dress?”
Marcus smiled, but he was wary of his agent’s opinion. “Yeah. You want to say something about it?”
“Not at all. I think she is a looker.”
Marcus was surprised by his candor. “You do? I thought for sure you’d have something to say.”
“Why? Because she’s full-figured? I don’t care about that stuff. Personally, I like a woman with meat on her bones.”
“I never knew that, Ben.”
“You never asked.” He looked at his watch. “I’m going to head over to the GM’s office. Make your call.”
“Okay, man. I’ll see you later.”
v
Whether in the city or at home. Cathy was a workaholic. When her kids were home she’d had their activities to keep work and home balanced. With them away at college, Cathy worked around the clock. In a last ditch effort to get more down time, she’d tried establishing clear boundaries between her rest area and office, but judging by the Publisher’s Weekly on the night table, had failed miserably. Just as she leaned over to pick it up, she was startled by the phone. She looked at the caller ID but didn’t recognize the number. I better answer just in case. I don’t want someone leaving a message on the wrong answering machine.
She picked it up. “Hello?”
“Hello. Cathy?”
Who in the hell is this? She didn’t immediately recognize
the voice.
“I hope I didn’t wake you. Did you catch the game?” Catherine was stunned for a moment. Marcus Fox was
actually calling her.
“I sure did. It was a good game and a win. You can’t
beat that.”
“So you finally recognized my voice.”
She felt flushed. “I was in shock. I didn’t expect you to
call.”
“Why?”
“Well, I’m ashamed to say it, but I thought you were
being polite when you asked for my home number.” Marcus leaned against the wall. “Let me assure you I
didn’t ask for your number to be polite. I meet a lot of
women who give me their number whether I’ve asked for
it or not.” Marcus’s tone was clear and definite. Cathy’s heart jumped into her throat. It took her a
moment to gulp it back down. “If today’s impromptu
fashion show was any indication, I don’t know how you do
it.”
“It comes with the territory.” He laughed. Cathy seized the opportunity to change the subject.
“So you had a good night, 3 for 5 with three RBIs.” “Everyone on the team did their part.”
“Always the good leader,” she said.
“So are you a night owl, Cathy?” He sounded playful. “I have my moments, and most occur during baseball
season.”
He laughed. “I was calling about tomorrow afternoon’s
game.”
“I’m sure you don’t need any batting tips from me,” she
joked.
“I like a woman with a sense of humor.” He paused. “I
wondered if you would like to come to the game?” She felt positively gleeful. “I’d love to.”
“Great, then maybe we can go out for dinner afterwards.”
Cathy tried to get her heart back into her chest again.
“Sure.” She tried to sound casual.
“Good. I’ll send a car to pick you up.”
“That won’t be necessary. I can take the LIRR into the
city and hit the subway from there. Do you know what
hell it is to drive to Yankee Stadium from the boroughs, let
alone Long Island?”
“I know it’s hell, but I’m trying to impress you. So
please let me send a car,” he insisted.
She grinned. “Okay.”
“Good. What’s the address?”
“4312 Great Neck Road, Amityville.”
“Amityville? As in the Amityville Horror?”
“The one and only. Except I live in North Amityville.
<
br /> The horror house is in South Amityville.”
“So tell me, is the house really a horror?” he asked
jokingly.
“The only real horror in Amityville is the property
taxes and possibly the dating pool. Beyond that, it’s a
pretty cool place to live.”
He let out a big laugh. “That’s too funny.”
“I try.” She smiled.
“So let’s firm this up. I’ll have the car get you tomorrow
morning between ten thirty and eleven o’clock. Louis will
probably be there sooner rather than later.”
“Smart guy.”
“He knows what hell it is to drive to the stadium. Even
from Manhattan it’s a real bitch.”
“I bet.” She yawned. “Oh, I’m sorry. Excuse me.” “Don’t worry about it, you’re entitled to be tired. I’ll let
you go.”
“Thanks for calling.”
“You’re welcome. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.” “So am I. Have a good night.”
“You do the same.”
Cathy slipped under the covers, turned the light off
and stared into the darkness. She simply couldn’t believe it.
A few days earlier she’d thought she was on the edge of
growing into a single woman without cats. Cathy
wondered what the fates and Marcus Fox had in store for
her.
v
Just as Marcus closed his phone Ben walked over. “Okay, you’re all set for tomorrow.”
“Great.”
“I even got Melvin to be her attendant for the game.” “Fantastic.” He patted him on the back. “No one can
say you’re not earning your money.”
Ben laughed.
CHAPTER 5
When Cathy’s alarm clock went off at 4:15 A.M., she was already awake but dawdling in bed. She finally got up when her eyes focused on the time display. Fumbling around, she grabbed her workout clothes and headed into the bathroom where she washed her face, brushed her teeth, pinned her hair up and changed.
After stopping in the kitchen for a water bottle she was on her way. Contrary to the view most people have about fullfigured women, she made working out a part of her regimen four times a week. Even though the gym had every workout machine imaginable, Cathy walked the track. It helped to clear her head before the day began at the literary agency. However, today was different. She had to clear her head before her ‘date’ with Marcus Fox.
Leaving the house, Cathy walked into a wall of humidity. “They’d better have on the air conditioning,” she mumbled to herself. “God knows they collect enough dues to pay for it.” Five minutes later Cathy pulled into the parking lot. There was a line outside the door. Honestly, you’d think they were giving good bodies away on a first come, first serve basis. She laughed to herself.
v
Less than an hour but a world away from Cathy’s life, Marcus was awakened by the sound of his trainer leaning on the doorbell of his posh Manhattan penthouse. Mornings like this Marcus wished he’d never given his trainer’s name and photo to security. He dragged his body out of bed to answer the door.
“Hold your horses, George. I’m coming,” he grumbled. As he opened the door Marcus cringed at the sound of George clapping his hands. “Come on, Marcus. You have to get the lead out.” Even after 10 years of working together his cheeriness still reminded Marcus of a demented elf, which wasn’t too much of a stretch since George was about a minute tall. However, what he lacked in height he made up for in muscle and unbridled enthusiasm.
“We have to keep your win streak alive. Come on now.” Marcus grudgingly went into his bedroom to change while George waited in his circuit training room. He put a club music CD on.
“Aww man.” Marcus covered his ears. “Do you have to play that stuff?”
“It pumps you up!” George shouted.
Marcus threw on his sweats and a t-shirt.
“It gives me a headache. Put on something with a little beat, please. If I have to exercise this early in the morning I at least want some music I can dance to.”
“As you wish.” George changed the CD and put on some old school rap.
Marcus bopped his head to the beat. “Now that’s more like it. I can exercise to this.”
v
Cathy was into her third lap when Melody Dickson came in. Melody was one of those women who possessed star quality and an almost royal-like presence whenever she entered the gym, or a room for that matter. A former model, she stood 6’1 without shoes. Her well-toned cocoa brown body was enhanced by long shapely legs that seemed to start at her shoulders. As if she needed any more charm, her sparkling smile had the magical ability to turn grown men into deer in headlights. One of the subjects in her realm was Jason Martin, a personal trainer and musician. A racquetball enthusiast, he had a court every morning and every morning he was distracted by Melody. Cathy couldn’t figure out how he avoided getting whiplash or hit by the ball.
Melody dashed upstairs to join Cathy on the track. For the most part Cathy didn’t mind the company even though she knew the two of them looked like the female African American version of Laurel and Hardy. That didn’t bother her one bit because she liked Laurel and Hardy.
“Hey girl. What’s up?”
“Not much, Melody. How about you?”
“Same old thing, work stuff at the restaurant.” “What’s going on there?”
“The usual nonsense since I’m the only female and I’m
the line manager. Guys don’t like women telling them what to do. It’s just stupid.”
Cathy nodded. “I don’t know how you take it.”
“It’s all about the Benjamins.”
“I hear that.”
Melody looked around. “Speaking of Benjamin, have you seen him today?”
“I don’t think he’s come in yet.”
A forensic accountant, Benjamin Green was a little bit older, in great shape, smart, married and had a harmless crush on Melody.
“I have to keep an eye out for him. I need to ask him a couple of questions.”
“You’re still having trouble with your father’s estate? I thought that was resolved.”
“Are you kidding? We’re still fighting over money and real estate. It’s a mess.”
“It’s amazing what money does to people.”
“Tell me about it.”
Cathy noticed Jason staring at them. “We have an audience this morning.”
“I know.” Melody had a sly grin on her face.
“What’s going on? Or should I say what happened?” Cathy asked.
“Let’s just say we got together for a little television.”
Cathy watched in disbelief as Jason bench-pressed over 200 pounds with a smile on his face.
“That must have been some program.”
Melody flashed her million-dollar grin. “I’ll say.”
“If you’re not going to give me details, at least tell me which show it was. If nothing else I can at least TIVO it for a rainy day.”
“You are too funny. What are you up to today?”
“I’m heading into the city later this morning.”
“Is it business or pleasure? That sounds good. At least you travel off peak.”
“It’s business,” she lied. However, Melody seemed satisfied with the answer.
“Oh, before I forget, I wanted to ask you if you know of a good esthetician.”
“I know several. What do you need done?” Cathy asked.
“A bikini wax. A Brazilian bikini wax.”
“Oh that’s easy. I go to Lana’s Day Spa in the Village.”
“Really? She’s good?”
“Oh yeah. I was there about a week ago.”
“A bikini wax? Are you planning on getting busy with someone you haven’t told me about?” Melody asked suspiciously
“Just because tourism has fallen off down
the Brazilian way doesn’t mean I shouldn’t keep the streets of Rio clean and presentable on a moments notice. I do pride myself on being ready to entertain.” Cathy grinned.
“Girl you know you are too funny.”
“I try.”
“You should get back in the game.”
“I will.”
Melody didn’t look convinced. “You always say that. In fact, you’ve been saying that for the past two or three years.”
“I know I’m all talk.”
“Your boys are in college and you are all of 40 years old. Do you know how many people would kill to be in your position?”
“What? Overworked and overextended?”
“One day we’re going to have a serious conversation about this.”
“I know, but I just can’t have that conversation today.” Cathy looked at her watch. “It’s time for me to bounce. I have to get my day started.”
“Okay, girl. I’m going to the ab room.” She patted her non-existent stomach. “My stomach is getting so big.”
Cathy squinted to see what she was talking about. “Melody, you don’t know what a real mid-section looks like.” She patted her stomach. “Now here’s a real tummy.”
She looked. “You aren’t all that big there.”
“You know, I do love the smell of fiction in the morning. I’m not sure I even have stomach muscles anymore,” she said jokingly.
“You had kids. Twins no less.”
“Eighteen years ago. I think that excuse is way past its expiration date.” She looked at her watch again. “I’ve really got to go. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Cathy walked over to the steps.
“See you later.”
v
Finally it was the cool down portion of Marcus’s workout. George handed him a towel.
“You worked hard today.” George smiled
“Don’t I work out hard everyday?”
“Yes, you do.”
“What was so different from any other day?”
“Nothing, I guess.”
George tossed him a water bottle as he got off the treadmill.
“You want to stay for breakfast? Marta’s bringing something in.”
Not His Type Page 6
