Cathy shook her hand. “I’m Catherine Chambers. My friends call me Cathy.”
“Nice to meet you, Cathy.”
“Same here.”
“Let’s just you and me get to know each other before the game starts.”
“Sure.”
They sat down.
“You know, I don’t know how religious you are, but I believe God sent me here today for a reason.”
Cathy was immediately wary. She had no intention of indulging any more heebie jeebie people. She’d had enough of that.
“I can see you’re skeptical. You see, my husband and I were supposed to go to yesterday’s game but everything got fouled up. So we had to switch to today’s game.”
Cathy was still wary. “I see.”
She smiled. “Then I read about you in today’s gossip column and I thought to myself that you might be in need of someone to talk to. Now here I am in the same suite with you.”
Cathy immediately got defensive. “If this is about trying to get a story or some kind of dirt on me, I’m not having it.”
“No. Not at all. I guess I’m not saying this as plainly as I should. You see Cathy, twenty-three years ago I was you.”
She was jolted. “I beg your pardon?”
“I’m married to Jerry La Fontaine.”
“The Jerry La Fontaine who played for the Kansas City Royals?”
“The one and only. You really know your baseball, don’t you?”
“For as long as I can remember.”
“That’s why I said I think God sent me here today so I could talk to you.”
Cathy relaxed slightly. “Maybe He did.”
“I wanted you to know that you’re not alone. As you can see, I’m a big girl and I’ve been one all my life. Back then they didn’t have as many nice stores to buy jeans, tops and dresses for full-figured women. We had those blasted catalogs with designs so frumpy your grandmother wouldn’t be caught dead in one at her own funeral.”
Cathy laughed. She remembered the catalogs. “I know that’s the truth.”
She smiled. “Seeing as I was always a pretty good seamstress I made all my own clothes. I would look at a regular pattern, then I would cut it to fit me so I would be as fashionable as the next girl. Then one night I went out with a group of friends and lo and behold who walked in but Jerry La Fontaine. Well, I can tell you almost every woman in the place went crazy. They strutted and shook their moneymakers and put tissue in their bras. Hell, they did everything they could, short of getting buck naked in front of him.”
Cathy laughed. “I bet they did. If memory serves me he was one hot ticket with the ladies.”
“Oh yes, he was. Women were prepared to do anything to get his attention—every woman in the place but me. You see, I was always the fat friend who came along to hold their purses while they danced. I didn’t think I could get his attention. So imagine my shock when he asked me to dance, but I got un-shocked quickly and got right on my feet. That dance led to us dating. It also led to a lot of ugliness.”
“Really?”
“People would say, ‘Jerry’s dating that fat chick,’ and he got razzed about it by some teammates and other ballplayers. It wasn’t easy for either of us.”
“I know how you feel.”
“Other women were always sniping at me, too. A lot of them let me know in no uncertain terms that I wasn’t good enough to be with such a dynamic and good looking man.”
“I know how that feels, too,” Cathy sighed.
“Even some of my friends would encourage me to lose a few pounds. I knew they had good intentions, but you and I both know the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
Cathy nodded her head. “You’ve got that right.”
“It was hard but I didn’t let it change me. Jerry saw something in me he liked, regardless of my size. I had no reason to go messing with a good thing. Now we’ve been married for 23 years.”
“Twenty-three years. That’s really nice.”
“What I’m trying to say to you is this: For a lot of people athletes are the closest thing to physical perfection we have here on earth. Naturally they expect the physical perfection to include their lives outside of sports. They’re used to seeing professional athletes with their cookie cutter girlfriends and wives.”
“You know, I never thought of it that way.”
“That’s why they give you such a hard time. You don’t fit into the mold and they can’t understand what Marcus sees in you. Just like they couldn’t figure out what Jerry saw in fat old me.”
“You didn’t feel persecuted?”
“I know it feels like persecution but we’re not witches to be burned at the stake honey, we’re fat girls.”
She winced. “Don’t say that.”
“Why not? When I say it I take hold of the power and they can’t use it to hurt me.”
“You have a point there.”
“I know I do. I didn’t go to college or take psychology but I believe in that whole self-fulfilling prophecy thing. To me, if you act like you’re fat and don’t deserve anything good to happen to you, then that is exactly what will happen. It has nothing to do with the fates, other people or even God. You will have shot your own self in the foot. Only one person is to blame for that.”
“You know, Fil, I think you just might be the smartest person I’ve ever met. Whatever brought us together today, I’m glad it did.”
“Aren’t you sweet? It’s so funny. When I saw that column this morning I said to Jerry, ‘I wish I could talk to her. She must be feeling totally isolated.’ ”
“I was. Marcus is very supportive and understanding but I don’t think he could ever really know.”
“It is something that comes over time. Do yourself a favor and don’t freeze him out. I think he’s the kind that can handle it. Anyone who plays for the Yankees comes from good stock.” She looked over her shoulder. “Shh. Don’t tell Jerry I said that, he might take issue.”
Cathy chuckled. “I won’t.”
“Good. Now I know this game is fixing to start, but I hope I’ve been able to help.”
“More than you know, Fil. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome, sunshine. Anytime.”
Cathy reached for her bag. “May I have your number? I’d like to call you from time to time if that’s okay with you.”
“Aren’t you sweet? Of course you can.”
They exchanged phone numbers just before the first pitch of the game.
Cathy had to admit she felt better after hearing about Fil’s experience. She even thought that maybe God, the fates or both had maneuvered things to get them together. Fil had made some good points about things she’d never thought of before. Athletes were raised to the level of gods in this country. They represented the embodiment of hard work and exceptional physical prowess. For Marcus to go out with a woman who represented what was average about this country’s women was sort of blasphemous. Cathy knew she had to make sure she could handle it. She wondered if maybe she could be another Fil and hang in there for the long run.
Cathy had the opportunity to meet Jerry just before the bottom of the first and he was as sweet as his Fil. Watching them together, she wondered how anyone could have given such a cute couple a hard time.
The afternoon was a boon for both Marcus and Cathy. She made a new friend and Marcus had a stellar afternoon after hitting the cycle; a single, double, triple and a homerun. Cathy was so tickled for him. The Yankees were able to keep their winning streak alive, seven straight.
CHAPTER 16
After the game Cathy had to run the gauntlet. Two security guys flanked her to shelter her from the throng of press people who lay in wait. Security had come up with an alternate way for her to get out of the stadium but her back was acting up a bit and she wasn’t physically up to the challenge. Actually she was feeling unsteady so she used the guys for a little support until she got to the car.
Louis helped her get situated in the seat, then hoppe
d in the car and they were off. “Ms. Chambers are you all right?”
“I’m a little shaken up, but otherwise I’m fine. Thanks, Louis.”
“If you start to feel worse, tell me and we’ll go straight to the hospital or your doctor’s office. Whatever you need.”
“Thank you, Louis, I’ll keep it in mind. I’m going to rest my eyes for a little while.”
“I think that’s a good idea.”
Louis was perceptive. She wasn’t doing well. Even though the whole gossip column thing was essentially over, she worried about the next headline or caption. What clever, witty little sound bites would they think of next? But for now she closed her eyes and enjoyed the quiet of the car ride. Deep down she knew something was brewing with her back. All the signs were there and if she didn’t take care, she wouldn’t be able to make it to Tampa with Marcus this coming weekend.
She opened her eyes to Louis gently nudging her. “Ms. Chambers? We’re home.”
She yawned. “That went fast.”
“It always does when you’re sleeping,” he joked. She had to laugh.
He assisted her in getting out. “Are you okay to walk to the door?”
“I’m fine.”
Cathy realized her back was a little worse than she’d originally thought. She had to move slowly to get to the front door.
“Let me help you inside, Ms. Chambers.”
“Thanks. I’m so embarrassed. I promise I didn’t have anything to drink. I’m not drunk.”
“I know Ms. Chambers. Your back is acting up.” He kept her upright. “Do you have your keys? It doesn’t look like anyone’s home.”
She had the keys in her pocket. He opened the door and helped her get to the sofa in the living room.
“Louis, how did you know it was my back?”
“How does the saying go? Been there, done that. I have a bit of a back problem myself.”
“Isn’t that something? How did you hurt your back?”
“I was in a car accident.”
“Me, too.”
He laughed. “Our bad luck.”
“Tell me about it.” He turned around. “I’ll be right back with your bag.”
“Take your time,” she called.
It only took a moment. “Here you go. Where should I put it down?”
“My bedroom is on the second floor so you can leave it by the stairs. I’ll ask my sister or cousin to take it up for me.”
“Very good.”
“So, Louis, how long since your accident? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“I don’t mind at all. It’s been about six years now.”
“I’m double that number.”
“You don’t suppose we were hit by the same guy, do you?” he laughed.
“I wouldn’t be surprised,” she grinned.
“You should take it easy and not let these crazy fools in the press bother you.”
“That’s easier said than done.”
“The bottom line is you have to take care of yourself and let things roll off your back.”
“That’s a tall order but I’ll try.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.” He looked at his watch. “Well, Ms. Chambers, I must be heading back. Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’m fine. Either my sister or my cousin will be along shortly.”
“Very good then. Have a good evening.”
“You, too.”
v
Cathy was awakened by the rattle of keys at the door. “Hello? Is anybody home?” Madison called. “I’m right here in the living room.”
“Oh there you are. I didn’t know you were back.” “I just got home a little while ago.”
He sat down. “So it seems that I’m not the only one
who had an interesting weekend.” Cathy’s curiosity got the better of her. “What happened to you this weekend? Did you have another run in with that guy?”
“I took out a restraining order to cover all contact between him and me. Still, he’s not listening. He’s been sending me coded messages from someone else’s computer,” Madison said.
“But you’re on to him. Have the police discovered where the messages are coming from?”
“Not yet. As far as the cops are concerned this is a low priority civil matter. Meaning, they will enforce the restraining order but they can’t do much more than that. Unless he violates the order in a clear, definitive way, their hands are tied.”
“But he’s on record as assaulting you. Are you supposed to twiddle your thumbs?”
“That’s what it seems like. I had to upgrade the security system at my apartment and I don’t walk to my car alone now. The whole thing has me freaked.”
“I know how you feel.”
“Speaking of freaked out, I know you hit the roof when you saw that garbage in the paper.”
“Freaked out hardly begins to cover it. I was really beside myself. Thank God Marcus had the kind of clout to handle it. There will be a retraction in tomorrow’s paper.”
“How did that happen? They usually hide behind the first amendment.”
“There was a fourth woman in the bathroom. She heard the whole thing go down and will refute the story.”
Anna casually walked in holding her briefcase. “Hey, you’re back.”
“I just got in a little while ago. Why the briefcase? It is Sunday right?”
“Yeah. I had to help someone with a tax question.”
“Oh.”
“It seems like I’m here in time to hear what really went down in the bathroom at that club.”
“I’m actually getting sick of replaying this in my mind so I will only go through this once more. Okay? I don’t mean to sound horrible but I’m tired.”
“Go ahead,” Madison said.
Cathy recounted what happened in detail. The way she saw it, if she gave them the straight skinny they’d be able to tell everyone, including her mother and father, what went on.
Anna was pacing like a bull. “I can’t believe you didn’t jump out and beat their asses for that cow remark.”
“Anna, I didn’t do anything to them but say a few words and you see how much happened without me laying one hand on them.”
“It’s a good thing Marcus got a retraction, but you can still sue.” Madison was emphatic.
“I plan to. I think E.D. is getting in touch with Frank tomorrow morning to set something up.”
“Good. They should pay for this. That caption was God-awful. What would possess anyone to write something like that about another human being?”
“It’s because being fat is the last form of acceptable discrimination in this country. Hell there’s a whole multi billion dollar weight loss industry based on the fact that no one wants to be called fat. I never thought about it until Mrs. Phyllis La Fontaine brought a few things to my attention.”
The name rang a bell for Anna. “That last name sounds really familiar. Is she related to Jerry La Fontaine from the Royals?”
“She’s his wife and she went through the same thing when she and Jerry were dating. Her theory is athletes are perfect so there is a certain amount of perfection that’s expected of people around them. So when a perfect man dates someone who is less than perfect, some people seem to go crazy.”
“It’s unfortunate that most of those people are in the media,” Madison observed.
“Isn’t that the truth?” Anna stopped to look at Cathy more closely; she could see something was wrong. “You don’t look like yourself, Cathy. What’s going on?”
“My back is acting up a bit.”
Madison shook his head. “I think the stress is really setting it off.”
Cathy shrugged. “It’s because I haven’t worked out in a couple of days. I have my meds. Things will be fine in the morning when I go back to the gym.”
Anna raised her eyebrows. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I think you should make an appointment with Dr. Adams to be sure.”
After the few days s
he’d had Cathy was defiant. “I’ll make an appointment but I am heading to the gym in the A.M. as usual. I also plan to make it into the city office this week. Don’t worry, I have to see Dr. Adams anyway to get checked out before I fly out on Friday.”
Madison raised his glasses. “Fly where?”
“Tampa. The Yankees are playing the D-Rays at Tropicana Field and Marcus asked me if I would come down for the series.”
“Sounds good to me. I think I’ll come along. I have some vacation owed me from the state,” Anna said. “I could use a break from my whole Cape Fear theme and going somewhere warm where the women are still showing some skin sounds like the right medicine to me.”
“I don’t need a couple of babysitters, you know,” Cathy quipped.
“I’m not babysitting anybody. Roger might go so he can visit some friends who live in the area.”
Cathy knew they wouldn’t take no for an answer. It was nice to know she had family support. She was grateful but she didn’t let on.
Just as Anna was about to leave, she noticed something a little different about Cathy again. “Are you using a different conditioner? Your hair looks really shiny and full.”
Cathy automatically started fussing with her hair. “No, I haven’t changed conditioners or anything.” “She has sex hair.”
Cathy was taken aback. “What the hell are you talking about, Madison?”
“You’ve never heard of sex hair?” He seemed shocked. “It’s basically the result of a lot of showers for two without wearing old lady shower caps and air drying your hair.”
Cathy playfully threw a napkin at him. “Who asked you?”
“All of that gives you amazing looking hair?”
“Don’t front, Anna. I’ve seen you with sex hair plenty of times.”
“Cathy’s right. Who the hell asked you?”
“I’m just calling it like I see it.”
Anna put her hands on her hips. “Yeah. We’ll just see how many ladies you meet wind up with sex hair this weekend.”
Madison simply grinned.
v
Even though she was more active now than ever, Cathy still got up Monday morning at four for the gym. Besides, with Marcus in Baltimore her aerobic activities were now limited to power walking on the track.
Not His Type Page 23
