My Instructor (4 page)

“
Not on your life,” she retorted.

He smiled as he led her onto her porch. They stood in front of the door as she dug in her purse for her house key.

“Ta da!” she exclaimed as she produced the elusive mechanism.

He took it from her and inserted it into the lock and twisted. The bolt unlocked. He handed the key back to her.

“Thank you, Aaron. I really had a great time. Chance was fabulous, and you have a wonderful family. Thank you for including me,” she said gratefully.

“
You are welcome, and my family likes you very much. Believe me, they would have let me know if they hadn’t,” he frowned.

“
Well, I’m glad I passed muster,” she returned.

“
There was never a doubt. Will I see you at the gym tomorrow?” he asked.

“
Ugh! Yes. I’ll be there. Is one o’clock good?” she asked.

“
Works for me. I’ll see you then,” he replied.

She gave him a quick hug.

“Goodnight, Aaron,” she smiled.

“
Goodnight, Tiffany,” he returned.

She pushed open her door to go in. He waved as he skipped down the porch steps. He got into his car and drove off. Tiffany closed the door and locked it. She went into her room and sat on the bed. It really had been a good night. The best night she’d enjoyed in a very long time. She sighed then got up to prepare for bed.

Chapter 3

Tiffany met with Aaron the next day. They talked about Chance’s performance and the party that followed while working out. Aaron progressively increased the level of difficulty for her exercises, and she met the challenge. She wasn’t nearly as sore as when she started, and she began to think that she actually could achieve her goal. They worked hard, and the time seemed to fly by. Before she knew it, their session had come to an end.

“Good work, Tiffany. You’re working very hard. You’ll soon start seeing the results,” he said. He picked up a towel to dry the sweat off his neck.

Tiffany swiped the perspiration from her forehead.

“Thanks, Aaron. I couldn’t do this without your help. You are invaluable to me,” she said.

“
I would like to think so, but I know I’m not,” he grinned.

Tiffany smiled hesitantly. His comment could be construed in more than one way. She turned away from him to look out the window. She was sure his comment was quite innocent, so why was she uneasy. She probably was reading way too much into it. Aaron looked at her as she faced the window. Had he said the wrong thing? The remark had slipped out of his mouth before he knew it. There was no easy way to fix it, so he remained quiet. He could see that the words had bothered her, but would she shy away from him because of it? Damn it! He could have cut his tongue out. Just when things were going so well he had to screw it up. Now, he could only wait it out to see how she would react. She finally turned from the window and smiled at him.

“I think I’ll take off. Enjoy your weekend,” she said kindly.

“
Yeah. You too,” he returned.

She walked briskly into the changing room. She hadn’t sounded irritated; just aloof. Now all he could do was wait. They had arranged to meet three days a week; Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. He would have to see if she came to the gym on Tuesday. The next two and a half days would be the longest of his life. She came out of the changing room carrying her gym bag, and walked straight to the door without looking in his direction. He could only pray that she would dismiss his remark.

Tiffany drove home wondering about Aaron’s comment. Why did it bother her so much? His words had referred to his training prowess and nothing else. There was no personal message associated with them. But did she want there to be? She shook her head negatively. No. She did not. She didn’t think of Aaron in romantic terms, and she didn’t see that changing. He was becoming a friend, but that was all. She arrived at her house and clicked her garage door opener. The door opened, and she drove her red Cooper into the garage. She noticed that Marisa’s blue VW bug was in the garage. Apparently, she was home from work. She closed the garage door and went into the house.

“
Hey, Marisa,” Tiffany called out.

Tiffany went into her bedroom and dropped her gym bag onto the chaise.

“I’m out here,” Marisa called out from the patio.

Tiffany kicked her shoes off and padded out to the back patio. Marisa was lounging on the couch with her feet up. Tiffany plopped down in the adjacent chair. She leaned her head back against the chair back and closed her eyes. The tranquil sound of the rushing water from their waterfall was soothing.

“Rough workout?” Marisa asked.

“
Aaron put me through my paces. The workout is getting harder,” Tiffany complained.

“
I’m sure he thinks you can do it,” Marisa said.

“
Doesn’t mean I like it,” she retorted.

Marisa chuckled.

“I’m sure you don’t. But just think of that sexy, skimpy black skirt you’ll soon be rockin’. That reward makes it all worthwhile,” Marisa mused.

Tiffany opened her eyes and grinned.

“That’s true,” she grinned.

“
Tell me how your date went. I had an early shift at the store this morning, so I could talk to you,” Marisa said.

“
Just as well. I was dead to the world this morning anyway,” Tiffany replied.

“
That good, huh?” Marisa said excitedly.

“
It was a very nice evening, but it wasn’t a date,” Tiffany reminded her.

“
So you keep saying. Get to the details,” Marisa urged her.

Tiffany told Marisa how great the dance revue was and how extraordinary Chance danced.

“He is amazing. That kid doesn’t have a bone in his body. The jumps and flips he executed were beyond the abilities of a seasoned contortionist,” Tiffany enthused.

“
Wow! No wonder he wants to attend the Ailey School of Dance. His parents must be so proud of him,” Marisa said.

“
They are. And there’s no wonder. He is a terrific kid and he’s also African American,” Tiffany said.

“
Excuse me?” Marisa was confused. “I just assumed he was Caucasian because Aaron is.”

“
I made the same mistake. But his mother is African American and his father is Caucasian,” Tiffany said.

“
So the Jacob men have a penchant for Black women,” Marisa said thoughtfully.

Tiffany shrugged.

“I guess. I hadn’t really thought about it,” Tiffany said.

“
Of course you haven’t. After all, last night wasn’t a date,” Marisa said. She rolled her eyes at Tiffany.

“
No, it wasn’t,” Tiffany said stubbornly.

Marisa didn’t bother to respond. She saw Tiffany’s obstinate chin and knew it would be for naught. Tiffany would have to see the writing on the wall for herself. But Marisa couldn’t wait to see that happen. Aaron was a handsome guy with all the attributes that Tiffany was looking for. She wondered how Tiffany would react. Would she blow him off because he wasn’t an African American dude? That was the only ethnicity that Tiffany had ever dated. Or would she give him a chance? She hoped that she would because her intuition was telling her that Aaron was the one. Tiffany grinned.

“They would have really cute kids,” she thought.

“
What are you smiling about?’ Tiffany asked suspiciously.

Tiffany saw the merriment in her friend’s eyes and wondered what she was thinking.

“Nothing. Can’t a person smile if they want to?” Marisa asked innocently.

“
Not you,” Tiffany said in mock annoyance.

“
I’m hurt that you would question a simple smile,” Marisa laughed.

Tiffany gave her a look that said: give me a break.

“Anyway, after the show the family celebrated at Angelo’s Restaurant,” Tiffany said.

“
Ooh! Nice,” Marisa said duly impressed.

“
Exactly. The party was a lot of fun and Aaron’s family is really nice and rowdy,” Tiffany related.

“
My kind of people,” Marisa grinned.

Tiffany laughed.

“Mine too,” Tiffany joked.

“
Will you see them again?” Marisa asked.

“
I have no idea. But they’re good people. I wouldn’t mind if I did,” Tiffany said. She stood. “I’m going to make something to eat. I’m starved. Can I get you something?”

“
No, I’m good,” Marisa said.

Tiffany left the patio. Marisa smiled. She would have the last laugh yet.

*****

Tiffany did show up at the gym the following Tuesday much to Aaron’s relief. She seemed herself, talking and joking as if nothing had occurred. Aaron was quick to follow her lead, and they had a good training session. They never seemed to run out of things to talk about. She was beginning to talk more about herself, and he was learning that there was a lot more to her than what one might assume. She had begun to share her personal and work goals.

“I would someday like to own a jewelry store which houses only the highest, finest quality of gems. I don’t know how that will happen. I just know that it will,” she said.

Aaron was spotting for her as she lifted the bench press. He looked down into her gorgeous cherry brown eyes. Right now, they had a glint of determination in them.

“You can achieve anything you set out to do. There’s a fierce passion in you that will not be denied,” he said.

“
It’s going to take a lot more than passion to get my store. Jewel brokers do not accept fierce passion for payment of gemstones,” she said.

She performed two more reps then Aaron set the bar in the rack.

“You’ll get the money. Just know it, see it and you’ll have it,” Aaron encouraged.

“
You are a promoter of visualization and positive thinking?” she asked as she sat up.

“
Absolutely. If you truly know that what you want is what you now have, then the power of God never fails,” he answered seriously.

She nodded in agreement.

“We share the same understanding. It’s nice to encounter someone who thinks as you do,” she smiled.

“
It’s a testament that we will be lifelong friends,” he responded.

“
I think we will be,” she agreed. She stood. “Hey, there’s a party taking place at Lake Bellevue over the Memorial Day weekend. A group of friends are getting together to swim, eat and pretty much act crazy. Would you like to come?”

“
Sure. Sounds like fun,” he smiled.

“
Good. Can you meet at my house at four o’clock on Friday?” she asked.

“
Shouldn’t be a problem,” he responded.

“
We have a cabin at the lake and would like to get there the day before,” she explained. “It will be an all-day, all night affair, but you can leave whenever you want. And of course, you are welcome to stay in our cabin.”

“
Alright. Thanks. What should I bring?” he asked.

“
Not a thing. Everything is taken care of,” she said.

That didn’t sit well with him. He would feel awkward showing up empty-handed.

“Uh-no. You’re not going to call me the moocher. I’ll bring beer,” he chided.

Tiffany laughed.

“No one would call you that. But if it makes you feel better, bring the beer. You can never have too much of that beverage at a party,” she giggled.

“
I will. And thanks for the invite,” he said.

“
Not a problem. We’re friends, remember?” she smiled.

“
I remember,” he replied.

“
See you on Saturday,” she smiled.

“
See you then,” he returned.

She walked toward the door then exited. Aaron started jabbing the punching bag joyfully. Not only had the crisis been averted, but she had invited him to a party. Things were back on track, and he couldn’t be happier.

*****

Both Tiffany and Marisa eagerly anticipated the lake party weekend. The festivities would go on for the entire weekend, and it should be a blast. With the store being closed for the holiday, it was the perfect weekend to get away. They were in the kitchen busily packing food boxes. Everyone had their assignment of what they should bring. Stephanie, their good friend and the event organizer had given out the tasks early on.

“
Gosh, I need this break,” Marisa said. “A weekend to relax and let loose. I wonder what kind of trouble I can stir up.”

“
I’m sure you’ll find something to set off the fireworks,” Tiffany laughed as she packed paper goods in a box.

“
I hear Felice will be there. That should set off some alarms,” Marisa said scathingly.

“
The ladies had better keep their men out of the water. The barracuda will be on the prowl,”
Tiffany snickered.

“
And she will pounce on Aaron in an instant,” Marisa thought. “Well, maybe that was the wake up call that Tiffany needed.”

“
You had better warn Aaron about her,” Marisa cautioned.

Tiffany shrugged.

“Maybe she’s his type. He’s a big boy. I’m sure he can take care of himself,” Tiffany said dismissively.

Marisa wanted to strangle Tiffany. Sometimes she could be so dense. The biggest jerk in the world didn’t deserve the punishment of having to deal with Felice. Felice was a self-absorbed bitch that didn’t care who she hurt to get what she wanted. And the moment she laid eyes on Aaron her antenna would be pointed in his direction. Well, if Tiffany’s good judgment had gone astray, hers hadn’t. She would be sure to tell Aaron about Felice at the earliest opportunity.

“A heads up can never hurt,” Marisa said.

Marisa's cell phone rang, and she went into the other room to take the call. Tiffany thought about Marisa’s comment about Felice making a play for Aaron. Although she hadn’t wanted to give Marisa the wrong impression about her feelings for Aaron, she didn’t want to see him tangled up with Felice. Aaron was a nice guy and she did not want to see his good nature taken advantage of. And this was exactly what Felice would do in her efforts to rein him in. Tiffany would just have to make sure that didn’t happen. She would keep her eye on the situation and if Felice chose to bare her claws, well she had some of her own to expose. Marisa came back into the kitchen, and they chatted and continued packing. They finished up and decided to go to bed. It was late, and they were tired.