BOMAW Vol. 10-12 (78 page)

"Oh, okay. So, uh where'd he go?"

"Oh yeah! Duh! He went to register you two into the dancing contest they're having here. A tango contest!"

"A tango contest?!" Crystal shook her head laughing, "That Ben! The tango huh? And how did he find out about that?"

"My boyfriend! See, he was waiting on me, to tell me, that he'd made it and signed us up for the tango! Because I think it's so sexy you know! He doesn't like it, he's like strictly hip-hop - so am I really, but the tango - who wouldn't want to do the tango if they're given a chance, you know what I mean? So like he was waiting there, on the stairs, where your boyfriend must have been waiting, and they like, started talking, and my boyfriend told your boyfriend about me forcing him to do the tango in a dancing contest, not that I'm really forcing him, he needs to broaden his horizons you know what I mean? Anyway, your boyfriend was like totally excited! He was like,
where where
- you know, to sign up! My boyfriend told him, just as I was coming out, he - my boyfriend, introduced me, to your boyfriend and he, your boyfriend asked me, would I let you know, that he was signing you two up. He said your name was Crystal and he started to describe you, but I already knew what you looked like you see; because we'd been watching you two ever since you got here, thinking, we should couple up with you guys, because you're like, well ... like us - black and white! Cool huh?!" She finally stopped, smiling like a 200 watt light bulb, blinding Crystal; who had to close to her mouth after all of that. The girl barely stopped to take a breath and was in energy overdrive,
'Ah, a valley girl.'
She immediately thought.

"I see, so I take it, your boyfriend is, black?"

"And beau-ti-ful! Ohmigod! Okay, just look up, black and beautiful, in the dictionary, and you will see my man - he'll be right there, smiling that smile. He's such a freakin' god, I swear! So like, this is our first time here, because he works for the bank, making some sure'nuff serious ass money girl! He's like the ultimate
femm
- fine, educated, making money and mine!
Em hm,
all
mine! Thing is, we don't really like, know anyone, know what I mean? And then, I like, spotted you guys - and I thought, no way - this is too perfect you know! We kind'ah watched to see if you guys would join up with anyone else and when you didn't, we kind'ah followed you to here! Oh and you guys are soooo much in love, that was sooo cool to see two people so into each other you know? It's like me and Corey you know, that's my boyfriend's name, Corey, we are like sooo in love that everyone that sees us, they go, - you guys are so totally - I mean like really deep into each other, like, you were meant to be! And I'm like, I know, I know right? It's so cool! And you two are like that! It is so - totally awesome!" She smiled so proud of herself.

"O-o-oka-a-ay - that's uh, really nice. So, I guess we should go and look for them huh?"

"Oh no problem, I know where they are, Corey's taking Ben to the table to sign you guys up."

"I see, okay Vanessa, I guess you should lead the way."

"Follow me! So like, where are you guys from? Not here I know, down South maybe?"

"Actually, North-East I guess you could say, we're from Wisconsin. I grew up in Chicago and uh, my boyfri - um, Ben, he grew up in Wisconsin. I went there to college and ended up living there permanently."

"Wow, Chicago? I don't know anyone from there, I've been right here, all my life!"

"I can tell." Crystal smiled agreeing.

They went on, walking through the ever growing numbers of people still arriving. Thankfully, because of Vanessa's endless chatter, Crystal was able to wipe all previous thoughts and fears from mind. Because Vanessa was never lost for a word to say and often, Crystal need only smile, nod or give a brief and fitting answer and she was off once more into a long monologue. The mansion was almost full of people, and the areas open to them required quite a bit of walking to get from one end to the other, or one location to the other. Halfway to the area where the dance contest registration table sat, the girls met up with their guys.

"There they are!" Vanessa's exuberant cheer for spotting them was as if they'd been apart for weeks instead of a few moments. She waved vigorously to get their attention, which was unnecessary; Crystal could see that they'd been spotted, as Vanessa's boyfriend's gleaming, very white smile lit up like beacon in the night. And yes, as she'd stated, he was indeed one good looking black man. Corey, reminded her of a very young Sydney Poitier. Very dark in complexion, extremely deep and captivating voice, dashing good looks, tall, his hair very well done, short dreads on the top sloping into a perfect fade; his suit, tailored to perfection. He could easily pass for an African prince, with eyes only for his girl. Who went to him and hugged him as if they'd been separated for far too long, "Honey I missed you, you miss me?"

Amused by her attention to him, he smiled down at her, "I was only gone a moment precious."

"That was too long!" She replied exaggerating.

Crystal thought she would gag any moment as she turned her eyes to Ben, who was busy rolling his and pretending to up chuck any second.

She had to look away quickly before she laughed out loud.

"Crystal right?" Corey greeted her, holding his hand out to her, as Vanessa clung to his body under his right arm.

She snapped back to them, blushing a bit to have been caught snickering low. Corey's mirth enhanced his good looks, accepting what he knew they simpered about.

"Yes, Crystal, nice to meet you Corey." She greeted, glancing at Ben, who watched her, waiting for eye contact to wink and smile at her. He was taken by surprise when she walked to him, stood right up close and intimate to say, "I hear that we're in a tango contest, is that so?" She gently grasped the lapels of his suit.

Ben felt his heart leap to his throat, looking down at her, moving his hands to grasp her arms, he nodded, "We most certainly are, you up for it?"

"Are you kidding me? Bring it on."

"I'd hoped you say that." As if it were the most common thing to do, Ben shifted her around and beneath his arm. Since Crystal started it, she had little choice but to go the rest of the way, emulating the other couple, taking a place by her man's side.

"I'm sorry to have to part company with you two, but you'll have to excuse us - we have 30 minutes before dinner to work on a routine for the contest, because you see, we have every intention of winning it." He assured them, and then looked down at Crystal, giving her a squeeze, "Right babe?"

"I refuse to have it any other way." She agreed.

"A routine? Why? It's like, the tango!? It's only an amateur contest you know - just for fun!" Vanessa exclaimed, looking as though she found the prospects of them going it alone again, alarming.

Ben didn't care, "That may be so, but we're gonna give it all we got, so, we'll have to meet back up with you guys for dinner." He informed them, already turning to walk away and find a spot.

"Wait! Where will we meet back up? This is like a really big place, you know what I mean?" Vanessa called to them.

"Honey, look at their name tag - we're in the same section, I'm sure we'll spot them easy enough." Corey pointed out in his deep voice, stroking her back reassuringly. Vanessa almost pooled at his feet, his voice and eyes shooting tingles down her spine.

"He's right! We'll see you at dinner!" Ben called out before he and Crystal disappeared from them into the crowd.

"Holy shit! Is it just me or are we gonna spend the whole evening running from crazy ass people!" Ben grumbled, holding onto Crystal as he headed for the back of the mansion towards the gardens.

Crystal died laughing at him, trying to keep in step with him as he wasted no time putting as much space between them as possible.

"They're not that bad, I'd rather them, than the,
'Wherrington's'
!" Crystal reasoned.

"Ha! I'm telling you now, we're avoiding them at all cost! Corey's cool, but that Vanessa! I'd be crazy before the nights up around that chick!" He complained.

Crystal laughed, "Ben! Come on, she's not that bad! You sure she's not your type?" She teased as they found another section of rooms, one with an entire wall of French doors flanked by tall columns, they exited the ones open and found themselves on the broadest, patio either of them had ever seen, it seemed to go on forever, quite a few people milled about outdoors, enjoying the evening breeze and grand gardens; Ben led onward determined to find the perfect spot for them to work on the dance.

"My type?! Ha, you must be joking! Sorry, the few moments I sat watching and listening to her - I looked at him thinking, you've got to be kidding me! The guy must be crazy in love, because he couldn't wait to get back to her ... just goes to show, there really is someone for everyone!"

"Aaah, I think that's sweet."

"Yeah, the kind that makes you pay later with a gut ache or a tooth ache! And if I hear, one more, I know, I know right, like, like - I'm gonna blow!"

Crystal couldn't resist it, "Yeah I know right, it's like, ohmigod, like how much can you bear, you know?!"

The look he shot her over his shoulder, stopped her in her tracks with laughter, "You should have never let me see this side of you Mr. McPherson, now I know how to get you; right under your skin."

They'd reached the spot just then; Ben turned pulling her suddenly against him, holding her there with a strong hand to her back. "Trust me, you found that out, long before this night." He murmured breathless, holding her there trapped against him. Crystal suddenly sobered, staring up at him, breathing hard and fast. She pushed gently against him, trying to get him to let go. "Ah, I see, so what you did in there with them, was just - for my sake? Your sake? So as not to embarrass me?" He asked knowingly, accepting that he reluctantly released her. Crystal stepped back and unable to look at him a moment more, turned to the view lit up before them. They faced a magnificent garden where dominating that section of it was a very impressive hedge maze that looked to stand at least seven foot tall or more, in a pattern that was sure to be a challenge to figure out and escape. There were garden lights strategically placed throughout it, illuminating rest spots for those who dare give it a try.

"Oh my look at that Ben." Crystal gasped at the sight of it.

He was too busy looking down at her. She'd yet to come back at him with anything that he said. He sighed, putting one hand in a pocket, the other resting on the concrete balustrade, he turned, standing beside her to look out at the giant maze. They were in silence once more, both feeling a little awkward because they each knew what was happening between them and yet, knew as well that it wasn't the right time for it. They needed to guard themselves. Ben felt a rush of utter frustration and ironic madness. All of his young life, he could think of wanting nothing more, than to meet Shawn and know that he was his father. He'd wanted nothing more than that, for more years than he could remember. Life was a funny and cruel joke. Because now, he was in that place he'd always wanted to be, he'd met Shawn and yes, he was indeed his father! Now here lie the twist, only to have that great need, replaced by something greater. That was the joke. And because of that, he was still not satisfied, he had found no peace because he was right back in the midst of it all over again. Wanting something so badly and not being able to control the means to get it. He thought nothing would ever compare to wanting to meet Shawn and have him know that he was his son ... nothing ... until now. Yes, life was cruel - mocking - unjust. He'd met his father, got his father, and with his father, low and behold, who was he connected to? Something - someone - so it seemed, that he would never get the chance to have. He wanted to laugh at himself, at the madness of it all.

"I wonder how long it would take to get out of there?" Crystal wondered, feeling the awkwardness that existed between them. It only existed, because they were fighting with all their might, something that should be normal, natural, deep and real between them - yet, because of where Crystal stood in her life, could not be.

Ben looked away from the garden down to Crystal, observing her refusal to meet his gaze. "I jumped the gun on this, huh? Entering this contest? Maybe even, asking to escort you here, I'm not Victor after all, am I?" He couldn't have held back his jealous resentment if he tried.

"Please don't do this Ben." She finally turned to look up at him. "Please, don't let things change between us. I - I really - need a friend like you, in my life right now. You bring - something to me, to my boys, that - well, we really need. I-..." Her eyes were filling and her throat clogged.

In an instant he had her in his arms hugging her tight and close.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry - I promised didn't I? I promised - I would always be here for you - and I am, I am. That will never change, I swear, forgive me?"

She didn't understand how he could ask that when her arms were around him so tightly, squeezing and holding onto him as if he were her life line. She wanted to imprint herself upon him, deep within him so he would know, this what they had between them, what they were feeling - was different and nothing could or would change what they felt inside. She leaned her head back to look up at him, giving him a sad smile. "I want to have fun tonight Ben. When I'm with you, I just - I wanna laugh, and smile and feel good inside; deep inside my soul! I wanna feel it that deep - when I'm with you. I don't wanna feel sad, or guilty, or wrong..." Her tears spilled, making her look down into his chest.