Page 34 of Caught off Guard

“Like he sweats pheromones in his sleep that taste as good as a glass of sugary red Kool-Aid on a hot summer’s day.”

Lena guffawed, drawing unwanted attention to us before composing herself.

“From the way you talk, that Cairo Kinney is smoother than silk. Is it possible for me to love my future brother-in-law more than you do? He is first class, bringing us to a place like this too.” Lena circled her hand over her plate and picked up a puffed pastry before biting into it. “This is farm-to-table fresh. And all you can eat too? It’s like the Golden Corral on steroids.” She whipped her head around as the door to the medium-sized suite opened. “Isn’t that Chuck, the Channel 4 news anchor who dances in all those TikTok videos? Maybe y’all can do one together real quick.”

Instead of egging her on and turning around, I ignored Lena and focused on the court below, as the game had resumed.

I only had eyes for Cairo. He was so pretty and shiny, even covered in sweat. I wouldn’t mind being his personal towel girl, rubbing every part of him dry.

As he dribbled the ball and shot baskets flawlessly, I focused on the tattoo sleeve on his left arm. From a distance, the navy and red ink complemented his espresso skin tone in such a unique way, reminding me of the exquisite art in his house. I would love to examine his body again up close.

“Do you think that Nigerian one needs a cougar to take care of him? With feet that big, I bet he’s packing a weapon of mass destruction in those shorts. Tell Cairo to tell him that I can do all the tricks these little girls can.”

With that, she peered at a couple of women sitting on a couch across the room who I assumed were girlfriends or wives of the basketball players. They perched their slim-thick behinds on the edge of their seats and munched carrots and celery between sips of imported white wine. I would have had no problems with them if they hadn’t been staring at Lena and me all night. One even tossed her bone-straight weave at us every few minutes and curled her filled-out lip like she smelled crap.

“Don’t make me take your man,” Lena said to the heifer under her breath. “With your little manufactured body.”

When I gripped her arm, she jerked her head toward me as if she was annoyed.

“Chill, Le. Act like you’ve been exposed. You are a professional. They are probably twenty years younger than we are anyway. Remember how we were at that age? Life will teach them the lessons they need to learn, not us. Give them grace.” I kept my voice low and my eyes on my sister so we wouldn’t get into a fight.

It wasn’t only about my status. The taller one looked over six feet tall. I bet she could throw a mean right hook on both of our tails with one hand tied behind her back. A third woman who remained standing joined them. They spoke and eyed us again before that woman walked toward us. I kept my eyes on her until she stopped by my chair.

“Dr. Langston?” She tilted her body and waited for me to respond.

I nodded and rose when the young woman spoke my name. Within seconds, I turned on my presidential persona and ushered her to join me in an open corner of the suite so we wouldn’t block anyone’s view of the game. I also didn’t want anyone in my business since I represented Liberation anytime I was in public.

“Why yes? And you are…”

“Shavonna Davidson. My baby sister, Brea, is a junior at Liberation. She loves you.”

Recognition hit me as I recalled the exuberant young political science major who dreamed of one day becoming governor of Georgia. She was currently on the ballot for student government association president at the university. If elected, I would work closely with her during her senior year. I clasped my hands and relaxed my posture.

“Brea is delightful. Please tell her I said hello. I look forward to seeing her at our student government representative breakfast next week.”

“Will do. Could I take a picture with you to send her? You’re prettier in person, by the way.”

“Thank you, and of course.” I leaned in and wrapped my arm behind Shavonna’s waist as she took several pictures with her phone.

“And I love what Cairo did for the school. I assume that’s why you’re here?”

Although it wasn’t her business, I didn’t want to lie to the kind young woman.

“Yes. He is such a selfless philanthropist. My twin and I are his guests this evening.” I pointed toward Lena, who raised a fresh chicken wing in greeting when I called her name.

“I love it.” She reached for my hand, which I heartily extended. “You’re a role model for all of us Black and brown girls. Keep doing you, Doc.” She extended her bare arms for a hug, which I accepted and returned.

“Thank you, Shavonna. You do the same.”

When I returned to my seat, I smiled at Lena.

“That, my dear, is why we cannot show our Black behinds in public. If you or I had popped off on those women earlier, our words could have been misconstrued, or we could have been labeled bullies or worse. We must maintain our decorum so we are approachable. You never know who is watching.”

She chomped on her wing.

“I guess. You still need to get out more and let loose. Women like her need to see that you’re a normal person too.” She sipped her wine with her free hand and focused on the game.

The Torch beatthe Stallions 95-87. Cairo was a beast—a strategic player whose selflessness transferred to the court as he enhanced the plays of his teammates and allowed them to shine. I was proud to watch him in action on his home turf.

---