Page 16 of The Curve
“May I add one more pose?”
“Sure, Mr. Swift. Please,” the teacher says giving me the floor.
Okay, obviously they know who I am. That’s working in my favor.
“Please put your palms together, ladies.”
All twenty women go along with my instructions. They’re finding it funny.
“Perfect! Now everyone face Charlotte over there with the outstanding, distracting yoga outfit on.”
The room fills with laughter and giggles. Charlotte’s face is turning red.
“Now let’s all say the Atticus Prayer of Serenity. Center yourselves and repeat after me…Please Lord…”
The voices raise. “Please Lord…” they say in unison.
“Change Charlotte’s mind…”
“Change Charlotte’s mind…” The voices get bigger.
“And have her agree to go out with me…”
There’s cat calls and whistles.
“I’ll go out with you!” the busty blonde yells.
“Are you insane, Charlotte? Go out with the man!” another says.
“And have her agree to go out with me,” I repeat.
“And have her agree to go out with me,” they all say.
“Amen.”
“Amen!!!”
A round of applause punctuates the prayer. Women are watching me, watching Charlotte. They’re talking and laughing. She and I haven’t broken our stare. I crook my head, waiting for an answer. She starts nodding. Very slowly at first, then more certain.
“Yes, alright. You win,” she calls across the room.
We get a round of applause.
“I’d sayyouwon, girl!” calls the blonde.
I make my way over to Charlotte as the class ends.
“You’re not mad are you?”
She punches me in the arm. But she’s smiling.
“Hey, I’ve only got one good one, you know,” I tease.
“You’re very persistent,” she says rolling her mat.
“You’re worth the effort.”
Her face. It’s hard to resist going in for a kiss. But this isn’t the place for a first kiss.Down boy.
