Totem (6 page)

              “So where did you go to school?”

              “I went to Brother Martin. It is an all-boy’s private school.” Jake adds to let me in on what all the locals know.

              “That must have been interesting.”

              I didn’t know how else to word it. In the short time I have lived in New Orleans, I have learned that the public school system was not well-funded leaving the schools less than satisfactory for the majority of middle and upper class families. This meant that the ones who could afford it, place their children in private schools. I also learned that the tuition for these elite schools tends to be more expensive than in-state college tuition. It is a foreign way of life to me. However, it seems necessary for all of the local people I am becoming friends with.

              “Where did you go?”

              “I went to a public school. It was a coed school in Pennsylvania. There, all the schools are public and only the really rich or weirdly religious send their kids to private schools.”

              I felt like I had to defend my public school upbringing or at least offer Jake an explanation to what was normal where I previously lived.

              “It is predominantly in the New Orleans area where we have boys and girls schools separated. Some of them have been around for so long that they have developed a strong alumni base. My dad went to Brother Martin so that’s where I went,” Jake states. “I wouldn’t be opposed to going to a public school either as long as it was one like Mandeville or somewhere outside of New Orleans.”

              “So how did you socialize with girls?”

              I knew the question was silly before it left my mouth. I made a mental reminder to think before speaking as a smile registers across Jake’s lips in reaction to my question.

              “There are sister schools. Like, for instance they supply the cheerleaders for our football games. Plus, I have a little sister who is two years younger than me. She is currently a senior at Mt. Carmel. So if anything, she taught me how to socialize with girls,” jests Jake.

              Jake let out a laugh as his big smile took over his face and the cute dimples I noted the first time we met dotted his cheeks. I smile back. Jake is so endearing. Andrew’s voice crept into my conscious as I remember his words of wisdom. I knew I was not ready to dive in, but testing the waters with a toe seemed adequate at the moment. I lean forward and brush some of the curly hair on Jake’s head.

              “Your hair looks nice without that baseball cap.”

              “Thanks,” he responds.

              I could see a little color rise up in Jake’s cheeks as I gently caress his hair a little more before bringing my attention back to my menu. I know I played it smoothly this time. I rolled the scenario through my head before executing. The waiter comes up to the table with margaritas in hand. Quickly, he places the glasses on the table followed by the pitcher and whips out a pin and pad. Michelle and Daniel order first. I quickly look over the menu once more then decide on a chicken taco salad with a side of queso for the chips.

              “Good choice,” states Jake as he leans in and pours me a margarita.

              I smile and take a sip. I look around the restaurant wearily. I am still getting used to being able to drink alcohol openly in public. No one pays any attention to our table or the drinks in hand. In New Orleans, it seems to not matter if you are twenty-one or not. I take another sip of the margarita and relax in my seat. I am beginning to like this laissez faire approach to living that New Orleans prides itself on.             

              Our conversations drift together as Michelle and Daniel begin talking about college life. In the span of dinner I found out that Daniel is a business major. He is also a semester ahead of schedule to graduate. I watch as Michelle perks up at his words stating his success. Jake is a psychology major. His hopes to finish his degree then apply to LSU’s graduate program. The topics shift and flow naturally as we eat and drink. The night is surprisingly fun and effortless. Daniel happily fills us in on the Saints. This gives Michelle a chance to tease him about his choice of NFL teams. Michelle, who I quickly learned is a Cowboy’s fan, rubbed the Saints losing record in his face. I laugh as Daniel faithfully and honorably defends his choice in teams. Eventually the drinks disappear along with the food as our time at the restaurant comes to a close.

              Michelle and I did the dance with the check. Both of us offered to pay for our meal, but like true southern gentlemen, our dates could not possibly let us. Michelle smiles across the table at me as I smile back. Nothing flatters a woman more than when a guy buys them dinner. There is a secret thrill that rises up knowing that chivalry is not completely dead. Check taken care of, we rise from our seats and make our way towards the door continuing our conversation as we go. Daniel holds the door open for Michelle and me. We politely thank him as we walk through.

              “Do you two want to go somewhere else to talk,” jokes Jake.

              I look down at my phone and realize we have been talking in the parking lot for ten minutes without making any effort to hop in our cars. Michelle perks up with a smile across her face.

              “Sure!”

              She jumps at the chance to go somewhere else. As soon as the words leave her mouth she looks over at me with a ‘sorry I didn’t ask first look.’ I nod my head acknowledging its ok. She immediately perks back up. I look at the two guys in front of us. They are deciding where would be the best place to go.

              “Bar ok?” asks Daniel

              “Absolutely,” replies a perky Michelle.

              “There is a hole in the wall type of place with a pool table if you guys are interested. I mean if you want somewhere better, we could find a place.”

              Michelle looks at me questioningly again. I nod my head coercing her to continue with her elation. What Michelle wanted was some more time to spend with Daniel and who am I to deny her? Besides, I was enjoying their company more than I expected I would.

              “This is my car,” Daniel points to a black sun fire at the edge of the parking lot, “you can follow us. It’s not that far, just down the road.”

              “Great!” Exclaims Michelle

              The four of us split going in separate directions. Michelle already had her keys in her hand. She presses the car button popping the locks open.

              “Are you ok to drive?” I ask Michelle as we hop into the car.

              “Yes,” replies Michelle. “One pitcher of margaritas for four people is nothing. Plus Daniel had to finish off mine. Sugary drinks tend to fill me up quickly.”

              I nod my head as I quickly scrutinize Michelle. The engine revs to life as I acquiesce to Michelle’s driving. Within minutes, we are pulling into another parking lot off of Veterans. There in front of us is a building with a huge neon sign over it. I look through the open glass windows. The bar itself is an island sitting in the middle of the big room surrounded by stools. Four pool tables sit comfortably in the four corners of the bar as a multitude of flat screen televisions blare various sports channels in typical sports bar fashion. Excitement rises up in me. Not because my date is taking me to a sports bar the first time out, but because I have never been to one before. All too aware of my sheltered existence, I hop out of the car and smile at Jake.

              “Is this ok?” He asks hesitantly

              “Yes,” I nod my head, “only if you teach me how to play pool.”

              “Can do.”

              Jake smiles offering me his arm bent at the elbow. It is a gentlemen’s move at its finest. Smiling even wider, I place my hand through the triangular hole formed by his arm and body relaxing my forearm on his as my hand cups his bicep. I look over at Michelle. Daniel grabs her hand pulling her forward. She smiles wide at him as he pulls her through the front door of the bar. I opt not to drink settling on water. Daniel opens up a tab at the bar as we find a pool table in the back corner. The lights are dim. The brightest glow comes from the television and the light over the pool table. I smell the smoke that wafting from the three middle-aged men sitting at the bar. Normally I hate the smell of smoke, but tonight I invite it in freely knowing the consequences second hand smoke has on my lungs. Tonight, I welcome it because it was an integral part of the whole sports bar experience.  I watch Jake intently as he teaches me how to properly rack the pool balls in a triangular form.

              “You want to place the ball marked one on top then two and three in the corners. Then you need to make a pattern with the solids and strips like this,” he teaches as he places the balls. “Make sure the 8 ball is in the middle. It always needs to be in the middle. The eight ball is the one you want to sink last.”

              Daniel comes back with three beers and a cup of water for me. I know I am in college, but I want to take it slow. My head is already fuzzy from the tequila infused margaritas and I thought it best not to add a beer to the mix.

              “Ok, so let’s separate into teams,” orders Daniel. “I’ll take Michelle and you take Kimber. We can teach them as we go.”

              “I already know how to play,” states Michelle. “I got the break.”

              She hops down from her bar stool and grabs a pool stick off the wall. Walking over to the pool table she collects the queue ball and places it on the opposite side of the balls organized into a triangle. I watch my roommate as she lines up her shot. Carefully and slowly she moves the pool stick back and forth in her little hands gauging where it should hit the ball. When finally satisfied, she pulls the pool stick back one final time and lets it rip. A loud crack resounds through the room as the queue ball makes contact with the triangle sending balls flying everywhere. Michelle steps back away only slightly interested in the chaos she inflicted on the table. One ball finally goes into a pocket as Michelle walks over to Daniel pool stick in hand and grabs a beer.

              “We are solids.” States Michelle with a smile.

              “I think we are in trouble.” Jake comments.

              I let out a laugh. After five eventful games, I have concluded two things. One, I like pool and two is that I suck at pool. Jake says a lot of people suck in the beginning. I will hold him to that. I was however, getting the hang of it at the end. The only thing stopping me now is fatigue. I look at my cell phone. The time is 1:00 a.m. The tequila has worn off an hour ago leaving me searching for a place to rest my head. I look down at Michelle with a yawn. She reads me immediately leaving me once again amazed how quickly we have grown to know each other in such a short amount of time.

              “I think it is time for us to head out.” States Michelle.

              “I agree,” states Daniel. “I have to go to church in the morning.”

              “Why Daniel,” gushes Michelle. “You are just full of surprises.”

              He smiles at Michelle. I, on the other hand, look at her skeptically. I can tell she is feeling the effects of the three beers.

              “I am going to go close my tab.” Daniel says as he wonders off to the bar.

              “And I need to go use the restroom before we leave.” States Michelle gulping the last of her beer.

              “You know I am driving right?”  I ask it as a question but there was no room for a wrong answer.

              “Yes, ma’am,” replies Michelle with a salute as she hands me her purse and staggers off to the bathroom.

              I am left alone with Jake. It is the first time all evening that we have been alone. Immediately I am all too aware that this date was set up for the two of us. My face flushes a bit as I become self-conscious. I adjust my body accordingly and take another sip of water.

              “I had fun tonight.” I state filling the void of silence that surrounds us.

              “Me, too,” replies Jake. “I am glad Daniel told me that you wanted to set up a double date.”

              Immediately, a red flag rises as I think back to Michelle’s pleading speech in our dorm room. She wouldn’t set us up like this would she? I had to investigate.

              “What exactly did Daniel tell you?”

              Jake flushes as if he has said too much.

              “Well, he told me that you secretly had a crush on me and would love to go on a date. Then he suggested that he talk to Michelle and we can go on a double date so it won’t be so uncomfortable if it didn’t work out.”

              I look at Jake in shock. A smile creeps over my face as I begin to laugh at the scenario.

              “What?” Responds Jake

              “Well, Michelle came running into the room earlier today saying that you had a crush on ME. She said you wanted to go on a double date because you were too shy to go alone. She said Daniel thought it would be best if we all went together.”

              Jake smiles at me. I look across the room towards the bar. Michelle had come out of the bathroom and was now standing next to Daniel. A huge smile is across Daniel’s face. Michelle flicks her hair revealing her two best assets as she leans into Daniel. I smile at the scene then turn back to Jake.