We Meet Again

Teller awoke one morning with the feeling that something odd was going to happen sometime during the day. There was nothing remarkable about the weather. It was a typical, warm spring day in Philadelphia. The trees were budding and blossoms were erupting from stems and branches all around. The air was fragrant with exhaust fumes mingled with the odor of hot dogs and the singular scent of warm asphalt. The sun was just rising over the buildings and the wind was blowing gently, brushing the leaves of the trees with tender caresses. Teller stood at his window, taking all of this in. The smell of the cool air thrilled him. He felt alive and energized. He shook off the feelings of doubt that had loomed just beyond the edge of his conscious mind.

He removed his red flannel pajamas, grabbed a towel, some clean clothes and his small radio and walked into the bathroom humming. He plugged in his radio and set it on the counter, safely away from the sink and popped in his mix CD. There was nothing like Pavarotti followed by Guns and Roses to wake you up in the morning. Teller climbed into a nice hot shower. He scrubbed his body until his flesh was pink then he washed his curly, ash-blonde hair with a shampoo that had a nice clean, modest scent. He didn't want to smell all flowery. That wasn't his style. He stood in the shower a few minutes longer, letting the hot water relax his tense muscles.

He stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel. He toweled off then wrapped the towel around his waist, using a second towel to dry his hair. He grabbed the blow dryer and dried his hair, then brushed it gently into a decent style. He had a day or two to unwind before his show in Philly so he decided to check out the museum and see the new exhibit. He pulled on his socks and navy blue slacks, then put on a blue cotton shirt. He decided the black loafers were the way to go today. He put on a black leather jacket and left his hotel room.

He drove his rental car in the direction of the museum. The plush leather seats felt good. He drove, his mind drifting as his body automatically steered the vehicle. He was aware of the shadows of tree limbs and early rising pedestrians on his car's black hood. His mind was elsewhere today. He was actually relaxed for once. Suddenly he was aware of a certain feeling of deja vu. He recognized these houses; the people and vehicles had changed since, but he knew this street. Why was it so familiar? "I'll bet a thousand other blocks in Philly look like this." He shook it off and drove on.

He was passing a park now. "I know this park. Why is all of this so familiar?" He was wracking his brain, trying to figure it out. He was passing a basketball court. He had to look twice. The backboards had gone from dingy white, graffiti covered wrecks to brand new Sprite logo-covered masterpieces. The nets were new and in good shape and the court was finally marked, but he knew this basketball court.

Then, he saw her. She was the only person on the courts. She was around his height, slim, well-built, quick and sure-footed, with a head of black hair with a white streak above each ear. He stopped his car and parked it. He got out and fairly ran across the street. He had to be sure that he wasn't hallucinating. He walked through the gap in the fence and stood just a foot away from the boundary line. He took a better look at her and knew he could trust his eyes. It was her. He'd know those Converses and those basketball shorts anywhere.

She continued to play, not realizing that there was an onlooker present. She took a shot from the foul line that hit the backboard and rebounded, bouncing out of bounds. She ran to chase it, but seeing Teller, she stopped short.

He waved at her in a casual manner. He looked a great deal calmer than he felt. She was even more beautiful than the last time he saw her. His heart was pounding in his chest and his palms were sweating. She smiled at him, retrieved her ball and approached him. She stopped a comfortable distance from him and smiled again.

"Hello. Fancy seeing you here," she said, grinning like someone who's just thought of something funny. She was bouncing gently on the balls of her feet.

"Hello, Amanda. You seem really glad to see me," he said, hoping that she was.

"Actually, I am. I'm also glad you remembered my name, but that's neither here nor there. I was recruited a year ago by a semi-professional team. Cool, huh? All because of you."

"Because of me?"

"Your offhand comment after the show you did a couple years ago made me think. Why couldn't I be a pro-basketball player? So I practiced and practiced and one day a recruiter spotted me. You gave me the confidence to do it."

"If you were recruited, why are you still here?"

"Well, long story. But the short version is that I'm recovering from a minor injury. I'll be back warming the bench next year."

"Great! I mean that the injury is minor and that you can get back to playing next season. Not that you're injured."

She held up a hand to stop him. "Don't get yourself worked up about it. Where are you off to? I know you didn't come here to see me."

"I'm going to the museum to see the new exhibit."

"Really? I was planning on going later this week."

"Would you like to come? I'd love to hear more about what's been going on in your life since the last time we met."

She giggled as she blushed. "Why do I get the feeling that you don't do this for your other fans?"

"Because I don't. It's not every day that a person meets a celebrity."

She laughed softly. "I'm flattered, but I'm not exactly dressed for the occasion, as you can see. Guess I'll have to take a rain check." She started to drift out of the conversation but he wasn't letting her go that easily.

"Well, if you're absolutely sure, maybe I could persuade you to join me for dinner tonight?" He looked a little hopeful.

She smiled sweetly. "Yes. I'd like that very much. What time should I expect you?"

He searched his pockets and pulled out his wallet. He pulled out a business card and wrote a phone number on the back. "This is my number at the hotel. Call me at about four o'clock and we'll talk."

"All right." She smiled shyly and fingercombed her hair back behind her ear.

Teller held out his hand for her to shake it and when she took his hand, he gently kissed it. She blushed all the way to the roots of her hair and turned away shyly. "See you tonight." He swept off an imaginary hat and backed away slowly, moving towards the gate.

"See you later, then," she said, waving. She tried getting back into her balling rhythm. He finally turned away from her, but not without a last backward glance over his shoulder. She was shooting from the foul line again. He noticed that she was still blushing.

He climbed into his car and drove away, anticipating the night's events. He got into his hotel room at three-thirty after a long day of looking through the museum. The new exhibit on instruments of torture was interesting. It sort of reminded him of his Warhol Trap. As he waited for Amanda to call, he read a few poems by Edgar Allan Poe. At four o'clock on the dot, the phone rang. He picked it up on the third ring. "Hello?"

"Hello. Am I speaking to Teller?"

"This is he."

"Oh, hi. Four o'clock, sharp. How was the exhibit?"

"It was wonderful, but I can't help feeling I would have enjoyed it more if I had someone with me. However, Mam and Pad were far too busy with other things today to come along with me and Penn and I don't go very many places together unless it is absolutely necessary."

"I wish I was there. Oh well. I'll definitely see the exhibit before I leave town. What time should I expect you?"

"How does 6:30 sound?" Teller was absentmindedly playing with the cord on the phone as he waited for an answer.

"That sounds great. I can hardly wait. Is it dress or casual?"

"Dress casually. What's your address?" Teller picked up a pencil and a pad of paper. He jotted down her address and set the pad down by the phone. "I'll see you at 6:30 then. Until then."

"Later much." Teller hung up the phone. He stood and stretched. Then, he picked out some clothes for the evening and made his way to the bathroom. He showered quickly, making sure he was thoroughly clean. He let the hot water run over his body for a few seconds, rinsing off all of the lather.

He got out of the shower, toweled off, put on deodorant, and got a quick shave before he got dressed. As he was checking his reflection, he caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye. He picked up the cologne bottle and sniffed it. It was a mild blend of sandalwood and orange essences. He shrugged and dabbed on just enough to tease the senses. He washed his hands and checked himself again. Hmm, I don't look too shabby, he thought. He was wearing a gray silk shirt, black trousers and dress shoes. He went to the phone, got his pad of paper and tore off the sheet with her address. He then picked up his wallet and keys, put on a black sports jacket and left his hotel room.

He arrived at the address Manny gave him at 6:15. Praying that he wasn't too early, he got out of the car and knocked on her door. As he stood on her stoop, he looked around at her neighborhood. It was a clean neighborhood and there were no "thugs" "chillin" on the corner. It was one of the few blocks in that particular area that didn't have graffiti painted on everything. As he was looking around, Manny opened the door.

"Hello, Teller," she said warmly.

Teller turned and was about to return the salutation when he got a good look at her. His jaw dropped in surprise as he assessed her appearance. Manny was wearing a black pleated skirt with a white shirt and a black vest. She had her hair out and had taken the trouble to put on a black headband. She looked like a school girl, a look that actually worked for her. He forced his mouth shut long enough to say hello.

"Good evening. You look...." Teller paused to find the right words.

"Do I really look that bad?" She was smiling awkwardly.

"No, you look great. It's just... I've never...seen you in a skirt before. You look lovely."

Manny shrugged. "Thanks. My Mom would probably have a heart attack and die if she saw me in a skirt. Would you like to come in?" She stood aside to allow Teller into her house. "Have a seat. I'll be right back." As soon as Teller was seated, Amanda went upstairs. Teller took in his surroundings as he waited. The place was warm, homey and comfortable.

The walls were forest green. The carpet and curtains were cream. Mint green and forest green throw pillows were placed on the couch and love seat. The living room set was green and cream with a flattering print that went well with the room. The television cabinet was oak and the lighting made the room feel inviting. Teller suddenly noticed a nearby chair. There was a brown and white puppy laying on a pillow in the armchair. The puppy was beautiful. It rested calmly on the pillow and watched Teller. Without warning, the puppy ran over to Teller and put his paws on his knee. When Teller reached down to pat its head, it gave him a high-pitched bark and ran back to its chair, wagging his tail happily and panting.

Manny came back down the stairs. "Oh, I see you and Suki have met. He's a sweet puppy. Purebred pit bull. Wouldn't hurt a fly."

Teller calmly looked at Manny. "He's cute. Um, are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." Manny looked a bit tense.

"You're not nervous are you?" Teller asked as he stood up.

"Only... a lot."

"Oh come on. I don't bite. Much." He put an encouraging arm around her. She smiled and looked a little more relaxed. Teller patted the puppy on his way out. He got to the car and opened the door for Manny. As he walked around the car, she unlocked his door for him.

He drove to a charming little restaurant. The restaurant had soft music and muted lighting. They did some catching up as they ate. Teller thoughtfully chewed his fish as he listened to her exciting stories of the league, the major happenings in her family, and her major plans for the next few years. He wasn't the slightest bit bored because her life was exciting and she related it in an exciting way. He was spellbound. Teller laughed in all the right places and found, quite to his surprise, that Amanda was a natural story teller.

As she listened to Teller's adventures on the road, Manny quietly munched her chicken Caesar salad. He thrilled her with stories of the many cities and countries he had seen, describing the sights and the people with amazing detail. Amanda asked all the right questions. Strangely, there were few awkward pauses. The conversation just seemed to flow naturally and the time flew by. Finally, Teller picked up the check. He insisted that he pay the entire check instead of going Dutch.

After they left the restaurant, they drove to Penn's Landing. The night was warm and the full moon was shining brightly on the river, so they decided to sit on a bench near the water and talk.

"You know, this is one of my favorite places to just come and think. I like to watch the light reflecting off of the water, maybe catch the ferry across the river and feel the water churning under my feet." Manny sighed. "Of all the things I miss when I'm on the road, this has to be the one thing I miss most."

"It is beautiful. I've heard that the view from the Jersey side is even better. I don't believe I've ever taken the time to go over there just to look across the river and see the Philadelphia skyline." The pair sat in silence and watched the waves ripple across the surface of the water.

Amanda suddenly got up, walked over to the rail and stood there, gazing across the river at nothing. A small breeze blew through the air, lifting her hair gently. Teller was so touched by the scene that he didn't move at first. He stood and slowly approached her side. Amanda leaned on the rail, her foot on the lowest bar of the rail and her eyes closed as the wind blew across her face.

Teller was moved by the small smile that touched the corners of Manny's mouth. Manny suddenly looked both much younger and much, much older. He gently placed a hand on hers. She turned her hand slightly and laced her fingers between his. They stood silent for a few minutes. The wind picked up slightly and grew much colder. Manny momentarily thought about how well the weather had reflected her deepest feelings, then she pushed the notion away. A soft voice broke the silence. It took her a second to realize that it was Teller who spoke.

"You're trembling. Here, take my jacket." He placed the jacket over her shoulders. He put his right arm around her shoulders and took her left hand in his. She leaned against him and he gingerly kissed her forehead.

They tarried a bit longer at the Landing. A half hour later, he led her to the car and drove her home. At her door, she took off his jacket and held it out for him to take. "No, you keep it. Think of it as a sort of memento."

"Are you sure?" Teller nodded. "I had a wonderful time tonight. Thank you."

"I'm glad I got a chance to see you again, Amanda. I'm hoping that our paths cross again soon."

"Anything is possible." She smiled. Teller placed a hand on her cheek, leaned in and kissed her, softly, warmly, on the lips.

"Good night, Amanda."

"Good night, Teller."

Amanda went into her house and slowly closed the door behind her. Teller got into his car and drove away as soon as he heard the latch click. As the taillights shrank in the distance, Amanda watched at her living room window. When the lights vanished, she sat down on her couch with her legs curled under her. She held Teller's jacket close and let the faint scent that he left in the jacket envelop her as she dreamt of the wonderful night she spent with the most remarkable gentleman she had ever met.