CHAPTER 101

Within maybe twenty minutes the rest of her team showed up, it was three men and three women. Two of the men brought their girlfriends with them, both of whom joined me under the tent. We exchanged hello's, but that was it. As the first match started, I couldn't help but notice how well everyone played. I was guessing just about everyone on the court had played this game at a competitive level in the past. It was also apparent that there was no quarter given between the men and women, they attacked each other with a vengeance. It was clear early that in the first game, Alexis' team was considerably more talented. But what surprised me more than anything was the height Alexis could achieve as she went up to spike the ball. The net seemed to be somewhere at the eight foot level, she was able to get most of her forearm over the net when she swung down on the ball. She also blocked two shots at the net during the first match. It was clear she was the best female on this team.

After winning the first match, they sat out for two games with everyone relaxing under the tent, cutting up as old friends do. I sat quietly, feeling a little awkward, but pretending to enjoy the company. Finally Alexis brought up the foundation I was forming, that being the reason I was joining her today. She told her team that she would like them to help me host a tournament here on the beach, all proceeds to go to the foundation. They all thought it would be a great idea, all of them agreeing to do what they could to help me. It finally dawned on one of the women who I had been sitting next to for over an hour, that I was an athlete. Everyone under the tent laughed at her, she was extremely embarrassed. I assured her it was no big deal, in fact it was refreshing not to be noticed.

By the time the second game started, the beach was overflowing with players and spectators. It was also apparent that word had spread quickly that a member of the home town football team was on the beach. The area around our court was packed, mostly people's curiosity getting the best of them, I guess. One thing for sure, the beach was filled with gorgeous women, most of them in bathing suits.

I finally got up and headed toward the concession stand to get something to drink. I got in line, bought a large soda, then turned to head back to the tent. I almost ran headlong into two young blonde women, both in very skimpy bathing suits.

"Hey Brian, we both love you, will you give us your autograph ?", one of them said, handing me a permanent marker.

I took the marker from her, set my drink down on a table next to me, then looked back up.

"Uh, what do you want me to sign ?", I asked, noticing no other objects in their hand.

"Right here.", the taller one said, pointing to her right breast, just above her top.

I guess she noticed my embarrassment right away, I hesitated with the marker, not quite sure of the proper etiquette for signing a woman's breast. She giggled out loud, grabbing my hand and pulling it firmly to her chest.

"It's ok, you won't be touching anything that's not been handled before.", she laughed.

With my best effort to touch as little of her as possible, I signed my name and number. The second woman stepped up, pulling her suit top down to expose even more of her breast. I just shook my head and signed again, this was a first for me. They each took a picture with me, while the other snapped the photo. They took off down the beach, both giggling to each other.

By the time I had arrived back at the tent, the second game had finished. Obviously the antics at the concession stand had everyone in an uproar. They were still laughing as I walked back under the tent.

"You know you are a celebrity when they ask you to sign their tits, sweetheart.", Alexis laughed.

Throughout the rest of the day, I must have signed several hundred autograph's, I had touched more breasts in a few hours, than I had in my entire life. Alexis' team lost in the quarter finals by one, everyone began picking up their things. Alexis dressed under the tent, then we made our way back to the parking lot. It was close to four o'clock in the afternoon, we finally pulled out of the parking lot heading home. It took about forty five minutes to get home, traffic was a little heavy. As I locked the vehicle and followed Alexis up the stairs, I was eager to take a shower and clean the beach off of me. As we arrived at her door, she turned to me while fumbling with her keys.

"Hey, I owe you dinner for today, do you want to go out after we clean up ?", she asked.

"It's ok Alexis, you have to be exhausted, I know you had a long day.", I answered.

"I'll be fine after a nice long bath, I'll call you when I'm ready.", she replied, opening her door and walking into her unit.

I went on to my unit, got undressed and took a very long, very hot shower. I have to admit, I felt really refreshed when I got out. I put on some boxers and a tee shirt. About thirty minutes later the phone rang, it was Alexis.

"Hey look, you're right I am a bit tired, how about we just order pizza, stay in and relax ?", she asked.

"That sounds good to me, I don't feel like going out either.", I replied.

"Good, then come down when you're ready, we'll order then.", she told me, hanging up.

I went to my bedroom and found some comfortable shorts and a tank top. I threw on a pair of sandals. I grabbed my keys and cell phone, locked the door and walked two doors down to Alexis' condo. She had the door partially open, I pushed it and stuck my head in.

"Alexis.", I said in a loud voice.

"Come on in Brian, I'm in the kitchen.", she answered.

I walked in and closed the door behind me gently, then walked into the main room. She was in the kitchen opening a bottle of wine, her back to me. She was wearing a large tee shirt, a very tight pair of shorts, with no shoes. Her hair was still soaking wet from the shower,

This was as casual as I had ever seen her.

"You want a glass of wine ?", she asked, "It's Merlot, very good."

"I don't think so …. you know… I ….", began stuttering , before she cut me off.

"You're two doors from home, you're off for five months, it won't kill you.", she said, pouring a second glass.

She walked over and handed me a glass, then invited me to sit down with her on the sofa. She opened her cell phone, then scanned the directory quickly.

"What type of pizza do you like ?", she asked.

"It doesn't matter to me, you pick.", I replied.

She ordered a large pizza with everything, they told her it would be about forty minutes. I took a couple of small sips of the wine, I had to admit it was very good. But for some reason, I just felt like I was doing something wrong. I knew it was foolish, but my father's logic and reasoning had never failed me, not once in my life.

We talked about what I hoped to accomplish with the creation of the foundation, what were my immediate goals. I told her the first thing was to come up with a name, something that would fit well with the type of work we were trying to do. We threw some things back and forth, but nothing seemed to fit just right.

Several minutes later, the doorbell rang, the delivery man was there with the pizza. Even though I insisted on paying, Alexis would hear none of it. As she walked back to the sofa, placing the pizza on the table in front of us, she giggled at me.

"Brian, you have to flash forward to now. You're the sweetest, kindest man I have ever met. Your manners are impeccable, but you have to let strong willed women be themselves. Quit treating us like we are going to break.", she stated, walking to the kitchen.

She came back a minute later with two small plates, two forks and a handful of napkins. She sat down and opened the box, we each took a large piece of the pizza out. We went back to discussing the foundation but I couldn't get her last comment out of my head. Finally it got the better of me, I had to ask.

"Alexis, do you think I really make women feel uncomfortable ?", I asked.

She turned to me quickly, a rather odd look on her face. She took a sip of wine, obviously trying to collect her thoughts.

"Brian, I think you misunderstood me. It's not that you make anyone feel uncomfortable, I think it's just that no one treats a woman like that anymore. Between women wanting to be considered equal to a man and guys being such jerks today, it's just unusual to see a young man with sincere respect for a woman.", she replied.

"I guess it's very different out here then it was in my small hometown. I really feel out of place here as well, I know I don't fit in.", I answered.

"Brian, don't say that, it's not true by any means. Don't you even think about changing one bit, just every now and then when a woman seems like she wants to take charge, let her.", she responded.

"I'll try and remember that.", I told her.