Totem Page 3

  “Yes,” Michelle responds enthusiastically, “We just started this year.”

  “Are you two freshmen?”

  “I’m a sophomore. I did a year at a community college first and then I enrolled here. Kimber is a true freshman though.”

  “I’m a sophomore too. How do you like it so far?”

  “It’s great,” exclaims Michelle perhaps with too much enthusiasm. “I love my classes and we have been having a lot of fun exploring the city.”

  Michelle flicks her head to the side sending her hair cascading down to one shoulder revealing her cleavage. Like any straight guy, Jake’s eyes naturally divert down before making eye contact with her once more. I smile. It is a power move that all women should have in their arsenal and she made it look flawless.

  “So how do you like it?” Jake directs his attention to me. Michelle’s smile falters a little as the attention shifts from her to me.

  A good counter move on Jake’s part, I think to myself as I analyze the situation. I pause for a second organizing the words I want to say before I speak.

  “I like it,” I reply, “I love New Orleans. It’s just such a unique city and I love the campus by Lake Pontchartrain. I did have to get used to no one staying on campus after 5 pm, but besides that, I really like it.”

  I am hoping to come across as genuine and down to earth. Jake lets out another big, award winning smile and his dimples reemerge. Very few people have dimples. I think they make Jake look cute.

  “It’s mostly a commuter school. Y’all living on campus are the minority. Once you get to know people and join more things, then you will find out there is plenty of things to do after 5 pm on campus and elsewhere.”

  “So do you live off campus?” Asks Michelle bringing the attention back to her

  “Yes,” replies Jake. “I live off campus with my family. It’s free room and board which is great right now.”

  After this past week of freedom, I cannot imagine living at home with my parents and attending college. My mom would probably bug me every time I was home. I would love to be around my sister though. Secretly, even though my mom would bug me, I would love to be around her, too. A dull ache in my chest begins to form as I think about my family and how much I miss them. Quickly I push it down. At home, I wouldn’t be able to go out like this and truly experience college without getting berated by my parents. I am thankful that I only have to account for myself right now. In a way, I guess that’s what life is about. Your parents raise you to the best of their ability. If you are fortunate, you will get loving parents that try to teach you right from wrong. Then, they release you out into the real world where they hope you will make good decisions. Ironically, I am thankful for their trust in me even at this moment on a Friday night at a bar.

  “Would you ladies like something to drink? We bought two kegs. So the beer is free. Otherwise you’ll have to buy drinks at the bar. We did work out a deal though. Mixed well drinks are only $3 tonight. Just tip the bartender well.” Jake tilts his head in the direction of the bar.

  “Beer is fine with me,” I state with a smile.

  Free is really what is fine with me, too.

  Michelle nods her head in agreement.

  “I’ll be right back,” replies Jake as he walks over to the bar.

  I ponder Jake’s words. Since now, my experience with alcohol has been limited to whatever we could get our hands on. Having a selection is a new notion only made aware to me at this very moment. I begin to buzz with excitement. This is the real college experience I was hoping for. The fact that it was at a frat party is just icing on the cake. Jake quickly returns with two solo cups full of beer and hands them to us.

  “Keep these cups. It tells the bartender that you are with us and you can get free refills. That is until the kegs are tapped. Well, I need to go mingle with some other people,” Jake states. “You two enjoy yourselves and I’ll talk to you later on tonight.”

  Jake leans in giving me a side peck on the cheek taking me completely by surprise. My body tenses under the closeness. Jake notices it, but only smiles. He leans in and does the same to Michelle who was much more relaxed. Perhaps she anticipated it after seeing him give me one. With those two kisses and a warm smile, he leaves us standing on the outskirts of the party.

  “What was that?” I ask Michelle referring to the kiss.

  “It is how people in New Orleans say good bye and hello to friends.” She rubs her cheek where Jake gave her a side kiss. “I guess we will have to get used to it. It’s kind of funny though. It reminds me of the kisses the French give as greetings. Only it is just on one cheek. And guys DO NOT do it to other guys. They just give handshake, but girls give each other kisses. It’s all confusing.”

  “So are we supposed to air kiss back?”

  “Yep,” Michelle laughs at my comment. “I guess as soon as we get used to it.”

  I shrug my shoulders as we begin to walk away from the front and deeper into the bar. I take a sip of my beer. It is cold and feels good as it goes down my parched throat. Despite my very small knowledge of alcohol, I am no stranger to beer.

  Often in high school, we would get older brothers to supply us with beer in exchange for cash. A case of beer and a lazy summer Saturday made for a deadly combination. Dressed in bathing suits we would go up into the woods following the small creeks trailing up the mountains. What we were looking for were the tiny gullies that would form. In these little pools we would relax in the cool water sipping on a cold beer. The hike itself usually took us a half an hour in and under the cover of the wilderness we were left alone to just be rebellious teenagers. It was in these handfuls of occasions that I would learn about beer. One thing I learned in those carefree summer days was that I enjoyed the taste of beer. My favorite beer of choice will always be Ying ling even though they don’t sell it here.

  Without speaking, Michelle and I step forward into the crowd. The music grows louder as we begin to walk to the back of the big room. To the right of us is a dark stained wooden L-shape bar, crowds of people are standing around it. Some talk aimlessly to each other while others wait for the bartender to help them. On the back wall, behind the bar is a large mirror. In front of the mirror are bottles of every type of liquor imaginable or at least that’s the way it seems to my untrained eye. Of course none of these top shelf liquors are being used by the college fueled crowd gathered tonight. Michelle and I continue to walk towards the back of the bar past vacant tables. A pool table lit up by fluorescent lights sits in front of us. I glance to the right and look at the jukebox where the music pours out into every open space of the bar.

  I watch a small group of girls as they dance in front of the machine. Their bodies sway and move in response to the beats pulsating through the floor. All of them have a drink in one hand and a carefree smile across their faces as they get lost in the music. They are dressed up like we are in their finest party attire and seem to be enjoying each other’s company. They pause only when the music stops. Then, as if synchronized, they begin up again as a song I have never heard comes on. A few of them let out a cheer in recognition and begin to dance in a distinctive style. Immediately I can hear the orders that the rapper is singing and the girls respond with unified moves. The song is one I later come to recognize as a song that is distinctively New Orleans. It is a style called New Orleans bounce and sounds like rap bouncing on a pogo stick. The beat pops more times than needed to move the song forward and so do the bodies of the dancers. I take another sip of my beer as I watch.

  I want to learn this. We pull ourselves up into bar-height seats around a small table. It takes Michelle a little extra to hoist up due to her height, but she handles it like a pro.

  “So have you been to a lot of bars back home?’ I ask.

  “Some,” states Michelle taking a sip of her drink. “It’s a lot harder to get into bars in Houston. You have to go to the under twenty-ones and they don’t serve minors.”

  She rolls her eyes. I nod. I am sure t
hat it would be the same wherever else I would have ended up. It always struck me as odd that you are considered an adult at eighteen but still withheld certain rights until you are twenty-one. Those three years do not make you older or wiser. Besides, most people drink anyways. They find ways. Even if you upheld the law and did not sip a single beer until you turned twenty-one, you would still go through the same steps of learning your limit with alcohol. Nothing would change regardless of your age. I find it to be one of the most pointless laws in existence. I look around. Here in the state that was last to change their drinking age to twenty-one for fear of losing federal tax dollars, was a quiet rebellion going on. The only time I was told it mattered in New Orleans was around Mardi Gras, a holiday I was all too ready to celebrate.

  “Hey!” Michelle and I turn our heads into the direction of the voice. I see her perk up and adjust her posture out of the corner of my eye. Walking across the bar towards us is Daniel. He is wearing dark blue jeans and a light blue polo with his hair gelled up into careless spikes. Beside Daniel is our new acquaintance Jake. Daniel walks up to Michelle and gives her a side kiss on the cheek. Then leans in and does the same to me. I am ready this times and do my best to reciprocate the cordial yet endearing gesture.

  “So what you think?” Daniel opens up his arms gesturing to the whole bar.

  “Nice party,” I state matter-of-factly. “I notice you are not in your Frat attire.”

  “Fraternity,” he corrects me with a smile. “Upperclassmen tend to wear other clothes besides our jerseys.” He winks at me causing my cheeks to turn pink.

  “I like it,” chirps Michelle as she seizes the opportunity to touch his shirt. “Do you ever play volleyball next door?” She asks as she leaves her hand on his shirt.

  “Yeah we do. The fraternity will have events there a few times. It’s really cool. You can hang there on an empty court and buy a bucket of beer for real cheap.”

  “Do you have to pay for the courts?” I ask.

  “No,” Daniel replies. “I think they get most of their money from league games. You have to pay to play in a league which I think helps pay their rent on the land. When we go, it’s just open court.”

  “Who owns the land?”

  “No one,” he states. “It’s owned by the city. I think because it floods, the city can’t technically sell it so they do long contracts. All the boat houses and things out here have to rent their land as well.”

  “That is also why everyone in the marina raises their buildings,” adds Jake.

  “Interesting,” I state. “So how long have you two known each other?” I ask pointing at the two of them.

  “Jake is my little brother in the fraternity,” states Daniel taking a swig of beer.

  I had no idea what he meant by that. From the way he said it, I could tell that Jake was not his biological little brother. Rather the title meant something different. I did not want to look completely unknowledgeable on the subject of Greek life so I nod my head.

  “Too much talking.” A sly smile creeps over Jake’s lips bringing his brilliant dimples out from hiding. “Would you two ladies care to dance?” Jake’s smile turns up a few more watts as he holds out a hand to us.

  “Buy the two of us a shot first and we are all yours,” replies Michelle with an even more devious smile than Jake’s.

  “As you wish,” Jake bows as he shoots off to the bar.

  Daniel nods his head towards Jacob signaling for us to follow. Gentlemanly, he holds out a hand to help Michelle out of her seat. Michelle accepts his help with a smile. Fueled by a group shot of tequila (with training wheels), we try our luck at dancing with our two new escorts.

  It was a fun night to be had by all. Michelle and I passed the time dancing as we made new friends. Everyone was nice and with the introduction of alcohol no one was a stranger. It was my first college party and I was not disappointed in the least. Michelle chased up her shot with water. One beer and one shot was enough for Michelle as she was the driver. Shortly after 2:00 a.m., we left the party. My body immediately became warm as we stepped out of the air-conditioned bar and into the thick, warm air of a traditional New Orleans summer night. The heat made me all too aware that the last few drinks had caused my perception of the earth to tilt.

  “That was fun,” states Michelle as she searched for her keys.

  “That was awesome!” I exclaim slightly tipsy from the shot and four beers.

  “What a light weight,” jests Michelle as she continues to search for her keys inside her purse.

  Immediately my eyes are drawn to the water. I leave Michelle searching for keys and walk to the edge of the large lake separated by a cement barrier. In the distance are tall buildings in the direction of Metairie. I see twinkling lights from cars way off on the horizon as they cross this monstrous lake.

  Only in New Orleans can cars drive on water I think in my inebriated state. I cannot help but to smile. I am so happy.

  “How in the heck can this little purse hide my keys so well?” states Michelle sending me out of my daydream.

  “Magic,” I respond holding my hands open. I raise my head towards the sky.

  Michelle laughs at me. I look at her and smile. I am so glad to have a roommate like Michelle. I am so glad to be attending college in a city like New Orleans. The whole thing is still surreal to me. I look across the parking lot where a single raven sits on the sidewalk under a street lamp. It gazes at us quizzically. Perhaps it is looking for food.

  “Ah! Here are my keys.”

  They jingle as she pulls them out of her purse. I begin walking to the passenger side door as she presses the button on her keychain to unlock the doors. With a huge smile I lean across her car resting my head on my elbows.

  “Michelle.”

  She halts getting into her car and glances at me.

  “I like you!” I proclaim slightly slurring my words. “You know what else? I can tell this is going to be an awesome year for the two of us!”

  Michelle’s face lights up with a smile. There is a twinkle in her eye as she looks at me with hope and adoration. It is the same adoration I have for her and in that one moment, we connect. It is the connection two human beings have when they become closer to each other. We are growing together with a friendship that could blossom into a sisterhood. Her grin widens and she shakes her head breaking the connection.

  “Get in drunkie,” she states as she plops into the driver’s seat.

  “Yes, ma’am,” I reply attempting my best southern voice as I plop into my seat. Even in my tipsy state, I can tell my feelings were genuine. I cannot wait to see what the year would hold for the two of us. I bid farewell to the lone raven as we drive off.

  Chapter 2: Infatuation

  I walk into the Human Performance Center in a lull. It’s week two of college and the Louisiana heat is still thick in the air. I wipe the sweat off my forehead stepping into the cool gym. Thank goodness the teacher planned volleyball inside the first half of the semester and soccer outside the second half. I spot Michelle on the other side of the gym. She waves at me as I begin walking across the shiny wood floor to join her. Most of the students mill around in the same area barely talking. People are still getting used to each other so conversation is at a minimum. Michelle and I talk freely amongst each other as we wait for class to start.

  “How was biology?” asks Michelle

  “Eh?” I shrug. “It was biology.”

  I like biology, but going over the classification system is mind numbingly boring. Plus listening to my teacher as he discusses how he discovered nine different types of fish for the twentieth time is getting old. Soccer and Volleyball is a much-needed relief from science.

  “So are you ready for some volleyball?” I ask Michelle feeling pumped.

  “Definitely!”

  I begin to stretch a little as we wait for our teacher. My legs are sore and cramped from our workout last night. The tension begins to drain out of them as I continue stretching. Finally, I feel
like I am beginning to fall into a workout routine which consists of gym on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Then, I go for a run on Saturday. Eventually I want to work in more runs but with the heat and my class schedule, I am finding it hard to make time. I sit down in a butterfly stretch pressing my chest to my feet. I look down at the hardwood floor. I stare intently at the natural swirling patterns of the wood as I feel my muscles fight and then eventually give in to the stretch.

  “Check THAT out,” Michelle’s voice got urgent.

  In this situation, I knew when I looked up there would most likely be some acceptably cute guy walking across the gym. I roll my eyes and finish my stretch before looking up. What my eyes beheld is something more beautiful and bewitching than anything else I have seen in my life.

  My breath hitches inside my throat as I blink my eyes making sure he is real. My heart pounds faster causing the world to move in slow motion as the most attractive man I have ever laid eyes on walks across the gym with our teacher. His skin is copper tan and his black hair tussled in a carefree way bouncing and shifting as he walks towards us. I watch him perhaps unknowingly staring at the poor new guy too much as our coach freely chats away with him. As he gets closer, I notice his outfit. He is wearing a green V neck t-shirt with a pair of black shorts. I can tell by the way his clothes hang that there is a nice physique underneath the soft cloth. I continue to stare until he joins the group with our coach. My gaze would have persisted had he not looked directly at me. As if shielding my eyes from something bright, I look away but not before I catch a glimpse of his eyes. They are startling. His light brown eyes were a complete contrast to his dark features. I chance a quick glance at him targeting his eyes.

  “Hi everyone,” begins Coach Lopez. “This is Ty. He will be joining our class for the rest of the semester.”

  Ty smiles and straight piercing white teeth greet the class. I look around at the other handful of girls in this male dominated class to gage their reaction. Just as I thought, they all stare at him longingly. My admiration of this new gorgeous guy is interrupted as Coach Lopez starts class.