Or like the time I tried out for the football team as a high school freshman and didn’t even make the cut for the second team. That was a significant blow to my self-esteem and confidence. However, Cat made it a point to goad me into practicing more and working harder on my game. I credit her persistence in pushing me to live up to the team’s standards as I not only made the first team my sophomore year but ended up playing for the remainder of my high school days.
When we graduated from high school, we ended up going to different colleges. It became a routine for one of us to call the other each day to “keep in touch.” But we saw each other during the breaks and generally hung out together. We talked about how our classes were, the quality (or lack of) of the cafeteria food, what was happening with our other classmates at school, and other stuff. Usually light and cheerful in content with a fair measure of harassment thrown in for good measure.
That’s the Cat I’ve always known. At least until this summer break. Suddenly, she’s become a woman, and I couldn’t believe that she was the same Cat that I used to play with and go to school with. I couldn’t believe my eyes. She grew into a beautiful woman. Seeing her now, I could feel my heart racing.
She did that.
Only her.
I wasn’t much of a playboy in school like my brother or cousins. Where they went through girls like water, I never really dated. I liked school. I enjoyed learning and chose to let nothing interfere with that. Even when I went off to college. I didn’t go to parties, rallies, or date. I knew my time for all of that would come later.
So, I waited.
Now, I wasn’t so sure about that anymore.
Catarina wasn’t the girl I remembered. She was so much more. Everything I ever dreamt about and wanted. She was my best friend and the woman of my dreams in one. And every time she touched me, my pulse shot through the roof, as if I ran a 50-yard sprint each time she simply touched my hand or shoulder, which seemed to be each time she was around me.
I felt her kiss throughout my entire body. Her lips were so soft and tender. Her tongue searched for mine. Stroking my lips and my tongue as I did the same to her. She was everything I wanted and more. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to find the perfect woman. It was as if fate had given her to me.
“Oh, Reggie,” Cat whispered as I slowly rubbed her back, holding her close to my chest. I never wanted to let her go. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Catarina,” I whispered to her and kissed her again and again.
I pulled back from our kiss, my hands brushing her hair from her face as I looked into her eyes and saw her love for me.
I felt so lightheaded at that moment.
I wanted to stay in this moment forever.
“Marry me?”
I knew what she would say, but I couldn’t stop the words from leaving my mouth. I never wanted anything as much as I wanted her. I needed her to know how I really felt. That I could protect her. Provide for her. That I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her and only her.
“Reggie,” she sighed, looking away into the night. “You know I can’t. Angelo won’t let me.”
“Then let me talk to Uncle Val or Gio. They will help. I never ask for anything. Please, Catarina. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Angelo will have to give his blessing if Uncle Val says it’s okay.”
“What about school?”
“I only have a year left. I can fast-track it if I double up on my classes. Baby, I can provide for you. I can give you the life you’ve always wanted.”
“I know you can. I’m just worried about Angelo. He will never allow it. Besides, Angelo told me yesterday that he is sending me back to the old country. He wants me away from Chicago. He says it isn’t safe here anymore.”
“No!” I shouted, holding her tighter. “He can’t do that.”
“Yes, he can. He pays for everything, Reginald. I have nothing without him until I get my inheritance, and I won’t get that until I graduate college. Without his support, I have nothing.”
“We don’t need that money. Let’s run away together. Make our own life together. I know we can do anything as long as we are together.”
“You’d leave the family and school for me?” she asked, looking up at me. I could see tears shimmering in her eyes. God, I hated seeing her upset.
Nodding, I replied, “I would do anything for you, Catarina. I love you.”
“I can’t ask you to give up your whole life.”
“You are not asking. I am offering.”
“Where will we go?”