“I’m a cage fighter” Part two Date two
OK I admit it, I have been enjoying talking to John on the phone these past couple of weeks after our “it’s not a date, it’s just dinner” that my roommate Sara and her boyfriend Tom set up so I can’t be mad at her. Maybe this time she is on to something. He seems to have a lot to say on the phone that doesn’t involve cage fighting. I did tell him that I am not a big fan of guys beating the shit out of each other for sport. He said he has a real job and does the cage fighting on the side. I told him I am not knocking it I just don’t want to see it. He seemed to be understanding which is good especially since I have a date with him tonight and I am actually excited to be going. I am meeting some of his friends at an outdoor festival that he says he goes to each year. Kind of like a fish fry/sports deal which I wasn’t too sure about but he said it’s lots of fun and there will some kind of sporting event going on.
I have already warned him that I am not the athletic type and he said he didn’t care about that kind of thing as long as I am happy with myself who is he to try to change me. Total bonus points there! He wants to pick me up but I prefer to drive myself so that I can leave when I am ready to go. I know that is a lame reason because it is really romantic to have those grand gestures of getting picked up, receiving flowers and having my car door opened for me. I want that but so far I have not been too lucky in that department.
I arrive at the beach inlet just as the sun is setting and the sky is a mix of purples and pinks making the few clouds that are scattered across the skyline look like cotton candy. There are lots of cars and trucks parked along the side of the road and I can see tents set up and big flood lights illuminating the sand on the beach. There are bunch of guys unloading a truck and one of them turns and waves to me. John has spotted me right away and comes up and gives me a big hug. I feel really short in my flip flops next to his 6’3” frame.
He is not wearing his hat and I am pleasantly surprised by his curly brown hair which gives him a boyish quality. He has on black silk looking shorts that are the same type that boxers wear and a white tank t-shirt that is slightly wet from his sweat. Damn he looks good! He grins and says, “you look really cute today Annie.” Really glad a t-shirt and shorts can be cute! I smile shyly at him. “Well I can say the same for you John.” He takes my hand and leads me to the group of guys standing near the truck he was unloading. After introductions and small talk we walk over to two long rows of tables filled with all sorts of food and snacks and so many variety of beers I feel a little lost. Behind these tables I see what looks like a stage with a fence around the perimeter and rows of chairs lined up all the way around.
“Is that a stage? Is there going to be a band or something later?” John just smiles at me and says, “well something like that. I really hope you enjoy the show Annie.” We grab some food and drinks and sit down to eat. I can’t stop staring at his blue eyes so I don’t hear what he says. “Hello? Annie?” I snap back to reality. “Sorry I got a little lost in your eyes.” Did I just say that out loud?! He grins at me and leans across the table and gives me a very soft kiss on the lips and his mouth tastes slightly of beer and sweat. I am glad to be sitting down because my knees just got weak.
John checks his watch and grabs me by the hand. “It is almost time for the show and I want you to be up front.” He leads me to the front row and sits me down. Kneeling in front of me he takes both of my hands and gives them a gentle squeeze. “I wanted you to see what I do so you understand why I love this so much.” I get a little knot in my stomach. Crap. I think I just got tricked into watching something I don’t want to. “Please promise me you will keep an open mind ok? I am so happy you are here Annie.” He kisses me again and runs off.
I look around and see that the chairs around me are filling up and there is a feeling of electric excitement in the air. Everyone is talking about the fight and who is going to win. I hear John’s name a few times and from the sounds of it he is the favorite to win. I just don’t know how to feel about all this but the energy from everyone around me is getting me excited about what is getting ready to happen.
John and one of the guys he introduced to me earlier named Mark step into the make shift ring and loud cheers go up among the crowd. They are both wearing sparring gloves and shorts with no shirts. I can’t help but stare at John. He has an athletic build and I find that I am strangely attracted to him at this moment when I know that at any second they are going to start punching each other. The bell rings and they both dance around the ring sizing each other up before any punches are thrown.
John rushes in and lands the first punch on Mark and the punch is quickly returned and soon they are all arms and legs flying around between kicks, punches, and holds it is hard to figure who is doing what. I am not sure how to feel about all this when John takes a chance and looks at me. Mark takes this opportunity and does a sweep and takes John down. Like a cat pouncing on a bird, the two of them are moving around the floor throwing punches and elbows at each other. John is pinned now and trying everything to get out from underneath Mark when Mark lands three quick hard punches to Johns face. Suddenly there is blood everywhere but they keep going, fists and blood flying everywhere.
The sight of all that blood mixed with them beating the shit out of each is too much and I feel very nauseous almost immediately. I get up and run down to the water feeling like my food is going to come up….oh god please if I throw up I am going to be pissed off! I am bent over the water gagging and the cool breeze off the water seems to calm me down and the feeling passes quickly. I look around and wipe the sweat off my face. Thankfully no one sees me. I sit down on the sand shaking and feeling light headed. There is no way I am going back up there to see that. I can hear them yelling and cheering and my stomach flips again.
As my eyes adjust to the darkness I can see a couple of fishermen about 5 feet away unhook a fish and throw it to the sand. I sit there and watch this fish struggle for life. Its mouth opens and closes trying to suck in big gulps of life saving breath. For him his elixir of life lay just a few feet away crashing softly against the shore. I feel like that fish with his mouth gaping open for all to see waiting for the relief that will never come. The fish is flopping now in the sand desperate for survival. That is something else that I have in common with that fish. No matter what I do I feel that I am not going to get what I need and want so badly that it crushes my heart. I feel the hot tears spring to my eyes and spill down my cheeks. I don’t even know why I am crying but it feels good. I stay on the beach for a while watching the waves crash against the shore while my mind buzzes with confusing thoughts about love and dating. Will it ever get easier?
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