They sat down at a small round wooden table and continued to conversation.
“What do you do?” I asked.
“I’m in a famous boy band, ‘N Sync. What about you.”
“I dance.”
“Really? I always knew you were a better dancer than me. Remember when we would be at Grandma’s and we would dance? So anyway you’re a ballerina type thing, right?”
I smiled. “No, I’m a stripper.” His eyes widened in surprise.
“Uh…wow,” he paused. “Are you any good?”
I shrugged. “I guess. I get 300 dollars a night.”
“Wow. That is impressive. I would never think you would be a stripper. Wow, that is just…a shock.”
I smiled at him. He looked at me from across the table. “Would you ever quit?”
“For what?” I questioned.
“A better job. A better high paying job.”
“Probably. Why? You asking me to dance back up for you guys or something?” I laughed at him.
“Well…yeah.”
I stopped laughing and leaned over the table some. “I was joking.”
“Well, I’m not.” He watched me. I slouched in my seat. My famous cousin just asked me to dance back up for them. I couldn’t believe it.
J.C. looked at me closely. “Well?”
“Yeah. Wow, hell yeah.” I smiled broadly.
“Alright then. The guys are coming today to meet you because I know you would take it…” I stopped him.
“Wait, a minute. There are some expenses you know.” I told them.
“Expenses?”
“Yeah. I will want my own tour bus, with a shower…” I saw J.C. cross his arms over his chest, smiling. I continued, “ I also want my own hotel room when we go to every city. Oh, there was one more…what was it? Oh, yeah I want to be able to bring my cat along with me.”
“Is that it?” J.C. asked his eyes smiling humorlessly at me.
I thought for a second. “Yeah…oh wait, no…oh never mind. Yeah, that’s it, maybe. Yeah for sure that’s it.”
“You sure?”
“No.” I smiled at him. He smiled back. I moved my eyebrows up and down. That did it he burst out laughing.
Later that day the doorbell rang. I got off the black leather couch I was stretched out on and walked across the living room to the door. Fixing my straight brown hair I saw it was the rest of the group. Putting on my enchanting smile I opened the large white metal door.
“Hi, you guys must be J.C.’s friends. I’ve been expecting you. Come on in.” I opened the door wider to; let the four guys in. My short shorts and black tee must have caught their attention. They were looking at me thoroughly.
“I’m Joey. This is Justin, Lance, and Chris.”
“I’m Sydel Kohler, J.C.’s cousin,” I told them as I walked into the living room where J.C. was sitting in the chair.
“Please sit down make yourself at home.”
“Looks like J.C. already did,” Chris said referring to J.C.’s laid-back figure. J.C. made a face at him.
Something heavy and black jumped on my lap. I calmed down when I realized what it was. “This is Salem, my cat. The only thing that keeps me company now in this large house.” Salem jumped off my lap. He jumped on J.C.’s stomach.
“Jesus, Sydel, what do you feed this cat. He is so heavy.”
“Who are you calling fat?” I got up and grabbed Salem holding him to my chest.
“Did…did your cat just talk?” J.C. asked.
“Do you really think this cat talked? Come on, J.C. give me a break,” I told them covering up the truth.
“See this is why I don’t like cats,” Chris started. “They always end up confusing everything. They should be left out with the road kill.”
“I don’t like your kind either, you animal.” I looked at Salem worriedly and pulled him closer.
“Excuse me?”
“Oh…I said…um…” I had to make up something quick. “Nobody ever does.” I started smiling hoping they bought the stupid excuse. “Would you guys like something to drink?”
“Water,” they all said in unison. I turned around to go the kitchen.
“Five bowls of water for five dogs coming right up”
“Shut up, Salem they’re hear you,” I whispered back before I went thought the kitchen door.
“I don’t know you guys. She is kinda weird,” Justin reminded everybody.
“I agree,” Chris said.
“Look at us. She isn’t always like that, besides she is a great dancer,” J.C. informed his friends.
“I’m with J.C.” Joey butted in.
“Lance?” they all looked at him.
He snapped out of his stare from the kitchen door. “What? Oh…I like her…I gotta, I mean, we gotta have her.”
“Salem what did I tell you about speaking in front of strangers?”
“He called me fat,” Salem defended himself.
“That doesn’t matter you almost got us uncovered,” I whispered to him angrily. I couldn’t let the guys hear me.
“But we aren’t”
“Yeah, thanks to me.” I calmed down a bit. “Why don’t you just stay in here for a while.” I suggested opening the wooden swinging kitchen doors with my back holding the tray of water in front of me.
“No way, Sweetie,” he sent me as he ran out of the door with me.
“Salem, Salem, come back here,” I said aloud. The guys turned to look at me. Smiling I put the tray of water on a counter which was in the middle between the chair and couch and started handing out the cold glasses of water. Joey put his glass down, after a long drink, and started petting Salem who ended up sitting on the arm of the couch faraway from me. Shaking my head I sat down beside Lance who was watching me quite intently.
He finally spoke revealing a deep bass voice, which gave me chills up and down my spine. “So what do you do?” he asked.
“Actually I’m an…” I clear my throat, “exotic dancer.” Chris almost spits out the water he had I his mouth but he manages to swallow it.
After a couple of coughs he managed to ask, “Run that by me again.”
“Exotic dancer.”
Salem jumped off the side of the couch and landed on Chris’ lap. A black paw swats at Justin and he hisses. I walked over to Chris and grab the back of the cat’s neck. “That’s it buddy, I’m tired of your cranky mood.” I opened the kitchen door and threw him in.
“Sorry about that guys,” I apologized as I sat down. I caught the Lance’s eyes when I said it. We talked some more. After 3 hours, though they had to leave. Leaving my troubled cat and me alone.
copyright © 2001 AngelH