“You can’t go home like that,” said Portia, “You’re a terrible mess.”
Portia invited Darren inside, mostly so he’d cool down, but also to fix him up, too.
“Have a seat, mister.”
Portia fetched a hot washcloth from the kitchen and returned. She leaned over Darren as she carefully wiped the hot washcloth across his upper cheek. She went to the kitchen and returned again.
“Hold this against your face.”
“This is cold.”
“It stops the bleeding.”
She went to the kitchen again and returned one final time. She had a Band-Aid bandage in one hand and an ice pack in the other. She removed the cold washcloth before applying the Band-Aid and then the ice pack.
“Better?”
Darren nodded.
“What do you want to do while we wait for it to get better?”
“Can we watch a boxing match?”
Portia nodded.
“How about the ‘Thrilla in Manila’?”
Portia cued the video and pressed play. Portia went around the room and shut off all the lights, kicked off her shoes, and returned to the couch. It was only a little while later that Alex came home.
“Frazier-Ali 3? This is a horrible match. You should watch the first match.”
“I thought ‘Thrilla; was one of the greatest fights of all time.”
“It’s the longest, but it’s not the best. Watch Ali. He just stands and waits while Frazier lumbers after him. Frazier is a brawler. That’s the exact reason he couldn’t get past Ali. He’s got a stronger punch, but he doesn’t have the smarts of Ali. Ali’s bigger. That means he’s got less work to do. This is where Ali proves he’s not just a boxer, but he’s a pugilist.”
“A pugilist?” laughed Darren.
“Yes, a master of the ‘sweet science’. He uses the best tactics of all the great boxers. Let’s watch their best fight instead.”
Alex stopped the match without asking and cued up Ali-Frazier 1. He sat down next to Darren and plopped his feet on the coffee table. Although it was the same two boxers in the ring, they weren’t boxing the same at all. They stood near the center of the ring and traded heavy punches.
“This is much better.”
“I don’t even think it’s their best. I like Frazier-Ali II the best. It shows how Ali evolves from one fight to the next. Ali dances, gives Frazier the rope-a-dope, and lands few shots to Frazier’s jaw. Frazier uses his brute strength. Like I said, he’s a clubber and Ali’s a pugilist.”
“Then let’s watch that.”
“Nah,” said Alex, “you really should watch the Frazier fights one-two-three to enjoy them the most. You can see how both of them evolve as opponents. That’s the real reason people like the third fight so much. It was a grudge match.”
Alex was so busy watching the fight, he didn’t even notice Darren’s scar until the third round.
“What happened to you?”
“I got into a fight with Marcus.”
“Marcus is showing his face again? What a punk.”
“He was at homecoming,” said Portia.
“You want me to do something?”
Darren shook his head.
“Just let me know if you do.”
“Thanks Alex, but I got it under control.”
“You could take him, you know.”
“It doesn’t really matter to me.”
“You shouldn’t let him push you around like that. He’s bigger than you, but you just have to fight smarter.”
Darren shrugged.
“Stand up, let me show you.”
Alex shadowboxed with Darren, showing him how to jab and lead with one hand and punch with the other. He also showed Darren how to tie-up. Although street fights didn’t go like that too often, boxing skills did help.
“If you land just one good punch to someone’s nose, it stops them in their tracks.”
“I’m never going to use it.”
“You never know.”
They watched the rest of Muhammad Ali’s first match with Joe Frazier before Darren cued up their second fight.
“Let’s get a pizza,” he said.
“Nah,” replied Alex, “I gotta get to sleep. Let’s save that fight for later, so I can watch it with you.”
Alex flipped through the list and picked another fight. The header said ‘Ali-Foreman 1’.
“The ‘Rumble in the Jungle’. You should watch this next. This is probably my favorite fight of all.”
“Then let’s save that one instead.”
“Nah, I want to give you the commentary on Ali-Frazier 2. This one speaks for itself. Foreman was the Heavyweight champion and a true boxer. He stood toe-to-toe with Frazier, but he fought Ali differently. You’ll see.”
Alex pushed play and handed the remote to Darren. He set it aside and ordered a pizza.
“Good night, you two.”
“Good night,” they said.
It didn’t matter that Alex didn’t stay up for Foreman-Ali fight. Darren and Portia fell asleep before the fight even started.
The next morning, Darren’s ribs and cheek were sore. He took a few aspirin and decided to go back to his place.
“You shouldn’t go. What if Marcus is there?”
“I’ll deal with that when I get there.”
“Maybe I should go with you.”
“I don’t think so,” said Darren.
“You can stay here instead.”
“I don’t want to intrude…”
“It’s better to be safe than sorry.”
Darren collapsed on the couch while Portia made breakfast. It was as extravagant as a cereal box, a gallon of milk, and one sliced banana. Still, it was more than Darren ever fixed for himself.
They sat in the quiet of the living room. The only thoughts going through Darren’s mind were his sore ribs.
The only thoughts on Portia’s mind were Marcus’ whereabouts. It made no sense to her that he suddenly emerged from nowhere. She didn’t know if he was a threat or not, but really didn’t want to find out. Her luck had already been bad enough over the last few months.
“Why don’t we visit the NICU?”
“That’s a great idea,” said Darren, “but I really want to change my clothes.”
“We can’t go by your place.”
“He hasn’t been there for almost two months now. He won’t be there today, either.”
“Let’s not test fate.”
“I promise you, we’ll be careful.”
Portia reluctantly tagged along with Darren. When they turned onto the street where his apartment sat, there were no cars at all.
“That could be a good sign,” Portia reassured him.
“There’s only way to find out.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Do you think Alex would mind if I stayed with you guys for a little while?”
“Not at all.”
“Then I’ll just load a gym bag with clothes.”
“Be careful.”
“I will.”
Portia watched intently from the car while Darren went into his apartment. As soon as he opened the door, he noticed things out of place. Marcus had been there overnight. Darren went to his room and packed. He locked the door on his room before he left. Luckily, Marcus did not return while he was there. Just like Portia, Darren was not into pushing his luck either.
They returned to Portia's house, where Darren showered and changed into a fresh set of clothes. Afterwards, they went to Allegheny General to visit little Alex.
Their baby was doing just fantastic, still not strong enough to flip over or hold himself up for too long, but he did recognize mom and dad. He responded to their gentle voices as each of them held his tiny body. He raised his head slightly, smiling at Portia. All things seemed perfect.
On their way home, Darren took a detour.
“Where are you going?”
“It’s a perfect night. What do you think if we go for a night drive?”
“That would be just peachy.”
She sidled up to Darren and put her head on his shoulder. He arranged himself in the seat, holding the steering wheel with his left hand and Portia with his right. It was a perfect night for driving.
Meanwhile, Phoebe was heading from place to place, picking up applications. For Phoebe, her time as a stripper had already become tiresome. However, she didn't particularly like any of the restaurants she visited. Some still had the same sleazy businessmen as the strip club; others had loud families, bratty children and finicky women.
Phoebe was running out of money. She had to come up with something fast. She returned to the Executive Club, sitting at the end of the bar near the small dance stage. Tracie noticed her right away.
“What are you up to?”
“I want to talk to Danny.”
Tracie shot Phoebe a dubious look.
“About?”
“I think I want to come back to work.”
“Danny won’t take you back.”
“Just let him know I’m here.”
Tracie went to the back and promptly returned. Danny followed her out of the back office.
“Look what the cat dragged in,” he said.
“Hey, Danny. Can we talk?”
“Sure, we’re talking.”
“How about somewhere a little more private?”
Danny looked around.
“If you must.”
He led her back to his office, where he’d been counting cash and making next week’s schedule. He moved a large stack of papers off the pleather couch in the corner.
“Take a seat.”
Phoebe sat at the edge of the couch and waited for him. He sat in the tiny lounge chair behind his desk and continued working on the schedule.
“What do you want?” he asked.
“You know what I want.”
“You walked out one day and I haven’t heard from you in several weeks.”
“I was thinking.”
“All you girls think too much. This is really a simple job and you make lots of money doing very little.”
“I know, but the arrest…”
“You’re not the first or last stripper who’s gotten arrested.”
“Danny, I was just hoping…”
“How do I know you won’t just leave in the middle of another shift?”
“I won’t. I promise I won’t.”
The synthetic leather of his chair squeaked as Danny pressed up and got out of his chair. The couch made the same plasticky sound as he sat beside Portia.
“I don’t really need this sort of drama in my club, Porsche.”
Of course, Danny only knew all his girls by their stage names. He was the one who helped name them anyway.
“Danny, I made a mistake.”
He cleared his throat as he unbuttoned and unzipped his slacks.
“Alright, be a good girl for me,” he said as he motioned towards his groin.
Phoebe swallowed hard as she looked at Danny.
“I…”
She got up and went to the door. She turned the lock and returned to the couch. Danny gave her a greasy little smile as she dug her hand beneath the elastic band of his tight white underwear.
Back at Portia’s apartment, she and Darren were still watching Ali-Frazier I when a loud pounding came at the door.
“Who is it?”
Darren peeked through the curtains and out the window.
“It’s Marcus. He looks drunk.”
“Oh, shit. Don’t open it.”
The pounding continued, stirring Alex from sleep.
“Who the fuck is that?”
“Marcus.”
“God damn, he’s a punk.”
Alex jerked the door open. Marcus stood in the middle of the front yard, as drunk as could be.
“I don’t got no beef with you, Alex.”
“It’s almost midnight, Marcus.”
“I just want to talk to Darren.”
“Go home, Marcus. You’re piss drunk.”
“No I’m not. I’m just settling up with little brother.”
“This can wait…”
“I just wanted to tell him I want him out of the apartment right now.”
“That’s fine,” said Darren, “I’m out.”
“I want all your shit out, too.”
“I’ll get it tomorrow afternoon.”
“It’s already out in the parking lot. I threw it there just before I came over.”
“You son of a bitch!”
Darren barreled at Marcus. Marcus caught him again, throwing him down to the ground.”
“Leave him alone, Marcus,” insisted Alex.
“I don’t have a problem with you.”
“You leave him alone.”
“I can handle this, Alex.”
“You heard my little sissy brother. He can handle this.”
Alex marched out to the center of the lawn and stood between Marcus and Darren. By this time, bedroom lights had flashed on and ‘sidewalk superintendents’ had come out to observe the activities. Alex pulled his hands into fists and pointed them towards Marcus.
“Come on, Alex.”
“If you want him, you’ll have to go through me.”
Marcus began to walk around Alex. Alex jabbed him in the chest, knocking him slightly off balance. Marcus shoved Alex. Without warning, Alex caught Marcus in the jaw with a smooth left uppercut.
“What the fuck?”
“Go home, Marcus.”
Marcus swung wildly at Alex and Alex caught him by his neck and shoulders. Marcus pushed Alex backwards and tackled him. Alex was calm. He began rhythmically throwing kidney punches in the small of Marcus’ back. Marcus coughed and spat up mucus. Alex pushed Marcus off of him and stood up.
“Go home, Marcus.”
Marcus got into his car and sped off while Alex, Darren, and Portia stood on the front lawn. The crowds dispersed as people returned to their apartments. Alex went straight to bed. Portia and Darren watched the rest of Ali-Frazier I: ‘The Fight of the Century’ before heading to bed, too.
The next day, Alex, Darren, and Portia all left work early. Most of Darren’s clothes were stacked neatly next to the dumpster along with the things people didn’t loot. They loaded it into Darren’s car.
“You can move in with us until you figure out what you want to do.”
Darren thanked Alex and they returned to the apartment. They ordered dinner from the local Chinese Carry-Out and watched Ali-Frazier II. After the previous night left everyone drained, both physically and emotionally., they had a short and quiet Saturday night, unpacking and going to bed just after sunset.
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