I picked Stretch up the following day and headed off to the competition. Juice couldn't make it today so I would be sitting solo. As excited as Stretch was for the first competition, her mood was radically changed. She was quiet and somber.
"Stretch is everything ok?"
"Sure, I am just a bit nervous today."
And that was the total conversation between us until I parked the car at the auditorium.
Suzie entered the side entrance and headed for the warm up area behind the stage. She flashed a smile as she saw Kate and was about to greet her with a hug when Kate spoke up.
"You learned quickly how to play the game. I thought you were better than that" as she quickly passed by and greeted some other friends warming up in the corner.
Kate's comments hurt like a punch to the gut. If Kate knew, then others knew as well. Suzie wanted to throw up.
I watched as Suzie completed her routine. By now I was a good critique of the quality of her performance. All the movements were well executed but there was no life, no passion. none of Suzie's personality that usually brings the routine to another level. Well maybe next time I thought.
As they announced the winners, Bronze, not Suzie, Silver, not Suzie and the Gold goes to.... Suzie Solomon. What, did I hear right! Suzie won. She should have won last time not with this performance. But hey a win is a win as I dialed Juice.
In the most excited voice I could muster, "Juice, Suzie won, she won the Gold." There was a pause on the phone. "Did you hear, Suzie won her category!"
Juice's voice was soft and controlled "I am sorry to hear that" and she hung up.
I waited until the program finished and rushed to give Suzie a warm celebratory hug. "Let's go celebrate, where should we go?"
"It's been a long day for me Jay, why don't you just take me home."
Confused but obedient, I drove her home. I would usually be asked to come upstairs but she just gave me a kiss in the car and said she would call me later.
As Suzie opened the door to the apartment, Bear was standing there with a warm tray of celebration brownies.
"Jay called me, congratulations to the most recent Gold medal winner of this family" said Bear as he opened his arms to embrace her.
But instead of smiles Stretch burst out in tears and ran into Bear's arms. Bear had the good sense to wait a minute as he felt Stretch's tears soak trough his clean white shirt. "Did Jay do anything inappropriate, I warned the bastard?"
"No no, not Jay, he is the best thing in my life right now. It's me. I am a whore, a prostitute, I feel like a piece of shit."
Bear tried to separate them so he could look into her eyes but she was holding too tight. Stretch knew that she couldn't look directly at Bear while she was recounting the previous night at Jimmy the Greek's. She told him about the pre-audition, about the letter she signed, about the sex but leaving out certain details of the pain and humiliation that she knew would trigger Bear into a rage. As she talked she could feel Bears muscles and body tense.
After finishing all she wanted to say, Bear gently but firmly pushed her away.
"I think I need to pay Jimmy a visit."
"Bear, no, please don't. It was my fault. I signed a letter saying it was all consensual."
"Fuck the letter, I know Jimmy for many years. He is the biggest con man in the game. It isn't your fault Stretch. He used your vulnerability to his advantage. It's not on you Stretch. It's all on him and I need to have a talk with him" slamming the door behind him.
Bear left before he could hear Stretch's final words of "Be careful."
Finding Jimmy's condo was no problem. Everyone in the body building game knew his address and what he had to offer. Knocking at the condo door, Jimmy answered, "Hey Bear, long time no see big guy. What can I do for you?" and he proceeded to rap
I got EPO, I got blow
I got cocaine as white as snow
"I am not here about the shit you are selling. You abused a friend of mine."
"And who would that friend be?"
"Suzie"