that’s okay. I just didn’t think anyone would be around this morning, ” Lily croaked, and then cleared her throat.
“Tuesday morning- a Tuesday freakin’ morning!” she thought once again.
“I understand. I was just helping my sister-in-law a while ago and we saw you through the opening in the fence. I’m James, Tim’s brother,” he stuck out his hand and smiled even more.
Lily wiped some imaginary sweat from her right hand before shaking his. She looked up into a pair of brown eyes that resembled the tiger’s eye stone from one of her favorite pendants. He had short, slightly curly dark brown hair that stuck up in a few spots and some day-old stubble on his tan face. Lily noticed he had a slight gap between his two front teeth, which otherwise were practically perfect in their whiteness. He looked to be quite fit, although it was difficult to tell how fit with his black sweat pants, baggy long sleeved red shirt, and beat up sneakers.
“I’m Lily. Lily Black,” she finally murmured. James nodded.
“I couldn’t help but watch you. I love hoop dancing. In fact, I’m an instructor in Indy.” Lily tilted her head and a bit of her nervousness started to fade.
“Really? I didn’t even know we had someone locally… okay, well, in Central Indiana at least.”
“Oh, yeah, and I’m even beginning to have some company,” James said, “There’s a lady in Kokomo who’s really starting to take off with her instruction, and a few women in Bloomington that teach mostly college kids. I even heard they’re offering a course at IU in it next fall.”
“That’s great!” Lily exclaimed then she laughed a little. “I’ve never attended any classes… just watched some You Tube stuff and a few DVDs here and there.”
“Never? You’re self-taught?”
“Uh huh. I don’t think I could go to a class.” James’ mouth twisted slightly to the side.
“You can’t go to a class? Why not?” he asked. Lily glimpsed quickly down at the ground, trying to fight the redness that was slowly creeping up her neck. She was saved from answering by her neighbor who was approaching quickly.
“Good Lord, James, what do you think you’re doing scaring poor Lily like that?” Paula asked in a light voice. She was half-teasing him.
“Hey, when I see a good hoop dancer, it’s like you said. I’m a moth to a flame.” Tim said. Lily lost her battle with the redness as it completely filled her face.
“Good?” Lily croaked again.
‘Damn it! What is wrong with me?’ she thought.
“Yes… I think you’re good… especially for not even hooping for two years yet.” Lily looked over at Paula in mild surprise. Paula shrugged.
“He asked me a few questions. Sorry,” Paula grinned. Lily finally smirked and took a deep breath.
“It’s okay. It’s really good to see you, Paula… it’s been a long winter!”
“Aren’t they always long? I can’t believe this gorgeous day. And did I see Melissa and Brian last weekend?” Paula asked, referring to Lily’s daughter and son, who had both been away at Purdue University.
“Yep, spring break started last Friday,” Lily said, “Thank God they could get away from that school for a while,” she rolled her eyes in mock disgust.
“Lily grew up in an IU family,” Paula said, mentioning Purdue’s rival.
“Well, if they have to go to an inferior school like that, I feel sorry for them,” James said jokingly. The three of them chuckled.
“So where are the kids today?” Paula asked.
“They’re on their way back from Louisville. They went to visit some friends down there yesterday,” Lily replied. Melissa, age 18, and Brian, age 19, were close both in age and as siblings, although Lily remembered too well the numerous fights they got into when they were younger. But time had mellowed them both, and they now shared many interests and friends.
“So, do you by chance have another hoop?” James asked. Lily looked at him with furrowed brows.
“Yeah. I’ve got five others. Why do you ask?”
“Well, I’ve got about a half hour before I have to head back to Indy… I wondered if you wanted to have a mini-hoop jam with me?” James asked. Lily’s eyes widened.
“A… mini… hoop jam?” she faltered. James thought she looked terrified suddenly.
“Yeah, you know, just taking some time to play around and hoop together,” he was puzzled by the look of surprise on her face. “You have gone to hoop jams before, right?”
“Uh… no. I didn’t know there was such a thing.” James’ face lit up and Lily saw a sparkle in his tiger eyes.
“Oh, yeah! We have them all the time. It’s a total blast. You have GOT to come to our next one. In fact we’re having one in Greenwood this coming Saturday. That’s not far from here, you should come.” Lily’s mouth quivered and she raised her hand to her heart once again. Paula came to the rescue.
“Um, hey, James, she might not be ready for that just yet,” Paula said, putting a hand on James’s arm.
“Are you kidding me? She’s totally ready!” James exclaimed. Just then Lily’s back door swung open.
“Hey Mom! We’re back!” Melissa came bounding up to her mom in excitement, her long blonde hair flying behind her. She wrapped an arm around Lily’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze.
“Hi, Paula! Hi, Strange Guy beside Paula!” Melissa quickly stuck out her hand to James, who laughed loudly.
“Strange, yes, that’s a pretty good description. I’m James, Tim’s brother.” He liked the firm handshake Melissa gave him and her wide smile, which was covered in colorful braces.
“Nice to meet you!” Melissa paused as she took a better look around her. “Hey, Mom, have you been hooping- outside?” she asked in an incredulous tone.
“Well, sure, for a little bit,” Lily replied, willing the heat to drain from her face, “But now I think it’s time for me to go inside and fix you two some lunch.”
“Um, Mom, we are college students now. I think Brian and I can handle making our own lunches.”
“I know, but you gotta let me spoil you as much as possible this week,” Lily hugged her daughter briefly. “James, it was good to meet you. Paula, I’ll see you around?” Paula nodded.
“Definitely, as long as you’ll forgive me for my brother-in-law’s rude staring,” she joked.
“Like I said, she’s good,” James put gave Lily a friendly pat on the shoulder. “Please think about joining us at a hoop jam some time. We’re in Greenwood every Saturday…”
“I don’t think I can make it, I work Saturday mornings,” Lily said, relieved to
