The week passes quickly. Tammy keeps me busy which is perfect medicine for keeping my mind off Scott. I get weepy if there is a break in the day or when I have to go to bed knowing Scott slept there before. Sometimes a song that Scott and I skated to will do it to me. Once in a while a skater would land a jump for the first time and I instinctively want to share my excitement with Scott, but instead share it with Coach Tammy. I wonder how Scott will feel if he knows I’m working on making a triumphant personal come back in the skating world, even if it is only for shows. Skating is all I have left.
I cut my coaching day short Monday evening to get ready for the press conference at six. I use mom’s plastic that is given to me for emergencies on a sexy black number that accentuates my curves which I didn’t know I have. I drop by Lara’s pulling her away from Franky long enough to give me an up-do that will accentuate my outfit and borrow her killer black heels that she never wears anymore. When all is said and done I’m quite pleased with my reflection. I get into dad’s shit box praying it will start and head to the Nigerian Skating Association, a bundle of nerves. In merely a few minutes from now, I will be facing Scott in front of the associated press, and if that isn’t nerve wrecking enough, Michael is going to be there.
The parking lot to the NSA is all but deserted with the exception of a few familiar cars, Scott’s black Mercedes and Michael’s black Mercedes. The NSA is located on the top two floors of an impressive modern white stone building. I take a deep breath and then enter the main doors leading into the lobby. I take the lift up to the top floor and find Scott and Michael waiting for me on the chesterfield in front of the empty receptionist’s desk.
They stand up at the sight of me. Both men tower over me looking like they stepped out of a Hugo Boss catalogue, “Are you ready?” Michael asks both of us.
I can’t help but to stare at Scott in complete shock, “What did you do!”
“I was drunk and had Andy shave the mess off.”
“You look rough,” I comment quietly.
“I feel it,” he admits. “Nothing is the same without you. I offered Anna the apartment, you were everywhere in it.”
Michael is getting annoyed by all the attention I pay Scott. He rushes us into the next room where the press is waiting. There are six reporters covering Nigeria, Ghana, and the Cameroon. There is a table with two chairs for Scott and myself to sit at. Michael stands behind the cameraman overseeing everything. When the cameramen are ready Michael steps in front of the cameras and introduces us, “I would like to thank all of you for coming out this evening. As you are aware, Scott and Isabella Brandon have become Nigerian Icons, adored by figure skating fans all over the world. Their shows have been selling out in Nigeria and the Cameroon this past year since they’ve won the Olympics. We have brought them here today to give you their exclusive story, Isabella?”
I shake my head motioning for Scott to speak instead of me. He addressed the press after clearing the lump in his throat, “Isabella and I are honored to represent Nigeria at the Olympics and to perform in many ice skating shows all over North America. Unfortunately, it’s with a heavy heart that we are announcing the end of our skating partnership.”
Michael jumps in, “The floor is open to questions.”
Each reporter has name badges on there clothing so we can address them individually.
Dave holds his hand up, “Are you going to do finish the scheduled shows?” Scott answers, “No, we’ve cancelled them, the public will receive a refund.” Susan asks, “Who’s choice was that?”
“Mine,” I speak into the microphone.
Paul raises his hand, “How has this affected your marriage?” Susan cut to the bone, “Are you getting a divorce?”
Scott nods affirmatively, “Yes.”
Julie looks at me, “Are you pregnant?”
“No,” I say surprised by that left fielded question. Dave called out, “Did he cheat on you Isabella?”
“No,” I answer forthright.
Then surprise, surprise, Susan asked the million-dollar question, “Did she cheat on you Scott?”
Scott’s eyes glance over at me and his voice booms deeply into the microphone, “In a matter of speaking.” I can’t help but to boil over at Scott’s inability to keep our dirty laundry hidden. I pinch his thigh under the table hoping nobody notices.
“It was one kiss,” I defend myself angrily. “He broke up with me over just the one kiss.”
“It’s not the first time you’ve gone back to him,” Scott argues. “It wasn’t just that.”
“With whom?” A reporter going by the name Michael spoke for the first time. “Michael Anderson,” I announce spitefully.
All camera’s turn to him and judging by his expression he didn’t expect the interview to come full circle and land in his lap, “Isabella and I have an extensive history, which Scott has no need to be jealous of. Tell me I’m not the reason for all this,” he feigns innocence.
“Are you leaving Scott for Michael?” another reporter calls out. I can’t make out his name.
“No,” I answer honestly.
Paul speaks out, “Are either of you open to new relationships?” “Not at present time,” I offer.
“No,” says Scott bluntly.
“Where are the two of you going from here? What are your future plans?” Susan asks.
Scott speaks first, “I’m continuing with College to become a doctor, that’s my plan anyway.”
He looks over at me cuing me to give my half of the answer, “I’m working with Coach Tammy as his assistant. I’ve also chosen to continue training in the hopes of doing shows on the side.”
Now Scott is staring at me in complete shock.
Julie says out loud, “Judging by Scott’s reaction he wasn’t aware?” “That’s correct,” I answer. “We haven’t spoken since we broke up,” I explain.
“Are you going to perform with a new partner?” she asks. I smile, “No Julie, I’ve chosen to go solo.”
“We look forward to seeing you,” she gushes.
Michael speaks up, “If the questions are finished, again, we would like to thank you for coming. Please help yourself to complimentary refreshments in the main lobby on your way out.”
The reporters thank us for the interview and wish us luck with our future endeavors. Several of them give me their cards.
Michael thanks us for the press conference and makes a hasty retreat leaving me alone with Scott.
“I wish you didn’t air our dirty laundry in front of everyone like that.” He takes my hand in his and starts playing with it, stroking my fingers,
“That was the whole point of this press conference.”
“I don’t want you to feel like you can’t date anyone Scott I know life goes on after me.”
“Isa, but why didn’t you tell me you were going back on the ice, your plans on coaching?” his voice sounds hurt.
“I made the decision after we broke up. I had nowhere to go,” I admit. “You could have stayed with me.”
“You know as well as I do, I can’t. I have something to prove to myself: that I can get back on my feet without relying on anyone else. Surely you understand that.”
I’m tempted to pull him down for a kiss but I managed to fight the urge. He holds my hand all the way to dad’s car. Coach Tammy is waiting on the couch for me dressed in his pyjamas with two shots of bourbon and a movie sized bowl of popcorn, “It’s coming on, hurry up!”
“Be there in a sec,” I call out, throwing my housecoat over my pyjamas. I’ve been living with him for a little over a week, and I still don’t feel comfortable enough to sit around with him in my night clothes. The news is cutting to the sports and our segment is coming on. Coach Tammy nurses his bourbon as we watch our interview, “What the fuck did Scott do to his hair?”
“I know, it looks awful doesn’t it? His friend shaved it.”
“Not much of a friend if you ask me. If your gorgeous soon to be ex is going to be austere with his appearance, he should at least have a damn tan, he looks sick!”
“Shh, I can’t hear!”
“Sorry, we’re recording it, you can watch it again.”
We watch in silence for a minutes, before Coach Tammy puts his drink down on the table making the ice cubes clink together, “Damn, that pregnancy question startled you! All the colour drained from your face when she asked you. Is there something you should be telling me?”
“No, I totally wasn’t expecting it,” I admit. “We did have a scare, but it turned out I wasn’t. Scott was the one scared. He didn’t want to stop doing our shows. He said family life could wait.”
“Scott’s right honey, now’s not the time for you to be getting pregnant. You haven’t established yourself yet.”
The camera’s pans to Michael during the cheating segment and Coach looks over at me, “Isa, you were with Michael?”
“Ya, he was my first boyfriend. Don’t you remember? Scott said he wouldn’t skate with me if I continued to date him.”
“He’s more than that. He can make or break you.” “So I keep hearing,” I roll my eyes.
“His father is the CEO of the Nigerian Skating Association. Did he tell you.”
“Nope, we never talked about our parents, we were too busy getting it on,” I “His father has to be around what sixty-three? I wouldn’t be surprised if in a few years time, that young Michael takes over when his father retires. He’s going to have a lot of pull in the skating community, you mark my words Isa.”
“He won’t have an affect over any of my decisions.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” warns Coach Tammy.
Mom texts me after the show:
MOM: I saw U’r press conference. I can’t tell who looked worse U or him?
ISABELLA: Don’t hold back, tell me what U really think.
MOM: I’m sorry honey, but really? Really? He shaves his head looking like Dwayne Johnson or some bouncer buffoon at a strip club and you look anorexic! What’s the public going to think? You went from a beautiful couple to a freak show overnight. Stay away from that boy and his mother, they’re toxic.
ISABELLA: Okay mom, I will. (It’s easier to agree with her than argue.) Someone else is text me, sorry mom, I’ll call you tomorrow.
MOM: Sure dear.
ANNA: Hi! I saw U & Scott on the news! How R U?
ISABELLA: Better.
ANNA: I’m so proud of U.
ISABELLA: I don’t know why but thanks!
ANNA: I take it Scott told U he gave us the apartment?
ISABELLA: Ya, glad it’s going to good use.
ANNA: We want U to be our first guest this weekend.
ISABELLA: Sounds like a plan, I’ll come up Saturday Evening
ANNA: C U then. Lara says she’s been meaning 2 text U, have U heard from her.
ISABELLA: No, I’ll text her. She’s probably busy with the baby. BYE
ANNA: BYE
Coach gets off the couch, “Can I drag you away from your cell long enough to have another bourbon with me?”
“No thanks coach, I’m sending another text and then I’m retiring for the night. Some friends of mine invited me away for the weekend. You think you can manage without me for a few days?”
The coach shakes his head grinning, “I managed before you moved in.” “Cool,” I get off the couch and head for bed, texting Lara as I was walking.
ISABELLA: Lara?
LARA: Baby’s crying, here’s Jer!
ISABELLA: Jer?
Jer: Hi Isa how’s it going? ISABELLA: Good U?
Jer: Sleep deprived!
ISABELLA: :-(
Jer: Lara wants U 2 visit sometime this week.
ISABELLA: Can’t! Coaching during the week & Anna invited me over Sat.
Jer: I really need U 2 come Isa, she’s not herself.
ISABELLA: What’s wrong?
Jer: She’s acting weird. Can’t put my finger on it.
ISABELLA: I’ll talk 2 Coach Tammy & get back 2 U?
Jer: Thanks Isa.