25. muscle memory
muscle memory
OTHELLO
The energy between us feels familiar. Back to how it was in the beginning before my slip-up.
I’m determined to keep it this way. My biggest mistake was letting Marley get away from me the night we met at her friend’s party.
I don’t want that to happen again. I’m treading lightly, and I want to make the rest of her stay in Maui everything she needs and more.
The scenic ride has been nearly an hour before Kim circles back around.
“You’re about to see the Molokini crater,” she tells us.
We fly faster over the clear waters until we arrive at the location she wants us to see.
A partially submerged, crescent-shaped mountain comes into view.
There are sailboats, yachts, and catamarans scattered about.
And it’s jaw-dropping. I’ve never seen anything like this before, so I’m amped, my eyes bulging like a little kid.
“That’s wild,” I say out loud.
“Right,” Kim says enthusiastically. “It’s my favorite thing to view from the sky. But even better if you go there by boat. You can scuba dive and snorkel.”
Marley’s hands cover her mouth, which has fallen open in surprise.
“It’s so beautiful. We should go.”
The word “we” leaving her mouth is music to my ears. As if realizing what she’s said, Marley lowers her head and turns away bashfully.
“Well, never mind. We probably won’t have time with everything Carina has planned.”
“True, but if we get some time, we can go,” I respond, squeezing her hand tighter.
It dawns on me that we have been holding hands this whole time and not once has she let go.
The helicopter starts to dip low. The vast blue of the ocean slowly becomes a mass of bright green. A sprawling estate slowly reveals itself once you get through the thick of it. A jungle.
We’re in a jungle.
It takes me by surprise because I’ve never been in a jungle before.
I admire the lush surroundings. Towering trees and exotic plants in every shade of green imaginable.
When we land on a clear patch of grass next to a glass house, I’m completely blown away.
No way, a home like this exists in real life.
“Where are we?” Marley asks. “This is so beautiful.”
“This is The Emerald Ridge Estate, otherwise known as the Jungle House,” Kim tells us.
Marley’s mouth hangs open in pure and utter amazement as I help her down and out of the helicopter.
“The ride was lovely,” Marley gushes.
Kim smiles generously.
“Thank you. That was an awesome experience,” I tell her.
“Yes, thank you so much,” Marley adds.
“It was my pleasure,” Kim waves us off. “You can follow this path to the side door. Collette and Jerome are expecting you.”
We do as instructed, following a stone path that winds through the tropical greenery toward towering floor-to-ceiling glass doors framed in white wood. The house is sleek and modern, every inch of the house framed in glass.
Collette answers the door before we even have a chance to knock. And Marley smiles like a kid on Christmas morning.
“Collette, hi! Ohmigod, that was amazing. From breakfast to the helicopter ride, I really enjoyed it. Thank you!”
“Yes, it was something else,” I add.
“That makes me happy to hear, darling. I figured since you’d never been to Hawaii, I’d give you a better taste of what it has to offer.”
“It’s beyond beautiful here,” Marley exclaims.
“Come in, come in. Jerome, honey, they’re here,” Collette calls, and Jerome appears from somewhere inside the house.
Everything is pristine, white, beige, and cream, with a minimalist vibe. The only color seems to come from bright green plants strategically placed to anchor the space.
“Hey there, welcome!” Jerome says when he steps into the room. He’s wearing a polo shirt and Madras shorts.
“This is a beautiful home.”
“Thank you. Belongs to a friend of mine. He let us use it for the week.”
“This is where the pool party we’re having tonight will be,” says Collette.
I remember Jungle Party written on the itinerary.
“I hope the ride was smooth and the breakfast was to your liking,” Collette probes.
“Oh, it was great. Everything was great,” Marley says excitedly.
I nod and thank her.
“Perfect. Come into the sitting room with me. I want us to talk more,” Collette says to Marley, and the women head off and disappear around a corner of the house.
Jerome slaps me lightly on the shoulder. “And I was hoping to borrow you, if you don’t mind. There’s a private course just past the ridge. Figured we could get a few holes in.”
I let out a breath. “Whoa, ok. I haven’t been golfing in a minute. I might be a little rusty,” I tease.
“You’ll be alright,” Jerome says as I follow him out a different door on a different side of the house. “Golf’s like riding a bike. Muscle memory.”
Jerome drives us through a tropical world of trees and plants on an upscale, fancy golf cart until we reach an elevated clearing overlooking the private course.
The course opens up beyond the estate, rolling greens carved naturally into the jungle landscape.
It’s surreal out here. I’m almost envious of people who get to live here and see this every day.
He parks the cart beside a small wooden rack holding a set of clubs already laid out, like someone anticipated our arrival.
Jerome steps out first, grabs a driver, and tosses one to me.
“Thought we’d start here,” he says, nodding toward the fairway stretching out before us.
I watch him set up, suddenly missing the bond we’d shared once upon a time. Golfing, football, and basketball games used to be our thing.
“How has everything been going for you?” he asks, settling into position behind the ball. He concentrates and then pulls the club back and hits the ball with a loud thunk.
“Uh, well, it’s been good. I can’t complain.” I answer, watching the ball fly through the air.
“What about work? Writing anything new?”
“Yeah, I am actually. Something that’s a little different, so I’m not speaking too much on it just in case I change my mind.”
“Trust me, I know how that is. I feel the same way with my music.”
Jerome falls silent. Focusing on his aim. He swings. The ball lands somewhere along the fairway, and we take our time climbing back into the cart, driving toward it. I hesitate, unsure how to respond or whether I should.
I haven’t had a heart-to-heart with Jerome in a long time.
I disappeared after everything with Carina and Gavin happened, but he’d made it his priority to check in on me every now and again.
My responses were always short and clipped, hoping that would push him away, but Jerome never left.
And now that he’s brought me here, I feel bad.
He’s only tried to show me he cares, and that’s proven right here and now.
“Yeah, the idea stemmed from what happened. It’s a book of poems. My agent says they’re too angry,” I laugh to soften the mood. But Jerome’s face remains stoic.
We finally park and step out of the cart, heading towards his target.
“You know, I don’t condone what Carina and Gavin did. Hell, I was thrown for a loop myself, cause I had no idea. I do want you to know that.”
“I believe you,” I say quietly.
“I was disappointed in both of them. And disappointed by how you left, although I don’t blame you. But it felt…like I’d lost a son.”
We reach his ball, and he takes a practice swing before settling into his stance.
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that. My mind wasn’t in a good space then. By the time I got right, so much time had passed I didn’t think you’d want to hear from me.”
“That’s where you went wrong. I’ll always have time for you, Othello. I still think of you as family. You can call me whenever you need me.”
Thank you. I’ll remember that.”
“How are things between you and Gavin?”
The same as they’ve been since everything fell apart.
“We’ve been cordial, but we still haven’t had a chance to talk yet.”
“I know it’s hard, you being here.”
“Very.”
It’s my turn to shoot. I line myself up with the ball, adjusting my grip on the club.
I draw the club back and drive through with as much strength as I can muster. We both track the ball as it floats through the blue sky. Seconds later it drops onto the fairway a few yards short of the green.
Muscle memory.
“Told ya, Jerome smirks. “You still got it.”
I smile back.
“This is nice. I hope you don’t regret being here.”
In an instant, Marley pops into my mind. I don’t regret being here at all. Because being here led me to her.
“I did at first, and I almost didn’t make it on that plane.” I chuckle at the thought.
“Despite what your aunt wanted?”
“Yeah, despite that. I mean, my feelings were hurt, and sometimes I think it was almost selfish for her to want me to be here. I went through that pain, not her.”
Jerome bobs his head, understanding. “You’re right about that. You were the one who suffered. But you’re here. So that has to stand for something.”
“I am, but…” I let out a deep breath. “I guess it’s hard to explain. I don’t know why I’m here.”
“You’re here because you love your aunt. And sometimes that’s reason enough. But, are you showing up for her in the best way?”
“What do you mean?”
“Be honest, son. Have you been nice to the guys? Are you being social?”
“Of course I’m being social.”
To this, Jerome lets out a laugh.
“But are you trying to make an effort or just doing it to get by?”
I shake my head, turning away with a laugh, because yes.
I was just conversing to get by. I wasn’t putting much, if any, effort in at all.
I remember James telling me how I was coming off rude.
Maybe that is why people are treating me like I’m the bad guy.
But it could also be from whatever story Carina has been telling people about our breakup.
I stand tall, planting my club in the grass and resting my hands on top of it.
“I’m not even going to lie to you, Jerome. I’m just trying to get through this week so I can get back to Georgia and attend my regularly scheduled program.”
Jerome shakes his head, another laugh billowing out of him.
“I feel you. Trust me, I get it. I’m just wondering if you’re showing up for your aunt the way she would. That’s all.”
“It’s all I got for right now,” I tell him and position myself to strike again.