"Elizabeth Taylor."
"Elizabeth Taylor?"
"Elizabeth Taylor," I repeated.
"Man, that is so easy."
"Well, then, quit stalling and prove it already."
"Okay. Elizabeth Taylor was in 'The Flinstones' with Rosie O'Donnell, who was in 'A League of Their Own' with Tom Hanks, who was in 'Apollo 13' with Kevin Bacon. I can't believe you've never played this game before." AJ appeared unable to grasp the concept.
"Sorry, guess I just had better things to do with my time."
"Oh, yeah? Like what? With all those car and airplane rides, I'd figure you be a master at it."
I shook my head. "Get real. That precious time was reserved for sleeping. I was so overworked at such a young age," I said melodramatically.
"Aww, poor baby."
"Hey! There's no need for sarcasm."
She laughed and then took a bite of her hamburger.
"So, you really wanna go ice skating after this?" I asked, hoping she had changed her mind.
She nodded her head yes. Damn! "Uh-huh. Come on! What's the big deal? You rollerblade. Suck it up and be a man."
"Nah, I think I'll be a little boy and whine my way out of it," I said, shoving a fry in my mouth.
"Well, then, I guess I should warn you. I'm immune to whining. Just ask Maddy if you don't believe me."
I couldn't help but smile. Since AJ was in Tulsa on business, we had seen each other everyday following the wedding. Unfortunately, the week was coming to and end, and she would be heading back to New York. The wierd thing, though, was that every time I asked her what she did for a living, she changed the subject. Not even the pentagon was this secretive. I dipped my last fry into the puddle of ketchup on my plate, and popped it into my mouth. "You ready to go?"
"Yup," she replied.
"I'm gonna go pay the check." I got up before she could protest, which I knew she would. I paid, and we left.
"See? It's not THAT bad. You're doin' great. Why don't we pick up some speed?"
"Okay," I reluctantly agreed. It's been a LONG time since I've been on ice skates. I just hoped I managed to stay on the skates and not on my butt.
"Good. Good. A little faster. Faster. Good. See? What did I tell you? I'm a great coach!"
"Mmm, and modest, too."
"Piss me off and you're on your own," AJ threatened.
"You wouldn't!"
"Oh?" She dared me to try her.
That was the one thing that made being with AJ so different, so great. She didn't hide anything, minus her occupation, anyway. Point is, she never acted helpless or like some airhead. AJ was always strong and true to herself. Girls like her are rare. I was certainly going to miss her when she was gone.
"So, we can't get together at all tomorrow?" I asked AJ. We were in the lobby of her hotel. We had finished ice skating and I was dropping her off.
She shook her head. "I have that meeting tomorrow night, and I have to prepare."
"Yeah, but all day?" I asked, disappointed.
"You have NO idea. Besides, you said you had some photo shoot."
I frowned. "Oh, yeah. Well, can I at least take you to the airport Saturday?"
AJ shrugged her shoulders. "If you want," she said, emotion absent from her voice.
"Well, fine. If you don't want me to..." I was hurt by her less-than-enthusiastic response.
"No, no. It's just, well, if you want. It's up to you."
I studied AJ's face. Its expression was sad. But there was something else too. It was, I don't know, guilt? "AJ," I said softly. Without thinking, I leaned in. I felt two fingers gently press against my lips.
"Don't. It'll just make Saturday that much harder," she whispered.
I closed my eyes and sighed. "Will I ever see you again?"
"Sooner than you think, I'm sure."
I opened my eyes, and AJ smiled weakly. She kissed her two fingertips and gently touched my lips. Then she turned and walked towards the elevator.