Past Love

Chapter 25: In The Groove

Saturday September 3rd, 2005

9:45am

Tyrone

"Jab, Jab, right hook, hook, uppercut! There you go, now do that exact same combo again but this time add a haymaker to it." I said as Cedric continued to hit the punching bag. This dude was serious, he's really improved since the 1st time I've seen him in the gym back in May with his friend Paul. "Keep your fist up just like that man, just like that!" I told him. "Okay now strike!" I said. "Hit that same mark again Cedric, you can do it!" I told him as he hit the bag heavily. After that me, Cedric & Paul moved onto cardio, doing jumping jacks, jogging in place and sprints over the next hour. Around 10:45am we finished up our workout and training and we all headed to the showers.

"So Paul, do you think he's ready to step in the ring?"

"Yeah, I mean with maybe a month or so more of training i'd say he's ready to get into a boxing ring." He said. "I just want to thank you for training him and all. I told him that he had potential to get inside that ring and box." He told me.

"Yeah, I appreciate the training that you've given me dude. I'll put in that work, hey who knows, we might face each other one day." He said laughing. "Good thing you taught me everything you know." He said.

"Hahaha Young blood, i haven't taught you EVERYTHING i know." I said, putting an emphasis on everything. "Rule # 1 you never show anyone everything you know in boxing, you always hold a thing or two back, 2nd being cocky and arrogant can make a undisciplined boxer even worse, because in the long run, your arrogance and cockiness can catch up with you in more ways than one. Always have a level head and a sense of respect in this game, listen to those around you and what they tell you, especially the veterans in the ring, they can always give advice and wisdom to you." I told him.

"Alright thanks Tyrone, thanks for letting me know that, I appreciate it."

We continued talking as we all showered up. After another 15 minutes or so we left Ironman Gym over on Olive Avenue and we went our separate ways. On my way back to the house I called Dante to see what he was up to. We talked for a bit, he told me i could stop by his place, he told me where he lived, a nice brick house over on Canton Avenue, in the 1500 block. It took me an extra few minutes to find it but it was near Jahmelle's place.

11:30am

I went up to Dante's door and knocked. I waited for a second and then knocked again.

"Hey, give me one second." He said. He came and opened the door. "Hey man, I was just making something to eat for the kids." He said. "Their Grandma dropped them off here a little while ago." He said.

"So where's Sherry at?"

"Well me and her really aren't speaking at the moment. Dante said.

"Ooh trouble in the land of marriage again huh?"

"Yeah, she got mad at me about one tiny little thing Tyrone, hey let me tell you man, this married life ain't no joke, you forget one thing and these women be ready to pounce on you, hey man you lucky you gay." He said, laughing. "Anyway she got mad at me because I forgot about something."

"Well what was it? Was it a bill or taking the trash out or something else?" I asked him.

"No, I forgot our anniversary." He said.

"Ummm i can see why she'd be pissed though, you forgot y'all fuckin' anniversary dude!" I said. "Hell if i was her i'd be pissed too Dante. I mean y'all been married for a good 5 years or so, y'all almost approaching 30 and you forgetting anniversaries and all. I don't know how she put up with you." I laughed and shook my head. "You need to find a way to make up for that, take her out to the movies, get her some flowers or something." I told him.

"You don't think I've tried that already, everytime i try to call and talk to her the phone goes straight to voicemail and all. She's staying at her parents house too because of the blow out that we had. I'm trying to fix the shit but she doesn't wanna give me the time of day." He said.

"Well then how about you let me try talking to her and we'll see how this works out."

"What makes you think that she will talk to you?"

"I'm Tyrone baby, that's how I know." I said laughing as I pulled out my phone. I went ahead and called her and after a few rings she answered.

"What do you want, Tyrone?"

"See why you gotta be like that? I'm just calling to see how you're doing."

"No, I know you're calling because you heard about me and Dante's issues, please don't get involved."

"Now wait a minute Sherry, it can't be that serious."

"It is that serious he forgot our anniversary, that's how serious it is."

"But I went ahead and I talked to him and he apologized."

"Yeah that's right he is sorry. He's nothing but a sorry ass Nigga that's what he is."

"Hey come on don't do him like that, don't do him like that. At least hear him out and give him a chance you know. How about this, I'll take the kids out for a few hours while y'all talk and work the situation out."

"Wait, you'll really do that for us?"

"Yeah. Y'all don't worry about it. Be here in about half an hour. We said our goodbyes and got off the phone."

Me and Dante talked for a few more minutes then about 20 minutes later or so I heard someone knocking at the door.

"Hey guys it's me." it was Sherry.

"Alright well that's Sherry, kids come on, give your mom and pops time to talk, you can hang with me and we'll go to the park." I told them.

"Hey thanks for doing this Tyrone, I appreciate it." Dante said. "Come on Marcus & Imani, y'all go ahead and go and y'all don't get on uncle Tyrone's nerves." He said laughing.

"They are not gonna get on my nerves." I told him, laughing.

Me, Marcus & Imani left and let Dante & Sherry have their alone time. I took them down to Rabe Park over on the corner of Canton Avenue & Midland Boulevard. It's not much of a park, it just has a slide and that's literally it. It's mainly known for the trees around the park as well as the scenery.

"I hope mommy and Daddy make up." Imani said.

"I hope so too, they're usually arguing, it's just a bit much." Marcus said.

"Well kids i mean that's what grown ups do, especially when one of them says something stupid to the other or they have disagreements over something, sometimes they argue, that's just natural." I told them. "It doesn't mean that they're going to split up if that's what y'all are worried about, trust me, i mean me and uncle Jahmelle get into arguments from time to time, that's with any friendship, especially the type me and him have."

"Well what type of friendship do you have Uncle Tyrone?" Imani asked.

"Well to be honest, a very special one, Me and him have known each other since we were around your age, maybe younger." I told them.

"Well i mean i'm about 10 and imani's about 8, so y'all have known each other for longer than we've been around?"

"Yeah, way longer."

"So y'all are old?" He said laughing.

"Hold up youngsters, I'm not old, I'm in my early to mid 20's, trust me in about 10 years you'll be getting up to my age then you'll have little rugrats like you calling you old." I said laughing.

Over the next few hours we laughed and talked. I took them to get some ice cream and we listened to some music at a music store that was nearby. Then I went and dropped them back off at their house around 1:45pm. It was a good day, this was one of the best days i've had in awhile.

End of Chapter 25