Remembering Raimondo (Complete)

Can't Touch This

 After completing my homework at a near by park, I went to an arcade a few blocks away from my job. The building was a run-down theater... not a movie theater but broad-way type. A bunch of teens were taking the place over. The city wasn't very concerned with how the vacant buildings around this area were being used. A week ago there was a party that went a little out of hand in one of the vacant hotels, the police were at the scene when I got there.

But this arcade was clean, not literally, legally. The moment I stepped in I felt a rush of energy hit me in full force. I can get used to this environment. Dim colorful lights lit the place up while the sounds of coin slots, controllers, and vintage arcade games left no room for voices to be heard. I smiled at myself, making my way towards the coin machine. I inserted a crisp 10 dollar bill and collected my coins.

I'm such a kid, I chuckled.

Forty-five minutes later I had 4 coins left. I made my way to an arcade that was fit for two but there was only one person standing near it. A young boy was inserting his coins when I interrupted him.

“Hey!” I screamed over the noise.

He looked back as he placed the final coin. “Hey,” he grinned.

“Need a partner?” I asked leaning against the handle bar.

“Sure, but I'm not gonna go easy on you because your a girl.” He challenged brushing his hair out of his face.

“Oh it's on.” I dunked under the handle bar and onto the mat.

He chuckled, “Come on, my song. Mc Hammer?” He asked, but didn't wait for my answer.

“'Cause you know you can't touch this!” I joked taking my sweater off.

“Oh I don't need to touch you to kick your ass.”

The screen lit up and the count down began.

“Can't Touch This! Da-Nanana Da-Na Da-Na. Can't Touch This!” we sang simultaneously following the steps on the screen.

He must have been a pro because by the first 3 lines, I already missed a couple of steps while his score stayed perfect. Aside from that, we went more than one time to the same song and his score always seemed to be hire than mine.

“What. Did. I. Saaaayyyy? Da-Nanana Da-Na Da-Na. Can't Touch This,” he sang breathless as the game came to an end.

I was laughing so hard my sides ached. He crushed me, not that I was really expecting myself to do any good. But I mean the score was more than six hundred points apart. I shook my head in playfully while I picked my sweater up and put it on.

“I just let you win, I can't beat a kid. That would ruin your confidence for life!” I vainly state.

“Yeah right dude. I so beat you. You were practically on your knees begging me to let you catch up!” he defended himself.

He did have a point there, at one point I was about to fall on my knees.

“ Besides Audrie, we go to the same school and I know that you're everything but a mover,” he furthered.

I examined his features in surprise. I've never seen him before, but I wasn't about to tell him that... I mean if there's anything more insulting than losing it'd be telling someone that they're unnoticeable.

“No?” I questioned with a laugh.

“Yes,” he nodded. “but that's okay, I don't expect you to notice me anyway. You don't even talk much to your own classmates.”

Well he had a point there. I am a bit of a loner when it comes down to school. I sure feel like a loser now that I hear someone saying it, but it's all good in the hood... I mean what purpose would meaningless chatter serve? None … right? Besides I have Raimondo and Jeff now?

“Not that there's anything wrong with that,” the boy interrupted me trying to soothe and convince myself that I wasn't a complete loner. His expression was priceless, he had the look of a husband who was terrified that he may have upset his wife.

“Do-,” I was about to say Don't worry, but he interrupted again.

“I'm floating on the same boat.” Now he was avoiding my eyes.

First he makes me feel like a loner, now he makes me feel like shit. I could handle my distress but seeing someone else look pained tore me into pieces.

“You want to walk me to work?” I asked him looking at the clock on the wall behind him.

“Um...yeah sure. Sounds good.” He smiled.

I picked up my bag from near the door and slung it over one shoulder.

“So, what's your name?” I asked him as he opened the door for me.

“Meriç Tatlitug.” He extended his hand for me to shake.

I firmly grasp it, “Nice to meet you. Your name says you aren't from here.” I foolishly blurt.

“I'm from Turkey. And no it has nothing to do with the bird. Turkey means land of the Turks.” He grinned reading my mind.

“Well, I really didn't thi-” I tried to lie but his who-are-you-kidding face made me burst into a fit of laughter. “Okay I'm guilty as charged.”

“What year?” I snuggled into my sweater. It was getting dark and the air was becoming colder.

“Sophomore. I'm sorry I don't have a coat, if I did I would have been the gentleman.” he noticed my shiver.

I grinned at his honesty.

“So, may I ask you something?” He asked.

“Shoot.” I grinned wider. Asking for permission... I'm liking Turkish people already.

“Why are you always alone?”

I didn't know how to answer that. I shrugged. I never really remembered a time when I actually had friends in school, I don't even think such a time exists.

We walked in complete silence, I wanted to break the silence so he doesn't feel bad about asking me the question. But the air and the walk felt better with silence than with words. If that makes any sense. The lights from Jesse&James illuminated the area as we neared the Plaza.

“This is me,”I turned to face him smiling. “It was nice talking to you Mr. Tatlitug.”

I knew I failed at pronouncing his last name because he chuckled.

“It was my pleasure,” he nodded backing away and waving as I started towards the restaurant.

“I'll see you at school okay,” I promised after him.

He smiled and ran back towards the arcade.

What a nice kid. Now I have a promise to keep, my first in a long time. Let's see if I'm worth keeping promises. Promise one: Figure Raimondo out. Promise two: Keep in touch with Meriç.