I grew up in the Midwest. I guess it was a pretty normal childhood. No major dramas, just the usual bullshit kids learn to deal with. I really don't remember a lot of my early childhood. I do remember meeting Jimmy Rollins. Jimmy's family moved into a house in the next block over from my house. I think it was the summer between 6th and 7th grade, so I guess we were both about 13. I would see Jimmy hanging around the play ground when I rode past on my bike. I had a paper route, so I didn't get to hang out with the guys at the play ground very often.
One day, I was headed home after my deliveries and I saw Jimmy running up the street. He was being chased by a couple older kids I didn't know. I saw Jimmy cut into a vacant lot and then he stumbled and fell. The older kids were on him in a flash and they were kicking him and yelling at him. He got up and tried to fight back, but the other kids were bigger and they were roughing him up pretty good.
I didn't like what I was seeing, I hated bullies and unfair fights. I stood and peddled my bike as fast as I could. I raced into the scruff of the vacant lot and jumped off my bike.
"Leave him alone, assholes!" I said with as much vibrato as I could muster.
The two older boys looked at me and backed off a bit. "This is none of your business, kid!"
"Yeah, well I'm making it my business! Get the fuck away from him!"
"Fuck you, kid! You'd better get lost, if you know what's good for you!"
I charged the taller of the two kids and tackled him to the ground. We rolled around a bit and I managed to get a fist into his gut. He grunted and rolled away. We both got to our feet and I waded in. I clipped him above his left ear and he tagged me on my shoulder. We backed off and I grinned at him. I guess the grin worried him 'cause he grabbed his pal and pulled him away and they both ran down the street.
Jimmy was getting up slowly, so I grabbed him and pulled him up. He had a shiner starting under his left eye and his lip was split. I looked at him as he steadied himself.
"You alright, Dude?" I asked as I looked down at the little guy.
"Yeah, thanks to you, I'm okay." He looked up at me and then stuck out his hand. "I'm Jimmy."
I shook his hand. "Mike.... Dude, what was that all about? Why were those guys on you?"
"They got pissed when I called them out for cheating when we were playing B-ball."
"Okay, well Jimmy do you live near here? Do you need help getting home?"
"No Mike, I'm good. I just live in the next block."
"Okay Dude, well, see ya around."
"Yeah man, see ya.... uh, hey Mike, do you wanna hang out sometime?"
"Sure Dude, that'd be cool. I usually get done with my papers around this time, so meet me here tomorrow and we can go to my house and hang out."
That's how I became best friends with Jimmy Rollins. We were pals all through school and even played varsity Baseball together in high school. After graduation, Jimmy went to work for his Dad in his Electronics store. I went to the local community college, but didn't do well. I dropped out and joined the Army. Jimmy was there to see me off and made me promise to come see him when I got out.
My four years in the army went by pretty quickly. I ended up spending some time in the sandbox doing stuff I really didn't want to do. I must have been pretty good at what I did (or they were pretty desperate), because the army offered me all kinds of shit to re-up. I declined their offers and was all set to head home when I met a head hunter for a private group.
Turned out the group did some specialty work in foreign countries and were willing to pay me a boat load of money if I signed a two year contract. I signed.
Before I reported in, I decided I needed a little R&R. I was flush with cash, so I tried to check into a nice Hotel. The place was pretty booked up, and they almost turned me away. When I told them I had just gotten out of the military, they found me a room. They said they were booked up because of a Nurses Convention. I had noticed a lot of nice looking ladies in the lobby, but I thought it was just because I was in Miami.
I spent a fair amount of time on the beach and lazing by the pool. The night life action was loud and flashy. Most of the clubs were full of Nurses and other tourist. I met a couple ladies and even managed to get laid one night.
I was in one of the smaller, quieter clubs on Thursday night. I spotted three ladies sitting at a table and watched them for a few minutes. There was a pretty steady parade of guys coming to their table looking for dance partners. The blonde with the big tits seemed to be the favorite target, but the other two were also keeping busy. I finally consumed enough liquid-courage to make my approach, so I walked up to the table. The blonde looked up and smiled at me while thrusting out her huge tits. I smiled at her and then turned and asked the cute little brunette to dance.
I think I caught her by surprise. She choked on her drink and I leaned over and patted her on the back.
"Are you okay? I didn't mean to startle you."
She pulled herself together, dabbing her chin. "I'm fine, I just assumed you were going to ask Debbie to dance. You kinda took me by surprise."
"Oh, well does that mean you don't wish to dance with me? I promise I'll try real hard not to startle you again." I smiled and held out my hand.
She looked up and gave me a nice dimpled smile and then grasped my hand. "I'd love to." She said as she stood.
The DJ was playing some faster music and she was a very good dancer. She moved with grace and ease and I very much enjoyed watching her body move to the music. The music slowed and we moved together. At first I was a bit tentative, but as the song progressed, she allowed me to pull her in close. She felt very good in my arms as we swayed to the music. When the song ended, she stepped back a bit and gave me another dimpled smile.
"You're a really good dancer, thanks for asking me to dance."
"No, you are the dancer, I was just trying to keep up!... Can I buy you a drink?"
She tilted her head to one side like she was trying to make a decision. "Sure, why don't you come back to our table and I'll introduce you to my friends."
When we got to the table "Debbie" was being pulled away for another dance by yet another young stud. We sat and the barmaid popped up next to us. I ordered a round for the ladies and a gin&tonic for myself. I turned to my dance partner and stuck out my hand.
"My name is Michael, my friends call me Mike."