"Yoga?" he said, with a laugh. "When did you start taking yoga?"
"Why are you acting so surprised?"
"Because I've never once in my entire twenty-two years heard you say a word about yoga. Doesn't fit you."
"You don't know what fits me. Besides, I'm almost fifty years old, and I can't lift weights and run around the track forever. People my age need to work on our flexibility, and from my research, yoga is a good exercise to incorporate into my lifestyle."
"Yoga?" He stared at me in disbelief.
"Yes, Manuel. Yoga."
"Where are you taking the class?"
I shifted in my chair. "At Ms. Washington's wellness center. They have a Monday night class. She mentioned it once, so I'm going to check it out."
I hadn't told Tallulah I was coming, but I'd already checked online and saw that interested students were encouraged to drop in for a free first class to see if it was a good fit.
"Okay," Manuel murmured, sounding confused. "Enjoy your yoga class, and I guess we'll do dinner another night." He paused on the way to the door. "Do you even have yoga pants?"
"I have athletic wear. That's good enough."
"Okay," he murmured again, still sounding confused.
After he left, I checked my watch. I had enough time to finish up here, go home to change clothes, and then head overto Simply Well. Based on afternoon traffic, I should arrive approximately ten minutes before class started.
Despite not wanting to seem desperate, I was committing an act of desperation. I wanted to see Tallulah. I wanted to be in the same room with her, even if we were only stretching and breathing or whatever they do in yoga classes.
I finished my work and left on time. I went home, changed into a T-shirt and a pair of joggers and tennis shoes, then hopped back into my Lexus and drove over to the plaza. I felt a little ridiculous but also excited and energized.
A sign on the front door instructed me to go around the side. I entered and went down the hall, my heart rate elevated in anticipation of seeing Tallulah. I found the studio easily, a room with wood floors, dark walls—one of them mirrored—and softly playing music. Inside, women of all shapes and sizes talked in quiet tones or stretched in preparation for the class. I immediately spotted the back of Tallulah's head and was relieved she hadn't decided to miss tonight's session. She wore a white tank and green yoga pants that looked fantastic on her ass. No jewelry this time. Her waist-length locs were in a low ponytail and swept over one shoulder. She bent over to roll out her yoga mat like the other women in the room.
Yoga mat!
I hadn't executed my plan as perfectly as I initially thought. I had completely forgotten a very important piece.
A young woman stepped into my line of sight, blocking my view of Tallulah bending over. She looked to be in her twenties and wore a welcoming smile, blue streaks in her brown hair, and multiple earrings climbing up the shell of her right ear.
"Hello, I'm Julie. Welcome to Simply Well yoga. First time?"
"Yes, first time here and first time taking yoga. I wanted to try the class, but..." I dropped my voice. "I forgot to bring a yoga mat."
"Not a problem. I have a couple of extra ones right there," she said, pointing to a corner in the back. "Pick one and find a spot to set up. What's your name?"
"Jamison."
"Nice to meet you, Jamison." She left me to walk toward the front of the room.
I picked up one of the mats as a man walked in. He nodded at me, and I nodded back before seeking out an empty spot. I decided to roll out the mat near the wall to my right.
Tallulah was now sitting cross-legged on the floor, back straight, with her eyes closed and hands resting on her knees. She looked peaceful. Centered. Completely in her element. I almost felt like an intruder and considered backing out, then I changed my mind. I had come this far and wasn't going to leave without talking to her.
I rolled out my mat and attempted to sit cross-legged like she and some of the other women, but my knees immediately protested. Holy shit. What had I gotten myself into? This might be harder than I had anticipated.
More people trickled in over the next few minutes, including one more man. Finally, the music stopped, and Julie sat on her mat in front of the class, also cross-legged.
"Good evening, everyone." She spoke in a hushed voice, hands clasped together in a prayerful pose.
"Good evening," the class returned.
