Free To Love a Man by Rontora Nolan Page A

off and five get on and at the fourth stop 6 get off and two get on. What color is the bus driver’s eyes?”
    Ramón looked into the phone confused. He had no idea and he fancied himself as someone pretty good at riddles. “Wow I actually don’t know.”
    “Well what color are your eyes?” she asked with a smile that he felt through the phone.
    “Brown why?” he asked wondering where she was going with it.
    “Well I did say that you were the bus driver.” Ramón broke out a wide grin and gave a little laugh.
    “Ok that was good I will give you that.”
    Someone knocked on Ramón’s door and he remembered he was in the office still.
    “Desiree can you hold on for one minute please?”
    “Sure I don't mind.”
    Desiree stood up and walked to the kitchen placing her plate in the microwave as Ramón placed the phone down and opened the door. He looked down to Jamal the assistant to all the coaches.
    “Aj wanted me to remind you the kids are having that bonfire thing this weekend that you promised and you guys need to go over the list and stuff.”
    “Ok tell him I will be right there.” He said eager to return to the phone.
    “Also he wanted to know if you could bring the list of parents with you because he needs to see which ones need a place to stay.”
    “Ok got it.”
    Ramón shut the door and went to the phone.
    “Hello.”
    Ramón laughed as he heard a full-mouthed Desiree say hello.
    “Are you eating?”
    Desiree swallowed taking a sip of gulp of her drink.
    “Guilty, I was trying to be slick but hey you did call in the middle of my dinner I'm hungry.”
    As the last word left her lips a burp followed and she could feel her face turn red.
    “Oh my gosh I am so sorry about that…that must have been super loud in your ear.” She said embarrassed.
    “Well hey in the words of a mean ugly ogre “it’s better out than in,” he said knowing if she laughed at his joke she was awesome. She laughed and Ramón couldn’t help but laugh with her. There was something about her that made him feel so different. That made him not want to end their conversation. “I see you like Shrek too.”
    “It’s one of our favorite movies…we lo ve that movie.”
    He said wishing they could just stay on the phone talking for the rest of the night .
    “Well you go ahead and eat I have to go anyways we have this huge bonfire this weekend and I gotta get the stuff together for it.”
    “A bonfire? Really?”
    “I know this is supposed to be a basketball camp but I promised these kids if they worked hard and pulled their weight the first two weeks at the end we could do something you would do at a normal camp. They voted and I guess making S’mores and being around a bonfire is what they felt would make them happy.”
    She grinned sighing. “You are such a great guy.”
    “How you figure?” he asked fishing for a compliment.
    “Taking time out your schedule to host a camp for kids that is pretty amazing.”
    His started to gather the things on his desk together. “Well to be honest it's sponsored by the Eagles but run by people who really do know what they are doing. Once or twice a week we show up and run drills with the kids talk to them, and get to know them but that’s about all we can do. We have off-season training and then there is the traveling and shows I get to do. It’s hard but I make it a point to get back here every week.”
    “That still makes you an amazing man. You don't have to do that you could give your money and not your time.” She said admiring him.
    “But what fun would that be? I am and always will be all about my fans.”
    “Well you have certainly made Zack’s year! Maybe even longer, I know he is enjoying himself. I just wish I could see him you know?” he could hear the sadness develop in her voice.
    “Why can’t you no one will stop you from coming up here.” He said hoping she would take him up on the offer.
    “Well I do miss Zack but I'm not sure if I can make