Hita - Anita Claire Page 0,24
the local arcade. They thought buying one would keep me in shape. I finally got it up here.”
Jennifer asks, “Are you any good at it?”
Tim and Brian look at each other and smirk. “We have our own revolving competition along with Larry.”
Kristi looks puzzled as she asks, “Who’s Larry?”
Brian responds, “Our third roommate, we don’t see him very often these days since he has a girlfriend.”
Tim then fills in, “Yeah, most of the women here are her friends.” Changing the subject he tips his hand to the big machine, “Have you ever tried it?”
We all shake our heads. Jennifer pipes in, “Show us how it’s done.”
The guys look at each other and shrug their shoulders.
Jennifer comments to me, “No one would ever think that UCSD was near a beach if they saw those two. They look like vampires, you know, people who’ve never been outside in daylight.”
“I bet they’ll never have to worry about skin cancer,” I joke back.
The guys turn the machine on and it starts blasting techno music. Everyone crowds into the dining room. They both jump up on the platform. Brian gives Tim a nod.
Tim says, “Let’s do it.”
They start the game; the two of them watch the scrolling dance steps while their feet fly in what looks like complete unison. We all cheer. Tim wins, but not by much.
Jennifer gets a big smile on her face as she squeals, “Let’s try it.”
I shrug my shoulders and say, “sure.”
After watching those two, I had no idea how difficult it is. I’m sure Jennifer and I look totally lame but we have a great time. Kristi joins us in a round robin contest that none of us really won even though, averaged out, I think I have the highest score.
On the way home, Jennifer comments, “I was having second thoughts about joining you guys. But tonight was fun. My ears are still ringing from that crazy disco beat.”
“I take it Kristi and I are no longer scary together?” I can’t help but saying.
“The two of you are still a scary combination.” She says as she pulls out her iPhone and shows me a video of Kristi and me looking all awkward on the Dance Dance Revolution machine.
Kristi grabs it from her and starts laughing. She holds the phone in her hand ransoming it off to Jennifer as she pleads. “I’ll give you back your phone only if you promise you won’t put this on Facebook. Not everything in our lives needs to be shared.”
Chapter 19 – Thanksgiving at Home
Meredith plans a big Thanksgiving dinner at her place, but I’m going home. Not wanting to use my precious vacation days for visiting family, I fly to Chicago on Thursday, just in time for Thanksgiving dinner—Indian style. The table is set and a bunch of family friends are already over. I’m greeted with lots of hugs and kisses. My brother, who is currently in his senior year of college, is already there.
Since everyone attending is a vegetarian my mom doesn’t roast a turkey. She has prepared all the American Thanksgiving specialties, including cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie, though most of the meal consists of vegetarian Indian specialties.
On Friday morning I challenge my brother to a game of ping pong. All my practicing at work has paid off. I beat him easily, every game. Every time I beat him he gets a little bit angrier. His returns get harder, but not more accurate. I’m so used to playing with guys, the speed has no effect. He finally throws down his paddle and storms up the stairs.
My mother comes over to me saying, “Men don’t like it when they lose, especially to women.”
Furious at her for that comment, I respond, “Well then I think they have some work to do on their attitudes because I’m sure not going to swing a game to placate some guys ego.”
“Hita, you need to tone down the feminism or you’re never going to be happy in a marriage,” she replies.
“I’d rather be single than live with a man who doesn’t respect me and isn’t proud of my achievements,” I answer back.
Shaking her head Mom says, “Hita, what am I going to do with you?”
“Support me, be proud of me, but I’m not going to be sold down the river to some guy who doesn’t get me.”
“Hita, how do you make it in California with that attitude?”
Shocked at her thinking, I respond back, “I’m doing well. I have a great group of friends. I actually play ping