On the Ropes (Down for the Count) by Christa Cervone

but no. Now, that’s enough of the interrogation. I’ll tell you guys all about it on the way back from school.”
    That seems to satisfy them and the rest of our walk to school is a pretty quiet one. Their minds must be reeling with questions to ask me later. After dropping them off at school, I jog back to the gym where Frankie’s anxiously waiting for me in his office. “It took you long enough!” he shouts as I walk through the door.
    “Sorry Frankie, the kids were interrogating me the entire way to school. It was like the Spanish Inquisition and it kind of slowed us down a little.”
    “Come on in here and have a seat, I’m gonna put Blaine on speaker phone so you can hear everything.”
    I hurry into Frankie’s office, so that he won’t bitch at me further, and sit directly across from him. He picks up his ancient, corded black phone and hits the speaker button. The dial tone is so loud, I swear you can probably hear it in the locker room. Frankie holds a notebook in his hand and his eyes are straining to read what’s written, “Can you read me that number?” he asks as he holds it out to me.
    Taking it from him, I stare down at the number, “How the hell do you read your own writing?” I joke.
    “Obviously I can’t, since I’m having you read it to me.”
    “Hold on, I think I have his number,” I reach into my pocket for my wallet. Opening it, I rifle through a bunch of scrap paper pieces. The majority of them have girls’ names and telephone numbers on them. I guess it’s been a while since I cleaned out my wallet because half of these names I don’t even recognize. I begin making two piles on the corner of Frankie’s desk; one for girls I remember and one for those I don’t.
    “What are all those?” Frankie asks.
    “Nothin’, just a few phone numbers.”
    “Some phone numbers?” he scoffs. “Looks like a little more than a few.”
    “Yeah, it’s been a while since I cleaned my wallet out.”
    Frankie says nothing, but he gives me a look of disappointment and disgust.
    “Found it!” I nearly jump out of my chair to hand it to him.
    “Good, now read it to me,” Frankie orders.
    “Eight-five-seven-sixty-six-twelve.”
    We sit silently while the phone rings.
    “This is Blaine,” I hear on the other end of the line.
    “Hey Blaine, it’s Frankie.”
    “Hey Frankie, it’s really great to hear from you,” Blaine replies eagerly.
    “I have Gabriel sitting here in my office with me,” Frankie adds.
    “Hey Saint, I hope you’re going to tell me what I want to hear!”
    “We’ve talked about it, and we’ve agreed that it would be in Gabriel’s best interest for you to sponsor him, and for him to begin training at your gym.”
    “This is fantastic news!” Blaine exclaims. “I’m so happy you’ve decided to join our team.”
    Frankie gives me a look. He glares at me, then down at the phone, and he mouths, “Say something.”
    “Thank you for giving me this amazing opportunity,” is all I can come up with.
    I look up at Frankie and he’s waving his hand, egging me on to say more.
    “I’m really looking forward to training at your gym and I can’t wait to see it.”
    Frankie gives me the thumbs up.
    “Why don’t you and Frankie come by today? We’re just putting the finishing touches on a few things and are slated to open this weekend. I’d love to get you in here and training by then. It’ll be great for publicity. We’re planning a huge event for Saturday morning; Channel Five will even be here.”
    “What time would you like us there?” Frankie interrupts.
    “Any time after ten will be fine. I’ll be heading over there in about forty-five minutes since I have a meeting with my contractor at nine.”
    “Ten it is… we’ll see you then.”
    “Saint, I’m really excited you decided to do this with me.”
    “I’m excited to be working with you, as well. We’ll see you around ten.”
    “See you then,” Blaine answers.
    I look at Frankie; he nods his