The big night has arrived. This is "just an exhibition", but I am the club champ and with the exception of a couple losses in private, my public record is sterling. Out of respect for Laura, I will be announced first. As part of the theme, we are in bikinis and the request was for both to be in black. It was a request though, not an order, but I decided to comply. We will be barefoot, pretty customary in this club. There is a knock at my dressing room door and out I come, admittedly nervous. This is a very different opponent from any I have faced and her reputation is simply intimidating. I move down the narrow hallway to just behind the curtain and the announcer calls out, "Now introducing first, a girl so many of you know, standing in at 5'7" and a curvaceous 188 pounds, our current club champ, Gabi the Big Beauty!"
I whip the curtain open, step through it and stop, flashing a big smile and waving. The "current champ" had kind of an ominous feel to it, but champ I am and my title is not on the line tonight. I take several seconds to wave in all directions, then make my way down the short aisle to the steps. My strong legs make it up the steps with spring in them and to the apron I go, where I wipe my soles and slip through the ropes. Plenty of whistling and cat calls ensue - typical. I take my corner, toss my long brown hair back, lick my lips and take note of how dry my mouth is. Then I wait, nervously, weight shifting from one leg to the other and back again. It seems to take forever . . .
