Page 46 of Shift Change
“Follow me, gentlemen.”
As he walks toward the back of the store, I lean close to Jamie's ear.
“Are we being kidnapped?”
He laughs out loud, loud enough that the tailor turns to give us a sharp look. Chastened, we follow him.
“I just thought you might not want an audience for this. Amazing how far an NHL name will go, even away from home.”
The move is unexpectedly thoughtful, and I find myself surprised. This could have been a great chance for him to tease me, but instead he's being...kind?
“Mr. Carter mentioned on the phone that your suit was lost on your flight today. I must say, I looked at recent arrival photos of you at the arena, and I believe a luggage loader somewhere deserves a raise.”
I blush at the insult, knowing the suit was boring...just how I liked it.
“Yes, well, I suspect my goaltender may have had something to do with it, and he already got a raise this year.”
The little man chuckles at this.
“Ah, yes. Mr. Kovalenko is one of my best clients. In fact, I believe he spent most of that raise in this very shop.”
“No offense, but your clothes don't seem...his usual style.” Alexei isknown for his loudness, on the ice and off it. His clothes are no exception.
“Well, it isn't aboutmystyle, now is it? It's aboutyours. By the way, we haven't officially met. I'm Jack Williams. You may call me Mr. Williams.”
Feeling like a schoolboy, I shake his outstretched hand.
“Ethan Tremblay. And I don't have a style.”
“Now, Ethan. Middle-aged accountant istotallya style. Just not a good one.” Jamie chimes in from behind me.
“Well, Mr. Tremblay, maybe we can figure out a better style for you moving forward?”
I shrug, distinctly uncomfortable at the thought of having astyle.
Mr. Williams leads us to an area where a small dais is surrounded by mirrors. To one side, a room has a curtain draped in front of it. To the other, a low couch covered in green velvet sits.
“Now, after talking with Mr. Carter, I have pulled a few ideas. We obviously will need something off the rack for you tonight, but we can measure you for a few suits for later.”
“I, uh, usually just wear the one suit. With different shirts and ties.”
I'm lying. It's just different ties.
“Mr. Tremblay, you are a top defender on an NHL team. Acaptainof an NHL team. Youcannotwear a single black suit three times a week for the entire season. It should be illegal.”
Jamie's eyebrows pull together, and I get the sense he may not like Mr. Williams all that much.
“I think maybe Ethan just needs some help picking out a few things. He's got a lot on his mind. You know, as top defender and captain of an NHL team.”
Is he...defendingme?
Mr. Williams humphs, striding off to a set of nearby clothing racks. He pulls a suit bag off the rack, then uses it to back me into the changing room.
“Put this onfirst.”
With a spin, he closes the curtain. I unzip the suit bag and find...my suit? It looks like it, anyway – simple black lines, a white shirt. I put it on and walk out of the dressing room.
Jamie's eyes bug out “Is that...?”
