Page 67 of He Has It All (Boston Brawlers Hockey)
“Hey what happened outside? The media’s gone. Some other celebrity get in trouble today?”
Levi says, “Nah. They got tired of following you around. Discovered you’re a boring subject after all.”
Glen snorts and says, “I’m outta here.” He leaves.
Mom gives me a hug and then tells me it was my dad who solved the problem.Really?
Even with nonfamily members in the room, I’m frustrated enough with everything going on that I let my skepticism show when she tells me about how Dad went to the precinct station to talk to his old high school buddy.
“He told his friend the whole story—I hope you don’t mind. But it convinced him of your innocence and so when Dad asked him to help keep the media away from the house, he agreed.”
“Sure. Dad went to his friend because it aggravates him to have the media out there harassing the family.”
“That’s not true—I mean it’s true, but that’s not why he did it. He did it because he believes in you and even though he doesn’t show it, he loves you and is very proud of you.”
“Why doesn’t he show it? What’s that about? He jealous? Resentful?”
My mother flinches and goes from looking hurt to angry.
Everyone else in the kitchen is stone-cold silent and tense. Like me.
“Of course not.” She darts her eyes around, embarrassed, but she goes on anyway. “Never. He always only wanted what was best for you. And that meant keeping your two feet planted firmly on the ground. Protecting you from getting an elitist attitude, from believing your own press, as he always says.”
I grunt. It’s true. “Don’t you think he may have gone overboard?”
She sighs and, after a pause and with great reluctance, she nods. “But it was always my role to make up for that, honey. I’ve done a good job, don’t you think?”
My smile is automatic, because she’s right and I’m being hard on her when it’s Dad I’m angry with. So I go to her and wrap my arms around her in a bear hug. “The best, Mom.” Even though she’s put on weight over the years, she’s still small, and more huggable than ever. “Love you, Mom. To the moon and back.”
“I love you too, honey, more than the universe.” It’s what we always say to each other, if not so much lately. My heart settles, and the tension that seems to have a permanent squeeze on my chest these days, eases.
“I’ll leave you to your meeting now.” Mom extracts herself from my hug and, with a self-conscious glance around the room, leaves.
Joining Levi, Eli and Ham at the kitchen table, I say, “Sorry you all had to hear that.”
“No worries,” Levi says. “Everyone has those issues with their family.”
“Amen,” Eli says.
“I’m shocked and traumatized by your family drama,” Ham says with a straight face. I give him the finger. We all laugh and the tension is relieved to a level we can work with.
“Eli, this is your show,” I say, hoping he can pull a rabbit from his hat.
“First, have you found a new accountant?” Eli asks.
I shake my head.
“Maggs has a suggestion,” Levi says.
“Who?”
“Allie Pink.”
I laugh. “Pink?”
He nods. “I checked her out. She’s top-notch. And Maggs insists her mouth is like a vault for keeping secrets. Her words, not mine.”
I shrug. “I’ll consider it.” After I talk to Chelsea about her. If Chelsea says Pink is trustworthy, I’ll go with her. But I don’t say that to these men. Not here. Not today.
