Chapter 6: Speak Well, but Not Wisely

I went back to the field house to change into clothes that didn’t make my skin crawl. I knew Mindy would be waiting for me. The first thing that happened as I walked in was Beth pointing at me, “You did okay, but you need to get more comfortable being seen with us on the sidelines. It was like you wanted to hide all night.”

“Sorry, I don’t like showing off my scars. I know there is a thirty foot drop and then a walking path between the stands and us, but it still feels like they’re all staring at me.”

“You’ll get used to it or your fired.”

I laughed, “Weeoo-weeoo”

“Stop doing that!”

“Be nice.”

Lis found that funny, “You must be the devil to stand up to her like that.”

“Little ol’ me?”

Lis fired back, “My little devil.”

Stacy and Jill ducked out. Angie asked, “You need a ride?”

“Nah, I’m good.”

I bid my adieus and headed for the dirt patch that substituted for a parking lot. The football field was 3.5 miles from the school itself. I wasn’t sure if it’d been donated land or if it was just the nearest place they’d found that was flat, but they hadn’t bothered to pave out the parking lots around it. Just thrown down gravel. There was a playground on the hill above and a dirt road that went up and around the stands. They even had a surcharge to park your car on that road during the games.

Scott stopped me halfway across the field, “So, what do you get out of that?”

“Out of what?”

“Cheerleading. I know you’re not a fruit, but it’s kinda gay.”

“You think it’s gay to hang around five half-naked girls?”

His eyes flashed open as if he’d never thought of that, “But isn’t it dull? They probably talk about boys and dance all the time.”

“You spent three hours last week talking about a custom exhaust pipe for your car.”

“Yeah, but that’s important.” Yep. The next apocalypse can only be prevented making an aging muscle car sound louder.

“Sorry, Scotty ... but I’ve got to head out.”

“You see Beth?” Yes, I saw Beth...

“She was at the fieldhouse when I left.”

We moved apart in opposite directions. I saw Daniel arguing with one of the dragons, but had more pressing battles to fight. I rounded the concession stand and ticket booth to finally see the orange vw bug. I slid into the passenger seat and looked at Mindy, “You did good, kid.”

She pulled out and started down the road as I answered, “I did a few tumbles and lifts, wasn’t even as complicated as your recital.”

“Take the compliment, squirt.”

“Do you want to discuss strategy?”

“For dinner with Mom?”

“I don’t know how you can call her that.”

“Cause she’s our mom.”

“You haven’t lived with her since you were eight.”

“She called pretty regularly came to visit twice a year.”

“Really?”

“You didn’t know?”

“By the time I was seven we’d done the role reversal and she was either gone, working, or drunk. I barely knew you existed ... I think I remember talking to you on the phone, but it’s a hard to tell if that’s real or not.”

“What strategy do you suggest?”

“An exit plan for one. You could pretend to be sick and get us out of it after she’s produced the shepherd’s pie.”

“You really want that don’t you?”

“It’s my favorite food. One of the few things she cooked after we made it back to the states. Every now and again she’d ‘clean-up’; stop drinking for a couple weeks, cook dinners, promise things would be different. It never lasted, but it’s the one thing she can cook that I truly love.”

“She’s been sober for a year and a half now. Maybe things will be different this time.”

“She was a better mother to you, than me.”

“Are you jealous?”

“That you got to live here with the Grandmother while I had to deal with our parents? Yeah ... yeah, I fucking am.”

“When are you going to tell me about it?”

“Second Tuesday of Next week.”

She pulled up in front of a small white cottage like house. I could see it had a renovation to expand it as the siding wasn’t even in one place. It had a four-foot chainlink fence around it and a small concrete porch in front.

“You sure this is the place, Mindy?”

“Yes.”

“You’ve been here before.”

“How do you do that?”

“Well, assuming my mother was lying is a safe bet, but you’re too certain. You don’t have the address written down anywhere.”

“Fine, you ready?”

“No, but I don’t have a choice.”

I followed her in. Wonder if I can use her as a human shield? Push her at my mother and run.

My other answered back, “We like the sister.” I didn’t know you liked anything.

“Copper.” I need to focus, can’t figure out your weird allusions

I pulled on the cold as Mindy knocked. My mother answered. She was dressed in a green jumper and jeans. She smiled widely, “Come in, dinner is almost ready.”

Mindy entered and I followed, The living room was beige with a black leather couch against the wall that stood out against the beige carpet, off white walls, and cream coloured furniture. There was a mantle that had a collection of angel figurines and two of my trophies; one from footie and another from the year I’d been forced into little league.

Mindy headed towards the couch where there was a man was sitting. He was wearing a jeans, work boots, and a powder blue polo with the collar up. He was clean-shaven with black hair.

I ambled after Mindy. My other complained, “Does she have you on a leash?”

The man spoke, “Mindy, it’s good to see you and you must be John. I’ve been wanting to meet you for a long time.”

Mindy greeted him and I just stood there.

“Is he the quiet type?”

Mindy offered, “Sometimes. Other times he won’t shut up.”

The man answered, “Well, I want you both to know this is your home. For as long as you want it or need it.”

“And if I don’t?”

I watched his smile drop, “I want a family. Ideally, a large one. Your mother and I are willing to do whatever it takes to make you happy here.”

My mother called from another room, “Dinner is ready.”