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And I’m glad to have a day to take my mind off of the deadline tomorrow. A day that doesn’t completely consume me with worry about what may or may not happen tomorrow. A day without baseball. A day to get to know Elise better, and spend time on the water, hopefully getting to see a whale or two in the process. I’ve studied up on the area in which we’ll be touring and there’s the possibility of seeing several species of whale, dolphins, otters, seabirds, and other marine life. I’ve been looking forward to it since Elise suggested it.
“Max said you can tell me about everything we’re going to see today,” Elise laughs as we approach the concession booth on the boat for hot coffees. “He told me I need to ask about…tide pools?”
“He is fascinated by the tide pools,” I laugh, “he promised to take me to see them on the coast before the end of thesummer. What he probably didn’t tell you is that I have a degree specialization in Marine Biology. That’s why he’s convinced I’m an expert, when in reality I wanted a degree that would help me find employment outside of Michigan.”
“Why is that?”
“Have you experienced a Michigan winter?”
“I haven’t.”
“I never wanted to again.” And after my parents were gone, there was nothing tying me to Michigan except my memories. It didn’t matter where I ended up. “I do miss home sometimes though.”
“We have that in common,” Elise offers a humorless laugh, “even if ‘home’ is attached to some not so great memories. I miss it sometimes. Max and I grew up down in Portland. He went to college on a baseball scholarship and ended up in Michigan, of all places. I stayed in Portland. Married my high school sweetheart. We were a year into our marriage when the abuse started.”
“Elise, you don’t have to…”
“No, I know. I…want to? I haven’t talked about it with anyone other than my brother and my therapist, and honestly, Sutton, you deserve to know. You’re practically family.”
“If you’re sure.”
We’re seated in a secluded corner of the boat and have a few minutes before the boat is set to leave so Elise launches right into her story.
“He cut me off from my family, made promises that he’d take care of me, and unfortunately he liked to drink. When he drank he got violent. About three years in, I visited Max for a quick weekend, and I was so scared to go home. I told him everything. Six months later I had a protective order and divorce papers.”
“Elise, I’m so sorry.”
“I’m thankful that I had Max. I should have listened to him when I was in high school when he told me that he didn’t trust my boyfriend, but I think we’ve needed the last few years together. And I’m grateful that these last few months have brought me you. I didn’t come around much when you and Max would hang out with Amanda. I didn’t want to talk about it, I didn’t want to be seen while bruises were healing in those early days, and then I didn’t want to have to explain all the social anxiety.”
“You don’t owe anyone an explanation, but thank you for trusting me with all of that.”
“Thank you for being someone I can trust.” Elise echoes her brother’s words from weeks ago in that hotel in D.C., when he opened up about his tattoos and the stories behind them. The relationship with his dad especially. Max and Elise have been through a lot, together and on their own, and I’m grateful to know them. Grateful that they trust me. Have given me a home and a sense of family that I haven’t felt in a long time.
“How are you feeling about tomorrow?” I cautiously ask.
“I’m nervous, but I’m always nervous on deadline day.”
“Would you be okay if…?”
“I’d still have you, wouldn’t I?”
“I don’t plan on going anywhere,” a nervous chuckle makes its way out before I can stop it. “Last I checked, they don’t trade coaches.”
“I’ve also been thinking,” Elise grips her coffee cup between her hands so tightly I’m afraid the lid is going to pop off and smack her in the face. “That it might be time for me to get out on my own. Max moved me in, paid for my schooling, insisted that I save so I can move out on my own and get back on my feet, and…I think I’m ready. I just don’t know how to tell him.”
“Have you found a place?”
“I have a couple of leads. It’s pretty easy to tour places when the Olympians are on the road and I don’t have to answer to my overprotective big brother.”
“On the island or off?”
“On,” Elise smiles, “Bainbridge is home. And I wouldn’t have to commute to work.”
“If you think it’s time,” I do not want to put myself in the middle of Elise and Max on this issue, so I tread lightly, “then I think you need to trust your instincts.”
“Thank you,” she nods, resolute. “But to answer your question, I think I would be okay if he gets traded, because I have you. Is that…weird?”
“Not at all.”
