Where are you? I made supper.
Mom
What’s wrong?
Me
What do you mean, what’s wrong?
Mom
You don’t cook.
My mom knows me so well. The truth is that I’m not cooking out of love for the task, and somethingiswrong—at least that’s how she’ll see it. If I’m going to stay in Elk Lake, she’ll want me at home where she can micromanage my life while trying to get me to bend to her will.
Me
Are you coming home or not?
Mom
We’re having supper at the club. But we can cancel if you need us. Do you?
Me
No need. I can talk to you in the morning.
Mom
Now you’re making me nervous.
Me
Everything is fine, Mom. Go have dinner. Have fun.
Grabbing the champagne out of the refrigerator, I pop the cork and pour a glass for myself. Raising it in the air, I toast, “To me and to new opportunities.” After my first sip, I add, “Welcome to your new life, Allie Rogers.” Taking my maiden name back has given me a renewed sense of self I didn’t see coming.
By the time I go to bed, I’m full of excitement if not a small amount of trepidation for what is to come.
CHAPTER TEN
NOAH
My old high school teammate, Tony, surprises me by coming into the gym to pick up his son, which is not something he’s done before. In fact, I haven’t laid eyes on him since I’ve arrived back in town. He has the same stocky frame and quirky grin as his son. I would know him anywhere.
“Yo, Noah!” he calls out while taking quick steps in my direction. Forgoing the standard handshake, he throws his arms around me and pulls me in for a man hug. “Who would have thought you’d be coaching my kid’s basketball team?”
“Not me,” I tell him. My tone suggests that I’m joking, but I’m not. This is the last place I ever thought I’d be.
“You got out, man! You even coached a big team in Chicago. What are you doing back here?”
“You’rehere,” I challenge.
“Yeah, but I never left. That’s a big difference.” I imagine it is. When Ellie got pregnant, Tony’s dreams changed dramatically. Instead of going to college, he went into business with his dad at the auto repair shop. Instead of relocating to California like healways talked about, he and Ellie got married and moved into the small apartment behind DeMarco Mechanics.
“How are things going for you?” I ask.
“Good, great, actually! Ellie and I had a couple more kids.” Nudging me with his elbow, he adds, “But they’re a lot younger than Alfonse.”
