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"Of course, I did." I walk up the corridor, up the steps, and toward the gym on the first floor of the school.
"Zara, glad to see you." Debs, the session coordinator greets me. I place my bag in the classroom next to the gym, then join the rest of the volunteers in the gym.
"We’ll be doing warmups, followed by basketball, then a spot of cricket, where we’ll be dividing ourselves into two teams. If all goes well, we’ll play Duck-Duck-Goose, finish off with the Hokey-Pokey, and then the Parachute Game. If, at any time, you need help in communicating with the athletes, you can use the visual support cards." Debs looks between us. "Remember, coaches, you are role models for the athletes. At the same time, make sure you have fun. Any questions?"
I shake my head, as do the rest. Then I pair up with Samira, my partner coach, and we begin the warmup exercises. Soon, the first child bursts into the gym.
"Jeremy, hello." One of the other coaches approaches the boy, along with his partner and they follow the child as he tears around the gym before making a beeline for the small playpen that’s been erected in a corner of the gym with toys that the children can use to entertain themselves during the session.
Tracy, my athlete, soon arrives, and I spend the next hour-and-a-half, along with Samira, playing with her, letting her be when she needs space, coaxing her to join the group activities, which she finally does when we approach the last twenty minutes. Tracy loves Duck-Duck-Goose, and soon, we are all seated, and the children take turns walking around the circle, tapping each player on the head until they finally tap someone and say ‘Goose.'
The hair on the back of my neck prickles. I glance up and am almost not surprised to see him standing by the door to the gym.
That’s when one of the children decides I’m 'It.' I hurry after the child, but he takes my spot. I slow down, then walk forward until I tap one of the other athletes as 'It.' When I’m seated, I look toward the doors of the gym, which are now shut. He’s no longer there. Huh, did I imagine that?
For the final ten minutes of the session, we play the Parachute Game, and the children sprawl on the floor as the adults float the large colorful cloth up and down over them. The kids stare up at the colors. Some have smiles on their faces. All of them are calmer than when their parents dropped them off earlier. Then we wrap up the game.
The doors to the gym open, and the parents trickle in. Tracy’s mom arrives smiling. Tracy jumps up and races toward her. I head for the bench at the side of the gym, pick up Tracy’s bag and jacket and hand them over to her mom.
"How was she today?" Tracy’s mom asks me.
"She was gold."
"Thank you so much." Tracy’s mum clutches at my hand. "What you volunteers do every weekend is a godsend. It gives me some much needed me time where I can catch my breath, knowing she is in good hands."
"Yes, this is the only place my Yacine can be himself and not be judged," another mom nearby agrees.
"It’s all thanks to Debs and the team who founded this charity and have kept it going for ten years." I jerk my chin in Debs’ direction.
The parents leave with their kids, and we head into the classroom next door.
"Don’t forget to fill out the feedback forms before you leave. It helps us in tracking the progress of our athletes." Debs points toward the tablets on the table near the doorway. "Thanks everybody, that was a great session."
Samira and I fill out the feedback form for Tracy. Then I say goodbye to the rest of the volunteers, pick up my bag and retrace my steps to the front door of the school. I step out, and my gaze instantly zooms in on him.
48
Hunter
She steps out of the school entrance, and her gaze widens. Her body tightens, then she squares her shoulders and heads in my direction. Her scent teases my nostrils, then she walks past me. I follow her out of the school gates then down the sidewalk until she comes to a coffee shop. She walks inside with me in tow. I take the seat opposite her. She ignores me and scans the menu. When the waitress comes, I order her a chai tea latte and a black coffee for myself.
After the other woman leaves, she narrows her gaze on me. "Is there no part of my life that you don’t know about?"
"I didn’t know you were volunteering with children with additional needs."
She glances away, then locks her fingers in her lap. "How did you find me? Did you bug my phone? Is that how you tracked me down?"
When I don’t reply, she jerks her gaze in my direction. She spots the expression on my face and her jaw drops. "No way."
"I had to make sure you were safe."
"What did you think was going to happen to me? We live in a first-world country, or have you forgotten?"
"You forget, you are involved with me. The media attention on me is only going to grow, and it’s going to bring all kinds of people out of the woodwork. I had to make sure you were protected at all times, which is why I have eyes on you. As long as you are fine, I can focus on my work."
"I assume you also have security on me?"
I tilt my head.
