AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m sure.”
I tuck my hands into my coat pocket and perch on a cold metal bench. It occurs to me that if I wanted to, I could take out my phone and check my work emails. I noticed, back in the truck when we first pulled up, that I’m picking up wifi. Better yet, I could go grab my laptop and dig into some work.
But laughter from out on the court pulls my attention back each time I think about getting onto the internet. So, for the next while, I let myself get caught up watching the scene in front of me.
Parker and Random both radiate joy as they crouch, jump, lunge, and run after balls. It’s captivating, seeing how much lively energy and enthusiasm both have.
Neither seems to mind that the pavement under their sneakers is cracked and uneven with frost heaves, or the fact that it’s so cold out, we can all see our breath. They’re blissfully happy, in their element, playing a sport they love.
I still don’t entirely understand why I agreed to come here.
Not completely.
But Idoknow that Parker is helping this kid with his tennis skills, and that strikes me as incredibly gracious and generous.
He’s a good coach, too.
Patient, like he was with Queenie.
Kind, like he is with me.
And so jubilant and ridiculously animated that I find myself laughing along a few times, when he jokes with his pupil.
“Ransom, dude, I’m giving you a bunch of aggressive returns, putting the hammer on you. You catching that? You have to keep me on my toes. Make me run ragged… Make me start here, end there.” He makes a big show of launching himself across the makeshift court, racket extended. “As long as I’m getting tired ’cause of this runaround, I’m not gonna get there, see?”
The chain-link fence rattles softly, and I look over in time to see a slight woman in jeans and a big, puffy coat with patches of silver duct tape on the sleeves. She waves to the guys on the court.
“Okay if I keep him a couple more minutes,Veronica?” Parker asks.
“You’re the coach. I’ll sit right here.” Veronica makes her way to the bench, and plops down beside me. She positions her leather handbag on her lap as she says, “Bless his soul. Are you his sister?”
“Me? No… old friend.”Or something like that.
“You sure are lucky to have a guy like Parker as a friend. He’s been a Godsend for Ransom. A real angel.”
I might be wrong, but I’m not picking up on even the slightest hint of jealousy or possessiveness in her voice.
And the way he spoke to her wasn’t at all in the gentle, croaky, deep intimate way he sometimes uses with me.
It was sort of… professional.
Maybe Parker’s relationship with Veronica has nothing to do with hot dates or overnights, as I assumed.
Maybe it’s… totally innocent.
Then again, I’ve been blindsided before, and I won’t be surprised if Parker walks off this court and kisses her.
I hold my breath as Ransom hits one last ball and then does a victory dance. “I ran you ragged, Mr. Manning!”
Parker grips his knees, as if he’s really worked. I know he’s not—I can see it in his posture. But he makes a show of shaking his head as though exhausted. “Like I said, man, vary those shots. You killed it. Nice work.” He straightens up to give the kid a high five, and then turns to Veronica, who’s made her way toward the two.
I keep a close eye on them.Please don’t kiss.
It shouldn't make methishappy when I see the two stop while still two feet apart, and settle into a friendly conversation. But it does. Giddiness sweeps through me, so strong I want to get up and do a victory dance just like the one Ransom did minutes ago.Parker’s single.
“... I just want to thank you again,” Veronica says, while digging in her purse. “This means the world to Ransom. Let me pay you at least something for your time.” She holds out a few bills.
Parker waves the money off. “Nah. I can’t take that. I love these sessions. We’ve got the best player in town right here, and I like getting time on the court with him.”
