I sat down to continue the game of catch while we continued our conversation. Another minute wouldn’t hurt.
“I did. Do you know what he wants?”
“No. But I have a quick question for you before you go.” Perry’s quick question revolved around an obscure football statistic, as I knew it would. I hadn’t needed to worry about being accepted by my co-workers once they learned of the width and breadth of my sports knowledge. So much for “just being a girl.”
“Thanks, Maisie. I knew I could count on you. Hey, we’re getting together for drinks Friday evening for Aguilar’s birthday. Are you in?”
“My brother Anthony is coming to town. Shouldn’t be a problem if I bring him, right?”
“The more the merrier.” Perry spun around and replaced his headphones.
The others began trooping back from lunch. I acknowledged them as I walked back to Mathis’s office, tablet in hand. He was seated at his desk with a guest I recognized. It was the winner of the wrestling match I had seen on the day I interviewed.
“Valenti! Come in, come in! You’ve met Danny right?” Mathis never lost his hearty cheer.
“I’ve not had the pleasure.” I reached out my hand.
The man stood and reached out to accept my handshake. I hadn’t examined him too closely before, but today I scrutinized his graying temples, hawklike eyes, and measured smile. Unlike the first day, he was dressed more businesslike in a charcoal suit accessorized by a navy rep tie. Now I recognized him. This just wasn’t any “Danny,” this was Daniel Sofer, the station owner.
Rats. What had I said that day? Had I let my usual “ready, fire, aim” method of talking take over? I couldn’t remember!
Come on. Relax. I must have been okay that day. I got hired, after all.
“Yes. Maisie Valenti,” he said. “The woman with recommendations on betting, if I recall.”
Oh. Right. I had admonished him for betting with Mathis if he knew that Mathis was known to not pay up. Great. The owner of the station knew me for one thing—that I thought he didn’t make good decisions.
I kept my smile as long as I could after he dropped my hand.
“Mathis, I have a meeting to attend,” Daniel said. He turned back to me. “Charmed to meet you officially, Miss Valenti. I’m sure I’ll have opportunities to ask your advice in the future.”
He was never going to forget that exchange.
“Sit, sit.” Mathis obviously didn’t note the tension. Or maybe there wasn’t any, and I was being overly nervous.
“What’s up, Mathis? What do you need me to do?” I tried to keep a resigned tone out of my voice.
“I think you’ll like this assignment.” He pushed his glasses to the top of his head and leaned forward. I just bet. Probably transferring the last remaining archives from tape to digital. I mean, seriously, didn’t we have interns? At some point, I needed to have a discussion with him. Maybe today was the day.
“Sound good?” Mathis looked at me with questioning eyes. Oops he must have talked about the assignment while I drifted off.
I cleared my throat to buy more time.
“Um. That sounds interesting.”
I could tell by the way he twisted his mouth to one side that this was not the response he expected.
“Interesting? I would have thought you’d be a little more than just ‘interested’ in that, given your background.”
Think, think, think Maisie. My background? What would he be assigning me based on my background? Daughter of a coach? Sister of athletes? Excellent espresso maker? Finally, I decided to come clean.
“Mathis, I gotta be honest. While you were telling me, my mind wandered for just a second,” I said sheepishly. “Don’t judge?”
He stared at me for a minute, then burst into laughter.
“You kill me, Valenti. I don’t know too many people who would have the guts to be honest and admit that to the boss.”
“Well, I’m not saying it was a good thing, but I have to be honest. I’d rather you know that. It’s the only way I can be.”
“Fair enough. I don’t need or want any yes-men, er, yes-women, er ... you know what I mean.”
“I do.”
He leaned back and a few seconds passed.
“So, Mathis, the assignment?”
“Oh, right. Well, let me tell you the assignment again, if you’re sure you are paying attention this time.” He pulled his glasses back down to his nose and looked at me with mock sternness.
“I promise. All my attention on you, boss.” At this point, I hoped the assignment wouldn’t be a letdown.
It wasn’t.
I nearly skipped back to my desk.
Mathis had assigned me to follow the local semi-pro lacrosse team as the sideline reporter. Sure, it wasn’t like being assigned to anchor the coverage for one of the top-tier sports teams—and the Denver Blitz only had a six-game season—but it was a start! I could work my way up with solid reporting and coverage. I would even be working with a camera crew and wouldn’t have to negotiate the equipment as well as my reporting!
I plopped down at my desk and began humming one of my favorite tunes as I pulled up information on the semi-pro lacrosse circuit in the western region. I wasn’t sure how much time passed before my phone pinged with “Celebration” by Kool & the Gang. I grinned as I answered.
“How can I help my favorite person in the world?” That cheery ringtone I’d chosen for my mother fit her perfectly.
“Hmm. Nice to know how I rate,” Pop’s voice came through, amused.
“Oh, Pop. You know you are my other favorite. And why are you on Ma’s phone, anyway?”
“Too late to backtrack now, sweetheart.” I knew he wasn’t upset. Ma was everyone’s favorite, even his.
“How can I help YOU, then? Nothing is wrong, is it?” Pop rarely called to interrupt any of us during the workday, and using Ma’s phone was highly unusual.
“No, no, nothing like that. I accidentally picked up your mother’s phone when I left for work this morning and kept it for the day. I’m calling for a favor.”
“Anything.”
“Thank you in advance, dear. My school is having a fund-raiser and we’re collecting items to auction. Now I know I can get an autographed jersey and some other items from your Uncle Dante, but do you think you can get some sort of item from that quarterback you work with?”
I hesitated for a moment. Although Campbell and I worked at the same station, I was discovering that we actually didn’t cross paths much.
“Campbell Casey? I guess I can ask him. You know, I really don’t know him that well.”
“When has that ever stopped any of my children before?” Pop laughed.
Well. He was right. None of us could ever be accused of being shy.
“You have a point, Pop. Don’t worry. I’ll get something for you. When do you need it?”
We completed the details, and after a few minutes of discussion—so he could glean enough information to share with Ma to assure her that I was eating and getting enough rest—we prepared to sign off. Then Pop changed his tone.
“Look, on second thought, just come over for a late lunch on Sunday so your mother can see you for herself. We haven’t seen you in a couple of weeks. Anthony is in town, and we’ll call Angelo and his family.”
“You know a meal always sounds good, Pop. I’ll see you guys midday.”
I hoped he didn’t hear in my voice how I really felt about speaking to Campbell. Sure, I was usually not shy about things like that, but ... I had avoided talking with him since I had been at KDW so I wouldn’t fall into a ridiculous starstruck panic. Well. I was committed now.
I shook it off. I had to get back to the task at hand and prepare for reporting duty.
13
“Stop it.”
“I’m not doing anything.”
“Anthony, you are old enough to stop tapping everything and making it into a drum set.”
“Fine.” My brother banged one
last riff on the desk in front of him, then leaned back in the chair.
I shot him a sideways glance.
“What?” His tone dripped innocence.
I shook my head and leaned over my keyboard. “I’m almost done, then we can leave.”
He knew how important my new project was to me, but somehow the annoyance factor was more important to him.
“No problem.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and began scrolling through his emails or social media or some random game. In any case, he was quiet.
My concentration was broken at some point by the rapid tapping of Addison Thornton’s heels approaching.
“Maisie?”
Only Addison could convey an entire sentence in one word. I spun around and sighed.
“What have I forgotten now, Addison? A signature on an obscure document? Have I forgotten to register for a training class?”
Apparently we were not fully employed unless we passed a series of trainings, from anything covering cultural sensitivity to correct parking procedure. Really.
“No, Maisie. I just need you to sign up for your flu shot or bring proof from your primary physician. I’ve sent you several emails and you haven’t responded, so I felt that I needed to tell you that in person.”
“Oh.” Oops. My bad.
She turned to leave.
“Hello?” Anthony stood to greet her.
She turned back, flicking her eyes over Anthony in his casual jade hooded sweater and dark slacks and giving him a cool, “And you are ...?”
“I’m Anthony. Maisie’s brother. Are you the Addison that Maisie speaks so highly of?”
What? I was pretty sure her name had never come up in any conversation we’d ever had.But, oh, never underestimate my brothers and their charm. Addison softened ever so slightly.
“Pleased to meet you, Anthony. Which brother are you?”
“I’m the attorney—the only one with a stable job.” He bestowed her with his killer smile.
“Well, then.” Addison smoothed a nonexistent wrinkle from her own trousers.
“Will you be joining us for cocktails this evening?” he asked.
What was he playing at with this Masterpiece Theater attitude? At any minute, I expected him to take her hand in his and kiss it lightly as he bowed. Puh-leez.
“She’s probably busy, Tony.” I stared at him. Yeah. I’m sure that the guys from the office would love it if the Ice Princess showed up at the grotty bar where we were congregating for Aguilar’s birthday.
“Thank you for the invitation, Anthony,” her smile became imperceptibly wider, and she turned to leave.
I whipped around to face Anthony, raised my hands palms up, and shook my head slightly, making a guttural sound.
“What? Is the guest list closed? Gosh, Maisie.” Anthony sat and crossed his arms.
“No. She’s just, um ...” What. I thought for a minute and knew I didn’t have a good finish for that sentence. People like to be invited to things even if they don’t participate.
Fine.
“Okay. Give me two minutes, and we can go.”
It was more like fifteen before we pushed through the door of Drake’s, shoved our way through the rowdy Friday happy hour crowd, and found the crew in the back of the small pub crowded around two high-top tables.
“It’s about time, Valenti!” Aguilar raised his beer stein. “I thought my birthday would completely pass without your cheery face in attendance.”
He motioned for the server. Our party swallowed Anthony easily into its midst, so I wasn’t worried about him fitting in. I leaned on the table in front of me, and Alek moved to my side.
“Maisie. Glad you could make it.”
“I just needed to make a few notes. You know we have our first game on Monday.”
I was pleasantly surprised that Alek had been assigned as my cameraman for the Blitz games. I was sure that we would fall back into the same easy working style we’d had in college, even though it had been awhile.
“Oh, I’m sure you are more than prepared.”
“Mmm. Hope so.” I took my large iced tea from the server and prepared to take a big gulp. The glass didn’t reach my lips, however, because I caught sight of a tall, attractive woman who seemed vaguely familiar making her way to our table. Her shimmering blonde hair cascaded around her shoulders. She was wearing a sleeveless white blouse with an enticing V-neck. Who was this? I thought I should know her.
Omigosh. It was Addison.
“Alek, do you see—”
“I do.” I thought his eyes were going to do that cartoon “a-oogah” thing.
“Close your mouth, buddy.” I elbowed him.
“What is she doing here?”
“My brother invited her.”
“But she never comes to happy hours.”
“Maybe no one ever asked her.”
“Good point.”
“Again, Alek, stop drooling. It’s Addison. You see her every day.”
“Yes, but she looks different somehow.”
Pfft. Just a different hairstyle and a different blouse.
At that moment, everyone else in our group caught a glimpse and became silent, as well. Addison reached the table, but after perfunctory greetings to the stunned group, it was obvious that she had come to see one person.
Well, well, well, Anthony. It seems as though you were the key to cracking the ice.
Once the two of them began conversing, the rest of the party gave a collective shrug and resumed whatever random conversations had been occurring. The only one who kept staring was—me.
“Close your mouth, buddy.” Alek repeated my words to me and spun me around.
“But—what?”
“What, Maisie? Can’t a pretty girl have a conversation with an attractive man?”
“Okay, first of all, why is she a girl if he’s a man?”
Alek’s shoulders slumped. He knew what was coming.
“Girl?” I repeated. “She’s not twelve.”
“What should I call her? Lady? Chick? Broad? Tomato?”
“Woman. If he’s a man, she’s a woman.”
“For the millionth time, Maisie, it’s okay for you to call me a guy instead of a man, but I can’t call her a girl?”
I pondered that argument yet again. There really wasn’t an equivalent. “Guy” was perfectly acceptable and not demeaning, but “girl” just seemed so condescending. Wait, we were straying from the point of the discussion, and I pointed that out.
“Fine,” he said. “Can’t a pretty woman have a conversation with an attractive man?”
It sounded so stilted. I was sure that in another conversation, I would have just let the reference go. There were more important battles to fight, after all.
“Thank you for that, I think. Besides it’s hard to think that way about all of you.”
“All of you?”
“You know, the guys—men—in my life. My brothers, you …”
Alek took a long pull of his beer and paused.
“Yeah. I guess I see what you mean. Hey, I have to get out of here. I have some things to do.”
“What? On a Friday? What do you have to do?”
“Things, Maisie, just things. Maybe I have a date. Is that so hard to believe?”
What on earth had gotten into him?
“No. I mean, sure. I guess.”
Why had it become so hard to say the right thing? What seemed like an even longer, more uncomfortable pause followed.
“Well. See you Monday.” And he was off.
Geesh. All the GUYS in my life were acting so bizarre.
But if I thought Friday night was bizarre, I wasn’t prepared for Sunday.
“Ma!” I shouted as I banged into the house. I kicked off my shoes in the foyer and steamed toward the kitchen where I knew I would find her preparing for dinner for however many of us there would be. Angelo, Lucy, and the twins had not yet arrived, and I knew that Anthony would be somewhere in the house or garden with P
op.
“Ma!” I repeated as I entered the room emitting wonderful smells but where I didn’t find anyone. Odd.
Slipping into the laundry room off the kitchen, I placed the distinctive lemon-yellow box from Anthony’s favorite bakery—containing a chocolate almond torte that I knew he loved—onto a shelf. Even if Ma had already made a dessert, he would always appreciate another decadent treat.
But when I looked out the window into the yard, I saw he had brought a treat of his own to dinner.
Seated next to Anthony, across from Pop and Ma, and wearing a flowing confection of a floral dress was Addison. Her hair was loose again, and the expression on her face was one I had never seen at the office, dazzling and lovely. I stood for a moment just taking in the scene until Ma saw me. She waved brightly and made her way into the house.
“Maisie! I hope that’s not what you wore to Mass this morning.” She shook her head at my yoga pants topped with a baggy Sidney Crosby hockey jersey.
“Why yes, Ma, and the archbishop actually had me stand and pointed me out as a perfect example of Sunday attire.” I embraced her and gave her a loud buss on the cheek. “Of course not, Ma. I stopped at home to change, of course. Although, I see that we have a guest who went to a bit more trouble than I did for this simple family meal.”
My mother’s smile widened as she pulled back the ruffled curtains and peeked out the kitchen window.
“Isn’t she lovely? Anthony said he just met her on Friday. Did you have a chance to speak with her while he was with you?”
Unbelievable.
“I speak with her daily, Mother. She works at my office. Didn’t they tell you that?”
“I don’t believe it came up in conversation, no.”
I moved to the window and rapped on it smartly. The trio looked up and waved cheerily. When my brother saw my face, he read my thoughts and excused himself, leaving the ethereal Addison to further charm my father. As he walked into the kitchen, I crossed my arms and patiently tapped my foot.
“Maisie! My favorite sister!”
“Cut it, Tony. What is going on here?”
“I thought Addison might enjoy a home-cooked meal with a family. She doesn’t have any family in the area and—ow!”
I had a grip on his ear and pulled him into the hallway toward the front of the house.
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