by Mandy Baggot
Martha looked at Robyn. Robyn couldn’t stop the tears from rolling down her face as she watched Cole with his mom.
‘Well, how can I refuse an invitation to my son’s wedding? My! I’ll need to buy a new dress and a hat!’ Martha said, dabbing at her eyes with her napkin.
‘But no shoes,’ Robyn said, stirring from her trance.
‘What?’ Martha asked.
‘It’s a barefoot wedding, Mom, no shoes allowed,’ Cole informed her.
‘Does that have something to do with religion?’ Martha inquired, a puzzled look on her face. ‘Or hockey?’
‘No, it has to do with algae from the lake. Get that on your shoes and they’ll never be the same again,’ Robyn said with a smile.
‘Have you got a dress yet?’ Martha asked her.
‘Er, no. I haven’t really had time, what, with my dad and the roadhouse and the hockey team and…’ Robyn looked awkwardly at Cole.
‘Then you must let me take you shopping. One day next week, yes?’ Martha offered.
Cole looked at Robyn encouragingly.
‘Yes. That would be nice,’ Robyn agreed with a smile.
*
Robyn had promised not to sing but she did it every time she dried the dishes. And today his mom had joined in! Some old track by George Strait or Alan Jackson, hell, he didn’t know. Telling his mom about the wedding had been the right thing to do, despite what Veronica had said to him. He still couldn’t contemplate Thanksgiving yet, but his mom was smiling again, properly. He hadn’t seen her smile quite like that in a long time.
Thirty-Three
‘You should have called me last night. Has she been out at all?’ Robyn asked Pam when she let her into the house later.
‘No, and she hasn’t eaten anything either. I made beef stew and it hasn’t been touched,’ Pam said, leading the way to the spare room.
‘Hi, Robyn.’
‘Hi, Robyn.’
Sienna and Sierra bounded out of their bedroom wearing ice hockey pads, shirts, and helmets, all of which were far too big for them. There had been a change in their attitude since the graffiti incident and the telling off they had had from their parents. It seemed now Robyn wasn’t living under their roof their unique brand of tension had dissipated.
‘Hey, look at you! Where did you get the uniforms?’ Robyn exclaimed, admiring her nieces.
‘Daddy got them for us. They’re secondhand, but there’s hardly any wear,’ Sierra announced excitedly.
‘Mine has a number seventeen on the back,’ Sienna said, twirling around.
‘Cool! So you all ready for tomorrow night? You’re in charge of water, that’s the most important job, you know. You have to get it right,’ Robyn told them seriously.
‘We’ve been practicing at school,’ Sienna replied confidently.
‘Great,’ Robyn said, giving them a thumbs up.
‘Sarah! Robyn’s here, she’s coming in,’ Pam called, tapping on the door.
There was no reply, so Robyn opened the door and entered.
Her friend was sitting up on the bed wearing jogging pants and a baggy T-shirt, staring vacantly at the television and channel hopping. She didn’t acknowledge Robyn’s entrance and flicked from the weather channel to a re-run of American Idol.
‘You’re a hard woman to track down. You lost your phone?’ Robyn asked, sitting on the bed next to her.
Sarah didn’t reply, but Robyn saw that her cell was right next to her.
‘Okay, so what are you doing here when you have a perfectly good home a few streets away?’
‘I told you I was leaving Mickey and that’s what I’ve done. I didn’t know where to go. I didn’t want to be a third-wheel to you and Cole. Brad isn’t an option given the current circumstances, so Pam was the only person I could think of that would take me in for a while and not give me a lecture,’ Sarah finally said.
‘You wouldn’t have been a third-wheel. Cole and I aren’t dating,’ Robyn announced quickly.
‘Whatever.’
‘Mickey loves you, he’s been crying on my doorstep. He’s worried about you; he wants you to go home,’ Robyn told her.
‘He doesn’t love me. He’s probably just wondering why his dinner isn’t magically cooking on its own or why the laundry hasn’t been done,’ Sarah snapped.
‘That isn’t true. He’s devastated. He’s not eating, he’s not himself and he doesn’t know what to do,’ Robyn explained.
‘Robyn, you’ve just described an adolescent. Need I say more?’
‘Listen, this is madness. Okay, he’s a bit slow at coming forward, but last night, before he saw the suitcase and everything, he was going to ask you to marry him,’ Robyn told her.
‘Why? Because you told him to?’
‘No, because he loves you.’
‘I don’t believe you. I haven’t left him to prove a point, you know.’
‘No? Well, why have you left him?’
‘Because I can’t see us growing old together. He’s never gonna grow up. We want different things, we’re two different people who got together too young and settled for what we had because we didn’t know any better,’ Sarah tried to explain.
‘That isn’t true.’
‘Yes it is. You haven’t been around for years, you don’t know how it’s been. You’ve been in England living an exciting life with new people, experiencing different things. All I’ve had is Portage, Michigan,’ Sarah complained.
‘This is a midlife crisis come early. You’ve flipped. This isn’t the Sarah Gorski I know.’
‘Maybe it isn’t. Maybe the Sarah Gorski you knew doesn’t exist any more, and maybe the new Sarah Gorski wants more from her life than a town obsessed with hockey and monster trucks and a boyfriend who still acts like he’s fourteen,’ Sarah blurted out.
‘Then what do you want? You want to go to England? Go! Live my so-called exciting life. I worked on cars, I worked in an office and I slept with my fifty-five-year-old boss. I’ve decided it’s not for me, but try it—it might be just what you’re looking for,’ Robyn yelled.
‘It might! At least it isn’t here. At least I wouldn’t be trapped with the same people and the same shit, day in and day out. Everything’s just routine, drudgery and discount coupons.’
‘You ungrateful bitch!’ Robyn said, gritting her teeth as she looked at her friend.
‘What?’
‘You heard me. You’re an ungrateful bitch. You know why I left town. It wasn’t because I wasn’t satisfied with what I had here. I love this place. I love the people and the places and all the so-called routine and drudgery. I would have given anything to have had that back. You’ve got a guy who’s loved you for as long as anyone can remember. So, he’s got his faults. He drinks too much, he likes hockey too much, he smells a bit after work, but he’s real. You had a real life, doing things that real couples do. I would have given anything to have had a piece of that. Excitement and adventure aren’t real, they’re temporary feelings that don’t last, and if you want to give up something genuine for that, you’re a fool,’ Robyn blasted.
‘You don’t get it,’ Sarah said, tossing the remote control on the bed.
‘No, I don’t. And I’m giving up trying to get it. My dad’s having a heart bypass tomorrow, so excuse me, but I’m gonna visit him. I’m completely done here,’ Robyn said, getting off the bed and heading for the door.
She stormed out of the room and went marching up the hallway toward the front door.
‘Is everything okay?’ Pam asked as Robyn prepared to leave.
‘No, it isn’t, she’s gone nuts. She’s having some sort of emotional meltdown. I’ve gotta go, Nancy and I are going to see Dad,’ Robyn informed her, opening the front door.
‘Oh, honey, give him these magazines. I keep forgetting to take them every time I go,’ Pam said, collecting some ice hockey magazines and handing them to Robyn.
‘Sure,’ Robyn agreed.
‘Oh, and someone called for you earlier, someone name
d Trudy? She left a number.’
*
‘Max! Oh, Max! Wakey, wakey old timer! Nancy’s brought you your favorite chocolate muffins,’ Nancy said, waving a paper bag in front of his face.
‘Chocolate muffins? You never told me you had those! What are you trying to do to them?’ Robyn exclaimed, snatching the bag from Nancy’s grasp.
‘Shh, they’re not really chocolate. They’re oatmeal and raisin, but he won’t eat raisins any more, so I say it’s chocolate. Zip it!’ Nancy hissed quietly to Robyn as she snatched back the bag.
‘What did you say? Stop whispering. What you got?’ Max asked, snapping his eyes open and surveying the goodies.
‘Chocolate muffins, Max. Hey, Dad,’ Robyn greeted, moving over to her father’s bed and sitting down on the chair.
‘Hey, yourself. What time d’you call this? I thought you were coming earlier, it’s after six,’ Eddie grumbled, checking his watch.
‘Yeah, I know. Sorry about that. It’s been a busy day. The new tables and chairs arrived, then Cole’s mom came for lunch, and Sarah left Mickey and…’ Robyn began.
‘Sarah left him in the end, did she? We weren’t sure how that one was gonna go after what Brad was saying. My money was on Mickey popping the question,’ Max said, chewing on a muffin and spitting bits all over his covers.
‘You can’t force someone to marry, though, can you? It has to be for love,’ Nancy said, putting her arm around Eddie’s shoulders and kissing him on top of his head.
‘Why aren’t you at the arena? Isn’t it training tonight?’ Eddie asked Robyn gruffly.
‘Yes, but I wanted to see you. Grant’s there, I’m gonna go later.’
‘You should be there now, you don’t wanna let things slide after the great result. Important game tomorrow, Grand Rapids is climbing the table,’ Eddie informed her.
‘I know that, Dad, but you have your operation tomorrow. I wanted to see you and wish you luck,’ Robyn said, her voice weakening.
‘Wish me luck? I’m not a racehorse about to enter the Kentucky Derby, it’s a bypass operation. If I need luck, then there’s no hope for any of us in here,’ Eddie growled.
‘Robyn didn’t mean luck. She just wants to see her grumpy old pop and wish him well. And to let him know that when he comes round tomorrow, we’re both gonna be here to nag him about eating right and doing some exercise,’ Nancy said.
‘Yeah, that was it,’ Robyn agreed.
‘He’s made of stern stuff is Eddie. It’ll take more than a few doctors poking around his beater to do him in,’ Max remarked, stuffing another muffin in his mouth.
‘So how are things going with the roadhouse?’ Eddie asked.
‘Great. Robyn’s doing a good job; we’re all set for opening on Friday night,’ Nancy told him.
‘What she means is we still have a hundred jobs to do before we’re gonna be ready for opening night but we will be ready—even if we all have to work twenty-four-seven,’ Robyn explained.
‘She’s a taskmaster. A chip off the old block,’ Nancy said, smiling at him.
‘And you’re getting along?’ Eddie asked them both.
‘Of course! Why wouldn’t we be? It’s like having my own daughter. We even cooked together,’ Nancy said.
‘Sounds touching, Eddie,’ Max remarked.
‘Sounds over the top to me. What are you hiding? You had a fight you’re trying to cover up?’ Eddie asked suspiciously.
‘No, Dad,’ Robyn replied.
‘I may be stuck in this bed, but it hasn’t affected my mind,’ Eddie assured them both.
‘Everything’s running like clockwork, Eddie. When you come home the Panthers will be top of the league and the roadhouse will be the most talked about eatery in Michigan,’ Nancy assured.
‘And what do you have to say about that?’ Eddie asked Robyn.
‘Maybe not top of the league, but I agree with the rest of it,’ Robyn said.
‘You’ve got something on your mind. Out with it,’ Eddie ordered.
Robyn shook her head.
‘Listen, Buttercup, you may as well tell your dad now, because I’m gonna find out one way or another,’ Eddie told her.
‘It’s nothing.’
‘Nancy, she’s hiding something from me,’ Eddie stated.
‘I don’t want to worry you, Dad, not now. I’ll tell you tomorrow,’ Robyn explained.
‘Is it Cole? Has he gone back to the Wolves?’ Max guessed.
‘Tell me,’ Eddie ordered.
‘Trudy Franklin called. They’re reopening my case. Jason’s found a witness who saw him at home the night it happened. They’re re-examining the evidence,’ Robyn informed him.
Eddie took in a sharp breath and gripped Nancy’s hand.
‘I have to go through my statement again,’ Robyn told him.
‘Statement? Case? What case? What’s this all about? I don’t know anything about this,’ Max exclaimed.
‘I’ve spent all these years believing it was him, knowing it was him. What if it wasn’t him?’
‘It was him,’ Eddie assured her.
‘But the witness says he wasn’t there.’
‘Paid to say that, I imagine. I don’t believe a real witness pops up now after all this time. Anyway, you can’t argue with DNA evidence, Robyn, it was him,’ Eddie stated, getting agitated.
‘Would one of you kindly let me know what all this is about?’ Max interrupted.
‘You go through your statement and you tell Trudy exactly what happened, just like you did before. Nothing’s changed,’ Eddie reassured her.
‘I keep trying to think back, to see if I remember anything else. I mean, I didn’t see him, I didn’t see who it was. I didn’t see what they were wearing, I didn’t see anything,’ Robyn babbled.
‘I know, Buttercup, it was raining and it was pitch black that night,’ Eddie said, taking hold of her hand.
‘But if I could remember something else, something concrete about who it was, all this would finally be over. If it wasn’t Jason, you could be proper friends with Grant again, like you used to be. I know things haven’t been the same between you since it happened,’ Robyn said.
‘Don’t you worry about me, I’m just fine.’
‘Do you want me to come with you and see this Trudy girl?’ Nancy offered.
‘No. No, it’s okay, but thanks. I’d better get to training. Grant doesn’t push them hard enough in the drills,’ Robyn said, standing up and looking down at her dad.
‘You don’t let them off the ice until they’re falling apart,’ Eddie ordered.
‘Yes, sir,’ she replied with a smile.
‘I’ll see you tomorrow,’ Eddie said.
All of a sudden she was overwhelmed by the poignancy of the moment. She threw herself at her dad and clung to him like a small child, breathing in the scent of him, relishing the firmness of his chest, the roughness of his beard against her cheek.
‘I’m gonna be fine, Buttercup,’ Eddie assured her, resting his hand on top of her head.
‘I know that! Just checking you’re all monitored up. There, you’re good,’ Robyn said, adjusting one of Eddie’s wires.
‘Can no one hear me above all the emotion? I wanna know about this cop case. I’m feeling left out over here!’ Max shouted.
Thirty-Four
‘Someone might come in,’ Cole said as Robyn kissed him hard on the mouth.
‘I don’t care.’
‘Yes you do.’
‘I don’t care right now.’
‘I’m burning up in this uniform, I need a shower,’ Cole said, kissing her back.
‘I’m not stopping you,’ Robyn replied, pulling at his top.
‘This isn’t fair, Robyn, we’re supposed to be going slow.’
‘That was yesterday’s plan.’
‘And today’s?’
The dressing room door burst open and the other team members all trooped in, tearing their uniforms off and discarding them as they went.
‘Man, I’m done for,’ Wes announced, tugging his shirt over his head.
‘Me too! You were fierce tonight, Robyn!’ Wade called to her.
‘That was special orders from Eddie,’ Robyn said, moving away from Cole.
‘How’s he doing? We’ve all chipped in for a coach jacket and cap. It’s beautiful, he’s gonna love it,’ Wes informed her.
‘I’m sure he will. He’s doing okay; we’ll just have to see how the operation goes. You okay?’ Robyn asked, going over to where Mickey was taking off his kit.
‘She still won’t take my calls. D’you think I oughta go over to Pam and Bob’s?’ Mickey asked her, his eyes sorrowful.
‘D’you know what? I think you deserve Chinese. Hey, Brad, you don’t mind if Mickey and Cole come with us, do you? Mickey’s not feeling the best and I know Cole hasn’t eaten properly because I caught him eating my chips and dip earlier,’ Robyn called across the locker room.
Brad looked less than pleased. ‘Well, I thought it was just gonna be—’
‘Great! That’s settled, I’ll meet you out front,’ Robyn said before she hurried to excuse herself from the locker room.
*
‘So, isn’t this nice? I haven’t been here since forever. I’m so glad they still do the sweet and sour chicken balls,’ Robyn said excitedly as she sat with Cole, Brad and Mickey at a table in the local Chinese restaurant.
The atmosphere was stiff. No one had spoken on the drive to the restaurant and it had been all Robyn could do to get their drink orders out of them. Something had happened between the guys, she was sure of it. That damn locker room held a thousand secrets behind its door. There was only so much legitimate time she could spend in there without the team thinking she was present to get off on their nudity. She needed a spy—maybe she could convince Mickey to do just that. It might take his mind off Sarah for five minutes.
‘Chicken balls are Sarah’s favorite, too,’ Mickey stated with a sad sigh.
‘And mine,’ Brad added.
‘Mine too,’ Cole replied, glaring at him.
‘Man, I never knew we all had such similar tastes. I’m going to have seaweed as a starter, I think,’ Robyn said, looking at the menu.