Games We Play

by Ruthie Robinson

  #

  He is something, she thought, one fine man. His hair was ruffled from his hands running through it, and the day-old beard growth he preferred was on his cheeks. She wished she could have loved him. Life would have turned out so much differently for her if she had been able to.

  “This is a lug wrench,” he said, picking it up from among the tools on the ground. He handed it to her. “It’s used to turn the lugs,” he said, pointing to the tire currently on her car. “These are the lugs, and they hold your wheel in place. This is an axle, and the lugs hold the tire to the axle. You understand?”

  She nodded. “Yes,” she said.

  “I’m going to loosen the first couple so you can see how it’s done, and then I’ll let you finish. Okay?” he said.

  She nodded, wiping away the last of her tears.

  “Good, then,” he said. He stopped and looked at her, waited until her eyes found his.

  “Good for you, for leaving him, for making yourself different,” he said, and smiled. She smiled too. He chuckled, shook his head, then proceeded to teach his ex-fiancée how to change a flat tire.

  #

  Wednesday afternoon

  “Glad you’re still here. I thought you might have left for the course already. Practice. Practice. Practice,” Myra said, sticking her head into the Kendall’s room.

  “Nope, I’m here.”

  “What are you wearing?” Myra asked.

  “What am I wearing when?” Kendall asked.

  “For the big tournament.”

  “I don’t know that I’d call it a big tournament. I don’t know what I’ll wear. I didn’t bring that many golf outfits with me,” Kendall said. She’d given thought to that as well. He’d seen her in her white one, which was the newest she had.

  “You need something that says sexy, but serious too. Let’s look at our choices.”

  “Okay…” Kendall said, walking over to her closet, surprised by the level of her aunt’s interest and enthusiasm. She spread her options out on the bed.

  “Hrummp. These won’t do,” Myra said, standing next to the bed, looking down at the outfits.

  “What’s wrong with them?”

  “Has he seen you in this one?” Myra asked, pointing to the white outfit.

  “Yes,” she said. And he’s also seen me out of it, she thought, but no way was she saying that out loud.

  “I’ll be right back,” Myra said, and walked out of the room. She returned a few minutes later with a computer in her hand.

  “Look what I’ve found,” she said, laying the computer on the bed.

  “I didn’t know you owned a computer,” Kendall said.

  “Everyone has one these days.”

  “Oh, good then,” Kendall said, her lips twitching with suppressed laughter.

  “Take a look at this one,” Myra said.

  “That’s really cute,” Kendall said, scanning the website for golf gear her aunt had found. It was a formfitting dress, really cute, in hot pink.

  “It would look great on you given your skin color, and it will keep that boy’s mind on something other than golf.”

  “Aunt Myra,” Kendall said, her tone chastising, before she laughed.

  “There is nothing wrong with using what God gave you, and he was very generous with his gifts to you,” Myra said.

  “I can beat Barnabus without all of that fuss. Women don’t have to resort to tricks anymore, we can compete on our own merit and stand toe-to-toe with men,” Kendall said.

  “Where’s the fun in that?” Myra asked, shaking her head like Kendall had totally missed the point. “I guess you don’t want me to order this dress, then?”

  “Hell yes! I’ll look hot in it, and I’m willing to use all of my advantages. After all, God wouldn’t have given them to me if he didn’t want them to be used,” she said, laughing right along with Myra now.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” Myra said, serious now. She reached for Kendall, pulling her in for a hug. “It does this old woman’s heart good to see the young woman you’ve become. Every now and again, I can catch a glimpse of my sister in you. I’ve missed her so much.”

  “What really happened between you two?”

  “Where to start? Maybe I’ll tell you one day,” she said, gazing into Kendall’s eyes, considering. “So do we have your dress question settled then?”

  “Yes, we do, and thank you for the dress, and for the helpful man-slaying hints,” Kendall said.

  “You’re welcome. I’ll order it today and have it shipped overnight,” she said, standing at the Kendall’s door. “Did you have time to get some practice in today?”

  “Yes, ma’am. After bingo.”

  “Good,” Myra said, nodding, leaving Kendall by herself.

  #

  Celeste saw Cooper pull into his drive. She’d been waiting for him, on the lookout. He was home earlier than she’d expected. She had gotten off at six, and it was now closing in on eight. She grabbed a bottle of wine, the last one from her old life, the life she’d chosen to leave behind, growing prouder by the day of her ability to take care of her poor, limited-skill-having self.

  He had just put his key in his door.

  “Cooper,” she said, and he turned. She saw suspicion first, the same suspicion she’d learned to live with since she’d arrived in town. It was the reason she stood here right now. The last few days she’d seen less and less of it in his eyes. They’d taken a turn for the better, and hopefully they were reaching the point where they could be friends. She recognized that it would take a while; she understood that changing one’s stripes required time and consistency.

  “Hi,” he said when she reached him.

  “This is for you,” she said, holding her bottle out to him.

  “Thank you, and it’s for…?” he asked.

  “A bunch of stuff.”

  “Like?”

  “First and foremost, it’s for not firing me, for giving me a chance, for treating me better than I deserved given all that I’ve done to you,” she said, nervous but continuing on anyway. “It’s for helping me with my tire, listening to me to rant, and I don’t know what else…But mostly, it’s for hoping we can start over as friends,” she said.

  He took the bottle from her hand. “Thank you,” he said.

  “You’re welcome,” she said. It was quiet between them for a few seconds. “So you like the professor?”

  “Maybe,” he said, smiling.

  “She seems nice.”

  “Yes, she does.”

  “I hope it works out for you—if you want it to, that is,” she said.

  “Thanks,” he said, and smiled.

  “Well, it’s been a long day for you. I’ll see you tomorrow at work.”

  “You will, and thanks again for the wine.”

  She smiled, then turned and left. He watched her cross the street, shaking his head at how far they’d come in such a short time.

  Fifteen

  Thursday evening

  Kendall sat on one of the couches of Knit One, Purl Two watching and listening as conversations swirled around her, topics covering just about everything and anything newsworthy. It wasn’t long before the upcoming golf tournament between her and Cooper came up. You’d think that her bout with Cooper was a LPGA- or PGA-sponsored event given the way the women here were going on and on about it.

  “Is anyone sitting here?”

  Kendall looked up. “No,” she said, moving her ball of yarn closer to her. “Have a seat,” she offered. “I know you, and I don’t know you. Celeste, right? You’re the one who works at the Brewpub and knows so much about beer,” she said, smiling as Celeste took the seat next to hers.

  “I am. Cooper and I go way back. He has always been into beer. I didn’t realize I’d paid attention, but there it is.”

  “Cooper’s ex-fiancée?” Kendall said. Celeste coughed, surprised by Kendall’s directness.

  “I am, and ex is the way it’s going to remain,” Celeste said.
/>   “That’s good to know,” Kendall said, and it was quiet between them for a few moments.

  Celeste pulled out her needles and started to work.

  “You’re way better at this knitting thing than I am,” Kendall said, setting her practice project down as she watched Celeste’s needles click together. “What are you making?”

  “A dress for a friend’s kid. I learned it a while ago, helps to counter boredom,” Celeste said.

  “Pretty. I wish I could knit like you,” Kendall said, laughing.

  “You’re a good golfer, or so I’ve heard. I’ve been teasing Cooper about you. I told him he’d better watch out for you.”

  “Really, and what did he say in response?”

  “That he could take care of himself. He likes you,” Celeste said, looking over at Kendall, and they both started laughing.

  “I just might like you,” Kendall said.

  “I might like you too,” Celeste said, laughing. Kendall joined in.

  “So you’re back from Austin, I hear.”

  “Nothing like living in a small town, knowing everybody’s business,” Celeste said.

  “So I’m learning. I’m enjoying my time here with my aunt Myra,” Kendall said.

  “I know, Cooper used to talk about her all the time. He never said it, but I always felt like he wasn’t sure about introducing me to her, and it used to bother me,” Celeste said, and shook her head. “Don’t know why I’m telling you that, except that I’ve been weird lately. I left my husband of five years three months ago, and it’s thrown me for a loop,” she said.

  “I can only imagine.”

  “Ever been married?”

  “No,” Kendall said.

  “Want to?”

  “I think so, one day.”

  “I would recommend it. Just make sure the person you love loves you.”

  “Good advice. I’ll remember that,” Kendall said.

  “Kendall, are you ready to leave?” Myra asked, standing next to their couch now.

  “Yes,” Kendall said, not sure what to make of Myra’s demeanor. “Aunt Myra, this is Celeste…?”

  “Celeste Henderson,” Myra finished for her.

  “This is my aunt, Myra Miller,” Kendall said.

  “Nice meeting you. I’ve heard so much about you,” Celeste said.

  “And I heard so much about you too,” Aunt Myra said. And who was this person that had replaced her nice, friendly aunt? All this replacement was missing was the nose stuck up in the air, so evident was her displeasure at meeting Celeste.

  “Kendall, I’ll meet you by the front door. I’m going to say goodbye to Sheryl,” Myra said.

  “Sure,” Kendall said, standing up. She shrugged her shoulders, her only comment on her aunt’s behavior toward Celeste. She stuffed her needles into her purse. “Well, I’ll see you around,” she said.

  “Sure, at the pub, and good luck with the tournament,” she said, and Kendall smiled.

  #

  Celeste sat back against the sofa after Kendall left. She sighed. She could use a friend right now. She and Kendall as friends, now wouldn’t that be a riot? Cooper and the professor. Interesting, and unlike outward appearances, they had a bit in common. Cooper was a giver, and it looked like Kendall was one too. Both of them direct and to the point, no beating around the bush. Well, who knows, stranger things had happened.

  Cooper felt something for the professor, more than he was willing to let on. Who knew if he would ever willingly be in a long-term relationship again, and yes, she felt partially responsible for that. But despite what he’d thought, he hadn’t loved her, not really, not in the way he should have. So it had worked out was how she saw it. Maybe Kendall could do what no one had done before. A head-over-heels-in-love Cooper would really be cool to see. She wished him well. He was one of the good ones.

  #

  Celeste’s cell rang later on that night. It was him—her soon-to-be ex. The first time he’d called since she left, and she’d been gone for three months, five days, ten hours. She’d given up hope of ever hearing from him again. She let it ring a few times before answering.

  “Hello.”

  “What are you doing in Coopersville?” he asked.

  “Hello, Celeste. How are you?” she said.

  “I’m not in the mood to play games with you,” he said.

  “Then don’t.”

  “What are you doing in Coopersville?” he asked again.

  “What do you think?”

  “I don’t know, which is the reason for the call and the question,” he said.

  “You haven’t called since I’ve left. Why all the interest now?”

  “What are you doing in Coopersville?” he asked again.

  “I’ve decided to go back to someone who appreciates me,” she said.

  “I doubt he feels the same,” he said.

  “You don’t know. He loved me like crazy once,” she said.

  “Why are you doing this?” he asked.

  “If I have to answer that question for you, then it’s a good thing I’m gone,” she said.

  “Come home.”

  “To what?”

  “To the things you love, like spending my money,” he said.

  “It’s not enough anymore.”

  “Since when?” he scoffed. “He won’t take you back. I hear he’s seeing someone else.”

  “I’m allowing it. I’ll be here when he’s done, and he knows it. I figure it won’t last past the summer. So we’ll just have to see, now won’t we?” she said.

  “You’re lying. He doesn’t want you.”

  He hung up.

  She was wrong for dragging Cooper into the middle of this, but really there was no way in hell she’d let her husband think she was alone, needing him, waiting for him to call to give his permission for her to return. She was done, and even if she was alone, with no one, he didn’t need to know that. She didn’t have a much pride left—playing the fool had destroyed most of it—but she had a little left, and given time, she’d find more. You could take that to the bank.

  #

  Friday morning

  This morning Kendall was having breakfast at the Diner, owned by a gay couple, Portia and Alicia. African American and Hispanic, they were the parents of the two little girls, Briana and Ashley, whom Kendall had met at the golf course that one time. Surprised again at the complete 180 that people’s attitudes seemed to have taken in this town.

  The Diner, a simple name for a simple, old-time restaurant, harkening back to the 1960s and old soda fountains like the one in old TV show, Happy Days.

  Kendall was meeting Destiny here for a shopping trip to Wal-Mart, located in the next town. She’d agreed to help the girl prepare for her upcoming college life.

  Sitting on one of the barstools at the counter, she fought the urge to spin in her seat. Myra had pushed her out of the house, telling her to make a stop at the golf course later. It was all about practice these days and kicking some Cooper butt.

  “We need our A game,” Myra had said on her way out of the door today. Every day this week Kendall had been at the course, working on a different part of her game.

  “What are you having this morning? It’s on the house, of course. Briana made me promise,” Portia said, smiling from her spot on the other side of the counter, breaking into Kendall’s thoughts.

  “Briana is yours, I’ve heard. A good little golfer,” Kendall said.

  “It’s all she talks about. Golf this, golf that. She says you’re a pretty good golfer yourself, and more importantly, she said that Cooper thinks you’re good. And now you’re here in town, attracting the attention of her hero, Cooper. She wants to be you. Briana loves her some Cooper,” she said, smiling as she pulled out her pencil and pad.

  “I’ll have an egg-white-and-cheese omelet, with coffee, black,” Kendall said, ordering her breakfast.

  “Be right back,” Portia said.

  Kendall continued her survey of the place. It was quiet
here, with only a handful of customers this morning.

  “So how long have you lived here? And what makes Cooper a hero?” Kendall asked upon Portia’s return.

  “We made three years at the end of April. We moved here from Houston, wanting to give the girls a different life than we had, less big city. It was important to us for them to grow up knowing a sense of community, and we were lucky enough to find the Diner. I’m a chef by trade, and Alicia, my partner, works in Austin, financial consulting. She makes the drive up three times a week, and works from home the other days, Mondays and Fridays, which makes it easy for her to focus on our family.”

  “You like it here?”

  “Absolutely love it.”

  “The town sure has changed a lot since it early days,” Kendall said.

  “And I’m living proof of that. African American and gay, partnered with a Hispanic woman. We probably would have been driven out of town in the old days or strung up by our toes,” she said, laughing.

  “Hard to believe that’s all gone. Too ingrained to be gone for good, don’t you think?”

  “I didn’t say it was all gone. Nope. Myra and Cooper helped us get started, otherwise we might not be here. I’m a huge fan of the Cooper-and-Myra duo.”

  “Really, so it’s a duo? I wasn’t sure.”

  “Of course it is. No one comes right out and says it, but we’re not dumb—at least, I’m not. He and your aunt are behind the transformation this town has undergone, but it’s still a work in progress. No, it’s not done by a long shot. Not everyone who lives here is drinking the Kool-Aid, trust me. We get our shares of stares and hate, but we can live with that, since our lives and livelihood aren’t in jeopardy. A few people have been willing to get to know us. Living with people goes a long way toward dispelling the myths we have about each other,” Portia said.

  “Amen,” Kendall said.

  “Myra and Cooper have been good to this town, and Briana thinks anyone who plays golf like Cooper is hero material. He’s handsome too. I’m sure you haven’t missed that.”

  “No, I haven’t,” Kendall said, grinning. “I didn’t know Cooper helped my aunt, though. I suspected as much, and I even asked him. He denied it.”

  “As he should. Myra’s still the face of their giving, and most people believe her husband left her enough to do it all,” she said.