Taking Charge

by Mandy Baggot

“You will not! I don’t need looking after, I told you that! Why does everyone want to look after me all of a sudden?” Robyn exclaimed, letting out a frustrated breath.

  “Okay, okay, no looking after. How about shopping? I finish work at lunchtime. We could hit the mall. We haven’t done that since the time we set the fire alarm off in that snooty handbag shop,” Sarah reminded her.

  “I don’t know, I don’t think I’m going to have time. I’m going to see my dad this morning, then I’ve got to get to the roadhouse, and then it’s the game tonight. Anyway, I’m surprised you want to go anywhere with me after what I said about Mickey not wanting to get married,” Robyn said, taking the milk out of the fridge and tightening the lid.

  “It isn’t like I didn’t know that already, is it? You just told me the truth,” Sarah said with a swallow.

  “I said it to hurt you, though,” Robyn admitted.

  “I know.”

  “But you’re my best friend. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “I know that, too,” Sarah said, looking up at Robyn and offering her a faint smile.

  “What d’you need to do at the roadhouse?” Cole asked.

  “I need to oversee. We’re supposed to be opening next Friday, and half the new stuff hasn’t arrived yet and the place still isn’t how I want it. Does Mickey have some car parts I can have?”

  “Car parts?”

  “Yeah like a fender or some hub caps. I was going to hang some stuff on the walls.”

  “I’ll ask him.”

  “I can oversee whatever needs overseeing if you want to go to the mall.”

  “You think you can keep an eye on Milo and Nancy? Alone?” Robyn commented.

  “What’s the worst that could happen?” Cole asked her.

  “Er, let me think. Nancy invites all her low life friends over, they ruin the new décor, fill the place full of marijuana plants, and start bare knuckle fighting,” Robyn suggested.

  “That’s the worst you got? I might even join in,” Cole joked.

  “That’s settled then. I’ll meet you outside the entrance to the mall about one,” Sarah said, heading toward the door to the hall.

  “Coffee’s nearly ready,” Cole announced.

  “Oh thanks, but I’d better not. Got a nine thirty appointment out at Vicksburg,” Sarah informed him.

  “He needs to make it quicker. I’m still training him,” Robyn said as she walked Sarah to the door.

  “I heard that!” Cole called.

  “So, are you and Cole…”

  “Are me and Cole what?”

  “You know, like together?”

  “No! God, no! Of course not, I mean we’ve only known each other four days!” Robyn exclaimed dramatically, clutching her throat for effect.

  “I know. You said. It’s just, you seem very comfortable with each other.”

  “Wouldn’t you be comfortable in a million dollar house? Look at it! Plasma TVs in every room and a talking Smeg!” Robyn said quickly.

  “Does it have a movie theatre?”

  “No, but the basement is huge! We’re going to set up goals and practice hockey,” Robyn informed her with a grin.

  “That’s so you.”

  “Actually, it was Cole’s idea.”

  “God, Robyn, he’s so cute. You should make a move on him,” Sarah told her.

  “Yeah, well, he’s not all that when it comes to personal hygiene. He leaves his toenail clippings on the arm of the sofa and he doesn’t shower much,” Robyn said.

  “No! But he looks so…” Sarah began.

  “Groomed, I know. Well, they say you never really know someone until you live with them. Okay, so I’ll see you at the mall at one,” Robyn said, opening the door.

  “Great, it’s been ages since I went shopping, we’ll have ice cream too,” Sarah continued.

  “Great! Now go, will you? I have a sick dad to get to this morning.”

  “Bye,” Sarah said, hurrying down the driveway to her car.

  Robyn closed the door and walked into the kitchen where Cole was pouring two cups of coffee.

  She took the pot from him, put it on the counter, and kissed him.

  “Sarah thinks we look comfortable together,” she said between kisses, running her hands through his hair.

  “And that’s bad because?”

  “Because it’s too soon for us to look comfortable together. We have to make everything seem normal,” Robyn suggested.

  Cole kissed her lips and shook his head at her.

  “What?”

  “Everything is normal.”

  “No, it isn’t. Sarah says we look comfortable, you asked me to marry you, and I said yes.”

  “No one knows that yet. No one has to know that yet. We’re friends, that’s all we’re going to look like…unless you can’t keep your hands off me, of course.”

  “It’s so the other way around, I mean, you practically undress me with your eyes whenever I walk into a room.”

  “You’ve noticed.”

  Robyn smiled at him.

  “Here, want to tighten up the lid?” Cole asked, passing her the milk carton.

  “Can we go on a date?”

  Cole looked at her, unsure.

  “Can we go on a date?” Robyn repeated.

  “But you don’t do dates,” Cole reminded her.

  “I’m changing my mind.”

  Chapter Twenty-three

  “Good morning! Wakey wakey! Half the day is gone! Max, is that the form guide you’re studying! Do you have someone who comes and puts in bets for you?” Robyn exclaimed in horror as the old man shoved the papers under his covers.

  “None of your business. Who’s this?” Max questioned, narrowing his eyes and staring at Cole.

  “This is Cole. Cole this is my dad’s roommate, Max,” Robyn introduced.

  “Pleased to meet you, sir,” Cole greeted.

  “What’s this? Manners? He can’t be with you, gal, if he has manners. Eddie! Someone with manners! Got any Twinkies?” Max questioned, grabbing Cole’s arm as he passed the bed.

  “Don’t answer that. Whatever you say, he’ll want to strip search you. Hi Dad, brought you some more juice,” Robyn said, putting a bottle of apple squash on top of his locker.

  “It tastes like gnat’s pee,” Eddie grumbled, trying to sit up in bed.

  “Shall I prop up your pillows?” Robyn offered.

  “No! Get off! I’m not helpless, I can do it,” Eddie insisted, swaying left and right and trying to get comfortable.

  “He can’t. He had the nurse in three times yesterday to do it, gave her Hell, he did,” Max informed them.

  “They don’t know how I like to sit. So, this is Cole, is it?” Eddie said, looking him up and down.

  “Yes. Cole, this is my dad, Eddie,” Robyn introduced.

  “It’s nice to meet you, sir,” Cole said, holding out his hand.

  Eddie shook it.

  “So, you played for the Wolves, huh?” Eddie asked.

  “Yes, for three seasons.”

  “Robyn says you’re a center.”

  “That’s right.”

  “What’s your strike rate?”

  “I average two goals a game.”

  “Why aren’t you playing pro?”

  “I had other priorities.”

  “Like what?”

  “Dad! Why are you interrogating him?” Robyn exclaimed.

  “If he has talent, he should be playing in the NHL. I want to know why he isn’t in the NHL,” Eddie replied.

  “It’s none of your business. You should just be grateful he’s playing for the Panthers,” Robyn answered.

  “It’s okay, Robyn. My father died. I decided to study and now I work for Gen-All,” Cole explained.

  Eddie didn’t respond.

  “I had a trial for the Red Wings once, though,” Cole informed him quickly.

  “The Wings!” Eddie said, his face lighting up.

  “Yeah, I actually played alongside Zetterberg for a
bout five minutes.”

  “Man! How about that! Did you hear that, Robyn, played alongside Zetterberg,” Eddie said, obviously impressed.

  “I heard. I’m totally jealous. What I’d give to share some ice with him,” Robyn said with a sigh.

  “It’s a big game today. Max and I have been studying Reading’s form. They’re unbeaten,” Eddie informed them.

  “I know that. That just means they’re due a loss.”

  “It means they’re good, and you’re only going to beat them if you’re better,” Max piped up.

  “Ignore him, he doesn’t know too much about hockey,” Eddie said.

  “I know about averages, though, and my money isn’t going on the Panthers tonight,” Max answered with a throaty chuckle.

  “You’re not helping,” Robyn told him.

  “You’re going to have to play hard. I mean, really hard. It’s no use putting out your best, most skilled players. These suckers are sluggers. You want your biggest, strongest players. I’m not sure Henrik’s going to be your best option,” Eddie told her seriously.

  “If we play Henrik, I could cover him,” Cole suggested.

  “That would never work. You can’t be two places at the same time. Who’s going to cover you?” Eddie wanted to know.

  “I just think we need strength and skill,” Cole said.

  “What you need is a miracle,” Max announced, laughing so hard he started to cough.

  “Shut up, Max!” Eddie bellowed.

  “Dad, don’t get worked up over it. It’s going to be fine; I have a good feeling about tonight,” Robyn assured him.

  “Yeah? You said that the night you punched out that girl from Grand Rapids,” Eddie said.

  “She did what?” Cole exclaimed.

  “Best punch I ever saw.”

  “I need to hear more,” Cole replied.

  “No, you don’t. Listen, I’ll talk to Grant, see what he thinks about the line up,” Robyn said, picking up Eddie’s chart from the bottom of the bed and looking at it.

  “Don’t ask him! Waste of time. He might be a pal and everything, but he was never as good a tactician as me,” Eddie boasted.

  “Hark at him! Anyone would think he was trying to plan the Iraq invasion,” Max remarked.

  “Dad, don’t worry, we’re going to win. I promise you,” Robyn said. She was determined to.

  “You’re going to win? You’re going to be lucky to keep the score down to single figures,” Max told her.

  “We’d better go; I don’t like leaving Nancy unsupervised at the roadhouse,” Robyn said, checking her watch.

  “You can’t go yet!” Max exclaimed.

  “Why not?”

  “Because you haven’t told us about Taboo,” Max said, practically foaming at the mouth.

  “Nothing much to tell. We went, we drank too much, we saw lots of girls with very little on, and then we went home,” Robyn stated quickly.

  “Lordy! Bet you had a close look, didn’t you, son?” Max remarked to Cole.

  “Closer than I anticipated at times,” Cole admitted with a smile.

  “Right. Are we done? Beef stew on the menu today with fruit salad for dessert. Make sure you eat it. And you, Max, you dare to bet against the Panthers winning tonight, and I’m going to force-feed you tomorrow’s lunch—I hear it’s chickpeas,” Robyn warned, pointing at him.

  “Eddie, you have to do something about your daughter, she’s unhinged,” Max exclaimed.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  “Welcome to the Portage Arena, home of the Portage Panthers! Tonight, in charge for the game of the season, Robyn Matthers! Let’s hear it for Robyn, everyone! For anyone who doesn’t know Robyn, she is none other than Eddie Matthers’ daughter and also the only player to net three in one game and get sent off for misconduct. Now, time for the team news,” the PA announcer said, his voice echoing around the arena.

  Robyn had been at the arena since 5:30 making sure everything was ready for her first game in charge. Before that, she had spent two hours at the mall with Sarah hearing all about Mickey’s failings as a boyfriend. She had also caught Sienna and Sierra trying to shoplift half the make-up counter in the department store, devoured two toffee chocolate ice creams, and bought half a dozen t-shirts she didn’t need. Now it was time to turn herself into an ice hockey manager.

  “I feel sick,” Robyn told Cole as he skated up to her.

  It was less than ten minutes until the game started and seats were rapidly filling up. It was good news for ticket sales but bad because Robyn didn’t want the entire county scrutinizing her team choice if it all went wrong. She had chewed every nail down to the quick and she was seriously concerned about the size of Reading’s enforcer.

  Cole looked completely hot in full hockey uniform too, and that wasn’t helping her temperature. She was already sweating. She’d argued with him over not paying attention to her team-talk to throw the players off the scent of their coupling, but what she really wanted to do was take off his pads, strip him of his underwear, and see how far she could get before the fear kicked in.

  Now she sat on the bench, watching the team warming up. The Reading team was doing some complicated drills. They looked so professional.

  “Hey, it’s going to be fine,” Cole assured her.

  “Dad’s going to be listening on the radio, you know. They’re just giving out the team news and he’s going to be shouting and cussing and going crazy. He might even go so nuts that he ends up down here chastising me in his hospital gown,” Robyn said, putting her fingers in her mouth to chew her nails again.

  “You did the right thing picking Henrik. The team relies on him. We don’t have someone who goes insane and hits people and we have to stick to what the team knows,” Cole replied.

  “Cole, I’m expecting you to enforce where you have to. I’ve seen you can throw a punch. Don’t let me down and go all namby pamby on me,” Robyn ordered.

  “Namby pamby?” Cole questioned with a smile.

  “See the big guy? He’s slow, but he looks like he could crush Wes with one arm and probably snap Mickey in two at the same time. Don’t let that happen,” Robyn told him.

  “I’ve got it covered. Relax, have an energy drink,” Cole suggested, putting his mouth guard back in and joining the team.

  “Yeah, like I need any more energy! I’m still wired from that extra strong coffee this morning,” Robyn yelled after him.

  “Hey,” Grant greeted as he sat down on the bench next to her.

  “Nice of you to join us,” Robyn remarked, not looking at him.

  “I’m sorry I’m late. Listen, Robyn, Jason…” Grant began.

  “Stop. Stop right now. This is an important game, I need to focus,” Robyn said, dismissing him at the mention of his son’s name.

  “Just…let me say this,” Grant begged.

  He stood in front of her so she couldn’t avoid him.

  Robyn met his eyes and tried to remember he wasn’t Jason. It was almost impossible when they looked so similar.

  “I didn’t know he was coming back here. He’s been staying with a friend. He told me he tried to speak to you last night and I apologize for that. He shouldn’t be bothering you after everything that’s happened,” Grant told her.

  “Cole hit him,” Robyn stated.

  “I know. I don’t blame him for that, but I really think Jason’s telling the truth,” Grant stated.

  “What?” Robyn said coldly, looking straight at him.

  “He’s always said he didn’t do it, right from the start. I know he didn’t have anyone to substantiate his alibi, but I believe he was at home,” Grant continued.

  “I was raped, Grant,” Robyn said, standing up and facing him.

  Her body prickled with rage. His words acted like a thousand pinpricks being jabbed incessantly all over her skin.

  “I know. It was horrible and we all feel so…” Grant began.

  “It was his DNA,” Robyn accused, scrunching her fingers up into a bal
l.

  “So they say,” Grant said.

  “So they say? What’s that supposed to mean?” Robyn snapped.

  “Well, mistakes are made, aren’t they? And I believe Jason; I’ve always believed Jason, deep down,” Grant told her.

  “Well I don’t. He had photographs of me all over his bedroom; he had a sweatshirt of mine…” Robyn began.

  “He had a crush on you, Robyn, he was fifteen. He was a shy, nervy boy, and he liked you, that’s all,” Grant insisted.

  “I don’t want to talk about this. We’re about to play Reading! Reading who are unbeaten and have an enforcer who looks like he should be in the WWF,” Robyn announced, moving past Grant and going to stand beside the ice.

  “He’s hired a solicitor to try and get the case reopened,” Grant informed.

  “Come on Panthers!” Robyn yelled at her team.

  She had to blank him out. She didn’t want to hear it. If she couldn’t hear it, it wasn’t really happening.

  Grant let out a sigh and picked up the tray of water bottles. For now the conversation was over.

  “They’re holding their own,” Grant commented, watching play.

  “There’s only ten minutes gone,” Robyn reminded him.

  “Yeah, but still…”

  “Hold him up, Cole! Don’t let him get past you! Bam! In the boards, that’s what I’m talking about!” Robyn hollered, clapping her hands together as Cole crushed a Reading player against the advertising hoardings.

  “Wes looks like he’s taken a knock,” Grant remarked, watching as the player held the side of his body.

  “He got swiped by the number eleven; it’s probably just bruised ribs. Come on Brad! Pass it to Henrik. Yes! That’s it! Shoot God damn it! Argh…Oh my God! It’s! He’s scored!” Robyn shrieked hysterically, raising her hands in the air and leaping off her seat.

  The crowd went wild, Robyn screamed at the top of her lungs, and the team bundled on Henrik. They all skated toward the bench where Grant was dancing excitedly along the edge of the ice.

  Victory horns and organ music filled the air and the lights flashed up on the scoreboard.

  “Get in!” Brad exclaimed as the team high-fived Robyn and jostled with Grant.

  “Henrik, I am now in love with you!” Robyn squealed, hugging the player.