by C. D. Gill
Not everyone valued what she did or prioritized things how her family did. She learned a lot more than sharpshooting in those alleys.
With her plate finished, Gia tossed it into the trash. On her way to the table, she teased Breno and Silva for their aprons and took her place, clicking her tongs in her hand behind the tray of bacon. Everyone took their places as the doors opened and the trickle of hungry people descended on the tables. Christmas wear of every kind passed by. Someone even dressed their baby as a tiny elf.
It wasn’t until the line had subsided that she noticed the little elf crying in the corner with her mom pacing and shushing her. The plate at the table nearby sat untouched. Gia wove her way to the mom.
“Hey, I’m Gia.”
Up close, the woman’s wide eyes and flyaway wisps gave her a desperate look, near tears. “I’m so sorry for the noise. She’ll fall asleep soon, I hope. She won’t stop crying unless I’m moving.”
Gia reached over and patted the tiny baby’s back. “The noise isn’t a problem. It looks like you haven’t eaten. Can I hold her while you eat?”
A moment of hesitation flickered across her face.
“I won’t go far. I just want you to be able to eat and enjoy this.”
The woman pushed the hair from her tired eyes. “It’s not that. There’s security everywhere here.” She huffed. “I just don’t want to inconvenience you or get kicked out.”
Gia shook her head. “Neither will happen. You eat your fill and enjoy. I’ll keep her on the move to see if she’ll sleep. What’s your name?”
“Marie. And this is my daughter Audrey,” she said as she handed the infant over to Gia.
The tiny body barely had any weight to her, but a warmth and decent lungs.
“Relax, Marie. Please take your time eating. Audrey and I are going to be great,” Gia said as the baby cried against her shoulder.
Marie tucked a dirty cloth between the baby and Gia’s shirt. “Don’t want her getting your clothes messy.”
Off Gia walked before Marie could say anything else. She felt so strong under the baby’s frailty. Andy broke off his conversation with the security guy near her and walked to her side.
“You stole a baby. Nice.” Andy smiled. “And I thought I needed to watch out for others doing the crime.”
Audrey wailed.
“Audrey wasn’t letting her mom eat, so I took her.” Gia lifted Audrey off her shoulder and held her out to Andy. “Here can you hold her for a second. Follow me, if you would. I need to talk to someone.”
Andy took Audrey without hesitation. “If you’re trying to freak me out, it’s not going to happen. I’ve held way more dangerous things than a tiny baby.”
Gia tried not to be obvious as she slowly made her way to Charlotte, the director for the at-risk mom and baby charity. When she reached her table, she leaned down to her ear. “Can I see you for a second?”
Charlotte nodded, her straight silver-streaked black hair moving slightly. Gia walked her toward the kitchen. Charlotte fell in step beside her.
“I’m watching a little baby for a mom while she eats. Do, by chance, you have one of those wrap carrier things handy?”
Charlotte’s sharp eye picked out the crying Audrey in Andy’s arms immediately. Her thin red lips curved into a smile. “You know I drive the best mom-mobile in town. If I can borrow that young man holding the baby, I’ll be back in a flash.”
They walked over to Andy and he agreed so long as Gia stayed right where he left her, in full view of the other security guards. Gia paced, holding Audrey in different positions to see if she had a preference. Nothing helped.
Poor Marie must have been so frazzled.
Charlotte returned without Andy. With a few flicks of her wrist, the cloth in her hand became a snug cocoon for Audrey, held loosely against Gia’s chest.
“Can we make it tighter?” The wrap needed to come with a manual.
Charlotte smiled. “It goes much tighter, but see how Audrey is sucking and gnawing on her fist? She’s hungry. I grabbed hypo-allergenic formula from my trunk. Andy is checking with Audrey’s mom to make sure it’s okay and then we’re going to feed her before wrapping her up tight.”
Sure enough, Andy came toward them shaking the bottle as he walked. He handed it to Charlotte who propped the baby at an angle by manipulating the wrap in her magic way. The crying stopped the second the bottle nipple touched Audrey’s lips. Gia couldn’t take her eyes off Audrey’s.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Charlotte whispered in her ear.
There was an intense pride that swelled inside her. She’d managed to help this baby, this mom. This could be her with her baby someday.
The future opened in front of her eyes, shutting the fear and pressure of the present out firmly. She’d get through this all. There was more to live for and to work for than what she had. Her world could change in a moment in the best way.
For the first time, the idea warmed her instead of scaring her. A way forward. Another reason to go there.
Chapter 16
The nerves hit with a full-body current the second Xander pieced together what day it was. Monday morning. Early.
The interview.
Since his heart was already racing, he went out for a run on the same route he’d run one of his first days out of prison. His feet pounded the pavement as if he could punish himself into being someone who never felt the sting of rejection. He couldn’t outrun his life then and still wouldn’t manage it now.
The guilt washed over him as he reviewed his conversation with Gia last night. She’d been so open and honest about how she felt after finding out Cara’s secret drug use. Xander hadn’t known Gia had used drugs while she dated Bronc four years ago. It didn’t surprise him though. Bronc had a strong, relentless grip on Gia, making her abrupt move to Colorado even less of a spontaneous bolt of fear and more of a desperate plea for a clean start.
They all had a past, didn’t they?
So why didn’t he feel comfortable telling her about the interview scheduled for today? The job offer wasn’t a sure thing. Telling her in words wouldn’t get his hopes up any more than they already were, if he were honest with himself. But one negative word from her would bring the whole thing crumbling down around him. His hopes of returning to his career of choice dashed.
He could trust her with his hopes and dreams as concretely as she could trust him. This morning wasn’t the time to spring it on her. A cramp in his side drove him to his knees next to a chain link fence that led to the high school. There on the other side was a track that ovaled a soccer field.
Ironic.
Stretched and still feeling guilty, he picked up where he left off. It wasn’t a crime to want a part of his life back and do what he loved. How would his old self prepare for this interview?
At the house, he grabbed the mail, tossed it on the island counter, and turned on some hype music as he got into the hot shower. It didn’t help. It made his nerves worse because he couldn’t hear what was going on in the house.
Showered and dressed in his charcoal suit, light blue collared shirt, and dark tie, he sorted through the mail. A plain white envelope with his name on it but no address was in the middle of the junk again.
Finally.
Be something helpful for once.
He ripped the envelope open. To his relief, the writing on the note covered most of the page. He needed answers, now.
They don’t care that the cops know about getting your attention. It could get worse. The release date of the information they want is the end of the year. They know that. They’ll keep you alive at least until then. No information will be disclosed until closer to that time in order to keep you safe. When they corner you, remind them that they control whether the information gets leaked or not. They simply need to follow my instructions. I will be in touch.
This was madness. Who was setting him up this time? Why was he constantly someone else’s fall guy? A Denver gang or two wanted
information from him which he wasn’t going to get.
Nine days until he was officially on their hit list.
He could run to Gia’s and hide under their private security’s protection until he thought the storm had passed. But gangs could find him anytime anywhere and he’d always be looking over his shoulder. Gia needed a man who could take care of himself and her, instead of hiding behind her parents. He would be that for her.
His alarm buzzed. Out of time. He grabbed his bag, his lucky one that he took to all his interviews over the years, and drove downtown to the offices. The normalcy of the moment soaked in. The excitement, the fear, the anticipation of if they would like him rushed over him without a hint of anxiety or worry that they’d toss him out because of the scandal he endured. They knew his past already, yet had still contacted him for an interview.
He owed Ronaldo big time. Bringing Xander along to his official futbol appointments made him a class act in Xander’s book. Ronaldo was a really big deal in Brazil, but he didn’t act like he was. The man had character in ways most celebrities would never understand.
Xander double-checked his shirt tail was tucked in as he walked into the lobby. His heart raced in overtime. The building boasted several floors, but his interview was on the second floor in suite B. Glass walls separated him from the receptionist. It wasn’t too late to turn around, though.
“I’m here for an interview with Burt Candes,” Xander said at the reception desk. His stomach burned with the nerves and for a few seconds thought he might need to excuse himself to the restroom to get control.
The receptionist called to let Candes know and motioned toward the chairs. Xander chose to stand. Frames on the wall told the story of the history of soccer in the United States. Pictures and plaques merged in a timeline leading up to the recent success of the national teams in the under 17 and under 20 teams under the United States Soccer Federation.
“Reinerman, welcome,” a low voice called to him.
Turning, he stuck out his hand to greet the short, middle-aged man with white hair walking towards him.
“Burt Candes. Nice to meet you. Come on back.” Burt led him through a hallway lined with offices and conference rooms with more plaques, pictures, and framed jerseys hanging on the walls.
He stopped at the entryway to an office with big windows facing the city’s interior. “Very cool that you were at the event with Cruz and Cevere in New Orleans recently. How are you connected to them?”
“Cevere is my girlfriend’s cousin. He took me to the event where he introduced me to Cruz. They played on the Brazilian national team together. Really nice guys.” Sharing his connections felt like name dropping which, for some reason, felt dirty. He was so out of practice with this. How much did he want to reveal about who his girlfriend was if he wanted to get the job based on his own merit? “I didn’t know anything about blind soccer before I went. It was truly incredible to learn about.”
Burt smiled as he shuffled some papers around on his desk. “Tell me about your coaching experiences and any accomplishments that go with it.”
Now this—the facts of the past—he could talk about. “As I listed on my resume, my most recent coaching position was as an assistant coach for the men’s team at University of Colorado. I ran practices, drills, game strategy and logistics, and worked directly with the head coach to oversee weight training and cardio workouts in the off season. The guys and I had a great relationship with mutual respect.” Until they found out someone had been pumping them with steroids and all signs pointed to him. “We were top of our division during my years as assistant. Several of my players were recruited to major and minor league teams. I was privileged to receive the 30-Under-30 Coach Award as well as a place on the 50 Impactful D1 Assistants’ list. Also, I completed my Masters in Soccer Coaching degree, Master Coach diploma, and Sports Performance diploma. When asked, I made guest appearances at youth soccer camps and spoke at local award ceremonies for volunteer coaches. And I was on the shortlist to be added to the US men’s national team as an assistant coach.”
Life had been exactly what he wanted back then. He’d set himself up for the success of his dreams.
“Your record certainly speaks for itself. Are you doing anything with coaching at the moment?” Burt asked.
Xander licked his drying lips. “This is my first interview for a coaching position.” The anxiety built in his chest. The truth was the best answer, wasn’t it? “I thought perhaps once my wrongful imprisonment settlement was over that might help clear my name and allow team leadership to see the truth about me and not the black stain I’ve been given. I’m eager to get back to coaching. I’ve really missed it.”
Burt’s interest shown brightly on his face. Clearly, this was the dirt he really wanted to find out about. “When is the settlement taking place?”
“We’re in the process now, but I’m not at liberty to talk any more about it.” That killed the fascination sparking in Burt’s eyes. “I’m confident that I could really be an asset to a U-19 team as a coach and to help the guys prepare for the big leagues.”
Assuming he still had the chops for it.
Burt nodded. “Let me tell you about what we’re looking for.” For a solid twenty-two minutes, Burt talked about the practices, off-site training, tryouts, policies, sportsmanship, games, rosters, watching tapes, and carried on about what his most successful coaches did.
The more he explained, the more excited Xander felt. He wouldn’t be second seat to anyone. This would be his team to guide however he wanted. Some of these men could easily attract the national team’s attention which would get him noticed, too.
It was a full-time position with a fair wage, considering he’d be starting fresh after a five-year gap. With bonuses, game-winning incentives, and benefits, he would be close to where he wanted to start back in the industry. Certainly, a steadier income than the sales he had now.
All of that depended, of course, on if they’d actually offer him the job.
And if, when he talked to Gia, she agreed that this job would be the right thing for him, for them.
As they wrapped up the interview, Xander shook Burt’s hand and looked him dead in the eye. “Thank you for the invitation to interview. I’m really thrilled about the opportunity to work with these guys. It’s been my life goal to be a professional coach. I can’t picture myself anywhere else.”
He wanted to promise that he’d never give them reason to doubt him or distrust him, but that wasn’t something he’d be able to promise anyone ever after what he went through.
Burt held his eye contact. “Your coaching record is impressive. You’ve shown how you can overcome in difficult circumstances. You’ve networked quite a bit in the past few months which proves you have drive. You’re a solid contender here, Xander. I’ll be making the decision in the next couple of days and will contact you regardless of the outcome.”
Despite his initial bloodthirst, Xander liked Burt. He ran things according to the books without any tiptoeing around the unpleasant. Straightforward and to the point.
The equal parts hope and fear he carried with him to the car weighed heavily on him. It could work out so well. Or not.
When exactly was the right time to tell Gia about this?
He texted Ronaldo, the man who’d encouraged him to get back into this in the first place. Maybe he’d have something to say. Ronaldo texted back quickly saying that he’d call him later to talk it through. If anyone would have decent insight about the career move and the relationship move, Ronaldo would.
On the way back to his office in Golden, his phone rang. Tucker rarely did more than send him the occasional text. Apparently, Lucy was keen on them all having a double date sometime and Tucker liked the idea of going to a basketball game. Xander shivered. He clicked the button on his wheel to answer the call over the car’s Bluetooth system.
“Tucker. Everything okay?”
A heavy sigh filled the car. “Well, I have a bit of a situation t
hat I could use some help with.”
“Name it. What can I do for ya?” Anything to help him avoid his current situations which were spiraling ever downward at an increasingly alarming speed.
“Well, I planned on proposing to Lucy tonight at the Denver Nuggets game and had a photographer lined up to be secretly taking pictures of us throughout the night and then capture the moment I popped the question during a commercial break and she hopefully says yes.” His awkward snort-laugh made Xander bite the inside of his cheek. What if Lucy said no in front of all those people? “But that photographer caught the influenza and can’t do it. I don’t know who else in town to ask last minute.”
Out of respect for Tucker’s predicament, Xander buried his usual snide remarks about basketball games. “So I come to the game, stay incognito but close enough to get pictures of you two throughout the night, and then video the proposal?”
“Oh, a video of the proposal would be epic,” Tucker said with a squeak. “I’ve got the photographer’s ticket that she won’t be using. Maybe wear a disguise. I’ll pay for your food and drinks as a token of my intense gratitude.”
“Does it matter that I only have my phone camera to use?”
“Don’t matter much to me, so long as we have the memories for the rest of our days.”
He mentally thanked Gia for insisting he upgrade his flip phone to a decently rated smart phone a few months ago. “I’d be happy to, Tucker. I still owe you big time for picking me up on my release day and providentially introducing me to Golden. I will do my best to capture as many moments as a I can.”
Honestly, it’d be a relief to not have to sit and pretend to care about the basketball game. And being a creeper with a camera could be fun.
When he got to the office, he sent a taunting text to Gia. Guess what I get to do tonight.
Then he sent another text asking Avri if he could borrow her nice camera for the evening. His phone would be fine, but they’d be even more over the moon if their big night had quality pictures instead of mobile phone pictures. She responded immediately saying she’d bring it by in a couple of hours. Guess she really didn’t have much going on during her Christmas break.