15. Nat
Nat
Today has been rough.
And I can’t lie, it is not for the reasons I expected.
This morning I had to wave goodbye to Chase and the twins when everything in me wanted to jump in the car and go with them.
Last night, after we got all the girls in bed, Chase and I sat down and discussed what he should do about the camp situation.
It took considerable effort not to take control and do whatever I could to ruin the woman who made Cassidy and Crystal cry.
I hate bullies; I grew up with the biggest one, and I know I get a little more heated when I encounter one than most people because of that. Even all these years later I still can’t shake the effect my grandfather has— had —on my life.
In the end, I knew I had to let Chase decide what to do and how to do it.
Which leaves me in the house taking care of Candace while he and the twins have a meeting with the board members of the charity that runs the camp.
The day hasn’t gone to waste despite my distraction and the times Candace needs my attention.
I’ve gotten a few Rogues things dealt with, including ironing out the few last-minute contract changes for Ryder Perry, a rookie out of Colorado we’re hoping to sign.
I also dealt with a material delivery delay due to bad weather which will affect our Rogue sportswear manufacturing line in about three weeks. We’ll shift into an alternate garment production we have the materials for and push back the release of the other.
Of course, that has an impact on our advertising and order fulfillment. I’ve shot off multiple emails to the departments involved and handed over the follow-up to Eli. Whose semi-retirement is anything but retiring at the moment.
As COO of our sportswear brand and GM of our hockey team, I’m stretched thin. More so now with the Rogues first season rapidly approaching. There aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done.
Something has to change.
I know it. And as much as I hate to admit it, Eli is right. I can’t do it all even though I want to.
Something will slip past me and who knows what that will mean for either company. I’ll never forgive myself if I miss something that significantly affects either workplace.
I’ve already emailed Oakley, Blake, and Cami with my concerns. We need to have a KAW meeting sooner than later so we can re-evaluate our roles. Find qualified people to pick up the slack or take on a role.
Letting either business suffer because I’m too stubborn—Eli’s words—to let go of the reins is not an option.
And if I’m going to follow through on my promise to help Chase take care of his sisters, I’ll need to cut back my hours. Juggle my time so Candace doesn’t have to go into care.
Cassidy and Crystal have places in Hannon Grove high school this coming year and I’ve checked out some daycare options for when Candace is older.
Although, I’m leaning more and more toward having an in-house daycare option at the training facility.
One both Rogue sportswear employees, and the Rogues players and org employees can take advantage of. I know we have an area of the mall we plan to break ground on next year designated for a childcare center, but we need something now.
We might need to run numbers and dates and push things around, get them moving ahead of schedule on the mall if we can. Although it makes more sense to have multiple childcare options across all our facilities in Baton Rouge.
If we find space to add a center to the arena and training complex, the mall can go ahead as planned. Pulling up a new email, I shoot myself a message to look into that later. Right now, I need?—
The metallic grind of the garage roller door opening has me straightening away from my laptop and glancing over at my phone where it’s charging on the other counter.
Chase said he’d text after the meeting. But I don’t have one, and there’s no missed call either. A quick look at the monitor shows Candace sleeping peacefully so I push off my stool and head for the door connecting the house to the garage.
I don’t even take a couple of steps when the twins come racing in, their chatter bright and excited. The sound has a breath of relief lowering my shoulders and relaxing the muscles along my spine.
The coil of tension holding me hostage all morning unspools so quickly I need to grip the counter to stay upright.
My relief is so great I can’t form words—can’t move. Not that the girls take any notice of me. They’re single-minded in their search for something to eat and bickering about what to have while standing in the open fridge door.
It isn’t until Chase stops beside me, a grin on his face, that I’m finally about to speak.
“Things went well.” It’s not a question, although the inflection on the end of my last word suggests otherwise.
“Oh yeah.” His grin grows. “They were very aware of the situation. Apparently, a number of parents who witnessed the incident in the parking lot yesterday questioned their children when they got home and then made complaints. A lot of complaints.”
“She’s fired?” It’s the least I want but this isn’t about me. It’s about Cassidy and Crystal.
“Yes. And they’re refunding the full cost of the girls’ fees, including the food portion which is usually non-refundable.”
“What about an apology? Not that I want them to have to face that woman?—”
He holds up a hand. “The board had a written one from her; although I’m not sure I believe she’s the one who wrote it, her signature is on the bottom. And they offered the refund and more restitution in the form of free camps in the future.”
“They’re not going back,” I say, my spine snapping straight with my words.
“No. And I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of the kids don’t go back the rest of this summer. If they can’t turn things around, they’ll find it hard to fill spots next year too.”
I have to hold in my response. I want to say good. But that seems unfair when the situation was instigated by one person and now all those children and families are without a summer camp.
Instead, I ask, “Are you happy with the outcome?”
“Yes.”
“And the girls?”
“I think so. They haven’t said much but they held their own when questioned about the last few weeks.”
“What about the other people working for the camp?” I don’t like the idea of others having their reputations tarnished by one woman’s actions. Although they did go along with her directives.
“They were all there. So were a lot of the other parents. The only person not in attendance was Mrs. Bertram. Camp was cancelled for the rest of the week and the board is deciding what to do for the rest of summer.”
“As long as you and the girls are happy with the way things turned out.”
“I am.” He tips his chin in the twins’ direction. “And I think they are. It might have been different if they didn’t have each other. They’re their own ready-built support system.”
“I’m glad they have each other, that they have you.”
“And now that camp has been dealt with, let’s talk logistics of moving in with you.”
“Oh. I... Um...” I glance at the girls. “You don’t want to wait a bit before talking about it? Maybe we could take a quick trip to Baton Rouge so they can see the place first.”
“No. We talked in the car. We’re ready to make the move.” His gaze bores into mine. “Unless you’ve changed your mind?—”
“No. No. Of course not. I’m more than happy to help you with the girls. My house is too big for just me and I was already thinking of selling it. I’m looking forward to seeing it full of life.”
“Hopefully you won’t regret letting us move in.”
“I doubt it. It’s not like we’ll be stuck on top of each other, the house is too big for that. Plus we’ll all be busy with the start of the season, the new school year.”
“Another reason to get things moving. As the Rogues GM, you’ll want me settled and ready to play. As our Gem, you’ll want us to feel comfortable before the chaos of school and the season begins.”
“Gem?”
“GM. Gem.”
I shake my head. “I don’t get it.”
“You’re our GM.”
“Ah, okay…” I’m still not sure I understand the reason for the nickname, but Chase’s sheepish expression has me smiling.
With a shrug he adds, “Not exactly original but I doubt you want me calling you Natalie in front of other players or staff. If I call you Gem, it’s a play on GM but it’s got that personal connection we have weaved in. Then I won’t slip up in front of anyone I shouldn’t.”
“Oh.”
There’s so much thought behind the nickname. Other than Nat, which isn’t really a nickname, I’ve never had one. And I’m not going to lie, I like the idea of having that intimate connection between us hidden in plain sight.
With a smile I can’t hold back, I say, “I can live with that.”
“I promise not to make it weird at work.”
“I know you won’t. Besides, we won’t have that much to do with each other in the day to day. I’m not planning on telling the coaches or players how to do their jobs, and I’ll be in my office most of the time, nowhere near the ice, except game days, you’ll see more of me before and after a game.”
“Can we pack now?” Cassidy’s words have both me and Chase jumping.
“Sorry. What?” I look down at her excited face.
“Pack. Can we start packing up our room?”
My gaze bounces between the girls. “You want to pack your room now? We haven’t talked about moving yet.”
“Why do we need to talk about it? We’re moving, right?” Crystal looks at her brother. “Aren’t you going to play for the Rogues?”
“Yes. But I haven’t signed the contract. I’m still talking with my agent about it.”
“But we’re going, to Baton Rouge,” Crystal’s voice is full of excitement but there’s a small amount of fear wobbling the edges. “To live with Gem.”
I never understood the term ‘my heart fluttered’ until right now. Hearing Crystal call me Gem. After Chase explained how he came up with it…
I’m in jeopardy of getting choked up and I have to swallow a couple of times before I can speak. And when I do it’s to reassure them all, although I direct my words at Crystal.
“Are you sure you’re okay with moving?” I’m not backing out of my offer, and honestly, if they’re unsure I plan to point out all the reasons why they should, but I want the girls to understand what a move like this means. “You’ll have to go to a new school. Live in a place you’re unfamiliar with. You’ll have no friends to begin with.”
“That’s why we need to go now,” Cassidy explains. “So, we have time before school starts and Chase’s schedule becomes nothing but hockey, hockey, and more hockey.”
Her words are accompanied by a cheeky grin, and I know Chase isn’t offended by her comments.
“All right.” I look around the room. “I guess we need to decide what’s a priority and what can wait. We need to know what you want to take and what you don’t, but we don’t need to rush.”
“Can we take some of our pictures?” Crystal asks, her gaze on the wall of family photos.
“We can take whatever you want. Pictures, furniture, clothes, anything. I can have my house cleared out before we get home so you can make it yours.”
“But it’ll be yours too, right?” Crystal’s gaze is on mine now, her confusion obvious.
“Yes. My house has what’s called an in-law suite on the lower level. I’ll live there and you will have the main part of the house.”
“But that’s just where your bedroom will be, you’ll eat with us and stuff, right?”
I’m not sure what stuff she’s referring to but I’m nodding anyway. And making a mental note to talk to Chase about the best way to protect the girls. We should probably get the advice of a lawyer too.
“Yes. We’ll eat together and stuff ,” I say with a grin. “Like when your brother is away playing hockey, you’ll stay with me unless I have to accompany the team. But we’ll work out where you will be before that happens so you’re okay with it.”
“Can we go with Chase?” Crystal asks, reminding me of her recent losses and how they might affect the way she feels when the people around her go somewhere.
“Sometimes, but you have school to think about.” Although if she needs to be near her brother for peace of mind, I’ll do everything in my power to make that happen.
“Can we watch the home games in the owner’s box?” Cassidy asks with an excited smirk.
“Hey, how do you know about owner’s boxes?” Chase finally injects himself into the conversation.
“I watch ESPN.”
Chase and I look at each other. Neither of us sure how to react to that statement.
“Dad isn’t the only one interested in you being a professional player.” Cassidy lifts her chin as if daring her brother to argue with her.
“I had no idea. What else do you know? What do you want to know?” Chase steps up to his sister and pulls her into his arms. “With all the shit you’ve given me over the years about early morning training and games, I thought you hated hockey.”
“No.” Her words are muffled against his chest. “It’s cool having an older brother who’s set to break records.”
Chase leans back, a look of complete shock on his face. “You think I’m going to break records?”
“You already have.”
“Well, yeah but that was kid stuff.”
“Your first season in college you had more shut-out games than not.”
“Huh.” Chase eyes Cassidy with curiosity. “You know that?”
“She knows all your stats,” Crystal says with an eye roll. “It’s how Dad taught us math.”
“Wow. Okay. Well, I guess it’s about time I got back on the ice so you can continue to pass math.”
“Don’t get a big head about it.” Cassidy says, shoving out of her brother’s arms. “I know stats of a lot of players.”
I study her a little more closely; her revelations aren’t that surprising, and I don’t know why I didn’t think either of the girls might be interested in hockey before now.
“Would you like to tour the arena and training facilities when we get to Baton Rouge?”
“Hell—”
“Hey, language!”
“Yeah!”
Cassidy’s grin says it all. Even with the reprimand from her brother she’s happy. And Crystal’s smiling just as big.
Moving might be a major deal, but it might also be exactly what this family needs to move on from tragedy.