CHAPTER NINE
The next morning, a little sunburned, Hazel returned to the Sports Center for her early practice with Jed. It touched her that Jed was never late for his special time with her.
When she walked onto the court, she was confused by seeing Mike there.
“Hope you don’t mind. I thought this might be an agreeable time for both of you to work on your serves.”
“That’s fine with me,” said Hazel, hoping the wine and sun of yesterday wouldn’t affect her performance. It had been such a crazy, fun celebration.
“Line up at the baseline, one on each side,” said Mike. “I’ll watch you. And even though we’re concentrating on serving, if a ball comes over the net, the receiver should try to hit it back. Hazel, we’re starting with you.”
Hazel got into position, tossed the ball in the air, and hit it into the net.
“Okay. This is for both of you. How you toss the ball is very important. If you toss it too far forward, you’ll have to reach to hit it, swinging too late to place the ball where you want it over the net.”
For the next hour, Hazel and Jed practiced their serves. Hazel wasn’t the least bit intimidated when she realized she and Jed played equally well. She knew he’d soon move on to playing with someone better. Someone like Mike.
When Mike called an end to the practice, Hazel sat on the bench outside the court, mopping her face with her towel and sipping the water she’d brought.
Jed and Mike did the same.
They were sitting together, talking, and laughing when Tracy appeared.
“What’s going on?” she asked, frowning.
“We’ve just completed a lesson,” said Mike.
Tracy put her hands on her hips and stared at him. “So that’s where you went? When I woke up, you were gone.”
“I told you I had a lesson this morning,” said Mike evenly.
“Well, I didn’t know it was with Hazel and this boy,” Tracy responded with an annoying edge to her voice.
Jed gazed at Hazel. She decided not to speak, figuring no matter what she said, it would be misinterpreted.
Mike got to his feet. “Thanks, guys, we’ll do this again. And, Jed, remember to come to the camp tournament this afternoon. Here’s a note to take to your foster mom.”
“Thanks,” said Jed. “Guess I’d better go home. See you tomorrow, Hazel.”
“Sure thing,” Hazel said, rising. She had to take a shower and change out of her clothes before her workday started.
Later, she was brushing her hair in the women’s locker room when Tracy approached her.
“Hey, thought we’d better talk,” said Tracy. “I’m serious about Mike and me being together. I don’t want you interfering with that.”
Hazel gave her a steady look. “Mike and I have an understanding. We’re not interested in any relationship beyond friendship. He’s my boss. It’s always a bad idea to have a work relationship become more than that.”
“Okay, just so we’re both in agreement,” said Tracy. “He’s someone impressive in the tennis world, and that’s important to me. I know you come from a different background, but I’ve worked very hard to get where I am, and I’ll do what I must to get ahead.”
“I admire ambition. I do,” said Hazel. “But you may have the wrong idea about me.”
Tracy’s gaze swept up Hazel’s body and back down again. “Maybe not.”
Hazel sighed as Tracy strode away. She prayed her family would stay away from Lilac Lake. It would only cause more friction at work.
###
That evening, as Hazel was doing laundry, her cell phone rang. Her mother.
Hazel groaned and picked up the call. “Hi, Mom! What’s up? How’s your country club dance coming along?”
“It’s coming together,” said her mother. “I wish you’d come home for it. I found the loveliest dress for you to wear. It’s going to be the social event of the summer.”
“It’s sweet of you to think of me,” Hazel said, hoping she sounded truthful. “But you know I can’t leave.”
“I thought you’d say that, which is why Elliott is coming north to visit you. He’s quit his job at the bank, and while he has some free time, his mother and I thought a visit to Lilac Lake might be in order. That will give you both time to think.”
“Mom, you know nothing will change,” said Hazel.
“It’s helpful for you and Elliott to have some time together. What happens after that is up to the two of you.”
“He’s welcome to stay with me. I have a guest room he can use,” said Hazel. “I assume he’s going to call me or is his mother going to do that for him?” It was such a difficult situation and had caused Elliott to keep secrets.
“I’ll let Elliott’s mother know you’ve agreed to it, but he must call you himself,” said her mother.
“Agreed,” said Hazel.
After chatting with her mother about her social life, Hazel ended the call more certain than ever that she didn’t want to go back home.
She’d just curled up in bed with a book when her cell phone rang. Elliott.
She picked up the call. “Hi. I knew I’d be hearing from you. My mother said you quit your job at the bank. That must have been traumatic for your father. Wasn’t it your grandfather who formed that bank?”
“Yes, don’t remind me. I’ve heard all about it over and over again. But I can’t live this lie any longer. I need time away to pull myself together and then be open with my parents, knowing it will break their hearts.”
“Oh, Elliott. That sounds so awful.”
“But it’s true. You, more than anyone, know that.”
“Yes, I do. We’ve been best friends since we were kids, but I couldn’t stay in our town to satisfy our mothers. Wait until you see Lilac Lake. It’s such a pretty, friendly place. You’ll love it.”
“You don’t mind putting me up for a while?” Elliott asked.
“I have a guest room you can use,” said Hazel. “Who knows? You might decide to stay here.”
“I have no idea what I’m going to do moving forward,” said Elliott. “I’ll have to give my parents time to reconsider things at home.”
“When are you arriving?” asked Hazel, thinking it would be pleasant to have his company.
“I’ll be driving north, and I should be there within a week. I may make a stop or two along the way.”
“Whenever you get here, your guest room will be ready for you,” said Hazel. “I’ve missed you, but I’m very happy living in Lilac Lake.”
“No boyfriends yet?” asked Elliott.
“I haven’t found the right guy,” said Hazel. “Right now, I’m too busy to think of it as I get my arms around the job at the Sports Center.”
“Well, we both have plenty of time,” said Elliott. “I’ll be in touch as I travel north.”
“Okay, see you soon,” Hazel said, pleased that Elliott was finally making this change in his life.
###
The next morning, Hazel was surprised once more to see Mike show up as she and Jed practiced hitting balls back and forth.
“I thought I’d give you two a workout,” he said. “I’ll be hitting balls back to both of you. We’ll make a game of it. You two against me.”
Jed looked at Hazel and grinned.
“We’ll be the ones giving you a workout,” said Hazel. “Right, Jed?”
“Right,” he said proudly.
Hazel loved how Mike had effortlessly made Jed feel part of a group.
The game started slowly, with Mike allowing Hazel and Jed to get used to the speed of the ball returned to them.
Then the game began in earnest, with Hazel and Jed learning to play doubles, stepping in when necessary, giving a partner room to play.
When Jed and Hazel began placing balls to keep Mike running, they all laughed as he tried to keep up. “Okay. I’ve had an excellent workout, and the two of you are playing well together. We’ll have to include you in some doubles in your age group. Hazel, you are part of our tennis team, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” said Hazel. “I joined the other day and will be playing for the Center in local tournaments and some of the individual contests in the club.”
“Okay. And, Jed, I’m placing you on the club’s beginner’s team, but I don’t expect you to stay there very long. We’ll see. It’s important for you not to feel pressured but to simply have fun.”
“I have a lot of fun here,” Jed said.
“Good. Tracy is coming. I have to go,” said Mike. “Jed, I’ll see you this afternoon. Hazel, you might want to come to the tennis team practice to watch him.”
Hazel smiled at both of them. “I’ll try.”
She was glad to see how much Mike cared about Jed and realized he was identifying with Jed’s experience of being a foster child.
###
Later, when Hazel saw Craig in his office, she decided to talk to him about Elliott.
She knocked on his door, and at his response, she came inside the office and sat in a chair in front of his desk. “I hope I’m not disturbing you, but I need to ask you for some guidance on a personal issue.”
Craig gave her a look of concern. “How can I help?”
Hazel told him about Elliott and his upcoming visit to Lilac Lake. “He’s one of my best friends. And though we’ll never marry like his family wants, I care about him very much. He’s coming here to prepare to tell his parents he’s gay, and that’s why we won’t ever be a couple.”
“And how do you want me to help?” asked Craig, taking off his glasses and giving her a steady look.
“You’ve said you’re comfortable with who you are. Perhaps you can talk to him about your journey,” said Hazel, hoping she wasn’t being too intrusive. “Elliott has hidden so much about his inner self from others. He must be twisted into knots. There’s only so much I can say.”
“Why is his family so threatened by the idea that Elliott is gay?” asked Craig.
“It’s all part of their image and family connections. His grandfather founded the bank Elliott has turned his back on. His father is an important man in town. And he’s supposed to uphold the family name. He’s Elliott Gladstone III.”
“I get it. Forgive me, but I think it’s a crock of shit,” said Craig. “If Elliott feels like talking to me, I’ll be happy to help. But don’t push him to do this.”
“Thanks so much,” said Hazel, rising. “You’ll see for yourself what a likable guy Elliott is.”
“It sounds like he has a lot to work out for himself,” said Craig. “Now that you’re here, I want to talk to you about the retail sales operation.”
Soon, Hazel was caught up in business and didn’t have the time to think about Elliott’s arrival.