CHAPTER SIX
On Saturday, Hazel walked into Jake’s, eager to see her friends.
She wasn’t the only one who was busy during the summer.
New Hampshire, a summer playground, came alive in those months, with tourists coming to the various lakes in the region.
Lilac Lake drew its share of people, and with its charming town, the visitors' population grew.
Even now, Hazel was forced to wend her way carefully through the bar crowd to get to the table the locals had reserved.
As she emerged, she saw Mike and Tracy talking to friends. Smiling, she greeted them and then sat with Misty and Taylor, discussing Taylor’s new book based on some of her New York experiences.
Aaron Collister and Sarah showed up.
Hazel was glad to see them, aware that with Sarah’s parents back in town for the summer, Sarah had more free time away from working at the hardware store and caring for her twin daughters.
“Where’s Whitney? And Nick?” Hazel asked the group.
“Nick is at work. As police chief, he finds the summer months super busy,” said Taylor. “And Whitney is getting close to delivering their second baby. They haven’t found out the sex yet, but Dani and I are praying it’s a little girl to spoil.”
Hazel was silent. Taylor wasn’t trying for a baby, but Dani and Brad were. So far, no success.
Everyone ordered drinks and food, and it grew quiet as people dug into their meal.
Hazel treated herself to fish and chips and reminded herself that she’d need to work extra hard at tennis the next day.
Thinking of Jed, Hazel waited until Tracy left to go to the restroom and then asked Mike to meet her tomorrow at the Center before it opened.
“I have something to discuss with you privately.”
“Okay,” said Mike.
Craig Evans arrived, and Hazel introduced him to the others and encouraged him to sit beside her. She liked the fact that the local group continued to grow as more people her age took part in running the community.
When some people got up to leave, Hazel followed, suddenly realizing how exhausted she was.
###
The next morning, Hazel awoke and got ready for her tennis workout. She’d given Jed her old racket and packed her new one in its case, along with a canvas bag holding some things she’d need for work.
After she parked her car at the Center, she went around to the tennis courts and was pleased to see Jed waiting for her.
“’ Morning,” said Hazel. “Our tennis pro is back. I want him to meet you and to see how well you play.”
“Okay,” said Jed, looking up at Mike as he approached them.
“Hello,” said Mike, studying the boy.
“This is Jed Abbott, who lives nearby in a foster home. He loves tennis and wants to play here. I’ve given him my racket and will pay for any of his classes,” said Hazel.
Mike’s look of surprise was quickly masked as he turned toward Jed.
“So, you’re a foster kid. How did you learn to play tennis?” he asked Jed.
“At my other foster house, they sent me to camp. I learned there,” said Jed proudly. “Hazel is helping me here. I’m good.”
Mike chuckled. “Well, let’s see you play. Run ahead and get ready on the court. I want to talk to Hazel for a minute.”
Jed went through the gate and onto the court.
“So, this is the kid that Tracy complained to Ross about? She caught you one morning working with him and knew he didn’t belong here,” said Mike.
Hazel drew herself up. “Jed Abbott has as much right to be here as any other kid who can afford to play. I’m paying for him, so there should be no problem.”
“I agree. Foster kid life is tough, and if we can help him, I see no reason not to.”
“He’s a phenom,” said Hazel. “Anyone can see that.” She was furious that Tracy had run to Ross about it without talking to her first.
“Let’s see,” said Mike.
They walked onto the near end of the court.
Mike picked up a ball and tossed it over the net.
“Wham!” The ball came roaring past his ear.
Mike glanced at Hazel and grinned. “Okay, Jed. I’ll place the ball in different areas. Let’s see how you do with them.”
Ball after ball was tossed and returned.
Finally, Mike walked around the net to Jed and shook his hand. “You have more to learn, but you’re a natural. If you don’t mind, I’d like to talk to your foster parents about your playing tennis here.”
“They’ll tell you they can’t afford for me to play,” said Jed. “Hazel and I have been meeting in secret.”
“Let me talk to them. Don’t worry about the expense, we’ll take care of it,” said Mike. “I want to make sure they know and approve of your time here. I see you have a racket. We can get you some proper shoes and whatever else you need. Understand?”
Jed’s eyes widened, and his jaw dropped. He darted to Hazel and hugged her.
Tears filled Hazel’s eyes as she hugged him back. Looking up at Mike, she could see emotion on his face before he erased it.
“Let’s go and meet with them now,” Hazel said to Mike.
###
As Jed walked ahead of them, Mike said quietly to Hazel, “You’ve done a big kindness to him. I appreciate that.”
“And I thank you for being so agreeable. Jed is a kid who needs a break, and we can give that to him.”
Mike patted her on the back. “No worries. The Center will pick up the expense and call it a scholarship program.”
“Thanks,” said Hazel, stepping onto the front porch of a nearby house with Jed.
Mike rang the bell.
A heavy-set woman who looked to be in her forties came to the door carrying a baby and holding onto a toddler at her side. “Yes, what is it? Is Jed in trouble?”
“Not at all,” said Mike. He introduced Hazel and himself and explained what they wanted to do.
“Why, that’s the nicest thing I’ve heard in a long time,” said the woman who introduced herself as Lisa Hunt.
“My husband and I can barely make ends meet. As much as we might like to, we can’t afford things like tennis lessons, even for an outstanding kid like Jed.
” She nudged Jed. “What do you say for yourself?”
Jed shuffled his feet. “Thank you, Hazel. Thank you, Mike.”
“Well, now,” said Lisa. “We can work around the time that Jed comes to the Center. Other times, he needs to help me out. I have a special-needs child inside.”
“How old is the child?” Hazel asked, thinking Lisa already had her hands full.
“Lucinda is four, though she’s a few years behind developmentally. Jed, here, is sweet about helping her exercise. We’re hoping she’ll walk soon.”
“She will. I just know it,” said Jed, and Hazel wanted to hug him. He was such a sweet boy.
“Why don’t we continue to have Jed come to the Center at the same time as he has been doing?” said Lisa.
“And if we want him to come to a group lesson to meet other kids, we’ll clear it with you,” said Mike. “Does that sound like an acceptable plan?”
“Yes,” said Lisa. “My husband works nights and tries to sleep during the day. He’ll step in and help when Jed is out of the house.”
“Thank you so much,” said Hazel, touched by Lisa’s willingness to work things out so Jed could play. “We have every reason to think that Jed is an exceptional player. And if this will give him opportunities in the future, that would be a blessing.”
“Indeed,” said Lisa, smiling at Jed. “You’re a good boy. You deserve this.”
Jed’s cheeks grew red, and his eyes filled, but a look of determination kept those tears from leaking.
“See you tomorrow, Jed,” said Hazel. “I’ll have some shoes and tennis clothes for you to try on.”
“Okay,” he responded.
“See you,” said Mike. “And thanks again, Lisa.”
Hazel and Mike left the house and headed toward the Sports Center.
When they were far enough away, Hazel stopped and wiped tears from her cheeks. Mike put an arm around her.
“It’s so sad,” said Hazel. “I wish we could do more for that family. Poor Lisa has her hands full, and she still shows kindness.”
“It isn’t always that way,” said Mike with such certainty that Hazel looked up at him.
Mike’s eyes were shiny and his mouth was set.
“Oh, my God! Were you a foster kid?” she asked.
He nodded and walked away, staring down at the sidewalk.
Hazel hurried to catch up to him. “I’m sorry. This must be so hard for you.”
Mike shrugged. “It makes me feel good to know there are some decent people out there. I just didn’t know many until I got a break by playing tennis, just like Jed.”
“I’ll continue practicing with him in the morning before work, and then maybe you can give him lessons,” said Hazel. “I can only give him a chance to practice.”
“I owe you some tennis lessons. We can do some evening lessons if that’s okay with you. It should be cooler by then.”
“It sounds great,” said Hazel. “I need to brush up on my game.”
He gave her a surprisingly shy glance. “It’ll give us a chance to practice convincing your family we’re together.”
“I’m very embarrassed about that,” said Hazel. “Hopefully, my family will stay away.”