Chapter 3
3
BOUCHER
Keith’s hands were shaking like a toddler’s as he dialed the number, feeling anxiety and dread pool in his stomach. Between the call from his agent, the talking to he received again from his coach, and the impending meeting that was coming in less than a week – the pressure was on, and he felt like he was drowning.
“Hello?”
He closed his eyes, feeling something weird wash over him at the simple word spoken into the telephone that almost felt like a caress to his soul.
“Hey Constance. It’s Keith…”
“Oh, I was hoping you would call,” he heard her say, and it was followed by a nervous little chuckle that made him smile, grateful that she couldn’t see him right now. No, he was parked on the sofa, in sweatpants and tube socks, and had on a ratty T-shirt with a bleach spot on it, and his hair was a mess because it didn’t matter – nothing did – because he had no one…
“You were?”
“Yeah, I know it sounds weird, but it was nice to talk to someone who doesn’t want to play Barbie, My Little Pony, or isn’t getting upset because her socks are bothering her by existing,” she continued – and this time they both chuckled softly, giving him an iota of courage to say what was coming next.
“I don’t suppose you’d like to meet for coffee or dinner sometime – would you?” and braced himself at her intake of breath, followed by a heavy sigh. “If not, it’s okay, but I thought maybe we could talk some more or…”
“I honestly would love to,” Constance began and paused almost like she was wondering how much she should or could say. “But I don’t have the money for a sitter right now and it would be so much easier on me if you came over for coffee or if we met for dinner at my place. Does that make sense? I mean, I know it sounds crazy because we are strangers, but dating as a mom isn’t something I’ve ever done and…”
“I’ve never dated a mom,” he interrupted gently, smiling. “And it makes perfect sense.”
“Oh phew… I mean, I was wondering if it was weird.”
“Isn’t life weird sometimes?”
“Definitely,” she chuckled. “If it’s not sucking completely, then it’s dabbling in the ‘what now?’ or ‘let’s make things weird’ factor. My favorite category of life, though, the one that leaves you completely sideswiped which is the ‘Hold my beer’ moments. Now those…” she drew out and sucked in her breath. “Those moments leave you spinning. I can do without those.”
And Keith hesitated. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. The insanity spinning in his own mind from the phone calls and pressures coming was effectively forcing him to alter his path, to change teams, and with those changes would come a ‘Hold my beer’ moment – for sure.
“I get it,” he murmured. “I get it completely, and it would be nice to get a little warning – wouldn’t it?”
“Very,” she chuckled and paused. “So, when should we plan this mysterious coffee or impromptu dinner at my place? I’d like a chance to clean up because… well… children.”
“You don’t have to do anything special for me.”
“There’s a pile of peeled crayon papers on the floor along with every pot and pan that I own scattered across the kitchen floor. If you had called three minutes earlier, you might have missed the drum solo from Kayla.”
“My timing’s always been off…” he joked and was rewarded with another laugh that made him feel good. Constance seemed really nice, and while this wasn’t what he anticipated, if she said no to his crazy questions, then he needed a moment to figure out how to save his career some other way – and it had already been three days since he’d met her.
Time was ticking away.
“Have you eaten dinner tonight?”
“Um, hello? Did you not hear the warning about the crayons?”
“I did – and I’ll pick up another package so the kids can peel to their heart’s content while we talk. In fact, I’ll pick up something for dinner on the way so the drums can remain where they are without disturbing anything.”
“Keith…”
“What’s your address – and don’t say no.”
“I wasn’t going to,” she whispered softly, and he heard the shy note in her voice that made him swallow in awareness. “Do you have a pen, and I’ll give you my address – and start frantically cleaning.”
“No need. I promise you, I’m just a normal, easy-going guy…”
“Somehow, I don’t think so,” she murmured. “But I’ll see you soon.”
“See you soon,” he promised and ended the call after jotting down her address, staring at the piece of paper in disbelief. “I’ve got a date… unbelievable.”
A n hour later, Keith was standing in front of an apartment in an older neighborhood that had several cars parked on the street – a few with flat tires. There were bars on the windows and graffiti on the community mailbox, and he heard a massive dog barking in the distance from one of the other apartments.
Knocking, he held his breath – waiting.
This is crazy… this is crazy… this is crazy…
And the door opened slightly revealing Constance’s eyes – and a chain. She had the door chained for safety which did not sit well with him either. He was glad she was trying to protect herself and the kids, but none of this was deterring him from his goals; if anything, it was shoving it to the forefront of his mind.
“Hey,” Constance smiled openly, briefly shutting the door before opening it wide. “You found the place…”
“Google maps.”
“Oh mercy, it’s the dork – Kurt.”
“Keith,” he corrected looking at the pint-sized human that was peevishly looking at him like he’d completely ruined her day. “Hello Paige. How are you?”
“I was better two seconds ago and how did you know my name?”
“Your mother told me your name and Kayla’s.”
“Mommmm!” the child hollered, clearly annoyed. “Can you please stop talking about me with freaking weirdos?”
“Weir-yos…” Kayla chimed in, holding up a dustpan – and Keith couldn’t help it, he laughed. It was just so strangely fitting in his mind that nothing would go smoothly, and some little tyrant was going to make things difficult for him.
“Girls, please behave,” Constance interrupted, tossing him an apologetic look. “Keith, please come in. You’re my guest, and Paige, how do we treat our guests?”
“By showing them the door?”
“No,” Constance said aghast as Keith laughed easily this time, marveling at the witty child who had a snarky attitude like himself. “Please don’t… Keith, ignore her.”
“Sheesh,” Paige huffed, stomping off, and Kayla mimicked her sister not two seconds later. Instead of brushing it off, apologizing for bothering them, or bowing out of this evening’s plans, he simply started digging in one of the bags in his hand, handing the other to Constance.
“Do you like Chinese food?”
“Love it,” she smiled easily, nodding.
“Do you think the girls would like some new crayons, a few coloring books, and ohhh… will you look at that?” he said loudly in a theatrical voice, causing Constance’s smile to widen into a bright grin that made her entire face light up. “How did that get in the bag?”
“What is it?” she asked, playing right along.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do with… with Applejack and Rainbow Dash?” He continued, trying to make his voice carry, before whispering to Constance, who was covering her mouth and laughing. “Is that right? Is that their names? You said My Little Pony, right?”
Sure enough, two miniature versions of the woman beside him appeared – one frowning and one looking at him adoringly, obviously starstruck by the new toys he was holding aloft.
“Do y’all want these? I can’t use them…” he offered, tearing open one of the boxes, and that was all it took to get Kayla to move toward him. The little girl was smiling brightly, touching the box like someone had just gifted her the moon.
“Is dat for me?…”
“It sure is,” he began gently, glancing at Constance. “Is this okay? I thought it might keep them occupied for just a little bit after dinner.”
“It’s sweet of you,” she replied and hesitated. “I’ll make our plates up.”
“I’ll cut off thousands of twist ties and rubber bands,” he frowned as he pulled out the doll from the package and hesitated. “This might take a while. Have you seen how snugly these things are fastened?”
Constance laughed, leaving him standing there with two children watching him. Keith nervously moved toward the couch which had seen better days, and noticed that there were still a few crayon wrappers on the floor. Two pairs of tiny shoes were kicked off into the corner, and a small television sat atop a dresser, almost like it was being upcycled into a console.
“It’d be easier if you undid the back,” Paige ordered and he looked up at her, watching him still.
“Do you want to help me?”
“No. You’re the adult.”
“That doesn’t mean I don’t need help sometimes.”
“I’m a stranger.”
“We know each other’s names, and I’m gonna be a few getting this out of the box – but you could start on the other one… unless you want this one?”
“Ugh, no. It’s purple.”
“You don’t like purple things?”
“I don’t like you.”
“I know,” he replied easily, watching the girl as his fingers worked deftly at the twist ties holding the pony in the packaging. “I can tell, but that’s okay because I still like you – and I like Kayla – and your mother.”
“Not in that order…”
“Not in that order,” he agreed softly, realizing that the little girl was uncannily smart. “You’re right. I like all of you equally but in different ways, which is why I’m here and brought presents.”
“It’s not my birthday.”
“No, but it’s a dinner with new friends – and to me, that is reason enough to celebrate.”
“You’re weird.”
“You’ve mentioned that.”
“Like really weird…”
“I’ve heard that before.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m comfortable in who I am – and some people don’t like it. That’s okay because I’m still me, and I happen to like myself.”
“I don’t like you.”
“I’m still okay with that.”
“Are you bribing me to talk to my mom?”
“Is it working?” he chuckled, marveling at Paige’s wit and deciding it would be best to have a direct approach like she was tossing at him.
“We’ll see,” Paige said begrudgingly and took a seat on the opposite end of the couch, picking up the other pony and starting to open it.
“Kayla,” he whispered to the little girl who was looking between him, the purple pony with a sparkly mane, and at her sister, who was opening the other orangish-yellow colored toy. “Are you excited?”
“Yes.”
“Do you like ponies?”
“I wike ponies…”
“Me too – even if I’ve never played with them,” he smirked and finally freed the object from the packaging. “Here you go,” he offered, handing it over and began to remove the hairbrush and whatever little knickknacks it came with before glancing at Paige. “Need any help?”
“From you – no.”
“Paige!” Kayla shrieked happily, holding up the purple pony and shaking it before saying something in a rush of gibberish. “Igotmeaprincesstwilightsparklepony and ish nota dainbowdashie….”
“I know it not,” Paige sighed and tossed Keith a withering glance. “You were reading the back of the boxes and didn’t buy a Rainbow Dash pony. That’s Twilight Sparkle.”
“Oh, um, I had no idea. Should I get a Rainbow Dash one instead? Should I take it back to the store?” he asked nervously and saw Kayla jerk the pony away, twisting away from him almost in betrayal as Paige grinned evilly.
Oh, you little turd… he marveled in disbelief. Paige played him to get her sister away, making him the bad guy. Fine, two can play this game…
“Constance,” Keith called out, staring down Paige almost in a confrontational manner as he got his cell phone out of his pocket. “What’s your zip code again?”
“75203… why?” Constance said easily, setting two plates on the small table in the distance. “Is something wrong?”
“Nope,” he replied, letting the ‘p’ pop audibly as he put several ponies in the cart on Amazon. “Rainbow Dash… check. What about Pinky Pie?”
“Ohhh yesss,” Kayla gushed happily. “I wuv Pinky Pie pink pony…”
“Uh-huh. You hear that, Paige? Your sister likes Twilight Sparkle – and Pinky Pie. Which one do you like?”
The girl’s eyes glittered as her mouth pressed in a deep frown of understanding, and Keith could practically see the wheels spinning as she tried to think of something to toss in his direction to shut him down.
Bring it, kid… two can play this game.
“I like the Friendship Castle,” Paige said carefully, “But Mommy says that it’s for special holidays like Christmas or…”
“Or meeting a new friend,” Keith interrupted, clicking purchase on his phone. “It will be here tomorrow evening.” Paige’s mouth dropped open. The two siblings looked at each other in shock, before the girl frowned even deeper… glaring at him.
“You’re lying.”
“Nope.”
“Paige!” Constance interrupted, looking shocked at her daughter’s outburst. “Please do not say things like that or…”
“Constance,” Keith began, looking at the little girl. “She was just speaking her mind about a surprise, and we were having a conversation. It’s fine, and she should be able to share how she feels. Maybe she’ll find out I’m not the bad guy after all but a friend.”
“Girls, dinner,” Constance began carefully, looking between him and her daughter as Keith rose to his feet.
“Where’s the trash can?”
“Here,” she offered, sticking out her hand. “I’ll get it.”
“Thank you,” he replied easily as the two children rushed to the table that barely held four plates. Yeah, this wasn’t going to be easy because he already needed a breather from the charming children. He wasn’t dad-material, and this whole situation he was drowning in was pretty messed up. “I’ll be a minute. I’m going to get this other one opened, and maybe we can sit and talk after they eat.”
“Sure. I’ll make some coffee.”
“That sounds great,” he nodded, picking up the other pony and grimacing at the staggering number of twist ties as he started over from scratch – again. Christmas morning had to be just awful for billions of parents, and he couldn’t imagine doing this sort of garbage every single year.
Yeah, the longer he spent standing in a role he wasn’t prepared for in the slightest, the more doubts were assailing him. He never pictured himself married, never pictured leaving the Coyotes, never imagined the offer that was laid at his feet by his agent to take a starting position on the new hockey team in Quebec, and certainly never imagined being a stepdad in the slightest.
He needed to think for a minute.