Page 15 of A Whole New Play

“If you say so.” And just like that, the conversation drops. Unlike Mom, Dad doesn’t try to force his opinions on me. “Do you want a tour of the facility or do you just want to head back to the condo to rest?”

“I want a tour eventually, but I could use a nap.”

“No problem.” He digs in his pocket to retrieve his key ring. “I made a copy of the key this morning.” He detaches a silver key from the rest, along with a bronze one. “I haven’t tested it, so take both of these with you. I’ll be home by five if you can stick around until then to let me in.”

I take the keys. “Of course.” It’s not like I have anywhere to go or anyone to see. I hardly know anyone in Dallas.

Before Dad got the job on the Rough Riders, he was the head football coach at a small college outside of Houston. He worked there until I graduated high school even though I know a few NFL teams reached out to see if he was interested in joining their coaching staff.

I hadn’t realized it at the time, but Dad refused to consider those jobs until I graduated high school. And even then, he only took the job with the Rough Riders because it was in Texas. He’s always put me and my well-being before himself. I’m so incredibly lucky to have a dad like him.

I’ve lost touch with most of my friends from high school with a couple of exception, but they and my college accounting friends all live in Houston. I’m sure there is someone I know in Dallas, but I’m not interested in using this time to catch up with acquaintances. Especially when this city is just a pitstop on whatever path my life will take. I just need to figure out what that path is.

Take your time, Valerie. Don’t rush.

I listen to my inner voice and step forward to hug my dad goodbye when a screech fills the air.

I whirl around in time to see two small figures run past the open door. They’re the same children from earlier. This time, though, their giggles are replaced with angry shouts.

“Give it back to me, Andy!”

“Make me!”

“I’m going to tell Dad!”

“I don’t care!”

The shouting continues but fades as they move farther away.

“Geeze.” I face my dad. “Who are they?”

“One of our player’s kids.”

“I figured.” I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “But which player?”

“Jones.”

I purse my lips. The name sounds familiar. “Jones, as in your star defensive lineman?” I don’t keep up with the team’s roster, or football in general, but I’ve listened to Dad talk about the Rough Riders enough over the years to know the names of his long-term players, especially ones he is particularly fond of.

He nods. “Yes. That’s his little boy and girl. They’re good kids, just a little rambunctious.”

“Most kids are rambunctious.” I remember my high school days when I would babysit for people in my neighborhood. I even spent the summer between my senior year of high school and freshman year of college as a nanny for the young couple who’d moved in down the street. While kids have different personalities and energy levels, I’ve never encountered one who wasn’t a little rambunctious from time to time.

“Not you,” Dad chuckles. “What I would’ve given for you to let loose now and then. I worried you’d have a panic attack before the age of thirteen.”

I offer a half-hearted laugh. He doesn’t know how close to the mark he is.

“Well, I’m letting loose now.” That’s a nice way to put quitting your job and moving cities at the drop of the hat.

“I suppose that’s true.” He tilts his head to the side. “You really don’t have a plan for a job lined up?”

“Nope.” My lips pop at the end of the word, and I try to ignore the flicker of anxiety the admission sparks in my chest.

“Hm.” He rubs his chin and stares at the open doorway. “Are you opposed to working right now? Are you trying to take time off to reset?”

I ponder the questions. “No, I guess not. I just don’t want to work as an accountant.” Work wasn’t the problem. It was the lack of a work-life balance that wasn’t sustainable. And the firm that hired me out of college wasn’t interested in remedying that for its employees.

A sparkle flickers in his eye. “Well, then, I think I might have the perfect job for you in the interim.”

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