Page 78 of Dump and Chase

Tangi

Ifelt great the next morning, and when experienced a robust kick, I knew Baby Kildare-Grant was fine too. I headed to work determined to take it easy. I wasn’t going to stay on my feet if I didn’t have to, and that was easy since I’d be in meetings most of the morning. I had to give Allan, Coach Fontaine, and Clay Rothesay, owner of both the Ravens and Kodiaks, my version of the events. I stayed focused and factual, not letting any emotion in. When I was done, they asked me if I planned to go to the police.

“I’d prefer not to, but if Jim wants to make a police report, then I’ll do the same.”

If nothing else, the men I was talking to knew all about solidarity.

“I want you to know that we support whatever you decide to do,” Clay said. “We’ve also released Chris Dube from the Ravens. What happened yesterday has no place in our organization, and I want to apologize to you for having to deal with that.”

I’d never met Clay before, but I was glad to see he was doing the right thing. “Thank you,” I said.

With that meeting over, I headed to my office, where Jim was doing paperwork. He glanced up at me and smiled as I closed the door behind me. I took a seat and a long gulp of water. The meeting had made me thirsty, probably from all the nerves.

“How are you today?” I asked him.

“I’m fine. I had a long talk with my wife and sons. It made me feel better.”

I felt like shit. I’d had no idea Jim had a wife and kids. He’d never mentioned them, and I’d never thought to ask, but now wasn’t the time to get acquainted with his family tree.

“And what did you come up with? Before you tell me, whatever you decide, I fully support you and will back you up.”

He nodded. “I appreciate that. I’ve decided not to make a police report. I’d like to forget the whole thing ever happened, but I hate that Dube is going to get away with this.”

“He’s not really getting away with it. He torpedoed his career.”

“Maybe, but he scared me and he could have hurt you and your baby. He should be in jail, but I have to be practical. If I make a big deal about this, everyone will find out, and maybe I’d torpedo my own career. You know what I mean?”

I did know. Everyone would think he was a snitch even though Dube’s behavior was abhorrent. “Hockey culture. I know it all too well.”

“It’s best this way. And I appreciate your support. I’m sorry you got mixed up in this.”

“Don’t be.”

The only positive thing about all this was that I felt closer to Jim, like we’d actually become pretty friendly, and that we trusted each other. Deep down, Jim was a good guy with a heart, and he’d finally let me see it.

While I waited for my first Raven client, I asked Jim about his kids. He told me his oldest was sixteen and learning to drive and that his youngest, fourteen, was going on forty.

“I have a great family.”

I had a deeper appreciation for Jim. For so long I’d wondered if he liked having me around, and now I understood him to be a guy who was a little eccentric, loved his privacy, and was looking out for everyone.

With Allan’s blessing, I made it a short day, but it was good to be around other people. When the twenty-four-hour mark hit, I was feeling better. After an evening of reading, eating only the best foods, and having Baby Kildare-Grant kicking up a fuss followed by a good sleep, I woke up knowing it was all going to be fine.

By the time Ethan got home a few hours later, I was already at work.

All is good?

I’d just finished a session with our back-up goalie, who had pulled his groin. Thankfully, he wasn’t excitable.

I’m good. We’ll talk when I get home.

Allan insisted on another half day for me, which was kind of him even though I was fine. I got home to find Ethan eating lunch and playing video games. When U cane through the door, he jumped up and gave me a big, warm hug.

“Everything is good?”

“Everything is great.”

I gave him a recap of the last few days and he listened intently.

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