Page 30 of Taking The Shot

“Look, it’s a bunch of cosmetic stuff,” he began softly, looking at her and trying to be encouraging. “But the bones are still here. I’ll get the appliances and sink handled quickly, but the painted murals might have to wait until after we move in.”

“Oh,” she whispered and gave him a tentative smile. “I thought you were calling to delay it again.”

“No. I’m trying to keep open communication with the woman who puts up with me so she doesn’t leave me,” he said softly, trying to make a joke of it but feeling like everything was on the line. “I’m trying.”

“I know you are – it’s just things feel so messed up.”

“I know they do, and I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize anymore. You are always saying you’re sorry and it’s for things that you shouldn’t have to be handling alone. You have a partner now – it’s just hard to be a partner from two thousand miles away.”

“Yeah, we’ve gotta fix that.”

“Yeah, we do.”

“I’ll call you later after I sign and get the keys,” he promised. “And then I’m running to the store to get appliances delivered.”

“Unbelievable,” Constance chuckled, shaking her head. “With the dark granite, I would prefer stainless steel or black appliances.”

“You got it,” he smiled softly. “Thank you for not flipping out.”

“Why would I do that when it feels out of control.”

“I did,” he admitted – and heard her laugh, warming his heart and soul. “I’ve gotta go and get this handled, plus we have the first big practice tomorrow. Wish me luck.”

“You don’t need it. You’ve got this.”

“I could use it anyway.”

“Good luck then,” she smiled, nodding. “You’ve got this, Keith.”

“Hey…” he hesitated and looked at her. “How about when we get moved in, we go on a date or something?” And she smiled – but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Sure.”

He felt his stomach give a painful lurch at that single word. She didn’t believe him or figured it would fall through the cracks also. He knew she was upset with him leaving on their wedding day, and then he forgot to call because Kenneth’s son was running around like a madman, biting everyone within reach, and now this?

“I promise,” he whispered, looking at the screen. “This is a new start, and we’re going to do this right. In fact, I took a new number for my jersey.”

“You did?”

“Yup. I took number one – because I don’t plan on settling for anything less than the best for our family, and I mean it, Constance. I know it's hard and frustrating right now, but I want you and the girls to have it all,” he paused, swallowing. “Just a little longer, okay?”

And she nodded.

Ending the call, he walked back out to the realtor, feeling like a man on a mission. “Where are we at?”

“They apologized profusely – and took twenty-five thousand off the price.”

“Done,” Keith said bluntly. “I want it signed today, every set of keys for this place so I can change the locks, and I need phone numbers for people to come out and fix this mess.”

9

CONSTANCE

Two weeks later…

“Mom,this is dumb. Why couldn’t we have driven here instead?” Paige huffed impatiently at the airport as Constance was looking at the screens to see which baggage claim she was supposed to go to. The plane had changed gates twice on arrival, and apparently, everything was messed up to the point that the flight attendant said on the intercom, “We promise we’ll get your bags to you – I’m just not sure if it’s baggage claim A or baggage claim D anymore”… and gave a weird ‘hee hee’ that made Constance want to stand up and shake the woman.

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