Page 59 of Second Round

Of course, Leo turned out to be a fabulous mini-golfer, which impressed both Tristan and me. Tristan was excited to meet a real, professional hockey coach and peppered Leo withquestions.

“Do you ever get to meet the Millionairesplayers?”

“Well, sure. Next season, players will be going up and down between the Vice and the Millionaires allthetime.”

“Wow, so you’ll be coaching NHLplayers?”

Leo laughed. “I’ve coached a few guys who have made it to the NHL. The job of the AHL is to prepare guys fortheshow.”

“Wow, cool. Maybe you can give me sometipstoo.”

“Sure. Also, you know Chris Luczak,right?”

“Of course! He’s the best captain the Millionaireseverhad.”

“Well, he’s my boss,”Leosaid.

“Your boss! You see him every day? Does he yell at you?” Tristan’s idea of a hockey boss seemed to be tied up with this year’s hockeycoach.

Leo laughed. “Well, notsofar.”

“Wow. That’ssocool.”

“Your mother’s met him too. We went out to dinnertogether.”

Tristan gave me a look of utter shock and betrayal. It was like I melted down his Legos, sawed his skateboard in half, and forced him to eat a vegan dinner—allatonce.

“You met Lucky Luczak and didn’t eventellme?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize what a big deal he was.” Also, that was when I wasn’t even talking about Leo, so explaining the whole evening was impossible. All the more reason to tell your kids right away, Iguess.

“Mom.” Tristan shookhishead.

“It’s your shot, Mom,” Hannah said in an aggrieved voice. She was clearly reserving her judgment about Leo. That was fine with me. All I wanted was for the kids to get to know him a little. It was bound to be complicated for Hannah, who was thoughtful andsensitive.

But when we went for ice cream afterwards, I was pleased to see Leo making an effort to talk to Hannah. He asked her about music and then listened attentively to her answers. She always complained about not getting enough respect around our house, so she appreciated theaudience.

Leo seemed like the perfect man. I had to keep reminding myself not to get too involved. He had warned me. But still, if we continued to go out for a year, how could we not get moreattached?

“I like him, Mom,” Tristan said as we drove home. “Imagine getting paid to coach hockey. He’s in good shape too. Did he ever play intheNHL?”

“He played professional hockey in Europe. But not in the NHL.” I looked across at Hannah. “What do youthink?”

She shrugged. “Better thanMargaret.”

There was a silence and then she added, “You’re definitely in a better mood since you started seeing him. You’re not on our backs all the time. So that’s worthsomething.”

Faint praise, but I’dtakeit.

21

Sold

Jackie

“Jackie,”Carole Levine called me. “I have an offer to present to you. What’s the drill? Do we need to get Brent there as well?” After a big tussle, Carole had won out over Brent’s agent. I liked her right away. Her price was $50,000 higher, and she had a better marketing package. His agent had been smarmy and sexist; he kept addressing his answers to Brent even when I asked thequestions.

“Yeah, we should. He’s going to have a zillion questions I’ll never think of.” I checked the calendar. “Look, it’s Wednesday. He’ll be coming by to pick up the kids for his night. I’ll try to get him here earlier, and we can do everythingatonce.”

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