Page 4 of Here and Now
“Cancel them.”
I scoff. “The hell I will. I rented a cabin in Michigan. I’m going to fish and boat and enjoy the absolute silence and complete lack of children.”
Don’t get me wrong, I like kids. I work with them all day. However, my job as a high school principal requires me to be around teenagers. Teenagers are not children. They’re not adults either. They’re pretty much not even humans most days of the week. They’re little shells of people who have a never-ending supply of assholeness that’s just itching to get out. Some are better at containing it than others. However, it almost always seeps out, and I need to spend the next month without any kids.
None.
Zero.
Zilch.
No traces of little humans who make me question my life choices.
Each July is my happy place. For eleven months out of the year, I’m not allowed vacations or time off. This is truly the only time I can decompress.
“Okay, thenyoucan tell Ethan why he can’t do it this year because you begged me to play a game.”
“Low blow, Doug. Low blow.”
He knows I’m not going to tell Ethan that.
He shrugs. “I can’t do it. I can’t put skates on, let alone coach kids while my leg is like this.”
“Just put one skate on, and the other you can put on the crutches,” I say, half joking.
It would at least be semi-entertaining—for me.
“Fuck right off.”
Apparently Doug doesn’t find that funny.
“Anyway, you and Eloise decided to procreate, this is your issue.”
Doug nods once. “All right then. Fair enough.”
There are those moments when I know that what’s being said isn’t what is meant, and this is one of those. Before I can go back atDoug, he bellows for my nephew. Since I’m visiting, it means Ethan is relatively close, because he’s always hoping I’ll help him cause my sister a few more gray hairs.
He enters faster than I can get up and get the hell away from these absolute pains in my ass.
“Yes, Dad?”
“I have to tell you that since I broke my leg, I can’t do the hockey clinic. I know you were looking forward to it, and that I promised I would coach because none of the other dads could, but I just can’t. I asked Uncle Miles, since he was almost a famous hockey player, and thought that maybe he’d be able to fill in, but he’s going to sit in a cabin on a lake and pray for fish.”
I roll my eyes. “Not exactly what I said, but ...”
“He’s just too busy and can’t manage it.”
“Laying it on a little thick there, Doug,” I say under my breath.
Ethan rushes over. “Uncle Miles, you’d be the best coach ever! Please, you’re so much better than Dad. Please can you coach? Please? I don’t want to be stuck at home all summer with thebaby.”
I glare at my once best friend and then look at Ethan. The idyllic views, fresh air, and days sitting with my lure in the water start to disappear as my nephew stares at me with pleading eyes.
I let out a heavy sigh, knowing that no matter how much my child-free summer was needed, I won’t say no to him.
Because I’m a good uncle.
Damn it, I should’ve stayed home and not come to check on the big asshole.
