Page 3 of Off the Rim
"Can I ask you about that kid we saw tonight?Ashton?"
His eyebrows shoot straight to his hairline. "Ashton James? What about him?"
"You acted kind of strange when you saw him tonight. Plus, he acted like he knows me or something."
"Ah." My dad nods thoughtfully and pats the couch next to him.
"You're almost as tall as your old man—" he starts, but I interrupt him with a pleading look to be serious.
"Dad."
"Okay, okay." He sighs deeply. "There's some history between Ashton’s father and me. We don't get along and haven't for a very long time."
"Why?"
"It's a lot to explain, and I'm not sure you're old enough to really understand.”
“Is whatever happened the reason Ashton’s dad is closing down your business?” Dad raises an eyebrow at me, and I shrug. “I Googled his company. It says they’re going to destroy Market Square.”
Market Square is a large part of our small downtown area, where lots of locally owned shops are. There’s a small park in the middle of all the buildings, and on every second Saturday there’s a maker’s market where people come out and sell stuff they make, like crafts or candles or even vegetables from their gardens. My dad’s sporting goods store keeps a few soccer nets outside for kids to play while their parents shop. It’s one of my favorite things our town does.
“AJames Enterprises wants to bulldoze Market Square and build a shopping center with several large national chain stores that will not only put us out of business, but nearly every locally owned small business in Pinecrest,” he says with a sigh. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him sound this defeated before.
“And you think he’s going to win?”
Dad looks sideways at me, and twists his lips, like he’s considering whether to say more. I stay quiet and try to convey casual curiosity and maturity so he’ll keep going.
“It’s looking that way.” He clears his throat, trying to mask the emotion—sadness or anger—that threatens.
“Why, though? Can’t they build somewhere else?”
“I can’t say for sure, son. It could just be the price of doing business, like Mr. James keeps saying.”
For some reason, I get the impression he’s not telling me the full truth.
“But you said you two haven’t gotten along for a long time. So itcouldbe something personal.”
“I’d like to believe that Junior has bigger and better things to do than target my small business. It’s not like I’m any competition to him now.”
“Now?” I’m not sure if he meant to say it that way, but it stands out. Also, “Junior?”
Dad doesn’t seem to notice my confusion. “So, you and Ashton… you don’t know each other?”
I shake my head. “No, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him before. He just stared a lot, like he knew me.”
“Hmm. Well, it’s possible his dad takes him to work the way I take you sometimes. Maybe he recognizes your name and came to the realization that there are real people behind the businesses his dad is steamrolling.”
My dad loves his business. When I was little, he was so proud of sponsoring all of my sports teams and hosting fundraisers for the town’s sports and recreation department. It’ll kill him if it gets shut down.
“Don’t worry, bud. Your old man won’t go down without a fight. It won’t be the first time I’ve given Junior a run for his money.” He pats my shoulder. “But it’s probably best to stay away from that kid. If he’s anything like his dad, he’s not trustworthy.”
CHAPTER 4
MARCUS, AGE 14
“Dad?”
I huff a breath at the sight of my dad passed out on the couch. He told me he was going to rest for a minute, but he’s been asleep for almost an hour. I feel bad. He’s exhausted, and I know he’s feeling down about the store closing.
