Page 14 of Time For You
From the top step leading to the sunroom, I gazed out at the expansive yard. It was a gorgeous landscape that needed just as much love as the home, but the potential was there. It was clear a garden sat along the eastern side of the property and there was enough room for a personal skating rink or a large pool along the backside of the flat space. Further than that the land sloped down to the rest of the field.
The house sat on a natural pedestal overlooking the property. It was obvious the home was old and most likely built by hand. Why would someone abandon such an impressive home?
I walked around the other side of the house, moving tree limbs out of my way as I went. The old oak trees surrounding the property reminded me of New York.
That was when it struck me. The house was familiar because it resembled the first foster home I moved to. The one where I learned to play hockey. It wasn’t nearly as large, but it had the two porches and similar features.
What I wouldn’t give to fix up this house and see it brought back to life. This house deserved a family living within its walls. I’d spend my entire savings to bring this house back from the ruins and make it my own. It may be the closest thing to feeling like I’d done right by Ms. Cathy, the foster mom that introduced me to the game I loved.
“I’ll be back,” I said to the house as I turned around to return to my truck. A breeze whipped up around me and I took that as a positive sign that the house wanted me there.
The remaining drive to Brett’s continued without incident. I was too geared up to pay much more attention than to keep the truck on the pavement. I recalled a few farm signs on my journey. One read Sunny Brook Farms and was the closest to the house I was interested in. I wondered if the owner knew anything about the home.
Both Brett and Lily Chisolm were waiting on a porch swing when I pulled into their driveway.
I exited the truck with the pie in one hand and the flowers in the other, my mind immediately floating back to the woman that had selected the bouquet.
“Colton, glad you made it,” Brett said as he came close and retrieved the pie from my grip. “We were afraid you got lost.”
We exchanged a one arm hug just as Lily joined us.
“I made a detour along the way. These are for you,” I stated, as I held the flowers out for Brett’s wife. She gleefully accepted and raved about the arrangement.
That woman from earlier definitely knew what she was doing.
I followed both of them into their ranch style home. Their two kids left the nest and were off with their own families. So I wasn’t going to be bothered non-stop while I stayed in their home.
The house smelled amazing, a mix of freshly cut grass and Italian food.
“Brett can show you to your room. We’re having lasagna for dinner. Obviously, you don’t have to join us, but we’d love to hear what you’ve been up to all these years. It’s not often one of our favorite players comes to visit,” Lily said as she moved further into the house, to where I expected was the kitchen, leaving me and Brett in the hall.
Sometimes it was strange to call my old coach and mentor by his first name, but he insisted. He was pushing his mid-sixties but didn’t look a day over forty. He and his wife had the market on an incredible gene pool. Lily looked no older than the first time I met her.
“You’re in here.” Brett opened the door and ushered me inside. “We weren’t sure how long you were staying, but you know our house is yours.”
“I don’t want to be in the way. I just need to figure out a few things and lie low.” With the settlement fresh off the printing press, the false claims made against me were still hot news. And the official mention of my retirement only added fuel to the fire. There were also a few personal things I needed to discuss with Brett, but I wasn’t ready to delve into any of it yet. I wanted to pretend I had no worries for at least a few days.
“You do what you have to. Lily is thrilled to have someone to cook for. I’m usually holed up in my office or on the road. She always thought of you like another son.”
That’s what I loved most about making this trip. Both Brett and Lily treated me like they did their natural-born children. I was just another addition to their brood. We talked every week like a real family or at least the kind I imagined growing up.
“The feeling is mutual.” Eyeing the room, I wondered if there would be enough space for some workout equipment. But it was too small. At most, I could add some dumbbells. The town was sure to have a gym, though.
“You actually gave me an excuse to install a gym in one of the kid’s bedrooms. Lily finally caved when I told her you would probably want to continue your workouts.”
“That was really nice of both of you. But I’m not sure I need to keep up with my old routine.”
“Sure, you do. Just because you have considered no longer playing doesn’t mean that’s the final straw for you. Once a hockey player, always a hockey player. It’s in our blood.”
The coach stood just inside the room, leaning against the threshold. His impressive arms bulged against the thin material of his shirt. I sent a silent prayer out into the universe that I have his physique when I reach his age.
I homed in on his eyes. They were staring at me with worry and intrigue. Like he wasn’t quite sure what to make of me and the situation.
“You have something up your sleeve.”
Standing to his full height, just a few inches shy of my six-foot-six, Brett released his arms and rubbed his hand nervously along the back of his neck.
“Maybe.”
