Page 38 of Nerdplay
A sturdy figure cuts through the shadows. He doesn’t simply stride toward us, he struts.
Valhalla, he’s coming.
When Stefan steps fully into view, Laura’s handiwork is evident. The horned helmet is gone. His beard has been trimmed into a V. He does a slow-motion twirl, showing off the shaved back of his head. Laura left more hair on top, along with longer bangs. His oversized T-shirt and cargo shorts have been swapped for a natural linen tunic and baggy trousers. The flip-flops are now brown boots made of leather and bone. Stefan has finally made those boots proud.
Thunderous applause follows his dramatic entrance. Stefan’s smile melts my icy heart into a puddle. I didn’t realize we had a watered-down version of the Viking until this moment. With these few extra touches, he’s now Stefan in his purest form.
“Wow,” Charlie whispers. “It’s like a light went on. He’s a whole different person.”
“No, he’s the whole right person. Now he feels more like his true self.”
“Incredible what a simple haircut can do.” Charlie seems enamored of Stefan’s transformation, and I think I like him a little bit more than I did earlier.
“Where’s the helmet?” Gloria asks.
He spreads his arms wide. “Now that I’m the whole package, I don’t need the helmet.”
I cut through the onlookers to hug Stefan. “Congratulations. You look amazing.”
“I feel amazing.”
Angela squeezes next to us. “You won’t stop wearing the helmet for good, though, will you?”
“I’ll wear it on occasion. I like it, even if it isn’t historically accurate.”
Old habits die hard.
“Dare I ask what kind of bone they used on your boot buttons?” Ben asks.
Stefan lifts a foot. “Antlers.”
Ben looks visibly relieved. I’m not sure what he thought they were, nor am I asking.
“I think you look really cool,” Olivia tells him.
Stefan bows. “Thank you, young lady. I pledge not to pillage your village.”
“Ooh, all it takes is one compliment and we can save our cabin from a raid?” Gloria gives him the once-over. “In that case, I like your trousers. They remind me of those parachute pants that were popular in the Eighties.”
“Thank you.”
Stefan is high on life right now and I’m here for it. “You did a great job, Laura.”
She’s beaming as brightly as Stefan. “It feels good to do good,” she responds and starts to cry, which triggers tears from Stefan. Before I know it, half the campers are wiping the moisture from their eyes.
I return to the bench where Charlie is still seated. “Same as working at a law firm, isn’t it?”
He grunts. “Yes, exactly the same. Tissue boxes are one of our biggest expenses.”
“Seriously, though, has anyone ever cried at your office?”
“Only tears of terror.”
“Have you ever cried at work?”
“No, but I haven’t cried since I was a kid.”
“Really? Not even at the movies?”
