Page 52 of The Keeper
“Probably running rampant around the parking lot like the fools they are.” She looks to me. “Twins are a lot to handle. Sometimes it’s easier to just let them fly around until they tire themselves out.”
I laugh as well.
“How old are your kids?”
“Well, Dean is 16. He’s the one playing in the game. And Theo and Max are 14 going on 3.” I laugh again. “What are you gonna do?” She shrugs lightly then looks back up to Mack. “Good to see you, sweetie.” She lifts her arms and he bends down for another hug. When she turns back to me, she says, “It was great meeting you Rachel.”
“You too,” I say, lifting my hand to shake hers again.
But she waves her hand wildly in front of herself, as if to say,put your hand away.
“If you’re friends with Mack, I’m sure we’ll be friends as well soon enough. Come ‘round here and give me a proper hug.”
I step around the table and my eyes fly immediately to Cherise’s wheelchair, which I hadn’t seen behind the table. I quickly catch myself, raising my eyes back to hers, sure to keep the genuine smile on my face. I lean down and give her a hug.
“He’s a keeper,” she whispers. “And if he likes you, I bet you are too.” When I step back, her face has a small smile, as if she knows a secret. “I’ll see you again soon, Rachel.”
I nod my head, then follow Mack away from the table and back up to the bleachers.
* * * * *
“Hey Mack!”
A teenager in full uniform comes barreling towards us after the game. I can only assume it’s Dean, and my heart sings when the two embrace in a full hug, Mack leaning over the short fence. If I remember correctly, guys in high school aren’t big on hugs. But when Dean steps out of the hug and looks up at Mack, I can clearly see the admiration in his eyes.
“Awesome job, man,” Mack responds, clapping Dean on the shoulder pads. “Proud of you.”
“Thanks! Hey, I’m heading to grab burgers with some friends. We still on for tomorrow?”
Mack nods.
“Absolutely. I’ll pick you up at four.”
“Sweet. Later!” Dean jogs back along the field in the direction the rest of his teammates.
“Ready to go?” Mack asks, and begins to lead me out to the parking lot. “Where are you parked?”
“In the boonies,” I say, with a hint of a laugh. “I think I may have been the last one here.”
We continue to walk towards Trusty Rusty, the silence at once both comfortable and alight with underlying tension.
After meeting Cherise, we’d walked back to the bleachers and spent most of the game just watching, not really talking apart from commenting on the game. It seemed like Mack wasn’t ready to talk about it, even though I was fairly certain that Cherise was the woman from his car accident. I’d been bursting with questions, but decided to let Mack lead the conversation at his own pace. That pace just happened to be standing completely still, because he hadn’t said a word about it for the entire second half of the game.
When we get to my car, Mack whistles.
“Wow. Didn’t realize you were driving a legend.”
I laugh.
“Yeah, well, she was what I could afford when I got to college.” I run my hand along the top. “But she’s my baby. Jeremy and I fixed her up and she runs great.” I look back up at him with a smile. “Nothing like that swank truck of yours, though.”
“Nah, my truck’s nothing special. Just a ride when I need one.”
I nod. When he doesn’t continue, I take that as my cue and pull my keys from my pocket.
“Alright, well, I’m gonna head off..”
“You didn’t ask me about Cherise.” His expression shows he’s not angry or upset, just confused.
