Feeling her nerves perform a nervous tap dance, she knocked and went inside.
Mike lifted his head.“Hi, Hazel.What’s up?”
“I need to talk to you about something,” she began as Tracy entered the room.
“What’s going on?”Tracy asked.
“I just needed to talk to Mike about something.Don’t worry.I’ll come back,” Hazel said, realizing the situation had just gotten worse.If Tracy ever found out about the lie, she’d be furious.And Hazel wouldn’t blame her.She knew Tracy was doing everything she could to hold Mike’s attention.
She walked back to her own office at the end of the hallway and continued to set it up.The Center had given her a new computer, and she was in the process of transferring files and ideas to it.
She was still working on it when Mike knocked on the door.“You wanted to see me?”
Feeling her mouth go dry, Hazel nodded.
Mike stepped inside and gazed around.“Nothing fancy, but it’s workable.I see you decided to add a couple of plants.”
“Yes, I love them.They came from my classroom.One of them was given to me by a student.”
Mike sat in one of the two wooden chairs and faced her.“So, what did you want to talk to me about?”
“I’ve done something terrible, all to get my mother off my back.She’s an old-fashioned woman who’s determined to see her daughter married and giving her grandchildren.Something I’m not ready to do.”Hazel stopped and drew a deep breath to steady herself.This was so damn embarrassing.
“What does that have to do with me?”asked Mike.
“When I spoke to my mother last night, she pushed and pushed that idea until I guess I snapped.When she asked if I had a man in town that I wasn’t telling her about, I lied to her.And when she pushed for a name, your name popped out.”
“My name?Why me?”asked Mike, sitting up to attention.
“I knew it had to be someone who would never be interested in me.I’m not your type.I just need you to play along if my mother ever comes to town.Summertime is busy for her, so I don’t expect her to come north anytime soon.”Hazel crossed her cold fingers together, feeling sick as she gazed at him.
“Let me get this straight,” said Mike.“You want me to pretend to be your boyfriend because you know that would never happen.”He shrugged.“As long as we can keep it to a business agreement, I think I can do that.”
“Please don’t ever tell Tracy.She would be very unhappy with me,” said Hazel, “and I don’t want to cause any problems at work.”
“I appreciate that,” said Mike.“And the only time we have to pretend to be together is if your mother or someone else in your family visits.Is that right?”
Hazel bobbed her head; her throat was too clogged with tears of embarrassment to answer.
Mike got to his feet.“Well, then.That’s taken care of.Ross and I have been thinking it’s time for me to start lessons with you.Ross suggested you get up to speed with your game, so you can help with group tennis lessons for the younger groups.”
“Okay,” said Hazel, liking the idea.Anything to pay back Mike for his willingness to help her.
###
That afternoon, Hazel drove to Concord to visit Access Sports.Not only did she need to talk to them about a cooperative deal, but Hazel also needed some tennis clothes and a new tennis racket.Her old racket was usable, but if she was going to be a support to some of the clinics, she wanted a newer one.
When she arrived at the store, it was even better than she’d heard about.The women’s section had tennis clothes to suit every style and size, and a complete section for pickleball.
She was wandering through the selection when a well-built young man approached her.“Can I help you?”
“Right now, I’m browsing, but I’m interested in a couple of outfits, and I want to get a new racket.I might as well get a pickleball paddle, too.First, I’d like to talk to the manager.”
“I’m Tom Jeffries, the assistant manager.My father owns the store.How can I help you?”
“I’m Hazel Belmont, the new Administrator at the Sports Center in Lilac Lake.I’d like to discuss a merchandising arrangement with you.”
His eyes lit.“A couple of months ago, I called there, hoping to talk to the owners about doing business with them.Come into my office.My father is out, but we can work on structuring a deal for all to approve.”
