Her cell phone rang.Her mother.
Hazel let it go to voicemail.She still had a lot of thinking to do before she faced her mother’s usual questions.
After she got ready, she climbed into bed, picked up her book, but laid it down, her thoughts whirling.Tomorrow, she’d ask Lisa what she could do to help both her and Jed.The absence of Lucinda’s presence and her constant needs would leave a huge hole behind.They’d worked hard to help her the best they could.
###
The next morning, Hazel went to the tennis courts, unsure whether Jed would be there.But as she approached, she saw him sitting on a bench, his head in his hands.She called, and he lifted his head and gave her a little wave.
“How are you doing today?”she asked him, sitting down beside him.
Jed shrugged.“It’s very quiet in the house with Lucinda gone.”
“Oh, yes.We’re all sad about it.You can talk to me about her anytime you want.”
He stood and picked up his racket.
Hazel got to her feet, and they went onto the court.
Their game was one of the best they’ve ever played, with serves going in and balls being returned.
Hazel had no idea they were being watched until after a long rally between them, with her winning the point, Hazel heard the sound of clapping and turned to see Mike.
“You both are doing great,” said Mike, beaming at them.
“Yeah, but Hazel beat me,” said Jed.
“That, my man, is no reason to be upset,” said Mike.“You played well.We can work on any improvements together.”
Hazel walked over to the fence to grab her towel and wipe down her face.
“Can we talk?”asked Mike, coming up beside her.
“Sure, give me a chance to cool down,” said Hazel.
Mike chatted with Jed, and then Jed took off for home with a promise to call if Lisa needed help.
“You really care about him, don’t you?”said Mike.
“I do,” Hazel answered.“Knowing him has opened my eyes to many things.”
Mike followed her off the court to a bench and sat down beside her.
“I told Tracy about our arrangement when your mother comes for a visit.She was upset until I explained to her that neither one of us had any interest in the other.Right?”His green-eyed gaze rested on her.
A stab of disappointment made her feel off-balance.Hazel studied the man she’d come to admire.That was the deal.Just friends.“You can tell her she has no reason to worry.”
“Okay, but just so you know, I’m sure she’ll be watching us closely,” said Mike.He kept his gaze on her and then got to his feet.“Are you available for another doubles match as part of training?”
“Sure, that was a lot of fun,” said Hazel.“Though Elliott is staying with me, we’re pretty much on our own, except tonight we’re going to Stan’s to hear some music and get some seafood.Want to join us?”
“Thanks, but Tracy has already made plans for us,” said Mike.
“Maybe another time,” said Hazel, thinking Misty and David might like to join them.
When Hazel got to her office, she called Misty and they quickly arranged to meet at Stan’s at seven o’clock that evening.Landscapers tended to work late hours in the summer, Misty explained, but she and David needed a break.
Satisfied they had a pleasant evening ahead, she called Elliott to give him the plans.
