“Mother, please, I said that Mike and I were just dating,” said Hazel, her cheeks burning.
Mike remained quiet, and Hazel quickly took over the conversation talking about her job at the Sports Center, and how Mike was the tennis pro there.
The time for Mike to leave couldn’t come fast enough.
When he checked his watch, Hazel jumped to her feet.“Is it time?You don’t want to be late for your meeting.”
He gave her a look of relief.“Yes, I’d better go.It was very nice meeting you, Mrs.Belmont.”
“Likewise,” her mother said, smiling at him.
Hazel walked Mike to the door.“Sorry about all that.Hopefully, we can fill the conversation with other things.”
“It was very interesting,” said Mike.“See you tomorrow.
He surprised her by leaning over and kissing her on the cheek.
Hazel returned to her mother.
“Mike seems like a decent man, but, darling, no family, a tennis pro?”Her mother’s gaze was disapproving.
“No matter what happens between Mike and me, I know he’s a good guy who’s worked hard to become the man he is.I will never forget that.”Hazel spoke firmly and reached up to touch the spot on her cheek where he’d kissed her.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The next morning, Hazel drove to the Sports Center, eager for a workout with Jed.She’d thought about the sweet kiss Mike had given her and how she’d so quickly responded to her mother’s thoughts about Mike and realized she’d come to really like him.
Both of her parents had come from wealthy backgrounds, so they didn’t understand what it was like to make something of yourself from nothing.And, Lisa’s raising foster children, one of whom was not expected to live long, would shame her mother for her easy acceptance of a life Lisa would never have.
She parked her car, headed to the courts, and was glad to see Jed waiting for her.
She waved and walked over to him.“’ Morning.How are you?”
He shrugged, and a frown furrowed his brow.“Lisa’s sad.She told me we might have to move.”
“Move?Away from here?”Hazel asked, feeling sick.
“I don’t know,” said Jed.“She was talking to someone else.”
“Oh, well, I’ll talk to Lisa.I’m sure it’s nothing for you to worry about,” said Hazel, hoping that was true.
They went onto the court and began to play.
Soon, all thoughts but those about the game disappeared as Jed gave as good as she did, keeping the ball flying over the net back and forth.
When they were through, Hazel gave Jed a high-five.“We’re getting better.”
Jed smiled and nodded.“Mike thinks so too.”
“I’ve got a busy day, but if you need me to talk to Lisa, please call me,” Hazel said to Jed.
“Okay,” he replied and trotted away.
Watching him leave, Hazel frowned.She’d sure miss Jed if he moved away, or did it mean he’d be reassigned to a different foster home?The thought sent acid to her stomach.
She went into the building to change for work.She was taking her mother to lunch at the Lilac Lake Café and then would give her a tour of the Sports Center.In the meantime, she had work to do.
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