Mike led them down the hallway and stopped at the doorway to the guest room.“What do you think?Aren’t the posters cool?We got them just for you.”
“I’ll help you settle your things,” said Hazel.“You can put your clothes in the bureau.”
Jed stood by while Hazel lifted his things out of the bag.Looking at how worn they were, she had an impulse to go out and buy him a whole lot of new clothes.But she wouldn’t do that to Lisa and her husband.They were doing their best to take care of Jed.They loved him.
“I’m going to let you watch me teach tennis to an adult, and then you’re going to participate in an intermediate kids’ class,” said Mike.“Your ankle is doing well.”
“Yes, it’s all better,” said Jed.
“Okay, let’s go,” said Mike, clapping Jed on the back.“Hazel will catch up with us there.”
“Yes, I’ll take care of a few things here and then meet you.Because the weather is supposed to become rainy, the tennis camp kids will watch a movie inside.You can join them.”
“Cool,” said Jed, beaming at her.
Hazel hugged him.“Have fun with Mike.”
After Mike and Jed left, Hazel returned to the guest room and added a teddy bear wearing a tennis outfit to the top of the bedspread.There was so much she wanted to do for Jed, but she knew she shouldn’t go overboard.She and Mike had already confused Jed by competing for his attention.
She cleaned the kitchen, gathered her things, and left for work.
###
At the Sports Center, she was soon caught up in answering questions, making phone calls, placating people who hadn’t signed up for courses in time, and dealing with the problems of running the Center.
She peeked into one of the gyms to see Jed watching a movie with other kids and was pleased to see him sitting with friends.
She, Mike, and Jed had lunch together in her office picnic style, and then Jed sat in her office playing games on his phone.
“Are you having fun?”she asked him.
He nodded.“I almost won.”
She chuckled and went back to a project she was working on, content to see him relaxed with her.
By the time they were ready to return to the cabin, Hazel knew they’d have to do something different for the next day.Maybe Lucille Nordby, Sarah’s babysitter from The Woodlands, could take Jed to the movies.She’d check.
Later, when Mike came home, both Hazel and Jed rushed to greet him.
He gave Jed hearty pats on the back, exchanged a fist bump with him, and then turned to Hazel to kiss her.“How’s it going, you two?”Mike asked Jed before pulling Hazel into an embrace.
“Good,” said Jed, glancing at Hazel in Mike’s arms.
“Fine,” Hazel said.“I now have a new kitchen helper to set the table.”
Jed nodded proudly.
“We’re going to have dinner soon,” said Hazel.“Jed is used to eating early.”
Mike looked at his watch and frowned.“Okay, what’s for dinner?”
“Hot dogs.Jed’s favorite,” said Hazel, tousling Jed’s hair.
Mike twisted his mouth but didn’t say anything before walking away to shower and change.
Later, after dinner, while Jed was watching television, Mike said to Hazel, “Look, I’m happy to have hot dogs one night, but Jed is our guest, and he needs to eat what we do.Something like chicken or steak—hearty and healthy.”
“But he’s not used to the fancy food we like,” said Hazel.She indicated the living room with a nod of her head.“Why don’t you watch some television with Jed?”
