I snort.Is that what we’re calling it?I try and pump my eyebrows, too, but fail.
Absolutely.
We don’t talk much after that.
***
By the time I’m showered, dressed in yesterday’s clothes, and moderately presentable, my legs are a little wobbly, and my heart feels like it’s floating three inches above my body.
Stop looking at me like that,I mutter, grabbing my bag from near the couch.
Like what?he asks, entirely too innocent.
Like you’re proud of yourself.
Oh, I am definitely proud of myself.
I throw a cushion at him.He catches it, laughing.
Come on,he says, slipping his shoes on.Let’s go get your kid.
I freeze.You’re coming with me?
His smile softens.Yeah, I was going to.But only if you want me to.
Something warm and bright blooms in my chest.
Yeah,I say.That’d be nice.
He reaches for my hand, and we leave, heading down to the garage for his car.
Joey’s friend lives in a townhouse complex not far from mine.Kids are already spilling out onto the front lawn, sticks in hand, turning the sidewalk into an obstacle course.
Sidney has barely put the car in park before the front door flies open.Joey stands there, laces of one shoe half-untied, hair sticking up, backpack slung over one shoulder.He spots us, eyes going wide with disbelief.When he realizes he’s showing just how cool he thinks it is that Sidney’s with me, he switches gears.
Sidney lifts a hand from the driver’s-side window.Hey, Joey.
Hey,he calls out, trying to act nonchalant.
His friend, hovering behind him, squints.Dude…is that…?
Be cool, man,Joey hisses, a little smug.
The kid makes a strangled noise.Like,theSidney?Sidney Crane of the Toronto Nighthawks?
Last I checked,Sidney says, easy and good-humoured.Nice to meet you, man.
Within seconds, there are three more boys crowded near the door, whispering, staring, elbowing each other.I catch the mom’s eye over their heads.She looks a little shell-shocked herself at the celebrity pickup, but amused.
Sorry,I mouth.She waves it off, grinning.
Sidney handles it perfectly.A few fist bumps, a quickYou guys play hockey too?andKeep having fun out there,and then he respectfully tells them we have to get going.No big ego.Nolook at me.Just…presence.
When he slides into the back seat, Joey can’t help himself.He laughs at his friends’ antics.
My friends are freaking out,he says under his breath.You waved.At them.They are never going to shut up about this.
Happy to help your social life,Sidney says.
