Page 78 of The One Timer

CHASE

After practice I call Em and she doesn’t answer, so I text her. And wait. Nothing. I go home for a nap, figuring I’ll see her when I go back to Boston to see Gran.

Letting myself in the back door, I shout, “I’m home.” It’s the same thing I’ve always done since I first moved in with Gran and Grandpa, and at home with my parents before that. Wherever my home is, I’ll always walk in the back door and shout to the house that I’m home.

A picture of a suburban home like we had as a kid comes to mind, only Em appears in the kitchen in this home, opening her arms to greet me. I smile without realizing it and then I frown because that vision is way out there, not even a thing. It can’t be.

Not now.

Not ever?

What about someday, long into the future after I’ve made my mark in hockey, what about then? Will Em still be there with me? Would she wait around playing second fiddle to my career until I’m ready for… whatever?

Do I want her to be in my future?

That’s one question I have the answer to. Fuck yeah.

I run up the back stairs to Gran’s room to welcome her home. Uncle Walt accompanied her this morning, putting aside whatever the hell he had going at Whittier’s corporate office. It was interesting to see him as a doting son last night.

“We’re in here,” Uvi’s voice comes from Gran’s bedroom as if I didn’t remember where it was. I know. I spent a lot of time pouring over family photos from the hidden treasure she kept in her room.

The door is partly open and I push through, stepping into the bright room and lasering in on Gran, sitting up in her bed. Without breaking stride, I head straight for her.

“How are you, Gran? You look like a million bucks.” I wrap my arms around her and she hugs me back, but her arms are alarmingly weak. When I let her go, her beaming smile makes up for her weak muscles, giving me confidence that she’s okay, that she has another twenty years.

“You’re short changing me, boyo, I’m worth at least a billion.” She squeezes my hand and I laugh. Walt and Uvi chuckle.

Shaking his head, Uncle Walt says, “She brightened the second you announced your presence, Chase. It’s clear you’re her favorite. Though I can’t say why. I mean, so what if you play professional hockey.” He grins. It’s a familiar refrain. I’m the only Whittier who plays hockey and the only one who grew up in the suburbs like a normal person. Until I was thirteen. It made me different among my cousins, but far from a pariah.

“Don’t give him a big head, Walt,” Gran says. She studies me and I can see the tiredness behind her smile. “Where’s Emery? I hope she’ll be staying for dinner. I haven’t thanked her properly for all she did for me. That young lady is amazing.”

My sister Katherine strides into the room with a laugh. “You hardly need to tell Chase that Emery is amazing. I think he’s flat out smitten with her.”

Hidden from Gran’s view, I flash Katherine the finger out of habit. Her grin widens.

“I’ve hit my mark,” she says. I don’t argue.

“Oh, I know all about it,” Gran says. “But what about Emery?”

Good question and I’m not sure of the answer. She’s so skittish and I’m trying to be cool about it.

“She’s cool,” I say. “We’re young and we have a lot to do before we can think seriously about⁠—”

“Nonsense,” Gran says, her voice stronger than I’ve heard in a while. My eyebrows go up and I chuckle, a little uneasy. What does old Molly know that I don’t? A lot. Like everything. Fuck.

“You tell him, mother,” Uncle Walt says. He slaps me on the back. “I need to get back to the office, but I’ll be back for dinner. What are we having, Uvi?”

“Beef stew with dumplings. Madam’s favorite.”

Katherine wrinkles her nose. “It’s a little heavy isn’t it?”

“Never mind dinner,” Gran says, lasering in on me as Uncle Walt leaves.

“Chase, you never said whether Emery is coming to dinner. Is there a problem.”

I shrug. “I don’t think so, but I haven’t heard from her today. She’s scheduled to work, to come back here tonight, right?”

“No,” Katherine says. “The hospital recommended a nurse, so I arranged for one. I guess Emery isn’t a nurse yet.” She adds, “Uvi told Emery not to come in today, not until further notice.” Her expression softens. “I’m sorry.”