5
September
Me:
How does Thursday evening sound for Gem’s first guitar lesson?
Little Red:
She doesn’t exactly have a guitar yet, and I doubt I could get one before then.
Me:
She could use mine for the first lesson. We’ll just be going over basic chords and positioning. Is she right or left-handed?
Little Red:
Right.
Me:
Same, she can use mine. Then if she likes it, I can go with you to pick one out for her.
Little Red:
That’s awfully kind of you to offer. And I’m too clueless and desperate to turn you down.
Little Red:
Wow, that came off wrong . . . What I meant to say is, I’d appreciate the help. Thanks!
Me:
Send me your address and I’ll see you Thursday night. Does 6pm work?
Little Red:
Works great! See you then, Benny.
I’m smiling to myself like a complete idiot at her use of my nickname when I hear a throat clear.
“Wilson, are you even listening to me?” Coach Evans asks through gritted teeth.
Pocketing my phone, I meet his eye and apologize. “Sorry, Coach. It was just my father checking in. You know how he is.” The lie makes my stomach sink, and just thinking of my dad makes my mood sour.
“Don’t I know it. How is Senator Wilson doing these days?” he asks.
Miserable as ever.Though, I don’t voice that thought.
“Thankfully, he’s been busy lately,” I reply, which is also the truth. And thank fuck for that.
“No wonder Jackson is having such a great preseason. Your father isn’t making him second guess his every decision on the ice,” Coach says, shaking his head. “If it wasn’t impossible, I’d try to have him banned from attending Wolverines games and events.”
I scoff at that. “I can just see the headlines now, ‘Minnesota Senator Banned from Attending the State of Hockey’s Team’s Games.’ Don’t think that’d go over so well,” I deadpan.
“No shit. And I’d like to keep my job if I can help it,” Coach tosses back. “Anyway, we’re getting off track. I was asking you how things with Connelly are going.”
Ah, right. Nathan Connelly. The eighteen-year-old rookie, drafted first overall in the latest draft, and starting center for our team’s second line. He’s also the franchise’s youngest rookie ever, with me coming in at a close second. I turned nineteen in December of my first season in the NHL. Connelly just turned eighteen in June.
