Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 106772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
I added, “And on the other end, you have a scholarship to a top-notch college, which means a guaranteed education and some life skills, all for the price of playing the game you love.”
“You chose college?”
“I did, for the first three years. At the end of my junior year, I was drafted again. This time around, I went higher in the draft and had a much better contract.”
“So you won regardless.”
I nodded again. “I did. My parents were happy, and so was my wife.”
Cutter’s mouth dropped open. “You’re married? How come Mrs. Schmidt isn’t at our games?”
This was what happened when I got carried away in a conversation. I’d never had any intention of telling him about my wife or that part of my life. People tended to define you by your marriage and subsequent divorce, which was something I didn’t want to happen.
“My ex-wife lives in New York.”
“Oh, sorry.”
“Don’t be. Here, put these on.” I handed Cutter a pair of safety glasses and asked him to recite the safety rules on the saw. He did so effectively.
“Okay, are you ready to cut?”
He nodded but looked apprehensive.
“Do you want me to show you?”
“No, I think I got it.”
I put my safety glasses on and nodded for him to continue. Step by step, he followed the instructions I’d taught him. When the saw went effortlessly through the wood, I applauded.
“Nice cut.”
“Thanks. That was sort of fun.”
I patted him on the back. “Now for the really fun part. We need to pull up the old one and pray the brackets underneath are stable and don’t need to be replaced.”
“Because that would be hard?”
“And time-consuming.” I didn’t want to tell him I was concerned about his mom’s mobility. While she could walk today, with her diagnosis, which Carmela had filled me in on, who knew how long it would be until her legs gave out on her?
“Now, we’re going to lift that board,” I said as I picked up the crowbar. “Normally, we’d dismantle everything.”
“But not today.”
“Nope.” I held the crowbar up. “Do you want to do this part?” If I were in his shoes, I would absolutely want to do some damage to whatever I could.
“Yeah, for sure.”
“Don’t break the window, Cutter,” Nova said from her perch on Carmela’s lap.
“Ha ha,” he said as he stuck his tongue out at her. I gave him a short lesson and let him go to work on getting the board up while I measured a few more. Once he had it up, we pulled old nails, and I checked the bracket for any wood rot. With everything looking and feeling solid, we hammered the new board in place.
“It doesn’t match,” Nova pointed out.
“Nope, we’ll stain it to match in a few days.”
“Grandma, you like to paint. Are you going to do it?” Nova asked Carmela.
“Yes, of course,” Carmela said. “You can help me.”
I looked up in time to see Nova nod excitedly.
Board by board, Cutter and I cut and replaced the damaged boards. At least no one would fall through any rotted boards, which I was proud of, but mostly, being able to teach Cutter how to measure, use the table saw, and build something with his hands made me feel like I had a different purpose in his life.
Antonia had asked me to be there for him, and if this was one of the ways I could, then so be it. I’d rebuild the entire house if that was what it took.
At some point, she’d come outside and sat next to her mom, with Nova now on her lap. I tried not to watch her, especially knowing she had a boyfriend. Any attraction I felt needed to subside because nothing would ever come from it, except the pang in my heart at knowing she wasn’t available.
When it came time for us to work where the rockers were, I was relieved when Cutter asked Antonia and Carmela to move. For some reason, the thought of having to talk to Antonia put a lump in my throat. Pretty asinine when I thought about it. We’d spoken before without any issues.
“Do you want to have dinner with us tonight?” Cutter’s question pulled me from my thoughts. “Toni is getting us pizza.”
“Um . . .”
“I know my mom can’t pay you for this work, so this would be like a payment.”
I nodded and accepted his invitation. The last thing I wanted was for Cutter or Miriam to think they owed me anything. As soon as I said I would join his family for dinner, he went over to Toni. He looked excited while talking to her, even though I tried not to stare.
“Everything okay?” I asked when he came back.
“Yep. Eleni is coming for dinner, too, so I was just giving Toni an update.”
“If you need me to go get the pizza, let me know.”