One On One by Don Aker

Author:Don Aker [Don Aker ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781443401333
Publisher: HarperCollins Canada

CHAPTER 15

“I’m home!” Jared called as he came in the back door, dropping his backpack and gym bag on the bench. He could hear the shower running.

Cal followed him inside and headed immediately for his dish, then gave Jared a look of disappointment when he found it empty. “You’re gonna have to cut back, Cal,” Jared said. “You’re startin’ to pork out in the hind end.” The dog just stared at him.

“How was practice?” his mother called.

Jared poured himself a glass of orange juice and went to stand outside the bathroom door, taking gulps between play by plays of that afternoon’s action. “I can’t wait till the season starts,” he said. “I wanna see how we do against another team.”

He heard the water shut off and his mother pull back the shower curtain. In a moment, she came out into the hall in her bathrobe, towel-drying her hair. “The nurses on my floor can’t wait, either,” she said, grinning. “I’ve been bragging up my son, the Cougar, so much that a couple of them said they’re coming to your first game if they’re not working.”

“Jeez, Mom,” Jared said, “no pressure or anything.” But he smiled in spite of himself. There were plenty of Cougars who were every bit as good as—in fact, better than—he was, but leave it to his mom to make him the team star.

“Ellie called,” she told him, heading into her bedroom. “She said you’ll have to go to her place this evening for your math session. Something about her dad being under the weather.”

Jared thought about Ellie’s father and wondered what bug could have affected such a hulk of a man. He was about to ask when his mother reappeared wearing a green dress he’d never seen before. And her best shoes. “Gee, you look nice,” Jared told her.

“Hey, don’t make it sound like such a surprise,” she scoffed.

“I didn’t mean—”

“I know, sweetheart. I’m just teasing,” she said, putting on a pair of earrings. “I made up a plate and left it for you in the fridge. You just have to zap it in the microwave for two minutes.”

“You already ate?” he asked, following her into the kitchen.

She looked at her reflection in the mirror by the back door. Seemingly satisfied, she turned. “No, as a matter of fact, I didn’t. I have a date.”

Jared’s jaw dropped.

“I know,” she said, “an old woman like me going on a date. Who’d have thought? But I’ve got my pension cheque with me, and I promise to take my walker.” She picked up her purse. “Oh, Steve’s mom said he could come over and watch some TV with you, but I told her you were going out for your math session.”

Jared closed his mouth, then opened it again. “Who—?” He didn’t even finish the question.

“Just a guy.” She glanced at the clock and turned to kiss her son. “I’m going to meet him at the restaurant. I left the number on the counter.” She opened the door. “Don’t worry, I won’t be out late.

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