Red Roses by W.S. Long

Author:W.S. Long [Long, W.S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-07-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 4

Ward wanted to know which of the parents sitting in the bleachers thought it was a good idea to have a winter camp for soccer a day before Christmas Eve. The cloudy skies provided respite from the sun, but the wind kept things in the cool sixties.

If he found out which parent or parents were behind this exercise, he would definitely have words with them. His friends, Denise and Alice, who were sitting close to his left didn’t know whose idea this was either. Denise felt obligated because of Maria to be there for her daughter. And Alice’s twin boys gave her no choice either. The three of them made a pact to stop any soccer camps right before Christmas if anyone were to mention it again.

The only solace was Ward enjoyed watching Paul coach. Paul paced up and down the field at times in a tight soccer jersey and dark shorts that barely went mid-thigh.

Benji performed the drills asked of him, and although he stumbled in the beginning, Benji quickly learned the basics. They were now doing a scrimmage in the corner. He caught Benji smiling while playing. He noticed Maria eyeing Benji during plays. And Benji doing the same. He wasn’t sure why Benji didn’t know if Maria liked him because from what Ward observed they both liked each other.

Coach Paul blew the whistle and the scrimmage stopped. The kids ran to the side to drink Powerade, while Paul came over to the bleachers.

Ignoring the stares of the parents, Paul came to where Ward sat and seated himself next to Ward.

Ward ignored the stares of Denise and Alice.

“Well, what do you think?”

“I think Benji likes being out there. “

“Are you kidding me? He’s a natural. Why hasn’t he played soccer before?”

“He’s watched plenty over the years. He only got interested recently,” Ward said, his eye following where Maria and Benji stood near the drinks.

“I have a gift for you in the car. If you want to stay until we are done here. I can give it to you.”

“Why don’t you join us tomorrow for Christmas Eve?”

“Tomorrow? Who’s we?”

“My parents, Benji. This time you’ll be properly introduced to my dad. We have a meal, and then we walk over to the church for Mass. You can park in the garage. Then after Midnight Mass, we have desserts and open presents.”

“I’d love to join, but…I don’t know. Can I let you know later?”

“Sure,” Ward said, unsure about Paul’s hesitation. Then it dawned on him. It was one thing to go to his house to eat the Christmas meal with his family, it was another to appear in church all together.

Paul squeezed Ward’s thigh and got up. He winked at Ward as he left. As he approached the kids, he blew his whistle and gathered them around for another practice.

“Okay, what was that all about?” Denise asked. She brushed the wind-blown hair that kept getting in her eyes away.

“Nothing. He just asked what I thought of Benji.”

Alice waved her finger. “Oh no, we are having none of that,” Alice said in her Brooklyn accent.

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