A night job would make sleeping difficult, but then I’d miss Bruce.It was probably my best option for the summer.
Chapter9
I’m Going Crazy
Justin
My team babysitter showed up the morning Fitch was leaving.She was in her mid-forties, wearing scrubs that made me think of Mia, but with hair and makeup fresh.She introduced herself as Marge Reynolds.She shook hands with me and Fitch.Then he threw his bags in the car and I waved him off and went inside, Marge following behind me.
I wasn’t sure what to do next, but Marge asked for a tour.I showed her the kitchen, bathroom, living room, and where I was doing partial workouts in the basement.
“And where do you see your therapist?”
When it was just me and Fitch, I’d been sitting at the dining room table with my laptop, but now I’d go up to my bedroom.I didn’t feel comfortable with the idea of this person being around while I exposed things I’d kept buried for years.“I’ll do it in my room.”
She tilted her head.“Maybe I should check out the room?”
I crossed my arms.“You’re here to make sure I do my physio, keep up my workouts, and check that my hand is healing.”
She pursed her lips.“I was also told you’d be having regular therapy sessions.That needs to be maintained.”
I was neither a child nor an idiot.“My therapist will let the team know directly if I don’t do a session with him.”
She kept her eyes on me, as if I might change my mind, but I wasn’t thrilled about having someone here.I certainly wasn’t going to invite them into anything but the barest minimum I had to.
She sighed and looked away.“Why don’t we discuss your meal plans, then?”
I’d been keeping a strict regimen for years.I’d break the rules when I was eating out with friends or for holidays, but I was getting older in hockey years, and it was easier to handle the physical demands of a hockey season if I ate properly.I gave her a brief rundown of my normal meals, and Marge suggested some adjustments to the menu.The team nutritionist had signed off on what I was doing, so I politely declined.
It was always going to be uncomfortable having a stranger in my space, but it was worse than I’d imagined.After lunch, I went out for a walk, turning down the offer of company, and stopped in a park to call Jess.Not the park where Mia and I had fought years ago, one in the opposite direction.
“I’m going crazy.”
“Hello to you too, Justin.I’m fine thanks.”
“Sorry, Jess.Glad you’re doing good.But I’m frustrated.”
“It’s only been a couple of days.”
“It’s only been a couple of hours with my babysitter, Marge, but she’s giving me the creeps.”
“What has she done?”
I ran my left hand through my hair, hand catching in the knots.Maybe this was something Marge could take care of for me, but I’d rather deal with the mess.The bandage was finally off my wrist, so at least one hand was functioning normally.“I don’t know.She seemed a little too interested in seeing my bedroom and knowing about the therapy sessions.”
“Maybe she’s a fan.”Jess wasn’t convincing.
“Fuck, Jess, the last thing I want is a fan in my house every day watching what I do.”
“Is she really creepy, or would you feel this way about anyone?”
I took a long breath.“I don’t know.Maybe anyone.”
“Give her a day or two.If she’s still creeping you out, then ask for someone else.”
Talking to Jess always made me feel better.“You’re right.It’s probably just me.I’m on edge.Mia came by.”
“Mia?Your Mia?Why?”