After the holidays, she’s moving in with Patsy, whose husband passed three years ago now.Patsy’s been rattling around in that big old house of hers alone ever since.Patsy cried at Mom’s suggestion and welcomed the company like a gift.
Everything feels like it’s finding its place.
As we saunter past one of the fire pits, a familiar voice cuts through the carols.“Coach.”
Nate weaves through a small group of people, jacket unzipped despite the cold, team beanie pulled low over his ears.
“Hey, Grace.”He blushes as he stops near us.“You coming to the game on Saturday?”
A few of the high schools hold a tournament over the holidays to keep the guys fresh and ready for the final playoff games.
“Wouldn’t miss it.”Grace leans into me, tightening her grip on my hand.
“Good.”His gaze shifts to me, pride flashing across his face.“We’re ready.Just wanted you to know.”
I clap a hand on his shoulder and squeeze.He’s broader than he was in September.Straighter, too.Confidence will do that.“I know.Now, go enjoy the night.”
“Yes, sir.”
He jogs to his friends, and as I watch him go, the warmth fixed and full settles in my chest.The team is unstoppable right now, and I still have trouble wrapping my head around it.Not because I ever doubted them, but because in my first year of coaching, we made it to the finals.
Looking over the season, I watched the team stumble early on, watched them grow, come together, and trust each other.It has been something special to watch them show up for each other.
Grace’s shoulder presses into my arm.“You’re doing that thing.”
“What thing?”
“The proud-but-trying-not-to-look-proud thing.”
“Am I that obvious?”
“To me.”She tilts her head, eyes thoughtful.“They’re lucky to have you.”
The words hit harder than I expect, the echo of Nate’s confidence still ringing in my ears.I’ve coached teams before, but this—this feels different.Deeper.Like something I get to keep.
“I’m lucky to have them.And you.”
She rests her head on my shoulder and tightens her grip on my arm.
After Grace came back to town with me a few days ago, the team won that game, and I finally took a beat to let myself breathe.Then I sat Katie down and told her everything about Dad and the financial mess he left behind.
To my surprise, she didn’t turn on him or curse his name or rewrite who he was.All of which I’d feared.At first, she was quiet and still, which in itself unnerved me, but I’d had years with this truth.She was processing how Dad handled things.
When Katie finally spoke, she admitted she wasn’t shocked.She never understood how we could afford my races and training and yet money was tight for anything else.She wasn’t angry or disappointed with me or our father.She only wished he hadn’t carried it all by himself.And of course, she took great joy in pointing out I used to be guilty of that, too.
The memory pulls a smile from me.Katie and I are good.Solid.
Grace nudges my arm.“You went quiet.And now you’re smiling.What’s up?”
“Just thinking.”
“That’s a dangerous habit.”
I smile, not wanting to rehash what’s already settled, and switch to a more interesting topic.“You resigned.”
“I did.”
“Now what?Will this project with Lara keep you busy?”I hook my arm around her shoulders, pulling her deeper into me.