Acts of Desperation(13)

Sarah and I continued to talk through the rest of practice. Sam snuggled up next to me and showed me the latest level of Angry Birds that he’d mastered just as the buzzer went off, signifying the end of the practice.

“Ok, get ready to run defense for me. He always tries something when we’re walking out to the car.” Sarah looked at me nervously.

“You better believe I’ll run defense—with pleasure.” I stood as Will ran off the field and met him at the base of the bleachers. “Look at you superstar. You kicked butt out there,” I said, inhaling the deliciously sweet puppy smell that only little boys get.

“Nah, I kept messing up.” He looked down and frowned.

“Messing up? What are you talking about? You did a great job…and don’t let anyone tell you differently, you got that?” I lifted his chin to meet my eyes. “It’s practice. If you did it flawlessly the first time it would be called something else, now wouldn’t it?”

“Yeah I guess, but Daddy doesn’t think I did a good job,” he said.

“Well, I think Daddy can get grumpy sometimes. I bet if you asked anyone else here who they think is super awesome, they’d all say you.”

“Yeah Willie, you da best!” Sam said, pumping his fist in the air, wearing a huge smile. I swear his heart is pure gold.

“Thanks Sammy,” Will said, smiling a little. “Can we go home now, Mommy?”

“Yep, let’s grab your stuff.” Sarah bent down and picked up his soccer bag and started gathering their things.

Anders approached me. “Hey Sem, you came to see me tonight, huh?” he said with a sly grin.

I’d bitten my tongue each time I’d seen him in the past few months, and probably hadn’t said more than five words to him. Sarah and the kids were engaged with one another, and, as I stood next to Anders, looking into his smug face, my anger bubbled over, and I couldn’t hold back one more second. “First of all my name is not Sem, it’s Sember. And second, let’s not pretend to be friends, ok? The only reason I act anywhere near civil toward you is purely for the children’s sake, so don’t get confused. Got it?”

“Emm…sounds like you’ve spent some time thinking about me. Did you rehearse that?” He chuckled.

“Ugh, I don’t know why I even bothered,” I said, cursing myself.

He leaned into me and grunted. “I knew you always wanted me.”

“You’re repulsive,” I said.

When Sarah gathered all their things, she walked up to us and said, “Ok boys, give Daddy a hug and kiss.”

Will walked up to Anders and said, “Bye Daddy,” showing no emotion and giving him a weak hug.

He embraced Will then pulled him back and held his shoulders. “Hey, what’s wrong, buddy? You tired or something?” he asked.

“Yeah, that’s probably it. I’ve got a cold still,” he said, avoiding eye contact.

“That must have been why you stunk tonight, huh? You better try harder at the game tomorrow, you’re making me look bad,” he said then playfully ruffed up Will’s hair.

“Bye Daddy! I love you!” Sam said throwing his arms around Anders.

“Back off a second Sam, I’m talking to your brother,” he said, pushing him away as if he were shooing away a fly. Anders stood and Sam danced at his feet, begging for a hug. Sam kept saying, “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy,” with his arms stretched up.

Sarah leaned into him. “For God’s sake Anders, pick him up,” she said. Will was always Anders’s pride and joy, and Sam, unfortunately, always came second.

He sighed in annoyance and bent down to pick him up, “Bye Sam, I’ll see you tomorrow night, and we’ll go to dinner, ok?”

“Yay! I want Frisch’s. Can we Daddy? Can we? Can we?” Sam asked, thankfully oblivious to Anders’s dismissal. Frisch’s is famous for their Big Boy burgers, but Sam was a sucker for their chicken fingers and hot fudge cake.

“Sure,” he said, feigning a smile.

“I’m going to get chicken fingers, Mamma,” Sam said looking at Sarah.

“Ok.” Sarah smiled warmly at him. “Let’s get going guys.”

“You know it’s dark out, you shouldn’t walk out there alone,” Anders said.

I laughed at his veiled chivalry and put my hand on his chest. “We’re not alone as I’m sure you can see. We’ve got it from here. Thanks though,” I said.

He let out a laugh. “Oh, feisty tonight,” he said, holding my hand to his chest. “I hope you come to see me again soon. This was fun,” he said and pursed his lips together.

I snatched my hand away and ignored him. I grabbed Will’s hand and Sarah picked up Sam, and we walked out and loaded the kids into the car.

“Thanks for coming tonight. You don’t know how much I appreciate it,” Sarah said as she finished buckling Sam in his seat and shut his door.

“It’s nothing really, I’m glad I can help in some way. Anders is a real piece of work. I just wish I could do more,” I said.

“Well, this was far from nothing. You have no idea, so thanks.” She leaned in and gave me a hug.

“Be safe getting home and let me know if you need anything,” I said.

“Ok,” she said pulling back. “I wish I could do better, but I feel like I keep screwing up.”