Team Manager 2: SPRINT!
Chapter 10
ALL THE GIRLS thanked him as they filed out of the locker room and headed out for their various dates and evening activities. Dennis and Natalie headed for his house after everything was put away and locked up. They thought they’d just have a quiet afternoon and go for a walk before it was time for dinner and reading to Peg. Knowing they were returning to his bed later that night helped to settle them a bit so they weren’t overly demonstrative. When they reached the house, however, a surprise was waiting for him.
“Dad! You’re home!” Dennis said when he saw his father sitting in front of the TV.
“Hi there!” Will said, standing to greet them. “I live here now. I’m Will. I won’t live here for long, though, because I need to get back out to the farm. Do you two live here, too?”
“I live here with you and Mom and Peg,” Dennis said sadly. “I’m your son, Dennis. This is my girlfriend, Natalie.”
“You really have a pretty girlfriend,” Will said, shaking hands with them. “I have a girlfriend, too. She’s really pretty. I’m going to marry her.”
“She’s very lucky to have you,” Natalie said. “I’m sure you’ll be very happy.”
Dennis saw his mother in the kitchen doorway and went to hug her.
“I’m planning on fried chicken for dinner tonight,” Dot said. “It’s your father’s favorite.”
“I’m glad he’s home,” Dennis said. “Do you want us to stay here instead of going out for a walk? It’s okay.”
“No. Would you see if Peg will go with you to the park? She hasn’t come out of her room since we got home. She doesn’t understand what’s wrong with her father.”
“Of course we will, Mom. We weren’t planning anything but hanging out.”
“You can always depend on us, Mrs. Enders,” Natalie said. “I like Peg and we’ll be happy to take her out.”
“You’re such a good girl, Number One. Thank you, Dennis. I’ll just putter around and maybe watch TV with your father.”
Dennis and Natalie went to Peg’s room and softly knocked on the door.
“Peg? It’s Den. Want to go outside?”
The door flew open and Peg slammed into her brother, hugging him so tightly he lost his breath. He just patted her back and held her until she looked up. Upon seeing Natalie, she broke her hug with Dennis and slammed into his girlfriend with equal exuberance.
“I want to go outside,” Peg said. “Will you take me to the swings?”
“You bet I will,” Dennis said. “I’ll swing you so high your toes will touch the moon,” Dennis said.
“Me, too,” Natalie said. “I want to touch the moon.” The girls did a little happy dance and Peg went to get her jacket on. Peg was cautious going out through the living room. She kept Dennis and Natalie between her and Will.
“See you later, Dad,” Dennis said as they headed out the door. Will looked up from the television and waved, then returned to watching an old movie.
Peg was having fun on the swing and Natalie was standing close to Dennis in the park.
“I take it you didn’t know your dad was coming home today,” she said.
“We talked about it last Sunday, but I didn’t know it was happening today. Peg’s really spooked by him.”
“Why? Doesn’t she recognize him?”
“That’s possible, as thin as he’s become. I think, though, it’s more that he doesn’t recognize her. Or me, for that matter. Hell! He doesn’t even recognize Mom,” Dennis said angrily.
“I think he does someplace deep down inside. He might not remember they are married, but he remembers loving her and wanting to marry her. He still thinks she’s pretty,” Natalie said. “And I think he knows you but remembers you as smaller.”
“Couldn’t have been much smaller,” Dennis snorted.
“Dennis, do you have any idea how incredibly handsome you are? Yes, you are below average height for sixteen-year-old boys, but some famous actors are short, too.”
“Yeah, I’m right on the list of ‘actors who could play a hobbit.’ When I’m independent and have a job, the first thing I want to do when I have the money is get my eyes fixed. I know they can be made better. Even high density contact lenses would be better. We’ve just never been able to afford anything but crash-resistant glasses. Then I can get a driver’s license and pick up my date instead of waiting for her to pick me up. It’s not my parents’ fault. We just never had that kind of money.”
“Don’t give up hope. Remember the things you can see up close without your glasses,” Natalie giggled. Dennis pushed Peg again and the momentum of the swing lifted him off the ground. Peg laughed and shouted.
“I kicked the moon!”
“Yay!” Dennis and Natalie both called back.
Dinner had been quiet. Will repeated frequently how good the fried chicken was and how pretty the women were. He included all three in his comments and asked Dennis if he agreed. Of course, he did. After the teens played a game at the kitchen table, Peg got her favorite book and they settled on the couch with the girls on either side of Dennis. Their parents sat in arm chairs facing the TV.
Then all the Merry Little Breezes clapped their hands and shouted: “He did! He did! Spotty wins the race!”
Then they told how Spotty reached the pond by clinging to the tip of Reddy Fox's tail, and had hidden the other two nuts, and then how he had patiently crawled home while Billy Mink and Reddy Fox and Peter Rabbit were hunting and hunting and hunting for the nuts they could not find.
And so Spotty the Turtle was awarded the race, and to this day Peter Rabbit and Reddy Fox and Billy Mink can't bear the sight of a hickory nut.
Peg clapped and took the book to the shelf where it lived. Dennis wondered what book she would choose tomorrow night. Peg kissed her Mom and then Dennis and then Natalie. She stood looking at Will and said “’Night.” Will just smiled at her and she ran down the hall to her room. Dot turned on the TV and began flipping through channels. Dennis went to tuck Peg in and then came back to hold out his hand to Natalie. The two kissed Dot on the cheek and then turned to Will. Natalie immediately kissed him on the cheek and Dennis held out his hand to shake.
“’Night, Dad.”
“Goodnight… um… yeah. Goodnight to both of you. Is it my bedtime, too?” he asked.
“Why don’t you stay up with me for a while?” Dot said. “We can go to bed after the children are asleep.” Will smiled at her happily. Dennis and Natalie went to his room, wondering how his mom was going to know when the children were all asleep.
Dennis and Natalie cuddled in bed after they’d taken care of their nighttime routines. They’d started with pajamas, but as soon as they were in for the night, they ditched them.
“Um… We can’t… um… do it tonight,” Natalie said.
“We don’t have to, Nat. I don’t think I feel much like it either.”
“Yeah, well you don’t have a wad of cotton stuffed up your dick. I hate having my period. Sometimes. Mom always reminds me I should be thankful because getting my period means I’m not pregnant. I’m still blaming it for my poor performance in the three-k.”
“You looked a little run down,” Dennis said.
“The runner from Gloria Catholic almost did run me down. It was all I could do to stay ahead of her and not come in dead last.” Not planning to make love didn’t mean they didn’t enjoy kissing and holding each other.
“I love you so much, Nat,” Dennis said. “I’m so thankful you are here with me tonight. I’m usually fine, but if I’d come to bed alone tonight, I’d have just laid down and cried until I slept. Hopefully, I’d sleep.”
“It’s okay, honey. I can’t imagine how much it hurts to see your dad like that. Or your sister’s reaction to him.”
“It’s… We grew up mostly having him in and out. Dad drank on and off for the past eight years or so. After we moved to town. He never had a steady full time job but he always brought in enough that we had what we needed. But between jobs, all he could do was think about what he’d be doing on the farm. Mom says he drank to numb the pain. But we always knew that in the morning, or in a day or two, he’d be fine. He’d get sober and shave and go find another job. Now, we know he’s never really coming back to us. He doesn’t even know us.” Dennis had held back tears all evening so his sister would see him being normal, but they began dripping on Natalie’s shoulder and shortly there was a flood of tears as he sobbed against her.
Natalie held him and wondered what she could ever do for her boyfriend that would ease the pain of the loss of his father.
“Randolph, we need to visit the Enders tomorrow,” Elsa said when she walked into the living room. She’d just finished a disturbing call from Dot. The poor woman had just put her husband to bed and needed to talk to someone. Elsa had the distinct impression that her daughter was asleep and her son was somehow unavailable. Nonetheless, Elsa was always happy to talk to her friend and was thankful that Will’s… mishap had brought them together again after years of estrangement.
“What’s up?”
“Dot brought Will home from the hospital today. The poor woman now has two mentally handicapped people to care for and a son who is still in high school. She doesn’t know what she’ll do and will be desperate in a short time. They have the very least amount of insurance they could get away with and it does nothing for Will’s long term care. You don’t need to come, I suppose, but I definitely need to comfort my friend.”
“Of course you do,” Randolph said. “Why don’t you tell Dot we’ll make a run for Chinese food after church and bring it for Sunday dinner. Kids, we’re going to see the Enders family tomorrow after church. Choose a game or two to bring along to play with them.”
“We are?” Lana asked.
“Yes, and I expect you to help Dennis with the children, including his sister,” Elsa said. “No running off to your friends’ houses.”
“No. I’m… happy to do that. I was just surprised that I’ll see Dennis on a Sunday. I’m so used to seeing him at track practice and meets,” she said. She was wondering which girlfriends Dennis was spending the night with. As soon as she got to her room to go to bed, she texted Dennis.
*Hey* It took a few minutes before he responded.
*Lana? Up late?*
*Y Just warning. We’re coming to dinner tomorrow after church.*
*Really? Mom know?*
*Y. Wanted to make sure you were decent. LOL*
*K. TYVM.*
*night*
*night*
Natalie lay next to Dennis, looking over his shoulder as he read the text messages. They looked at each other and shrugged.
“Um… Do you want me to leave before they get here?” Nat asked.
“No! I mean… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell, even softly. I admit that Lana is seriously cute, but you are my girlfriend. She’s not.”
“Oh, I know that,” Natalie laughed. “And I’m not really trying to turn her into a girlfriend for you. Not really. I don’t think any of the nine of us would complain if she became Number Ten, but we know the first rule and you have as much power to say no as any of the rest of us. I was thinking of her family being here. I mean we go to the same church, but they are much more conservative than we are. I wouldn’t want to raise any critical eyebrows, you know?”
“Well, I think we should extend rule three to include them. Not in front of Peg or the Browns. Otherwise, I don’t think we should hide that we are in love, just not fool around in front of them or talk about it. Does that make sense?”
“It does, lover. I guess we should go to sleep, but…”
“But what, Nat? You know I’ll do anything for you.”
“That’s probably why we’re all so cautious about asking you for anything,” Nat sighed. “I know we can’t make love, but can we make out and do that fooling around tonight that we can’t do in front of the Browns? I really want to kiss my boyfriend. And stuff.”
“I’d like that, too. Sorry I got so emotional earlier.”
“Don’t ever be sorry about showing your emotions,” Natalie admonished. “It’s part of why we love you.”
That pretty much put an end to the conversation, but not the ‘stuff.’ Before they finally drifted off to sleep in each other’s arms, they’d both had a satisfying orgasm.
Sunday lunch with the Browns was fun. Having one extra in the way of Natalie proved no problem at all. They’d brought enough Chinese food that there would still be leftovers to feed the family the next day. Peg was excited to have Nils and Sofia to play with as the three teens watched over them and talked at the kitchen table. The parents took coffee to the living room.
“I’m keeping the farm up, Will,” Randolph said. “It’s not like when you were there, but I’ll get the fields all prepped within the next couple of weeks. It looks like a good corn season.”
“Dottie—that’s Dottie over there. Isn’t she pretty?—Dottie says I need to stay here for now. I’ll get back out to the farm pretty soon. I need to take care of Mom and Dad. Thank you for taking care of the fields for me. You know I’ll do the same for you,” Will said.
“Hmm. That gives me an idea or two. I’ve had a lot of work to do lately. I might need some help.” Randolph looked up to see Dot and Elsa both staring at him.
The kids had all gone outside to the basketball pad in the back yard. Dennis and Natalie were working with the younger kids on their shots and Peg was pumping the ball up against the backboard, coming very close to the rim. Lana looked on.
“You should try shooting, Lana,” Dennis said.
“Um… Look at me, Dennis. I went to church this morning. I can’t run around shooting basketballs in a dress,” she laughed.
“You could,” Natalie shot back. “It might be interesting to see. We wouldn’t want to get your pretty dress dirty, though.”
“Like your mind?” Lana asked demurely.
“Ooh! I represent that remark,” Natalie laughed back at her.
“There’s nothing dirty about it,” Dennis added. “It’s just good clean wholesome Iowa fun.”
“Oh, wow! You make it sound like we should all be doing it the same as playing basketball,” Lana said.
“I think most are,” Natalie said. “Maybe not quite as soon as we are, but before they’re much older. And we waited until sixteen. There was a girl in our class last year, Jesse, who was pregnant before the year was over. At least we’re more careful than that.”
“What happened to her?” Lana asked.
“Her family moved to Des Moines, supposedly to be nearer to her father’s work. There’s been nothing but speculation as to who the baby’s father was. I heard Jesse’s mother was taking care of the baby so Jesse could stay in school,” Natalie said.
“I suppose there isn’t that much to do out here in the country. I mean, my parents were just like twenty-one when I was born.”
“Mine were only seventeen when Peg was born,” Dennis said. “I’m glad, though, that we don’t have that kind of pressure on us. I think our parents all really wanted to do it, but felt guilty about it all the time. I’m thankful that when Natalie and I are together, I don’t feel the least bit guilty. We love each other and I’d never hurt her.”
“Hey, guys!” Brenda said, coming into the yard from the garage. Amy followed right behind her. They both ran to Dennis to give him a hug, glancing cautiously at the kids playing basketball before giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
“Hi, Lana,” Amy called. “Are you here auditioning?”
“Auditioning? For what?” Lana asked.
“Girlfriend Number Ten,” laughed her classmate.
“Oh gosh, Amy! I’m not ready for a boyfriend. Of any kind.” Lana paused and looked at Dennis. “I guess if I was, though, I’d want Dennis to be at the top of my list. For now, I’ll be satisfied having him as one of my best friends.”
“I’m happy with that, too, Lana. Don’t let these girls pressure you into anything,” Dennis said.
“Oh, believe me, these girls tease a little but they don’t even come close to pressure. You know, like either of us have been through,” Lana said. Brenda was at her side in a flash and gave the younger girl a hug.
“Anytime you ever feel like that again, tell me. I’ll crush some balls and totally wreck some pussies. Damn it, Lana, I quit cheer for the same reason you did. Only I’d slid a lot farther down the slope of depravity than you did. I envy you for breaking free so soon,” Brenda said. Lana wrapped the smaller but older girl in a hug and nodded.
“I’d almost want to be Dennis’s girlfriend so I could be yours,” Lana whispered. “And that goes for the whole team, too.” She looked meaningfully at Natalie and Amy.
“Assistant Team Manager, we’ll consider you an honorary girlfriend,” Amy said. “I’m happy that we’re friends again like we used to be.”
“Me, too. I kinda blew everybody off last fall and realized how empty my life was without friends.” She glanced over at the kids playing basketball to see they weren’t paying any attention to the older teens at all. “Then I blew a bunch of guys and about decided I wanted to be a lesbian. I’m sure you all like what Dennis is packing, but I still don’t care if I ever see another one of those for the rest of my life.”
“Well, we didn’t come over specifically to see that, either,” Brenda said. “Did you know the Enders have popcorn and milk for dinner on Sunday while they watch a movie? Why don’t you see if you can stay? I’ll take you home after the movie.”
“Really? Would it be okay?” Lana asked.
“Absolutely,” Dennis affirmed. “I’m officially inviting you to join us. Let’s go ask your folks.”
Amy stayed out with the kids and joined their basketball shooting after Peg had hugged her and called her sister. The other four teens went in to get permission for Lana to stay for the movie.
Dot overcame Elsa’s only objection by taking Lana to Peg’s room and choosing a pair of slacks and shirt she could wear instead of her dress. It was settled.
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