Page 35 of An Irresistible Force (Vancouver Vice)

Now that I went regularly, I had gotten to know some of the kids. I had struck up a friendship with a fifteen-year-old boy named Noah. He was a huge Millionaires fan and I had been his favourite player. I usually played games with the kids and their siblings, but Noah was older and he really enjoyed just talking. I felt like I was making a real difference in his life, and that was a good feeling.

I leaned against the soft cushions. “If you get advantages—like I did from hockey—you have to give back.”

“How wonderfully sensible of you.” Jeannie raised her glass. “To new friends.”

We clinked our glasses together. Amanda was drinking a slim glass of what looked like champagne. A gigantic cat walked into the room and began to sniff my shoes. He looked sort of familiar, and I realized it was the cat from the photo in Amanda’s office.

“Oh hey, Pookie.” Remembering his name was going to score me big points with her.

“That’s not Pookie, that’sMookie,” Jeannie said. She sounded horrified.

“Oh, sorry,” I said. Pookie and Mookie? I was trapped in some lame kids show, and next up would be a giant purple dinosaur with a purse.

Amanda only laughed. “Not your fault, Chris. They’re both Maine Coon cats, but my mother’s came from a cattery while mine came from a shelter. You just proved that they aren’t that different.”

I apologized again. Jeannie forgave me and offered me some smoked salmon on crackers. “A man of your size must have a good appetite.”

“Sure. But I have to watch out. Lots of guys balloon up after they finish playing hockey, because they’re not working out as much.” Man, should I be talking about my diet? Maybe that wasn’t polite conversation.

Jeannie smiled at me. “Well, you still look very fit. Christopher, do you realize how many people’s lives are affected by strokes?”

“Uhhh,” I stammered.

“Mummy, it’s customary to let the guests relax and enjoy dinner before we ask them for anything.” Amanda was acting like she was the mother, yet the word “Mummy” made her sound like a kid.

“Darling, Christopher has already shown what a giving nature he has.” She turned back towards me. “I’m on the committee organizing a big charity auction for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.”

Amanda’s sigh could be heard across the room.

Her mother patted my arm. “May I count upon you for a donation? I have an idea in mind that would raise a lot of money.”

“What would that be?”

“Well, you have been tagged as Vancouver’s most eligible bachelor for many years running, right? I thought we could auction off a date with you.”

That idea sent a shiver right through my whole body. Having to spend a night with some wealthy woman who felt like she had paid for my attention was downright scary. When I dated, I wanted to drive the agenda. But before I could refuse, Amanda interrupted.

“I can tell from Chris’s face what he thinks of that idea—just as I predicted. So, let’s drop the whole topic and start the evening all over again. How was the traffic on your way here?”

I chuckled. Amanda’s perceptiveness could be used for good as well as scaring my pants off. But by the look on Jeannie’s face, the auction topic was not over yet. “There wasn’t much traffic. All of it was heading the other way—towards the arena, because there’s a game tonight.”

Driving in game-night traffic was a new thing for me. Usually I’d already be tucked away in PacTel Arena, getting ready for the game. The whole idea made me feel kind of shitty.

Amanda started telling her mom about some mutual friend that she had run into, and then there was some noise in the front hall and Greg walked into the living room. He hugged his mother and Amanda, then nodded at me. “Chris. Good to see you. It’s been at least an hour.” Greg seemed more relaxed at home.

“Where’s Rebecca tonight?” asked Jeannie.

“She’s working,” Gregory replied.

“Working so late? She couldn’t get the night off for dinner? Your father always came home for dinner, no matter what business crises broke out.”

“And then went right back to work afterwards. Anyway, Dad was the boss,” Gregory said with a smile. “When Rebecca is the boss, I’m sure she’ll do the same thing.”

Amanda turned towards me. “Rebecca is Gregory’s girlfriend. She works at the Vancouver Symphony.”

Through the glass doors to the dining room, a shadowy figure appeared. “Mrs. Richardson?”

Jeannie rose up. “I better go see what Bonita wants. Dinner should be almost ready.”

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