Page 57 of The Yips

“Did you get a run in this afternoon?” he asked.

“No, I’m going to go in the morning. Does that work with your training schedule?”

“I can make it work. Let’s do it. How was Crew tonight? I missed putting him to bed.”

“He was a good boy. But I’m sure he’ll wake up soon and say hello. He must be going through a growth spurt lately. He hasn’t slept through the night in a while.”

“Do you have any pumped milk? I can always give him a bottle when he wakes up one night.”

“I have gallons in my freezer at home. I save it for when my father watches him. But I can bring some here or at least get my pump. I should bring it with me to New York. It’s strange thinking that we’re going to fly there. It’s such a short flight.”

“Are you sure you’re good flying there without me?”

“Yes, I got it down. Dad is taking the train in for game day.”

“Ok, I confirmed with my mother for Sunday night. We can stay at her house in the Hamptons and return on Monday together.”

“So, this is where I meet the entire family?”

“Everyone but Josie. You’ll get to meet her in Texas. Don’t look so nervous. They’re all going to love you.”

Easier said than done, Sam. I thought to myself. Not every day did someone’s son show up with a woman and a baby.

CHAPTER 50

Sam

Monica got Kelsey on a flight that left within fifteen minutes of the team charter so we could travel to the airport together. I helped her and Crew get through security. A car was waiting for her at JFK, and she would meet me at the hotel afterward. There wasn’t much time to show her the city that night, but I had planned a few surprises to be sent to the suite for her.

Other than when Kelsey bought groceries for me, she wouldn’t spend more than a hundred bucks on the credit card. I'd have to spoil her if she didn’t buy things for herself. I had planned to bring her to pick out furniture for the nursery, but when I reached out to her sister Kylie, she confirmed that Kelsey would be a pain in the ass and probably wouldn’t tell me what she wanted. Monica and Kylie connected, and both were working behind the scenes to get it done before we returned from my mother’s house on Monday night.

Me: Just landed.

Within twenty minutes, Kelsey texted to let me know they had also landed. My flight had landed earlier than hers in La Guardia, and I planned to arrive at the hotel in advance. With traffic, I didn’t expect Kelsey for a bit longer. I had arranged for room service for dinner, expecting that both Kelsey and the Crew would need some time to decompress after flying.

Monica: I made reservations for tomorrow with your father and grandfather. Just be prepared. Your dad is not in a good place.

Me: Care to elaborate?

Monica: He’s always aggressively trying to reach you, but his tone is different. Not sure if that means he is drinking more or not.

Me: Great. Thank you for dealing with him.

Monica: I have plenty of rehab referrals ready for when you’re ready.

Me: Thanks. But he’s avoided it this far. I don’t think he would know how to breathe without booze.

My father didn’t quit drinking when my mother made good on her ultimatum, and there was no way that he would be moved to stop because I cut off communication. I hoped that the warning I gave Kelsey in advance was enough for her to prepare to meet him fully. I was confident that he would say something insulting to me or to her, and I hated that I had to expose Kelsey to him.

Judging by my excitement, you would think it had been days since I had seen Kelsey and Crew. I hated traveling without them, and it would have been nice if families could travel with theteam, but that wasn’t an option.

I had found an SUV to purchase in New Jersey and planned to drive it back to Boston at the end of the road trip. I planned to cancel her flight if Kelsey felt okay to bring Crew for the long drive. The SUV was primarily a replacement for her vehicle, but I planned to act as if it were my second car. She already squirmed whenever I bought anything for her. While I knew she’d eventually love the M Series BMW X5, she’d likely be pissed that I bought it. In the meantime, I’d be okay parking it in the garage until she gave in and drove it. She could keep her Honda if she wanted to, but I’d let her decide for herself.

I checked in and waited for her when she texted me that she was pulling up in front. I met her in the lobby, taking Crew’s car seat and as many bags as possible to the suite.

“I confirmed that your dad will have the suite next door when he checks in tomorrow. Is he good to get here on his own from the train, or should I have Monica send a car for him?”

“He’s good. He’ll likely take a cab. He’d hate for you to make a fuss over him.”

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