Page 38 of The Love Comeback
I swallow hard and stare down at my hands. “It’s my job to give Colton opportunities, to help him find joy after everything he’s lost. The last thing I want to do is tell him he can’t pursue something he loves because I can’t afford it.”
The words hang heavy in the car, the full weight of my inadequacy pressing down on my chest. I’ve spent years telling myselfI’m enough for Colton, that I can give him the life he deserves. But moments like this expose the lie.
“You’re being too hard on yourself,” Valerie says, her voice gentle but firm. “Kids don’t need every opportunity—they need love, stability, and someone who believes in them. Which, by the way, you provide in abundance.”
I shake my head, not quite ready to accept her comfort. “You should see him on the ice. He lights up in a way I haven’t seen since … since before.” Before the accident. Before his entire world shattered. “His dad was a hockey player in college. He used to talk about teaching Colton to skate, about coaching his team someday. And now Colton has this natural talent, this love for the game, and it’s like a piece of Brett living on through him.” My voice cracks on the last words.
Valerie reaches over and squeezes my hand, her usual energetic demeanor softened by empathy. “That’s beautiful. And important.”
I nod, wiping at a stray tear that’s escaped despite my best efforts. “So, how do I tell him no? How do I explain that the one thing connecting him to his dad, the thing he’s genuinely good at and passionate about, is out of reach because I can’t figure out how to afford it?”
“Maybe you don’t have to tell him no,” Valerie says, a familiar spark of excitement returning to her eyes.
I shoot her a skeptical look. “I’ve gone through my budget a dozen different ways. Unless I start selling organs on the blackmarket—which, tempting as it might be, I hear is frowned upon—I don’t see how—”
“The robotics team,” Valerie interrupts, straightening in her seat. “Coach it.”
I blink. “What?”
“The robotics team,” she repeats, her words picking up speed as her enthusiasm grows. “We still need a coach for this year. It comes with a stipend—three percent of your base salary.”
My mind is already calculating. It’s not enough to cover everything—maybe about half the cost, but it’s a significant start. And it’s not like I have many other options. I could try picking up private tutoring, but that’s inconsistent income at best. The robotics stipend would be guaranteed.
“The practices would be after school twice a week,” Valerie continues. “Plus, maybe some weekend competitions later in the spring.”
“Oh, I don’t know. That would mean even less time at home with Colton. More responsibilities on top of everything else.”
“You could bring Colton with you to practices when he doesn’t have hockey. Set him up with homework in the corner. And,” she continues, not letting me get a word in, “I have no problem taking Colton and Aaron to hockey practice, assuming they both make the team, of course. I could also take Colton to his lessons. The rink is on my way home.”
Her enthusiasm is infectious, but I still hesitate. More work. Less free time. A steeper learning curve than I’dplanned for this year. But also, the joy of watching Colton pursue something that connects him to his father. The relief of not having to crush his dreams before they’ve even had a chance to take flight.
“Okay,” I say, the word coming out more decisively than I expected. “I’ll do it.”
Valerie lets out a whoop so loud that I jump in surprise. “Yes! Operation Hockey Funding is a go!” She claps her hands together. “This is going to be great, Ella. You’ll see. The kids will love you. And we’ll have Colton suited up and ready to go before you know it.”
I shake my head, but I’m smiling. “Your confidence is either delusional or inspiring. I haven’t decided which.”
“The line between delusion and inspiration is remarkably thin,” she says with a wink. “Aaron’s gonna besoexcited. Those boys are attached at the hip.”
I grin. “They’ve pretty much become best friends.”
“It’s a good thing,” Valerie says as she pulls into the parking lot of a small diner. “Aaron hasn’t had many close friends. I think Colton is a great influence. And honestly, I’m happy to have you in my life, too.”
“Aww. Thanks. We’re happy to have you both in ours,” I tell her as she puts the car in park. I unbuckle my seatbelt and climb out, following her into the diner.
I slide into the booth across from Valerie and pick up a menu. This diner is a quaint little place that feels like stepping back in time—maybe the 1940s? Before the internet existed.
“The burger is the best one in the city,” Valerie comments as she clasps her hands together on the table. “I know that sounds so cliché, but I mean it. It really is the best in town. You have to try it … if burgers are your thing.”
“Well, they’re definitely notnotmy thing.” I giggle and set the menu down.
As soon as the waitress appears, we both order a burger with fries. I add cheese to mine. Valerie leaves her plain.
“You know, I was thinking…” Valerie begins, after the waitress leaves. “We should get together with the boys outside of school sometime. It would be good for all of us.”
I nod eagerly, feeling a pang of desperation for socialization. “I think that would be amazing. Let’s do that! Actually—” I pause, thinking of the home game coming up for the Glaciers. “Maybe we could all go to a hockey game? Both our boys would enjoy it, and Kade can get us tickets.”
Valerie lights up. “Oh, Aaron wouldlovethat. He’s been dying to go to a game this year.”
