Apparently, while I was right about the fun and games, I missed the important gist of it all: the fact that godparents are supposed to have a special role in a kid's life, in some cases offering all kinds of lifelong support. Godparents bring experience and mentorship, and they can assist with personal development too. We’re role models and in some cases, we’re needed to help guide a child’s growth emotionally, spiritually, and practically.
The main thing I learned (when I looked it up) is that the role of godparent depends on the wants and needs of the parents and what they expect when they ask someone to step up and be one. In this case, Tom and Katie had left explicit instructions in their wills that if anything happened to them, Duncan was to reside with me––and only me.
Of course this news did not go down well with everyone left in his family. His maternal grandmother is okay with it, but she lives in Hawaii and isn’t in the financial nor the physical position to take care of a young man, but his paternal grandmother is a whole other story. When we’d picked up the last of his things today, she made sure to let me know that they weren’t going to let this go without a fight.
Because, that’s what everyone wants when they’re in mourning. To fight.
“I don’t think Duncan should get off that easy,” Ihear myself say, which surprises me and Duncan.
“What?” he chokes.
“I just think you should have to work for it. There are no free rides.”
The mechanical sound of a bell chiming nearby reminds me that Zac’s standing with us. He pulls out his phone and looks at the screen before turning to us. “I’ve got to go guys.” He looks at Georgie. “Etta’s on her way home. I think all of the acts have gone already. You good to wrap up if I go?”
“Go home and be with your wife,” Georgie says, waving a hand in the air. “And thank you.”
We say our goodbyes, Georgie and I turning our attention back to Duncan at the same time.
“I have an idea,” Georgie offers. “I’ve got a shipment of books coming in for a book signing this week. I was going to ask one of my old employees to come in and pull some extra hours to help me get ready for it, but I could use a hand if Duncan’s up to it.”
I guess there isn’t any harm in letting Duncan hang out with Georgie at Pages and Prose, if she’s really okay with it. “Are you sure about that?”
“Positive.” She smiles at Duncan. “You’re on summer break, right?”
He nods.
“Good. I need you here at ten tomorrow morning for your first shift. Wear comfortable clothes and be prepared to work. Lifting, moving tables, you get my drift.”
Duncan nods again, but narrows his eyes. “Will I get paid?”
“Duncan.” This kid. Got to hand it to him; he’s asking for what he wants, but man the timing. “You were busted stealing. I don’t think you get to do contract negotiations.”
“It’s okay, Levi,” Georgie says as she holds up a hand signaling me to stop. She keeps her attention solely focused onDuncan. “Me and you, we’ll discuss your payment and hire terms tomorrow. I don’t want to have any more discussion about it right now because I have a store full of people in there who need me to be back inside. Tomorrow, be here at ten.”
I could kiss her. I want to scream at Duncan, but Georgie has just saved the day…for now.
“What do you say, Duncan?” I ask, nudging him in the back.
“That I’ll see her tomorrow at ten?” he asks with genuine sincerity.
“Thank you is a good place to start,” I hint.
“Oh,” he says. “Yes. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Georgie makes her way back to the store, stopping to give my shoulder a squeeze as she passes by. “It’s good to see you.”
The simple acknowledgement she gives me is enough to send a tiny thrill down my spine. There’s a strange sensation in my chest, like a group of tiny, clumsy acrobats performing somersaults. Like someone is inside the theater of my heart and they’ve decided to do a stand-up comedy routine, complete with poorly timed punchlines and awkward pauses.
“Sorry it’s under these circumstances,” I manage, ignoring my body’s reaction and my internal monologue. “I was going to stop in tonight to say hi and introduce you to this guy, but…”
Georgie giggles. “He managed to meet me all on his own. It’s all good. And it’s nice to have you back in town.”
The warmth of her hand feels nice on my shoulder. Familiar. The heat of her touch spreads through me, starting from the center of my chest and radiating outwards. Like a constant buzz of excitement and nervousness, a feeling that both exhilarates and calms my system.
Since I’ve been back for my off-season, I’ve wanted nothing more than to see her. When I do, my wholeday brightens. Georgie’s smile is like a beacon, drawing me in and making everything else fade into the background. In the past year, I’ve found myself wanting to impress her, to make her laugh, to just be around her as much as possible…but it’s so hard to do when I’m on the road for my job. And now, having Duncan, everything’s changed. I have no idea what life is going to be like over the next few weeks, much less the rest of the year.
All of this has led to my own small internal crisis: questioning my longevity in the NFL. My agent has my contract on his desk for five more years and I’ve asked him to hold negotiations. Because I’m not sure I want to keep playing.
