SEAMS16: Friends and Foes

By Eric B. Thomasma

Strange things are happening on Space Equipment Authority's Maintenance Station 16 (SEAMS16). The new bay supervisor comes with an exemplary record, but he can’t get along with anyone. An abduction where the victims are left unbound and unguarded, no perpetrators claim responsibility, and no demands are made. The discovery of a bomb with the only evidence incriminating the most unlikely of perpetrators. These confusing events and more blur the line between good and bad...right and wrong...friend and foe...
Join Charlie and Susan in their search for answers in SEAMS16: Friends and Foes

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eric B. Thomasma
• Release date: Jul 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311705914

Eric B. Thomasma

Born and raised in West Mitten, USA (Grand Rapids, MI), He still lives in the area in a house he built, (literally), with the help of his wife, Therese, and two sons, Eric Jr. and Nicholas, (and various other friends and relatives). The boys are grown and gone now, although they both live in the area. Eric and Therese have managed to get past the empty nest syndrome and currently only share their home with their dog, Tucker. For more information, visit Eric's website at http://ericbt.webs.com

Book preview

SEAMS16: Friends and Foes

by Eric B. Thomasma

Smashwords Edition

Copyright (c) 2014 Eric B. Thomasma

All rights reserved

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

+ + +

Dedicated in memory of my father

Harold Coach Thomasma

With thanks to my wife Therese, for her unfailing patience and feedback, and my sister Patricia and her husband Carl for their assistance.

Special thanks to

Lanin D. Thomasma

Mike Cole

Stacia Erickson

For more information about me and my writing, visit my website at http://ericbt.webs.com

Table of Contents

Title

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

About the Author

Books By Eric B. Thomasma

ZeeGee A Beginners Guide

The History of ZeeGee

About Coach Ronald Elswatch

SEAMS16: Friends and Foes

Book 4 in the SEAMS16 Series

by Eric B. Thomasma

Chapter 1

It’s your turn.

Hmmumbm

Susan gave him a not-so-gentle nudge. Charlie, get up. It’s your turn to feed her.

Charlie barely moved. I fed her last night.

Susan pushed him again. Yes, but you agreed to get up and feed her on the nights that you don’t have to work the next morning.

He yawned heavily then rolled over to look at her. I did? That doesn’t sound like me.

Charlie!

Okay, I’m going. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He stood and stretched, then went to the crib at the foot of the bed.

Hello, beautiful. When are you going to learn to sleep through the night?

He scooped his daughter up into his arms. Shall we get you something to eat?

As soon as the baby was upright she stopped crying.

I wish she would do that for me. Susan complained.

Do what? Charlie pushed a button on a small device mounted on the outside of the crib.

Settle down as soon as I pick her up. For me, she always keeps fussing right up until she starts feeding.

Maybe she knows you don’t have to prepare a bottle to feed her, so she’s not as patient.

Maybe, but it’s still annoying that she settles right down for you.

Well, it’s not like I do anything special. He brought the baby’s face up and touched his nose to hers. Do I, sweetie?

An indicator lit on the device and Charlie touched it, causing a flap to drop open revealing a bottle, warmed to the perfect temperature. He removed the bottle and carried his baby girl to a rocking chair in the corner of the room. He sat, carefully positioning the baby and put the bottle to her lips. She took it into her mouth and sucked hungrily.

Susan watched her husband and child, illuminated by the soft glow of the nightlight, slowly rocking back and forth. She smiled as she closed her eyes.

Oh, I forgot to tell you, I talked to my folks today. They’ll be here tomorrow.

Susan bolted upright. What? And you’re just telling me now? I thought they weren’t coming until Thursday. She started getting out of bed.

What are you doing?

She pulled on her robe as she headed for the door. Charlie, I’ve got a lot to do before your mother gets here. I’ve got to clean the apartment, do the laundry, set up the study as a guest room, get groceries, and a bunch of other stuff I can’t think of right now. I should have started yesterday.

Relax, I talked to Dr. Stolt and he said he’d convince Director Sureenon to let them use a guest apartment while they’re here, so when your mom gets here Thursday, she can use the study instead of being crammed in the nursery. Go back to bed.

She stopped and looked back at him. What time are they due in?

Not until late afternoon.

Susan turned back and removed her robe. Okay, I guess that will give me enough time to clean and get groceries. I wish you had told me earlier, though.

I’m sorry. I meant to tell you when I got home, but it slipped my mind after the match.

She got back into bed. So how is it that they’re coming two days early?

Charlie shifted the baby up a little. Apparently, their original flight to the ground terminal was cancelled and the only other flight before Sunday is in the morning. Unfortunately, there are no available hotel rooms, so I called Neal to see if he could bring them up early and he said he could. The good news is that Mom gets to travel half price since they cancelled the flight.

Oh, that’s good. I was a little worried about how much they were going to have to spend to get here.

Dad said they had it covered, but this turned out to be a better deal. I just mentioned to Dr. Stolt that I hoped I could get the approval in time and he called Director Sureenon to get it approved.

I wish he hadn’t bothered the director. Why couldn’t he approve it himself?

Charlie switched the baby around to be supported by his other arm. He can only approve things for customers, not guests. He didn’t see any point in having to wait while the request filtered through the whole security process. After all, they were already approved for arrival on Thursday.

But he could have called MacElvy. He would have expedited it for us.

I know, but I think Dr. Stolt wanted an excuse to call Director Sureenon so he could talk about the new bay supervisor.

What about him?

Well, I tried not to eavesdrop, but apparently dispatch is hearing a lot of complaints from tran-techs who get assigned there.

What kind of complaints?

I don’t know what they’re complaining about, only that they’re complaining. I guess I’ll find out soon enough, though. The baby pushed the bottle out of her mouth and Charlie held it up to the light to see that it was empty. He put the bottle down and reached for a towel hanging from a ring on the side of the crib. I’m scheduled to do a maintenance check on his diagnostic equipment.

Does that mean you’ll be working with him directly?

He laid the towel over his shoulder, lifted the baby upright on his chest, and gently rubbed her back. Probably not. The supervisors usually only pay attention to the techs that are working with customers, but I’ll be able to see what’s going on and find out what the tran-techs are complaining about.

Susan had closed her eyes, but opened them again. Charlie, your folks can’t afford to rent an apartment. How are we going to pay for it?

The baby let loose a respectable burp, then settled against Charlie’s chest. We’ll have to use some of our vacation money.

She lifted her head and frowned at him. Oh, Charlie, we were so close. I was really looking forward to going to the outpost.

Charlie stood up slowly, being careful not to reawaken the baby. I know, but we’ll get there, it’ll just take a little longer.

That’s what you said last time.

He kissed his daughter’s head and put her back in the crib. I know, but Cal says we should be due for a bonus soon. Maybe that will be enough to make up the difference.

Charlie, you know better than to make plans for a bonus before you get it.

He slipped back into bed and snuggled up close to her. I’m not planning on it. I’m just saying that if we get one, we can put it in the vacation fund, and maybe that will put us back on track

Susan sighed. I guess so. Then she chuckled and shook her head. Listen to me, complaining about using money from the vacation fund. It wasn’t all that long ago that the whole idea of a vacation fund was a luxury not even worth considering.

Less than two years before, Charlie and Susan Samplin came to live on the Space Equipment Authority’s Maintenance Station 16, better known as SEAMS16, regarded to be the finest repair station in the sector.

Yup, we’ve got it pretty good. Can we get back to sleep now?

Oh, sure. She snuggled back against him and closed her eyes, then opened them again. So much for the concept of you feeding Karen so I can sleep.

+ + +

Charlie, m’boy, there you are!

Charlie looked up from his notetaker to see his old mentor and friend. Hi, Doc. What’s up?

Dr. Stolt sat on the bench beside Charlie. I wanted to talk to you about your assignment this week. Susan said I’d find you here.

Charlie looked over at the stroller next to him. She needed us out of the apartment so she could clean, and Karen likes it here in the park.

Dr. Stolt went to the stroller and seeing the baby was awake, picked her up. How’s my little goddaughter this morning? Happy to be in the park, are we? He looked at the surroundings. The park was constructed within an entire bay section, the largest type of section on the station. The corners had been rounded and all structural members covered, so there were no sharp corners anywhere. The entire surface of the walls and ceiling were covered with a mural that simulated a distant horizon and clear skies. The perimeter of the room was lined with real trees and bushes, and perspective corrected cumulus clouds moved across the ceiling, projected from unseen sources. The floor was covered with soil and real grass creating rolling hills, and a stone path meandered through the room and circled a small pond. It really does feel like you’re outside, doesn’t it?

Charlie also looked around the park. It does. He turned to the doctor. So, what about my assignment?

I want you to do something for me and it’s a little out of the ordinary.

What’s that?

While you’re working in the Ingal service bay, I want you to observe how the new bay supervisor interacts with the tran-techs. I want you to give me your impression of how he treats them.

I couldn’t help but overhear you say that dispatch has been getting complaints. Can I ask what they’re complaining about?

I’d rather you didn’t know. I don’t want to put any preconceived ideas in your head and make you see something that isn’t there. Just pay attention to how he interacts with them and tell me what you see.

Charlie put on a very serious expression. So, you want me to be your spy.

Dr. Stolt frowned. In a manner of speaking. If you’re not comfortable doing this, you don’t have to. I’ve tried observing myself, but I just can’t be sure he doesn’t alter his behavior when I’m there.

Charlie smiled. I’m kidding, Doc, I was actually planning on doing just that, since I heard you tell Director Sureenon about the complaints. We’d have probably ended up talking about what I see anyway.

Dr. Stolt chuckled. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything and just asked you after the fact.

Maybe, but I’m not sure I would have paid any attention if I hadn’t overheard you, so if you didn’t know I overheard...

Dr. Stolt smiled, then changed the subject. So, what time are your folks due in?

Neal and Skeet are supposed to pick them up at fifteen-thirty, so I’m guessing it will be about seventeen hundred.

Would you mind if I join you in greeting them when they arrive?

Not at all. We were planning on taking them to their apartment to drop off their stuff and then we’re going to Tomly’s for dinner, do you want to join us there too?

Dr Stolt’s eyes widened and he hesitated.

Charlie noticed. Is something wrong?

Uh, no...but I have an appointment tonight. I do want to see them though and was hoping to be able to before I go. As soon as you hear from cent-com which bay they’ll be landing in, let me know and I’ll meet you there.

Sounds good. Where are you off to now?

Dr. Stolt handed the baby to Charlie. I’m going to see Mr. Elswatch.

Coach?

Yes, he’s been asked by Personnel to provide a brief history of the sport we’ve all grown so fond of.

ZeeGee?

The very same. They are apparently putting together a new life-on-the-station promotion to present at Tech Academy. Something to counter the anti-space propaganda that KOSSP has been pushing there and at many of the colleges.

They should just take some vids of a match. That’ll get them to want to come.

I’m sure that’s part of the plan, but they want to show the ingenuity of the residents and how they developed their own means of entertainment. Mr. Elswatch has apparently been involved from the beginning.

I know he knows the game better than anyone, but I didn’t realize he was there at the beginning.

Apparently so.

But what does all this have to do with you?

He knows the subject but he’s not experienced writing this type of essay, so he’s asked me to help him.

Charlie laughed, After all those years as an academy professor, you should be an expert in essays.

Dr. Stolt smiled. Mr. Elswatch used those exact words, but of course, he wasn’t laughing.

Charlie stifled his laughter. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed.

Dr. Stolt broadened his smile. Why not? I did.

Well, it wasn’t very respectful.

Charlie, we’ve known each other for over ten years now. I’m not your class advisor anymore. We’re friends and co-workers. You’re allowed to be informal and make jokes, and I think that was a good one. That’s not disrespect, that’s camaraderie, and I’m glad you’re finally beginning to loosen up with me. Now if I can just get you to call me Evan, like everyone else does.

Sorry, Doc, I don’t think I’m ready to be that informal yet.

Ah, well, maybe someday. He smiled and gently touched his finger to the baby’s nose. But you’ll be informal and call me Godpa, won’t you?

The baby gurgled in response.

+ + +

Susan turned off the vacuum cleaner and heard the com panel beeping. She ran to it and the display indicated an incoming call from Station Director Sureenon. She tapped accept. Good morning, Director.

Good morning, Susan. I hope I’m not interrupting anything important.

Not at all, sir. What can I do for you?

Actually, I’m looking for Charlie this time. Is he in?

Sorry, no. He took Karen down to the park for a while. She pulled one of two small cylindrical devices from a slot in the communications panel and shook her head while looking at it. He left his Pic here, but I can go get him if need be. May I ask what it’s about?

We need him to provide testimony about what happened when the government had control of level zero.

Susan frowned. Don’t tell me the consul is refusing to pay for the repairs.

Yes, he still claims that the contract was only intended for cosmetic restoration of the interior, even though it specifically states ‘all necessary repairs to restore the level for SEA use’.

That seems pretty explicit.

Yes, but I’m at the point where I’m willing to let him have his way just so we can get moving on the repairs to get that level back in service - we really need those living quarters - but corporate has decided to fight it so as not to establish a precedent.

I understand. Do you want me to go get Charlie?

No, just have him call me when he gets back so we can schedule his deposition.

Will do. Oh, and thank you.

For what?

Approving the early arrival and guest quarters for Charlie’s parents. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. We would have been pretty crowded when my mother gets here on Thursday.

Guest quarters?

Panic set in. Charlie said you approved a guest apartment for his parents to use while they’re here.

I’m sorry, Susan, I remember approving the early arrival but I don’t recall anything about a guest apartment. I’ll certainly approve it if there are any available, but according to the report I received this morning there aren’t any. That’s why I want to put level zero back in operation.

Susan closed her eyes. Is it possible that one has been reserved for them?

I don’t know, but I’ll have Diane look into it and get back to you as soon as possible.

She opened her eyes again. Thank you, I appreciate that. Tell her to contact me on my Pic. I have to go find Charlie so we can figure out what to do if one hasn’t been reserved.

Of course. And don’t forget, I need Charlie to schedule his deposition.

I won’t forget. Thank you.

Susan switched-off the com panel and immediately headed to the lift to change clothes, stripping off the catsuit she was wearing for cleaning as she went. As she passed the full-length mirror in the bedroom, she caught site of her profile. She stopped and frowned. The bulge at her midriff left over from the pregnancy was getting smaller, but not as fast as she would have liked.

Give yourself a break, girl, it’s only been a month, she said to the mirror.

She shook her head and continued to the dresser. She pulled out a pair of jeans and a tank top and put them on quickly. Then she grabbed a sweatshirt and a pair of flat-soled shoes and headed for the lift. On her way down, she slipped the shoes on her feet and as she crossed the living room, slipped the sweatshirt over her head. She grabbed both her Pic and Charlie’s from their slots on the main com panel and headed out the door. Pausing just long enough to make sure the door closed completely.

Lift! she called out, and was almost immediately rewarded with the ding that indicated a lift was waiting for her. She moved to it quickly and stepped inside, almost running into the man waiting inside.

Sorry, Trent. I guess I need to slow down a little. I haven’t seen you for a while. How are you? And how are things going with you and Jane?

Trent winced. She’s leaving.

Leaving? What do you mean leaving?

She’s been fired and since she’s no longer an employee she can’t stay on the station.

Oh, Trent, I’m so sorry. There’s no way she can stay?

Trent shook his head. She can come back as a visitor occasionally, but as an ex-employee, she has to wait a year before she can do that.

A year?

It’s the same length of time she has to wait before she can re-apply for a job.

May I ask why she was fired?

Trent sighed. It was because of what she did when she had a crush on Charlie.

But Charlie refused to make a complaint.

It doesn’t matter. Her actions were witnessed by others. Actually, it’s not just what she did to Charlie. That was just the latest in a long list of what personnel calls ‘objectionable behavior’. She had received several warnings before.

Is there anything we can do?

Thanks, but no. Evan has already tried to plead her case before the review board, but they said the dismissal process is very clear and they can’t afford to make exceptions.

But what about you?

It really doesn’t have anything to do with me. They’re certainly not going to make professional decisions based on personal relationships.

No, but what I meant is, how are you feeling? What’s going to happen between you and Jane?

I don’t know. We haven’t made any decisions. The only way she could stay on the station is if we were married, but I’m not ready for that. We haven’t known each other long enough and this is the first relationship I’ve ever really been in. I’d like to stay together, but everyone tells me long distance relationships don’t work.

They can work, but it takes a lot of effort. Charlie and I managed it while he was at the academy, but it was hard. And we at least got to see each other every month. I think it would be harder with her on Prime and you up here.

Trent nodded and looked down at the floor. Well, so far she refuses to believe it’s happening, so we haven’t even talked about it yet. But we’re going to have to tonight because she leaves tomorrow.

I’m really sorry, Trent.

Trent looked up, took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh. Then he smiled slightly. You seemed to be in quite a hurry. What level do you want?

Susan’s eyes widened. I’ve got to get to the park.

Trent pushed a button on the panel and the lift doors closed.

What’s going on at the park?

Nothing, it’s just that I have to talk to Charlie and he took Karen there while I was cleaning.

Why don’t you call him on his personal communicator?

Charlie didn’t take his. And remember, we call them ‘Pics’ here on the station.

I know, but that’s what we called a container of perishable cargo when I worked for the transport company and I just can’t get that smell out of my head when I say it.

Susan smiled. Unpleasant memory?

One of the refrigeration units went out on a fixed storage bank and I don’t know what was inside, but it made the whole cargo hold stink. And it seemed like the more we tried to clean it, the worse it got. They finally had to replace the whole bank.

Sounds dreadful.

It was.

The lift opened and Trent glanced at the indicator. This is you.

Susan looked at the indicator, then back at Trent. Well, it was nice talking to you, Trent. Let me know how it goes with Jane, okay?

I will, Trent replied as Susan stepped out of the lift. Then he reached to the panel and the doors slid closed. Susan moved quickly to the door that led to the hall to the outer corridor. She considered taking one of the available carts, but decided it would be just as quick to fast-walk. As she turned into the outer corridor she saw Charlie coming toward her. He was pushing the stroller and making funny faces at the occupant.

Charlie, we have a problem.

Charlie looked up. What’s up? We were just on our way home.

I just talked to Director Sureenon and he doesn’t remember a request for a guest apartment and he says they’re all full. He’s having Diane look into it for me, but if there isn’t one already reserved we won’t get one. What are we going to do if there isn’t one reserved?

Charlie tilted his head. I’m sure Doc put in the request.

Susan shook her head. The director said he remembers the conversation and approving the early arrival, but he doesn’t remember anything about a guest apartment.

Charlie instinctively reached to his upper arm to grab his Pic, but of course it wasn’t there. Susan held it out for him.

Charlie took it and flipped the activation switch. Dr. Stolt

Evan here, came from the device.

Doc, it’s Charlie. Susan says Director Sureenon doesn’t remember approving a guest apartment for my folks. Are you sure there’s going to be one available for them?

Silence came from the device for a few moments.

Dr. Stolt?

Yes, Charlie. I’m sorry, I’m making the arrangements and waiting to hear back from someone. I will follow up on it right now, though. Let me call you back. Do you have your Pic with you?

Charlie winked at Susan. I do now. Thanks. He flipped the device off.

That doesn’t sound encouraging.

No, it doesn’t. But we’ve got until seventeen-hundred to find a solution.

Aren’t you forgetting something?

Charlie looked at her with a blank expression.

You have practice this afternoon.

I’ll just have to skip it. This is more important.

Charlie, you can’t skip practice. If you don’t go to practice you can’t play in the match Friday and this may be the only chance for your parents to see you play. Even my mom wants to see you play. That’s the main reason they were all coming on Thursday instead of Saturday.

I know, but this is my fault. I told you I had everything arranged, but I never followed up on it. I don’t want to leave you on your own to deal with this.

That’s why I came looking for you instead of waiting until you came home. We just need to come up with a plan, then I can take care of the details.

They started walking back toward the lift.

Okay, well, we can get the desk and cabinets out of the study.

Yes, but the guest beds won’t be here until tomorrow. We can’t let them sleep on the floor.

No, we’ll have to move our bed down to the study for them to use, and we’ll sleep on the floor.

Susan pursed her lips and nodded. Are we going to be able to get a furniture lift?

I don’t think that’ll be a problem. When I reserved one for tomorrow it looked like the calendar was empty, but as soon as we get home I’ll make sure. If there is, I’ll get it before I leave for practice.

Both Susan’s and Charlie’s Pics began to beep and they reached for them simultaneously. They each removed the privacy earpiece and slipped them in their ears

Charlie. Susan. They answered at the same time.

Uh-huh.

I see.

I don’t think that’s necessary.

Well, thanks anyway.

Are you sure?

That would really help.

And he doesn’t mind?

Okay, I’ll see you then.

I don’t know how to thank you.

Susan clicked her Pic off, took the earpiece out of her ear, put it back on the device, then slipped it back in her pocket.

No really, Doc, I owe you. I’ll talk to you later.

Charlie reassembled and put his Pic away.

He said Good news. at the same time Susan said Bad news.

Charlie smiled. I know, there are none available and none reserved for us.

So how is that good news?

Doc is going to let my folks stay in his apartment.

Where’s he going to stay?

He said he’s going to stay with Trent for the weekend. Apparently there’s something that he wants to help Trent work through.

Susan nodded knowingly. I saw Trent on the way here. Jane’s been let go and has to leave the station.

They entered the lift and Susan called out, Fourteen!

I can’t say I’m surprised, but it is too bad for Trent. I think Jane was his first real girlfriend.

Well, Trent’s a nice guy. I’m sure she won’t be his last. Is Dr. Stolt going to need help getting his place ready?

I didn’t ask, but you know what he’s like. He keeps that place spotless. I’d guess all he has to do is change the sheets.

Yes, but we should offer anyway.

Sorry, but it’ll have to be you. Doc is meeting with Coach until it’s time for practice, so I won’t be available.

Susan sighed. Okay, I’ll call him when you leave. In the meantime we still have a lot to do in our own place.

I still think you’re making too big a deal about this. Now that my folks are taken care of, we can go back to the original plan of converting the study into a bedroom tomorrow. That’s all we really need to do now. Everything else is perfect.

It’s not perfect, Charlie. It’s fine for us, but we’re talking about your mother. She always finds something to... comment on.

So? Let her comment. We’re happy and if that’s not good enough for her, then it’s her problem.

Susan sighed. I know, but for some reason, when she’s around I feel... inadequate.

Charlie put his arms around her. You are so much more than just adequate. You’re beautiful, smart, capable, and terrific in bed. Everything a man could ask for and more. Don’t let anyone, especially my mother, make you think otherwise.

She returned his hug and a moment later the lift door opened. They each kept one arm around the other’s waist and pushed the stroller together. They rounded the corridor to their apartment and nearly crashed the stroller into the door, because it didn’t open for them.

Open! Charlie commanded, but the door remained closed.

Susan went to the access pad and entered her code. The door still refused to open.

She punched in the code again. I’m sure I entered the right code. It still didn’t open.

Charlie stepped around the stroller and tried his code. It didn’t work either, so he pulled out is Pic.

Can’t you just fix it?

Not without my tools, and they’re inside.

Of course. I wasn’t thinking.

Security. He said into the device.

Security. Came the response.

This is Charlie Samplin. Our apartment door won’t open. Fourteen-eight.

... I’m sorry, sir, my board shows normal. Would you like me to open it for you?

Please.

It should be open now.

It’s not.

There must be a system fault. Would you like me to call maintenance?

No, thanks. I’ll take care of it. He clicked the Pic off, then clicked it back on. Cal Beverton.

Cal here.

Cal, it’s Charlie. I can’t get into my apartment. Is someone doing LSS maintenance on it?

I don’t think so, but let me check. ... No, there shouldn’t be. Did you check with Security?

I did, but it wouldn’t open for them either.

You tried your override?

Both mine and Susan’s.

I’ll be right there.

Thanks. He turned the device off and returned it to his pocket.

Susan sighed and shook her head. What else can go wrong?

Chapter 2

Charlie pulled his boot on. I still can’t believe it was that solenoid.

Cal tossed his shoes in his locker. I know. It’s pretty unusual to get a defective one, but since you just replaced it, it must have been.

Charlie pulled his other boot on. I know, but it seems really strange that the original was keeping the door from latching properly and then the replacement wouldn’t let it open.

Cal stood. Yeah, it’s weird, all right. Susan seemed pretty upset, is she okay?

Charlie tossed his shoes into his locker and also stood. Yeah, she’s fine. These last-minute changes are compounding things, but this is almost a ritual with her. She works herself into a frenzy worrying about what my mom will think. When she gets here, my mom will make a comment of some sort. It’s usually meant to be helpful, but Susan will take offense to it. She’ll stew about it for a while and then decide she doesn’t care what my mom thinks. Then she’s fine.

So they don’t get along too well.

Oh no, once they get that little ritual out of the way, they’re fine. Even enjoy each other’s company. Back on the surface, when we lived near my folks, they used to do all kinds of things together like they were best friends.

Then why—

Charlie cut him off, laughing, I can only explain what happens, I don’t claim to understand why.

They both swung their locker doors closed and headed for the exit. Just as they reached the door, they were nearly run over by Trent coming in at a full run.

Oh sorry, Charlie, Cal. I’m sorry I’m late. I’ll be out as soon as I change.

You’re not late. Cal smiled. You’re just the last one here, and you know what that means.

Trent’s shoulders dropped. Cleanup duty.

Don’t worry, I’ll help you. Charlie offered.

Trent straightened back up. No, thanks, it’s my own fault for being late. I’ll be right out.

Charlie and Cal headed for the team bench. A couple of players were seated, but most of the team were already inside the field doing warm-up drills on the poles.

As they approached, the players stood and one of them addressed Cal. Where’s Coach?

He’s in a meeting that ran long, but he’ll be here shortly. Go ahead and get warmed up. We’ll do formation drills until he gets here.

So, he’s okay? she asked.

Cal smiled. Oh yeah, he’s fine.

The other smiled back. "We can’t remember him ever being late for practice. We were afraid something might have