Carolina Days: Yesterday's Half Truths Part 13

I also have a workout to get in plus my nephew's soccer game.

I knew Sasha didn't have any kids, but apart from Luke, we've never talked about her family.

Is Sasha going too?

Probably.

Do you only have the one nephew?

My curiosity is shameless.

I have two nephews and one niece.

Do they all live nearby?

My nephews do, but my niece lives in Virginia. Do you have any nieces or nephews?

No, I'm an only child.

I'm sorry if this is forward, but are your parents still around?

I'm not sure what he means by that.

Do you mean alive or nearby?

Both They're alive. They live about an hour away.

Do you see them?

Not often But you do see them? Do you go to them?

They come to me. I'm tired. I'll talk to you later.

It served me right that my question about his life evolved in to him asking about my own. I need not to be so curious in the future. I've already told Luke more than any other person on the planet knows about me. There's power in that information. Sure, he acts like a nice guy. I learned the hard way; the nice guys are the ones you have to watch out for the most.

After Lindsay ended our text conversation, it took me a couple of minutes before I could do anything else. I was still in awe over how many details of her life she revealed. I wasn't surprised she was an only child. It'd be hard to become a recluse with brothers and sisters. I couldn't reconcile her parent's behavior.

They still saw her, but they weren't trying to help her. Did that mean they knew what caused her to retreat or even worse, were the cause themselves? Even when my mom was at her lowest, she still pushed my sisters and me to work toward our goals. Making her proud was important to all of us.

Even with her parents not far away, Lindsay has made herself an island. With each text, call, web chat, and walk I'm doing my best to build a bridge. She may not want rescuing just yet, but I hope, one day she will. Before I go to bed, I pull up my email. It's not unheard of for me to get cancellations or requests from clients to reschedule sessions.

What I wasn't expecting was an email for the weight loss show offering me a spot as one of their guest trainers. This was huge, potentially life changing. Even though it was late, I call my mom.

"Luke, is everything okay?"

I can't stop smiling. "Yeah, Ma, sorry to worry you. I have good news I want to share."

"Oh, thank G.o.d. I was scared for a moment there."

"Remember the weight loss show I auditioned for months ago? They just offered me a guest spot."

"Honey, that's amazing. Tell me everything. Where do you film, and when?"

My eyes re-skim the email. "Filming takes place in Southern California; and if I accept, I'll have to go out there in three weeks and be there for four weeks."

"If you accept it? Why wouldn't you accept it?"

Lindsay, but I can't say that. "I'd feel bad leaving all my clients here for that long."

She tsks. "I'm sure they would understand. They would all be just so proud of you."

She's right. I know she is. I'm sure the other trainers would be willing to cover my sessions while I was gone.

"It's a lot to think about, Ma."

"Of course it is, honey. When do you have to let them know?"

"This week."

"I'm here for you if you want to talk pros and cons. Are you going to tell your sisters? Will you be at Chris' soccer game tomorrow?"

"I'll be there, and I plan on telling Nat and Sasha there."

"So, I'm the first person you told? You know how to make your mother feel special."

"I love you, Ma. Of course, you're the first person I'd tell."

"That will change one day," she teases.

Given the time, after she congratulates me again, we hang up. Falling asleep is almost impossible. I can't help but wonder if I'll lose all the headway, I've made with Lindsay those four weeks I'll be gone. I'll have to have free time of some sort while I'm there where I could still train her through web chat.

The last thing I'd ever want her to feel is abandoned. Since I'm in a position of trust, or as close to what could be considered trust in her case, the attachment I'm forming to her is an issue. My sole concern should be her health, not how good her legs looked today. She's wore baggy clothes her last few web sessions so it's been hard to tell how her body is changing.

There was nothing disguising her legs today. The hoodie she wore covered her a.s.s and the top of her thighs. It was loose on her so I'm going to have to wait until the weather warms up for her to wear something less bulky on one of our walks. Right around the time, I'd be getting back from California, if I take this job.

Of course, I'm going to take this job. I'd be crazy if I didn't. Why is it so hard to decide?

As I sit in my car, waiting for it to warm up, I wonder if it's too cold for the game and call Nat to check.

"This is the last game of the season. We got pushed back a couple of weeks after all the rain we had in September. It was as if every game was rained out that month. I'm bringing folding chairs, hot cocoa, and stadium blankets so we should be fine. Wear a hat."

I didn't get a chance to share my news with her because she had to hang up and get the boys dressed. I figure I can just tell her once I get there. Turns out, my mother is not the person to share a secret with. Both Nat and Sasha are freaking out by the time I get to Chris' game. After seeing their excitement, their pride, I know I have to go. I'll have to figure out a way to break it to Lindsay. When I woke up this morning, I read and reread the email and contract from the producer.

There is nothing in there saying I can't continue to train existing clients. There is a stipulation I'll have to fly out to California to film the finale. Based on the schedule they've provided, it would be a couple of weeks after Lindsay's reunion. My plan is to be upfront and honest with her and hope she won't freak. Who knows, she might think it's cool.

Once Nat and our mom's attention is on the game, I move my folding chair closer to Sasha's. "How are you doing?"

She smirks at me. "I know you're to blame for Nat wanting to hang out with me all the time now."

I hold my hands up in mock surrender. "I can't help it, I'm only looking out for my baby sis."

She leans toward me and kisses my cheek. "Thank you for being such an amazing brother."

I reach out to grab her hand and give it a squeeze before our attention is pulled over to the field and an almost goal by my nephew. We both stare at Nat as she has what can only be described as seizure-like symptoms on the sideline as she cheers her boy on. Keith seems completely amused by her team spirit as their other son sleeps in his arms.

How Nate is sleeping through all this racket, I have no idea. Sasha catches my eye and we both crack up. Mom gives us both a look, which only causes us to crack up more. Chris and every other player on the field are four years old. I never knew how utterly entertaining it is to watch a bunch of four year olds try to kick a ball.

I make a mental note to try to find out if peewee leagues play on the field by Lindsay's house. She might be nervous around adults, but maybe I could talk her into watching little kids play. For some reason I think she'd get a kick out of it. I pull out my phone and record a couple of clips to send her.

During one of his breaks, Chris comes and sits with me. It's weird to think my sister has kids, but at least they turned out cute. They seem normal, too. I glance over at my sister's whacked out cheering again. With her as their mom, I'm not sure how long their normalness will hold; it currently must be all Keith's doing.

After the game, we all go out to eat. Chris' team didn't win but he took it in stride. A chocolate banana smoothie a.s.sisted in his getting over it. While I don't try to push my diet ideas on my family, they are supportive in not taking me to fast food places or serving overly processed stuff while I'm around.

That does not mean Chris has never had a Happy Meal. It's easy for me to eat the way I do; I only have to worry about myself. I've never had to run from the office to pick up the kids from daycare and figure out dinner and soccer practice. It'd be cool if there were more restaurants serving healthy options on the go.

Either way, it's not something I push when I'm in a group. With a couple of subst.i.tutions, I can eat guilt free at most restaurants. I head back to my place afterward. I invite Sasha to follow me home and hang out; but Nat beat me to it, and the two of them are going Christmas shopping.

I do all my shopping online. I'm not a fan of malls, particularly this time of year. The crowds get to me; I can't even imagine how Lindsay would handle it. I can't help but laugh at the thought. Depending on the guy, the fact she never wants to leave her house might be more pro than con. I've dated a couple girls who dragged me to the mall, leading me from one store to another, a glorified bag carrier. No, thank you.

I leash up Loki and take him for a walk as soon as I get home. On nice days, he disdainfully deals with it. Unfortunately, what was an okay morning is morphing into a gross day. It started drizzling on my way back from lunch. That combined with the chill in the air leads to one cold and wet dog. He resists even the shorter of normal walks and gives me the best bulldog pout I've ever seen.

I take pity on him and head back inside. After I've towel dried him and offered him a treat, he licks my hand in forgiveness before pa.s.sing out in his doggie bed.

I send Clay a text to tell him about the show and call Lindsay.

"Yes?" she answers.

Yes, she answers.

"Hey, I wanted to give you as much advance notice as possible that our March sessions might be impacted by a job opportunity I've gotten."

"What does that mean?"

"I received an offer to be a guest trainer on a weight loss show and will be out of town filming that month."

"Does this mean I'll have to train with someone else?" she asks.

"No, not at all. It only means that, due to the time difference, we might have to move your web sessions around for that month. Oh, and I won't be able to walk to the field with you."

"I figured as much. What are you doing with all your other clients, the ones who train with you at the gym?"

"I haven't spoken to any of them yet, but I'm going to have other trainers cover me while I'm gone."

"So, I'm the only client you'd keep training? Can you do that?"

"Like I said before, the timing might be weird but I'd like to try to keep training you, virtually at least."

"Why wouldn't you ask if another trainer could work with me?" she asks, defensively.

"I didn't think you would be comfortable with someone other than me," I snap.

"You're probably right," she agrees quietly. "You're like a 'my kind of crazy person' whisperer."

"You're what?" I laugh.

"Have you ever watched the dog whisperer or I think there's a movie about a horse whisperer, too. They have a special talent for doing what no one can do."

"So, even though I annoy the c.r.a.p out of you, I can get you to do things no one else can?" I joke, already knowing the answer.

"It is decidedly so."

I did freak out a bit when Luke told me what show he was going to be on. I watch that show, every single season. This is a huge deal; and it could make him a household name. As happy as I am for him, I can't help but mourn the inevitability of his presence in my life. Luke is going places; and considering the fact I was barely going anywhere (does a field behind my house count?), my crush on him has reached its expiration date.

That he still wants to work my sessions into his schedule while he's off in Cali becoming famous is another example of what a good guy he is. He knows I wouldn't be able to handle training with someone new. Instead of dropping me, he's going to rearrange his stuff so I still fit in it.

I have moved over to my computer and am pulling up the show to see if they have officially announced him yet. They haven't. Before I pull away, I get a message from Sasha.

Hey, is there something going on with you and my brother?

Cue mouth drop. Why would you ask that?

My mom asked about you. Luke mentioned you to her and she was curious, tried to pump me for information, which got me curious.

Strictly trainer-trainee relationship. What did he say to your mom?

That he drove out to your house and went for a walk with you!!!!!!! Please marry my brother so I can have all your hand me downs ;) Holy c.r.a.p! He talked to his mom about coming to see me.

LOL! He was probably just in the area. No big deal.

Big deal, big friggin' deal.

If you say so...

Seriously, Sasha. I'm too busy for guys right now.

I wish I were too busy for guys. I got dumped.

Oh, sorry, babe!

Why can't I get a boyfriend?

Whew! Conversation is now safely away from her brother.

It will happen when the time is right. Don't rush life.

You're right.

Hey, I gotta run. I'll ttyl <3 bye,="">