Chasing Nikki(6)

“No worries, Grandma,” I said. “We hardly own anything these days. I think Mom sold almost all of our stuff, didn’t you?” I cast an angry glare at her as I walked over to open the U-Haul. “Two couches, beds, office stuff and our clothes. Not much left.”

I grabbed a box and headed toward the house.

“I’m sorry about him. He’s a little angry,” Mom apologized for me as I passed by.

“Don’t worry. We’ll teach him some manners,” I heard Grandpa reply, and I shook my head in disgust and kept on walking.





I was lounging on the bed in my new room with my iPod earphones in, listening to rap music early that evening. I was exhausted from moving everything in, and I just wanted to go to sleep, but my mom appeared in the doorway.

“How you doing?” she asked after I pulled one of the ear buds out so I could hear her.

“As well as can be expected.” I shrugged. “Why?”

“Grandpa wants you to go help him with the evening chores.” She had the decency to look apologetic as she said it.

“Ugh,” I answered with an eye rolling sigh as I sat up. I grabbed my shoes next to the bed and began putting them on. “I guess it’s time to let the warden work the evil out of me. Wait. Doesn’t that make him an exorcist?”

She actually snickered at that comment, and I scowled at her. I took my hoodie off the back of the chair and headed out the door.

“Hey,” she said, stopping me. “Take it easy on him, okay?”

I raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “Take it easy on him?”

“He opened his home to us because he loves us. He may show it in different ways, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less real. Besides, he’s not the one you’re really mad at, so don’t take your anger out on him because he’s an easy target.”

I snorted as I walked down the hall. “I don’t think anyone would ever call him an easy target.”

I entered the giant barn and looked around for Grandpa. I didn’t see him, but I saw the old brown mare I used to ride when I was younger, eating in her stall.

“Hey, Mitzi,” I said, calling her by name as I walked over to pat her. “Do you remember me?”

She bumped her nose against my chest, and I knew she was searching for goodies in my jacket.

“Sorry, girl. I didn’t bring anything with me this time. It’s nice to know the old man still treats you good though.”

“The old man has some carrots for her in the bucket on the shelf behind you,” my grandpa’s voice broke into the moment.

“Oh, thanks,” I said, staring at him before turning to get a couple. He came and stood beside me, while I fed her.

“She’s a good ole gal. I don’t have much use for her anymore, but I can’t seem to get rid of her.”

There was an awkward pause, neither of us really knowing what to say to each other. Grandpa gave a sigh and went to sit on a bale of hay, gesturing for me to sit across from him.

Here it comes, I thought, but I kept my mouth closed and did as he asked.

“So you’ve been in a bit of trouble lately,” he started, and I could feel myself getting a little frustrated. “Now before you go snapping at me, why don’t you hear what I have to say first?”

I didn’t trust myself to speak, so I just gave him a curt nod.

He continued. “I know you’ve been through a lot in the last few months since your dad died. I’m also aware of what it’s like to lose someone who’s close. It’s okay to grieve and everyone should. There are lots of stages to go through, and while I don’t know where you are, if I were to guess I’d say you’re angry and hurt. I think you’re trying to numb your pain.”

I couldn’t say anything. He was hitting the truth unbearably close, and I wasn’t ready for this discussion. I needed to get out of here. I stood and headed toward the door.

“Chase,” he called after me. “I’m not trying to counsel you. I just wanted to give you the opportunity to get off this ranch and do something else.”

This surprised me, stopping me dead in my tracks. “And what would that be?”

He walked up beside me. “I’m a volunteer coach at the high school. I want you to come join the guys on the football team for our spring weightlifting training. I know you quit last season after your dad died, but you have a great talent, and I don’t think you should waste it. The head coach has already agreed to check you out as quarterback, since ours will graduate this year. There would be a lot of practices and summer camp too. I’m not promising anything. It would be a lot of hard work and responsibility, but it would give you something to do besides being here all the time.”