Chapter Ten

“Calli come and see my room” Rosie said almost dragging Callan down the hallway as soon as they got back to Dave's apartment

“You'd better do as you're told” Dave laughed. “I'll just ring Jimmy and let him know where we're going in case he gets back before we do. Pulling out his mobile he smiled to himself as he heard Rosie chattering away nineteen to the dozen to Calli as he rang Jimmy's mobile.

“Hi Jimmy it's Dad” he began as the voice mail kicked in, “Listen I've taken Rosie down to the park so that's were we are in case you get home before us, See you later and hope practice went well.”

Dave hunted around in one of the drawers for a notepad and pen and wrote a quick note for Jimmy in case he forgot to pick up his messages as he sometimes did.

Jimmy

Rosie and I are at the park but we'll be back in plenty of time to drop you at Judo, there's salad in the fridge or a pizza in the freezer if you're hungry. See you later love Dad.

Suddenly as an after thought he picked the pen up again and added another line

Come down and join us if you fancy it, there's someone I'd like you to meet.


“So what do you think of my room Calli?” Rosie asked excitedly

“It's beautiful Rosie.”

“Thank you Daddy let me choose everything myself.”

“Wow so you designed this all yourself?”

Proudly Rosie nodded looking up at her.

“Well you're a very talented young lady then, I wish I had a room this lovely.”

She walked over an looked at the trophies and medals on one of the shelves, “Did you win all these?”

“Yes they're for ballet mostly and a couple of Judo ones.”

“Wow Judo too, I still do Judo.”

“Really” Rosie looked at her in surprise “You do ballet and Judo?”

“Well not ballet anymore, but I still do Judo although not since I've been in New York.”

“I don't go anymore but Jimmy still does and he does Karate too.”

“Rosie are you ready to go” Dave shouted through from the hallway

“Yes Daddy” she answered pulling the swing ball set from her toy cupboard “Come on Calli let's go.”



“Come on your turn now.”

“Dave opened his eyes and looked up at Calli from where he was lying sleepily on the grass.

“No it's alright I'm ok watching you two play.”

“Up, come on it's time for me to take you on, you've slept for long enough anyway.” playfully she reached down and grabbed his arm, “So up now.”

“I wasn't asleep, I was just resting my eyes, in between watching you two play.” he protested.

“Yeah right Dave we know you were asleep, we could hear you snoring couldn't we Rosie?”

“Yes, “ Rosie giggled “ Oh Daddy come on I want to see Callan beat you.”

“You think she's going to beat me do you?” he asked getting to his feet

“Definitely she's really good come on quickly Daddy.”

“Ok ok” he laughed “I just hope Callan knows what she's letting herself in for.”

“What you think I'm going to let you win?” she smirked “Dream on Dave.”


“Ok ok I give in” Dave panted 15 minutes later “I need a drink and a sit down.”

“Lightweight” Callan laughed she reached down and pick up a bottle of water from her bag, “Here you go.”

“Thanks” David took the water from her gratefully.

“Calli will you play against me again?”

“Sweetheart maybe Callan would like a rest too for a minute.”

“No it's ok” she picked up the racket Dave had dropped to the ground “Do you want to serve first or shall I?”

Dave smiled as he watched them playing against each other, both of them laughing hard every time one of them missed a serve or had to dodge out of the way of the ball, this was something he'd never done with Jen, obviously he'd bought Rosie here hundreds of times but he couldn't remember them having ever done something like this together with the kids, something that was sad but true. He heard a movement and turned to see Jimmy standing behind him.

“Hi Jimmy you alright?”

“Yeah”

“How was practice?”

“OK I suppose” he shrugged,

“Have you eaten?”

“Yeah I went to the deli and got a wrap.” He nodded over towards Callan “Is that who you wanted me to meet?”

Dave smiled “Callan yes. Why don't you sit down Jimmy.” He patted the grass at the side of him

“So is she you're new girlfriend then?”

“No just a friend”

“Oh right ok, so why do we have to meet her then?”

“Because I thought it would be nice for her to meet the two of you that's why, I asked her to go to Rosie's recital with me and your Sister took to her straight away and asked if Callan would come to the park.”

“So this meeting wasn't planned then?”

“No, not at all.”

“So how long have you known her?”

“Just a few days.”

“Where did you meet her?”

Dave smiled “She was studying in the diner down the street, I made her jump and almost knock her coffee over.”

Jimmy looked at him doubtfully

“Yeah I know it sounds unlikely but I swear it is true, after that we just kind of got talking and seemed to hit it off together straightaway.”

“And she's just a friend?”

Dave nodded “Jimmy, I'm not looking for anyone new at the moment, it's too soon after your Mom right now, I just want to concentrate on you guys. I've seen much too little of you two over the last few months so I want to spend some time with you both and Jack of course before I head off to the studio again.”

“So she's not going to be Mom's replacement then?”

“No she isn't, listen just give her chance I promise you'll like her, she's smart and funny and really sweet.”

“And really young and pretty.” once again he looked doubtfully at Dave

“I had noticed that fact, and she is indeed pretty”

“And she's not your girlfriend?”


He looked at Jimmy's expression and smiled at him seeing that he needed a bit more reassurance “I'm not interested in her other than just being friends ok.”

“But I don't have to be friends with her do I if I don't like her?”

“Jimmy you're almost grown up I can't force you to be friends with anyone you don't want to be with, but don't make your mind up before you get to know her.”

“I suppose so.”

“Look I'm not saying you have to like her straightaway or anything just spend some time with her before you make a decision ok”

“Ok Dad.”

“Jimmy” Rosie yelled speeding across the grass to her brother, “Come and meet Calli.”

“Hi pain” he grinned giving her a hug “How was your show?.”

“Daddy came and watched me again and Callan did.”

“I know Dad said.”

“Callan, this is my son Jimmy” he smiled at her as she stood awkwardly near him. “Jimmy meet Callan.”

“Hi Callan.” he automatically held out his hand glancing towards Dave.

“Nice to meet you Jimmy” She answered shaking his hand nervously

“Jimmy, Calli is so cool” Rosie interrupted excitedly “Guess what she used to be a ballerina and she does Judo too.”

“Judo really?” Jimmy asked his attention now drawn towards her.

“Yes” Callan nodded.

“I didn't know that.” Dave shook his head “You're really full of surprises today.”

“It was something my Mom wanted me to do.” she answered “Yes” she turned back to Jimmy “I started classes when I was four, although I haven't been to a training session since I came to New York,,, I keep saying that I'll find a club whilst I'm here so I don't get out of practice, but somehow I haven't get round to finding one.”

“You could always come to mine.”he turned to Dave “Couldn't she Dad?”

“I'm not really sure Jimmy, but it's nice of you to ask me.”

“Why not? Sensei says we need some new members. “You could come tonight and see what you think.”

“Jimmy” Dave smiled glad that he was warming to Callan but not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable. “Calli might have some other things to do, she's really busy right now studying you know.”

“Oh sorry Dad, I just meant..” warily he looked at her his guard now going up again

“Jimmy” Callan smiled awkwardly at him “Would you mind if I came with you?”

“No, I mean you need a place to train right so you could try my club.”

“Ok then. Is that ok Dave?”

“It's not up to me” Dave smiled “It's Jimmy's club.” he glanced at his watch “But we'd better get a move on else you young man are going to be late for practice again and Sensei is going to have my ass on that mat.”

“Dad do I have to go too? It's so boring.” Rosie asked

“I had to go to your stupid ballet recital yesterday.”

“Ballet isn't stupid” Rosie retorted

“It is and I still had to go so you have to come to my practice right.”

“Dad?”

“Jimmy's right Rosie he's sat through your shows it's only fair you go and see him train.”

“But it's so boring, Judo sucks”

“It doesn't, it's ballet that sucks”

“It doesn't”

“Does”

“It doesn't. Dad Jimmy said ballet sucks.”

Dave just shook his head and grinned at Callan as Rosie and Jimmy carried on bickering “Things are back to normal I hope you know what you're letting yourself in for.”

“Dave” she looked at him awkwardly “Do you think I was too pushy then?”

“When?”

“Just now with Jimmy, I can see he's wary about me, do you think maybe I shouldn't have asked about going? I just thought seeing as he mentioned it first it might help break the ice a little, you know with us both being into Judo.”

“It's fine, I had a little chat with Jimmy whilst you were playing with Rosie, he's just worried that I'm replacing his Mom with you, he'll come round eventually, it's a good sign that he's asked you to come and train though, he's always shy around new people.”

“As long as he doesn't feel that he has to be friends with me too though, I'd hate for him to think that it was expected of him. I don't want to push my way into the kids lives you know.”

“Calli you're really sweet do you know that,” he gave her hand a squeeze “ Listen Rosie likes you, Jimmy will make his own mind up when he's ready, but you're halfway there with the Judo, so stop worrying ok.”

“Ok”



“He's really good” Callan whispered to Dave as they watched Jimmy fight whilst Rosie sat in between them playing on Jimmy's DS.

“Yes.” he looked at her and blushed slightly “I feel really guilty though I just can't get the hang of the rules even after all this time, I can never remember all the gradings and belt colours.”

“It's just one of those things” she smiled “I'm the same with cricket I've watched my dad play for years and I still have absolutely no idea what actually goes on during a match.”

“Me neither, it bores me rigid.”

“Jimmy's got a good technique though. When's he next in competition?”

“About 6 weeks time.” He smiled as Jimmy and his partner got up bowed to each other and shook hands before leaving the mat. "He is good though isn't he?"

"Yes he is."

"Sensei said you can have a go during the break if you want to Callan." Jimmy told her as he came over to them.

"Oh I'm not sure I want to now."

"Oh go on Callan I've told him about you, he wants to see how you fight."

"Well...." she looked towards the mat.

"Go on Calli you know you want to" Dave whispered.

"Ok then do you have spare suits?"

"In the cupboard in the corner of the changing room "Jimmy pointed to the door in the corner of the room, “Sensei said to tell you that there should be a couple of each belt in the box on the top shelf so you can wear your grade ok."

"Ok thanks Jimmy, I hope I'm not going to make a fool of myself I haven't practiced for so long."

"You'll be fine." Dave smiled reassuringly “Wanting now to see Callan fight himself.”


Callan came out of the changing rooms five minutes later tying her long blonde curls up off her face,

"Just in time they're about to break for 10 minutes." Dave whispered

"Right I'll just warm up." she smiled slipping her shoes off and waiting to bow before stepping onto the mat

Dave sat watching as she went through her warm up exercises of stretches and falls on the far side o away from the others.

"Does brown belt means she's good" Dave asked as Jimmy sat down beside him.

"She's a brown belt? Wow." he whistled watching as she now cartwheeled and somersaulted across the mats.

"Does that mean she could kick my ass then?"

Jimmy laughed "Dad she can just about kick anyones ass if she is."

"So I'd better watch myself around her then?"

“Yes”

They watched as she spoke to one of the instructors for a few minutes before they bowed to each other and did a couple of throws and holds,

"Ouch that's got to have hurt” Dave winced as Callan's small frame crashed to the floor.

"Not really that's why you learn to fall."

“Mmm okay if you say so”

“It doesn't hurt that much really.”

Callan and the instructor faced each other and bowed before beginning to fight,

"Hajime"

At the sound of Sensei's voice the two of them flew towards each other and grabbed each others suits each of them trying to get the other down to the floor.

"Is he going easy on her?" Dave whispered as the much larger guy failed to get her down.

"No I don't think so, she using her size to her advantage."

Once again Dave winced as the instructor used a shoulder throw to get her to the floor and she went down hard. "Now that must have hurt surely."

"Dad" Jimmy rolled his eyes “She's fine, she knows what to do.” He looked at Dave "Dad do you get like this when I fight?"

"No" Dave shook his head "I'm worse."

“Dad” he sighed

“I can't help it, you'll understand when you're older and it's your son....”

“Dad shush... I'm trying to watch Calli”

Dave smiled at the way Jimmy had automatically used Calli instead of Callan, that was a good sign surely.

“That's it Calli get him down yessss that's it.” Jimmy whispered under his breath as Callan got her weight behind her opponent and threw him down hard and held him down.

“Did Calli just do that?” Rosie asked looking up from the game she was playing.

“Yes squirt” Jimmy laughed “You should have been paying attention. She's really good Dad.”

“Mate” came Sensei's voice again signaling the end of the match.

Callan and Jimmy's instructor got up from the mat bowed and shook hands and then spoke for a few minutes before she made her way to the edge of the mat bowed once again stepped off and slipped her shoes on again.

“I really enjoyed that” she smiled her face flushed and her breathing slightly fast as she sat back down “but I am so out of practice.”

“Calli you were really good.”

“Thanks Jimmy” she smiled she looked back over to the mat “And thank you for asking me to come with you, perhaps we can talk later because I think Sensei wants your presence again.”

“Ok Calli, I'd like that.”

“Wow I can't believe you fought that guy” Dave whispered “He's twice the size of you.”

“It's just a question of movement that's all.” She took a drink from the bottle of water at the side of her bag. “I'd better go and get changed again, are you ok there Rosie?”

“Yes thanks Calli.”

“Ok I'll see you both in a minute.”



“Daddy?” Began Rosie as they walked towards Dave's apartment.

“Yes Sweetie”

“Can Calli sleep over?”

“Well I'm not sure...” Dave began

“But Daddy please.”

“Not tonight sweetie” Callan answered sensing Dave's hesitance.

“Why not Calli?”

“Well hon I was supposed to do chores today but I came and saw your show instead so I have to go home and catch up on some stuff there now.”

“Do you?”

“Fraid so Rosie, if I don't go home and do some laundry I'll have no clean clothes and then I'll have to borrow something off my roommates and I don't really want to wear something of theirs”

“Don't you like her clothes then Calli?”

“No, but my roommates are guys and you know what guys are like” she winked making Rosie laugh.

“Maybe you could stay another time, could she Daddy?”

“We'll see.” Dave looked across at Callan and mouthed “Thank you” He reached into his jacket pocket, opened his wallet and pulled out a 10 dollar note and handed it to Jimmy “Why don't you and Rosie run ahead and get some Ice cream from the shop on the corner.”

“Really Daddy” Rosie squealed “But I've already had ice cream today.”

“Well so long as you don't tell your Mom I think we'll be alright.”

“Calli you don't mind me not wanting you to stop over do you?” he muttered quietly as soon as they were out of earshot.

“No of course not,”

“Honestly?”

“Honestly.”

“Thank you it's just that, well I know we're only friends but it wouldn't feel right having you stopping over with the kids there.”

“David, I understand” she reached for his hand and squeezed it gently “I wouldn't feel comfortable to be honest about staying anyway.”

They came to a stop outside the small shop that Rosie and Jimmy were in and peered inside to make sure that they were ok, satisfied that they weren't about to start fighting over which Ice cream to buy Dave turned back to Callan.

“Thank you, and thank you for getting me out of the matter of you staying over with Rosie, for a moment I really didn't know what to say to her.”

“No problem anyway” she chuckled “It's the truth if I don't do any laundry I really won't have anything to wear and I'll be needing to borrow those cutoffs of yours again.”

“Well thank you anyway and thanks for everything you've done with the kids today you've been really great with them.”

“They're lovely kids Dave” she answered blushing “They really are you should be proud of them, hey guys what flavour did you get?” she asked turning as she heard the door open.

“Rosie got Butterscotch and I bought Mint choc chip.” Jimmy answered smiling

“Oooh good choice there Mint Choc chip is my fave, well enjoy it and don't let your Dad eat it all ok.”

“Do you really have to go Calli” Rosie asked looking up at her “Couldn't you at least come in and have some of the ice cream?”

“Not now honey perhaps another time ok.”

“Ok”

“And I'll see you guys again soon yeah?” She raised her hand to hail an approaching taxi.

“Ok bye” Rosie came forward wrapped her arms around her and gave her big hug.

“Bye honey”

“Bye Calli” Jimmy came forward and touched her briefly and awkwardly on the arm before backing off again, causing Dave to look at him surprised “And don't forget to come to practice on Monday ok”

“I won't” she smiled back at him “Bye Jimmy it was lovely to meet you.”

She turned to Dave as he walked her to the taxi which had pulled up at the kerbside “Thank you for a lovely day and I meant what I said earlier you're doing a great job with the kids.”

“”Thanks that means a lot night honey” quickly he glanced to make sure that Rosie and Jimmy weren't watching before giving her a kiss on the cheek “Ring me when you get back home so I know you're safe.”

“I will night Dave” She climbed into the taxi and pulled the door closed behind her “Bye”

She turned and watched them through the rear window as they turned and headed towards Dave apartment “You're doing just fine with them David, you'll all be ok.”

Next chapter

Súgó Még nincs hozzászólás.

Új hozzászólás Frissítés