Life Lines

2: Apple Of The Eye

“Natalie, I need you to finish your registration,” Mrs. Torchia said.

 I had no idea why she was waiting at the front desk since her office was nicer and quieter. Allie and I had just stepped out of the changing room. The woman was a pain on an enormous level.

 “I’ll meet you in the sun room,” Allie said.

 I nodded to her and headed for the desk where the dictator stood with a clipboard and pen. I covered my mouth as a cough that sprung up suddenly in the locker room, ripped its way out of my chest.

 “You shouldn’t leave these things to the last minute, you know,” she said.

 I ignored her, taking the materials and sitting on one of the fabric covered benches. My just below shoulder length blonde hair acted as blinders as I finished filling out the tournament registration. I was holding out on it, not really sure if I wanted to enter. I just played in a tournament this past weekend and hadn’t done as well as I wanted. I kept thinking maybe I needed a break.

 My father told me I was being silly and there was nothing wrong with third place or me. I was just having an off day, was what he said. I finished the paperwork, even filling out my caddy information. Allie was supposed to do that but we’d been together so long that I had everything memorized.

 Even her social.

 I took the clipboard back to the desk, where a guy I’d never seen before stood talking to the dictator. I decided to give my paperwork to Emilie, who was the one usually at the front desk between 8-5. She was my age but got her GED after getting pregnant at sixteen. She was smart, knew more than I did, could’ve even graduated if she wanted to. Her mom was supportive of the whole thing, even after she wouldn’t name the father. But Emilie had a mind of her own and did what she wanted. Her little girl, who was completely adorable, turned one in the winter. They had a huge party for her here at the clubhouse. Some days I thought the little girl was the only person Mrs. Torchia could stand.

 “Here ya go,” I said.

 Emilie smiled, taking the paperwork from me. “Sorry about the ambush. She didn’t trust me to get you to finish it.”

 “No big deal. How’s Claire?”

 “Devine.” She smiled. “Are you still able to babysit this weekend? I know with the tournament and all…”

 “It’s fine. She’s a great stress reliever.”

 “Good. I hoped you’d say that. Geoff is taking me to this cozy restaurant a town over and we should only be gone a couple hours. Bring the girls if you want.”

 “I’ll run it by them. I’ll see you later.”

 She waved and I started for the sunroom. I was maybe five seconds from freedom when I heard the high pitched sound of Mrs. Torchia’s voice.

 “Ms. Abernathy.”

 I cringed and very slowly turned to look at her. She was smiling at me, a gesture she only did when she wanted something or I won, bringing her country club more recognition. Since we currently weren’t on the green and a trophy wasn’t being placed in my hands, I knew it was the first option.

 “Yes, ma’am?”

 She motioned me forward. “Come here, I want you to meet someone.” Oh god, she couldn’t be serious. I walked over and she took me by the arm, making sure I would stay put.

 “Natalie Abernathy, meet our newest member, Union Davidson.”

 The guy, Union Davidson, looked at me with keen interest. He was the boyishly handsome type, tall probably six feet, and had a charming smile that I would never fall for. He pointed at me, that smile getting a little bigger even though his brow was furrowed.