Chapter 10 - Mr. Jones
"Happy Birthday to you!" Everybody shouted at Rizzo.
It was his 25th birthday and he decided that he didn't want to hang out at the bar that night. He chose to have a Halloween movie marathon party instead. Since Halloween was coming up in six days and the team was going to be out of town, he thought it would be perfect. Marie wasn't to keen on horror movies and when she learned that's what they were going to do for the night, she tried to get out of it. The guys wouldn't take no an answer from her, they demanded that she stay. She's been dreading the rest of the night.
Since her romantic day with Simon at his cabin a month before, Marie has been busy with school, work, and life. Simon is usually in Michigan working on the store, so when they're together they try not to rush their time together. She's been hanging out with the guys constantly when they aren't playing a game on their hectic schedule. One of her other friends got married two weeks before. She's been working her butt off.
The first movie that the group decided to watch was Alien. She heard Josh talk about it and it made her cringe. She couldn't believe she was now sitting in a dark room, watching it. She had talked to Silk about it and he told her that she can sit next to him and if she got scared she can use his shoulder. During a scene where Ripley was up against a wall because the Alien was in front of her, Marie's hand latched onto his arm when the other head came out of the Alien's mouth. She didn't noticed how hard she was holding onto him until he leaned over and said something.
"What?" she whispered looking at him.
"My arm, there's no blood in it," he whispered back. He chuckled a little.
Marie looked down where her hand laid and quickly let go. She looked up at him and sheepishly smiled. "Sorry."
Silk smiled back at her before his attention went back to the movie.
At that moment, Marie suddenly realized how cute Dave Silk was. His smile was brilliantly stunning. His dimples made it stand out more. When he smiles, his eyes light up. She wasn't shocked that she thought that, she was just surprised that she didn't really notice before. He must have realized that she was staring at him, because he turned his gaze toward her. He gave her a questioning glance before she smiled and went back to watching the movie. Whoever he marries, she'll be one lucky girl, she thought before she fully resumed her attention to the screen.
vvv
The next day, Marie and Silk had made plans to hang out. They decided to head to a skating rink. It was busy, but it wasn't full of people. They talked as they skated around the rink. She had told him once that she figure skated for a few years when she was much younger, so he asked to see if she can do some moves. He clapped when she finished and she curtsied.
"I almost forgot. You said that you would love to see Josh play in a game, once. Well, the day after you get back from the road, he's playing. Would you like to go?" Marie asked when she skated up to him.
Silk nodded. "I wanna see how good he is."
Marie smiled and gave him a hug. "Because I already told him I'd be there with you."
"Really?"
"I talk to him once a week, you know that. I keep mentioning the team to him. I told him about how you were interested in going to game."
"Ok," he said before he started to skate again. He turned back toward her and asked, "Are you coming?"
Marie nodded and was thrilled he wasn't mad that she went behind his back before she really did ask him personally. Otherwise, she didn't know what kind of argument she would be in with him.
vvv
Marie and Silk entered the Edina Skating Center and headed into the arena the game was stated to be playing in. They were walking and talking at the same time, so Marie didn't notice her parents until they called out her name. Marie looked over, led Silk toward them and introduced everybody. Silk and her dad started talking and her mom turned to her.
"Where's Simon?" she asked.
Marie replied, "In Michigan."
Abigail Harris' smile wavered a little. "It's a shame he couldn't make it."
"Yeah, it is," Marie said annoyed. She couldn't believe her mom was going to be like this of all places. "Don't worry about it."
"I know. I just wanted to meet him."
"Maybe Thanksgiving," Marie said to her.
The game got started shortly after. Marie and Silk took a seat a few feet down from her parents. The game was action packed. Josh had scored a hat trick for his team and Silk was impressed with his stick handling, the way he skated, the way he handled himself out there. He shouted for the team, cheered with the crowd, totally getting into it. Marie laughed and Silk looked at her.
"You're so cute. I didn't think you'd be really into it," she told him. "Totally awesome."
Silk shoved her shoulder with his. "These guys are great. Josh is talented."
Marie smiled and lifted her hand to his back and patted it. "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself."
"I wanna come to a game again," Silk told her.
Marie smiled again and she agreed to take him to another game in the future. They went back to watching the game, but kept talking and having a good time. During that time, they didn't notice someone watching them. Abigail Harris was interested in them more than what was happening out onto the ice. She was curious about their friendship.
After the game, all four waited outside the locker room for Josh. John Harris was certainly enjoying talking to Silk. Marie never really saw him engage conversations with her boyfriends when she brought them home. He was really enjoying Silk's company. When Josh came out, she introduced her brother to her best friend. She was even more surprised by their conversation. This was exactly what she wanted. She was happy.
"We gotta go," Marie interrupted them ten minutes later. "Or I'll be late for work."
Mrs. Harris sighed. "That bar."
"Mom…" Marie sternly scowled.
Mr. Harris replied, "Have a good time. Be careful."
Marie nodded at her dad and she started to walk out with Silk. She heard her dad scowl at her mom, but Silk only noticed her name.
"Your mom's name is Abigail?"
"Yes. Why?"
Silk smiled. "You're not going to believe this, it's my mom's name as well."
Marie chuckled. "No way."
Silk nodded and they laughed together. "It surely is a small world."
"It is," she responded as they got into her car.
vvv
Marie was sitting in her living room studying for one of her classes when the phone rang. She got up and answered it before Connie did. "Hello."
"Hey," Simon said.
"Hello… are you back?" Marie asked.
Simon quietly said, "Yes."
Marie heard more emotion in that answer. "Are you ok?"
"No… we have to talk," he replied. "It's really important. Can you meet me at the bar in forty-five minutes?"
"Sure," Marie answered. "I'll get a booth."
Simon said bye and they hung up. Marie slowly placed the receiver back down.
"What happened?" Connie asked.
