3. Breaking the Ice
“Hey Rob,” Emily calls out, starting towards the football coach again. “This is Cecilia Thornill, my new assistant. Cecilia, this is Robert Harris, the football coach.” The coach is a fit man in his mid thirties, not a single grey hair and only the barest hint of crow’s feet when he smiles. He’s probably only recently retired from professional play; I remember hearing something about the coach being a former major league player. “Just call me Rob,” he says, extending his hand. I smile at him in return as we shake our hands. “I’m surprised they found another one so quickly,” Rob comments, then turns away to holler, “BOYS!” To my mortification, all of the football players immediately stop, looking our way. “New med assistant,” Rob tells them. “Her name is Cecilia.” I give an awkward wave. A couple of them call back greetings, but number 07—Emeric, apparently—barely glances at me before he turns away again. I don’t know why, but it leaves me feeling strangely empty. I almost wish
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