Chapter 9 Alright Sir? - Greg Holden

Alright Sir? - Greg Holden

“So how bad did Jimmy and Nessa freak you out about meeting my G-Dad?” she asked as they made the trek across town hitting every single red light.
“I think they made me more curious than anything.” Kris gave a little shrug and shifted as the light turned green.

“Hm. Well I guess I’ll give you the basics. He and my Gran took Russ and I in when I was barely three. Our Mom… well she’s around but she has never been able to take care of us. Addicts will be addicts.” Sarah just shrugged tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “So my Gran passed away when I was 13 leaving Russ and I with G-Dad. He did his best he really did but I think I remind him of my Mom to much.” for Sarah opening up about her family was never easy. Everyone had family issues a crazy uncle or a Dad who drank to much. Her problems weren’t any worse than anyone else. “Back to G-Dad. He has owned this bar for as long as I can remember. Before that he worked in the steel mill here in town. He grew up here. He’s working people.” she sighed “He isn’t going to be rude to you directly but he will be cold. It isn’t you though he will more than likely have something to say about your hair.” glancing over at Kris she smile. “Which I like by the way. Though it would be nice short too… a left at the next light. It’s the bar on the corner.”
“My family are working people. I think I will have… good report.” he said offering a smile. “I have met family before.” Sarah was put at ease by that though she had no reason to be. Maybe it was that he didn’t look afraid or freaked out. The man across the car from her really was something special.
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“We’ll go in the downstairs door.” she pointed to the door next the garage rather than up the stone steps that cut into the hillside the house was perched on. “The stairs are… well we’ll just use the door.” she said with a chuckle. “I think I fell down those damn things more times than I made it up them.”
Sarah led the way though the garage that was clean though there were plenty of tools and an obviously loved car in there. “hey G-Dad it’s just us.” she said as she climbed the stairs going past a small laundry room.
“By us you better not mean you and your brother.” came a grumpy voice from the kitchen above.
“No. I told you I wouldn’t bail Russ out. I mean my friend Kris and I.” she immediately headed over to him at the table where he sat with a beer to hug him. Kris followed offering his hand in introduction.

“It is good to meet you Sir.” Kris shook his hand being strong in his grip. He didn’t want to appear like a wimp even though he had been taking hard forechecks as a job for most of his life.
“The hockey player right? Some job you got. How rattled in your brain what’s 4x4?” he asked obviously frowning at Sarah and Kris.
“16. I think my brain was no good for math before I play hockey.” he was trying to Joke and to Sarah it was beyond adorable.
“Be nice G-Dad. He’s a good guy and I like him.” Sarah headed to the rest of the kitchen getting out what she needed to make steak tips and noodles for the men. “Kris do you want a drink? Beer and since G-Dad knew I was coming diet coke and water.” she listed looking in the fridge.
“Uh a beer would be nice.” he said taking a seat at the table where a seat had been kicked out for him.
“Call me Archie, Kris.” he finally said in a gruff voice under obvious duress as Sarah stared him down. He looked to her and then back to Kris. “I’ve seen you play. Keep up the good work and you’ll be ready to quarterback the power play in a season or so.”

Sarah was all smiles as she cooked now. It was always tough to get guys past her G-Dad and her friends. Now there was just Russ to deal with but they would have awhile before that was going to happen.
While Sarah’s hearing was taken up by the sizzling of the steak she was cooking. Archie leaned in closer to Kris. “She never brought that piece of shit Doctor here so I know you must be a good guy. I will say this though. If you ever lay a violent hand on her I will make sure it is highly unlikely you walk again and your shit will be flowing into a plastic bag for the rest of your life. Got it?”
Kris nodded. “Understood Sir. I already hate him more than I can describe.” That was his honest assessment of the situation. The truth was if Kris ever ran into him without Sarah around he would be hard pressed not to get into a fight no matter what the NHL’s thoughts on good and bad behavior were.
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“Sarah I’ve missed your cooking.” Archie said patting his beer belly a clear plate in front of him. “Now if only you had made carrot cake.” he joked with a laugh.
“Next time G-Dad.” she said from her seat before getting up to clear the plates to be washed and put away before she left.
“Let me help.” Kris said moving to get up.
“No, Sarah will get it she has her own way of doing things.” Archie said.
“Would you like another beer?” She said with a little grin. Archie nodded and Kris shook his head no. “I wasn’t asking you Tanger. You have to drive my sorry ass back to town.” she teased. “Thanks for offering to help but I got it.” she said giving her G-Dad a beer and Kris a bottle of water.
“He was nice enough to drive you here the least you can do is kiss ‘im Sarah.” her G-Dad said obviously teasing them both.
She raised an eyebrow looking at him and then looking to Kris who was about to protest but Sarah’s lips on his quickly shut him up. It was just a short kiss but it had all her feelings in it. She pulled away her hand on the side of his face a light smile which he returned.
Archie’s eyebrows went up seeing the affection on their faces. “Well Damn Sarah I can’t hate him now even if he is a damn frenchie with socialist medicine.”
Everyone laughed at that one the ice completely broken.
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The ride back home was enjoyable. They chatted comfortably about anything and everything. It was one of those time a person could forget about everything that had gone wrong in the last 10 hours. The arrived back at Sarah’s house and sat in the silent car in the parking lot.
“I’d really like it if you would come in.” she said turning in her seat. She reached out her hand going to the back of his neck.
He easily reacted to her touch his neck immediately loosening up his eyes drifting closed. “I want to come in but I know it is not right time.” he spoke softly opening his eyes his dark brown finding her blue even in the poorly lit little lot.
She nodded. “You’re right but I still want you to come in.” a smile played at the corner of her mouth.
He smiled nodding. “I want to but I know it would not be right. Soon. For now…” he didn’t finish his sentence as he kissed her with as much passion as someone could muster at 4am after a long day. “Soon…” he whispered letting his forehead rest against hers.
She nodded finally unbuckling her seat belt. “Text me when you are home. I need to know you are safe.” He nodded and she opened the car door.
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It was 4:30am when the text came in. She had just gotten out of the shower and was sitting wrapped in a towel at her bedside. She bit her bottom lip smiling. ‘Good night crazy boy. Thank you for everything. <3 Sarah’ she sent off before putting her phone on the charger and putting pajamas on ready for bed going to sleep happy a feat that seemed next to impossible just hours before.