Chapter 5: A Choice
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"I've got your walking papers." Frank Whittaker waved the hospital release papers at Aleksei, a Cheshire cat smile creasing his face.
"How about coach release papers?" Aleksei questions, a scowl creasing his brow as he reached for the crutches beside the hospital bed.
"Amazing how fast TODAY gets their information, isn't it?" Whittaker asked with a sheepish smile.
"Yeah - amazing. Especially when it's a direct quote from a reliable source."
"Well, you know, son, they don't have truly reliable sources that often. So when they do get one, they run with the story like the wind!"
"You'd better hope like hell you can run like the wind when I get this damn cast off my leg," Aleksei threatened meaningfully.
Unfazed, Whittaker just shrugged and smiled that annoying smile he couldn't wipe off his face, frustrating Aleksei even further. "I'll worry about that when the time comes."
"According to TODAY, I'm meeting with my new partner tomorrow."
"By God, those news people can get it right on occasion.
"Is this a private meeting?"
"As private as it can be with cameras and news people around."
"Whittaker, I could..." Aleksei began, running his hand through his hair and rubbing the suddenly tense muscles in his neck. "Why are you doing it this way?"
"This way both Dee and I can be sure the two of you will be on your best behavior. Generally speaking, you can manage to hold your own at a news conference and I'm hoping your expertise and maturity will help ease the way for Jordan. Who, by the way, is certain you are entertaining thoughts of maiming her in one way or another."
Aleksei's look was one of pure disbelief. "Maim her? She's the one that put the lovely gash in my leg - not the other way around."
"Be that as it may, she's under the impression that you hold grudges and it's just a matter of time until you exact your revenge on her," Whittaker explained patiently.
"Tell her I don't pick on little girls," Aleksei stated in a dangerously low voice.
"Tell her yourself - tomorrow. But I wouldn't use those particular words. You've only got one good leg left," He chuckled, holding the door open and pointing with the papers. Now, are you ready to blow this joint?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"You always have a choice."
"Yeah, right. That's why I get to go play nice-nice with the 'Ice Queen'. God only knows what parts of my body she'll try to slice off this time," Aleksei complained loudly.
"Come on now, Aleksei, how much damage can one little girl do?"
Aleksei cast a deadly look at his coach and stated, "You'd better be damn sure you have plenty of bandages on hand and I want to see papers indicating she's up to date on her rabies shots."
Whittaker's loud laughter echoed through the hospital halls as they headed for the parking lot.
Text Copyright © 2000 by Constance E. Moynihan
