Standing behind her dad, Alex thought it was shaping up to be a good afternoon. With Lars visiting for the day, Alex and Ben had done their best to bury the hatchet and put on the happy family act. Jake could never resist an offer to throw the ball around. Alex hoped she and Ben could use the time together as a chance to sort of regroup.
“Throw the ball, Dad.” Alex watched as Jake took off and ran another down-and-out pattern. The boy turned for the pass, but his father paid him no mind. Ben was staring down the road.
Alex walked up and playfully swatted the ball from Ben’s hand. He ignored her, continuing his long stare. Alex followed Ben’s gaze into the distance where a man walked away from them along the sidewalk.
“What’s up? You playing or not?”
“Did you see that guy? Looked like he was watching us or something.”
Alex was used to Ben’s hypervigilant cop instincts. After all those years in Oakland, Ben could see a bogeyman around every corner. It didn’t matter if they were in a restaurant, a movie theater, or even church. Ben was always suspicious of what to anyone else seemed like a part of everyday life. It made sense in the big-city world of Oakland, but this was Newberg.
“He’s gone now. Come on back and play.” She pulled on his arm, but Ben stayed put. The stranger, far off now, turned and gave a last look.
“I’m telling you, that guy was checking us out. I got half a mind to go ask him what the hell he wants.”
Jake tried again to get his father’s attention. “Dad. Throw me the ball.”
Alex hooked one leg around her husband’s and hugged his waist from behind. “Tell you what. Let’s write this one off as a nothin’ burger. If we see him around again, we’ll get all of Newberg PD on him. Run his ass out of town.” She kissed him lightly on the cheek. “Forget about him, Benny. This is nice. Jake and Dad are having a great time. Let’s just enjoy it.”
Ben couldn’t let it go. Alex could only watch as Ben continued to stare and took another three steps toward curb.
Jake finally lost his patience. “Dad, would you just throw the damn ball?”
Ben and Alex stared at each other, then swiveled their heads to look at Jake.
“Uh … sorry?” The boy went scarlet and waited for the punishment he knew must be coming.
Ben was about to speak, when coarse laughter came from nearby. Alex, Ben, and Jake turned to Lars, who had a broad grin on his face. The old man’s eyes were sparkling. After a beat, Ben dropped back and signaled to his son to go deep.
“Okay, Jake. Go down fifteen yards, then cut right, and I’ll throw you the damn ball.”
Ben looked at Alex and smiled. She thought she saw a spark in his eye that took her back to younger days, less complicated times. She watched as her husband reared back and threw a perfect spiral that Jake caught in stride. Within a few minutes any ill wind that had been stirring melted away and was forgotten.