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He should be grateful his mom left, weird as that might sound. She cheated on his dad and they were always fighting. It was for the best. Better than being in that situation. Don’t get him wrong, Logan was grateful. He was ....it was just that since their move to Minnesota, his dad was working a lot more. For now, they lived with Aunt Zoe, who was Dad’s sister. She was nice and all , but she and Logan weren’t close by any means.
His dad knew how he felt; not because Logan had willingly said anything , though. He didn’t want his dad to feel guilty. It took his dad prying it out of him for Logan to admit to anything. He knew this was temporary, he knew this was only going to last until his dad saved up enough money to buy them a house. He knew that, but it didn’t stop Logan from feeling incredibly lonely sometimes. Maybe he was being ungrateful, maybe he wasn’t thinking about the big picture, but he just wished he could have his dad around like his friends had their parents around.
He missed him and worse, Father’s Day was coming up. They used to do fun things together back when they were a real family . But this year was different. His dad had to take on another shift so by the time he did get home, he would be exhausted and probably drag himself off to bed.
He wished things could be different.
////
“Logan,” Bombay found him when he came into the locker room. “What are you still doing here?”
The locker room was cleared out. Everyone had already gone home. Evan and Nick asked him if he wanted to hang out and play the new video game Evan had got, but Logan declined-- lied --saying that he had a lot of chores to do.
Logan glanced up, a pink flush coming over his cheeks. “Sorry, Coach. I’ll go-”
“Hold it,” Bombay held out his arm, effectively blocking him from leaving. Logan halted. “What’s wrong?”
How did he-
“Nothings wrong,” Logan said, giving him a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
“Do I look stupid to you?” Bombay raised his eyebrows. Logan didn’t want to risk insulting him so he stayed silent. “I’ve worked with kids for how many years? I think I know when something’s wrong with one of you guys.”
Logan’s gaze fell to the ground. To an outsider, it would seem that he was strangely focused on his shoes. “It’s nothing.”
“Nothing?” Bombay repeated.
“It’s really nothing,” Logan tried to tell him, not wanting to make this into a huge fuss. If Bombay became concerned, he might talk to Logan’s dad and that was something he didn’t want to happen. He knew his dad felt bad for how things were right now--he didn't want to make any of it worse.
“If it’s nothing, it wouldn’t be bothering you,” Bombay said matter-of-factly, setting the clothes basket down with a thud . “Sit down.”
Logan did as he was told. Bombay sat down as well. “It’s...my dad,” he started off with hesitation.
Bombay nodded encouragingly.
“He’s working a lot, trying to save up money so we can move out of my Aunt’s house. I get it....it’s just I wish he was home more,” Logan ducked his head, feeling ridiculous for bringing this up.
Bombay didn’t judge him. He looked like he understood . “Hey, I get it,” he told him.
Logan’s head snapped up. “You do?”
“Maybe not exactly , but my dad died when I was a kid and it was pretty rough for a while,” Bombay said. “My friends all had dads and I didn’t. It really sucked, especially on Father’s Day.”
Logan nodded his head rapidly. “My dad has to work this year and it sucks because we always do something together.” He slumped back, leaning his back against the lockers.
Bombay rubbed Logan’s knee comfortingly. He looked thoughtful. “I think I can help with that.”
Logan stared at him curiously.
“How about you spend the day with me?”
Logan wasn’t expecting that. Sure, Bombay was cool, but he didn’t know how he felt about spending Father’s Day with him. Than again, it would be better than staying in his room all day doing nothing. “Sure, I guess.”
“We could go to Twin City Slice ,” Bombay offered. “Actually, you won’t be the only one there.”
“Oh,” was all Logan said.
“Unless you’d rather it just be us? I can tell Charlie we can hangout later.”
“Oh, no,” Logan didn’t want to disrupt anything. “It’s fine, he can come.”
“Okay,” Bombay smiled broadly. “We’ll go around eleven-thirty. You need a ride?”
“Please,” Logan said and then added, “If you don’t mind.”
“Course not,” Bombay said and it was set.
////
Logan didn’t know who this ‘Charlie’ was that was also going to be there. Bombay never elaborated and he’d never asked. He hoped it wasn’t going to be awkward; he wasn’t always the best at talking to new people.
A couple minutes before eleven-thirty, Bombay picked him up. He learned that Coach’s truck was kind of broken. Bombay had to get out so Logan could slide across and get in the passenger’s seat. After that, they set off. It was mostly silent; Logan wasn’t sure what to say but it looked like Bombay was focused more on the road anyway.
“Uh, thanks for doing this,” Logan eventually broke the silence.
“It’s no problem,” Bombay told him warmly. “I guess since you’re here, your dad didn’t mind then?”
Logan fiddled with his fingers. “I...I didn’t really ask -”
“You didn’t?”
“I couldn’t,” Logan admitted. “I didn’t want him to feel bad, you know? I know he wishes he could be here. I told my aunt that I was going to be out for a while. She didn’t care.”
Bombay nodded. He pulled into a parking space. The two of them got out, with Logan subtly glancing around for this mysterious Charlie person to arrive. It was a really nice day out; it wasn’t too hot and there was a pretty good breeze going through the air.
“Charlie’s inside,” Bombay told him.
Logan nodded.
He followed his coach into the pizzeria, watching as Bombay seemed to walk faster than normal, only holding open the door for him as an afterthought. Logan stayed behind him as he headed straight over to a four-person table in the corner of the restaurant. The guy that was sitting there noticed him right away, a grin appearing as he stood up to pull Bombay into a tight hug.
He’d never seen Bombay hug anyone. Ms. Morrow had tried numerous times, though it did nothing but annoy his coach to levels he didn’t know were possible.
Logan lowered his eyes and looked away, feeling as though he was intruding in on the moment.
“Good to see you, Charlie,” Bombay grinned broadly. It was kind of strange to see. He’d smiled at Logan and his friends before but it was nothing like this.
This wasn’t just any guy named Charlie. This was Charlie Conway , one of the original Ducks. Logan recognized him from a picture in Coach’s office that was taken at the Goodwill Games.
Evan would be freaking out if he was here.
“Yeah, you too,” Charlie said with fondness. He gave Bombay’s hair a quick ruffle, noting teasingly, “I think I see some gray in there.”
Bombay shoved his hand away, glaring. “You’ll get there someday.”
“Someday but not today,” Charlie said cheekily.
Bombay rolled his eyes. He glanced over at Logan, who slowly approached them. “Logan, this is Charlie.”
Logan smiled shyly when Charlie’s gaze fell on him. “Uh, hi.”
“Hi,” Charlie said with a friendly smile. “Gordon’s told me a bit about you and your team. Congrats on that win, by the way.”
“Oh, uh, thanks.” They all took a seat. Charlie told them he’d pre-ordered for them so they wouldn’t have to wait long. Apparently, Bombay had already told him what kind of soda and pizza Logan liked.
“Sorry, I haven’t been able to meet up with you until now,” Charlie said, resting one of his arms over the back of the chair. You know how the end of the year is. I hardly have time to do anything.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Bombay told him.
But Charlie was not so easily convinced. “I still should’ve called,” He reasoned.
“Are you forgetting how long I go without calling sometimes?” Bombay pointed out.
Charlie chuckled. “Okay, I see your point.”
Their food and drinks came. Logan murmured a thank you when he received his sausage pizza and coke. It occurred to him at that moment that he hadn’t brought any money with him. He’d known they were going to be here but still hadn’t thought about it. “Uh, Coach? I’ll have to wait a couple days before I can pay you back for this-”
“I’ve got it,” Bombay said easily.
“But-”
“He won’t let me pay either,” Charlie said. “Never has.” He bit off a small piece of his crust and swallowed. “But hey, free food. I’ll take it.”
“I’m sure,” Bombay said dryly.
Charlie grinned.
“So, tell me; how was this last semester?” Bombay asked conversationally.
“I’m an English teacher,” He explained to Logan before responding. “It was good, better than last semester. Remember I told you I was having the kids submit their summary sheets every morning?”
Bombay mhmed .
“I changed it to the evening and I have less grandparents dying now,” Charlie said casually.
Bombay let out a laugh.
“They told you their grandparents died?” Logan was starting to feel slightly relaxed as he smiled.
“They tell me lots of things. I have a book of their excuses,” Charlie was amused by this. He shook his head. “I know I should be upset they’re lying but holy crap , they could at least come up with better excuses. I had one girl tell me she couldn’t do it because on her way home from school the previous week, her backpack was stolen. It was really bad timing on her part because her teacher she had before my class came in and told her she left her backpack in the other classroom.”
Logan tried to stifle his laughter. That was definitely something Nick would do.
“These kids must think I’m stupid or something,” Charlie snorted. “Or my favorite is when they tell me I graded their assignment wrong.”
“Get that a lot?” Bombay smirked.
“Let’s just say if I got money every time it happened, I could’ve retired years ago,” Charlie drawled.
Bombay laughed again. “Joys of being a teacher, huh?”
“Joys, right,” Charlie poured ranch and red pepper flakes on his pizza. Bombay shook his head but otherwise didn’t remark on it. “You’re making that face again,” He said even though he wasn’t looking anywhere but his pizza.
“How did you know?” Logan asked.
“He always does,” Charlie responded.
“It’s disgusting, Charlie,” Bombay insisted.
“Can’t say it ‘till you try it,” Charlie said cheerfully.
“Not happening.”
“He’s a wuss,” Charlie winked at Logan. He laughed when he got shoved by Bombay for that.
“I think it looks good,” Logan said.
Charlie nodded appreciatively--and pointedly, as he side-eyed Bombay--at him. “See? This kid gets it.”
“Neither of you have good taste,” Bombay joked.
“I’m feeling offended, aren’t you?” Charlie said to Logan.
Logan snickered. “Definitely.”
“He’s just jealous,” Charlie said confidently. “ We clearly have better taste than him.”
“Idiots,” Bombay muttered, but with affection.
It was weird seeing Bombay like this. He’d softened up since becoming their co-coach, but this was different. The way he interacted with Charlie was different. Maybe it shouldn’t have come as a surprise. He’d known Charlie and the other original Ducks much longer than he knew Logan and his friends.
Logan blinked when he realized that Charlie was looking at him. “So, what about you?”
“Uh, what about me?”
“I’m sure I’m boring you by now. Gordon probably does that to you enough,” Charlie tossed Bombay another cheeky smile.
Bombay rolled his eyes again. “You weren’t funny when you were his age and you aren’t funny now.”
“ Ouch ,” Charlie said dramatically. “That stings.”
Bombay was trying not to laugh.
“I hope he’s nicer to you guys,” Charlie said to Logan.
“ Nicer ?” Bombay snorted. “
Charlie changed gears pretty fast. “Speaking of your coach, wanna hear some funny stories about him?”
“No,” Bombay said immediately.
“Okay,” Logan grinned.
Charlie went into storyteller mode. “Okay, so there was this one time we were outside practicing and-”
“Don’t you dare,” Bombay glared at him.
“-it was really icy out and this lady walked by with her dog. Gordon was staring and my friend Jesse told him he should go talk to her. Finally, he did. But just as he was trying to catch up to her and get her attention, he went flying after slipping on the ice!” Charlie cackled.
Logan, who had been in the midst of taking a drink of his cola, nearly choked from his laughter.
A red flush came over Bombay’s cheeks. “It’s not that funny,” He grumbled.
“It’s hilarious,” Charlie disagreed. He clasped Bombay on the shoulder. “You know we love you, Old Man.”
Bombay scowled. “I’m not old .”
“You’re over fifty.”
“You’re nine years from getting here.”
“Which means you’ll be nearly seventy,” Charlie reminded him.
Bombay mock-groaned. “I don’t know why I do this with you.”
“You love me,” Charlie shrugged.
“That’s definitely not it.”
Logan asked a question that had come to mind. “Do you do this every year?”
“What?” Charlie and Bombay asked simultaneously.
“This,” Logan clarified. “Going here. Do you do this every Father’s Day?”
“Every year,” Charlie said fondly.
Ever since Charlie was--you were twelve when we started this, right?” Bombay looked at Charlie.
“Pretty sure,” Charlie nodded. He explained to Logan, “I didn’t have a dad and Gordon's always been there for me. He asked me if I wanted to hangout one year and we've been doing it ever since.”
“That’s pretty cool.” Logan was looking at Coach Bombay in a whole new light.
“Yeah,” Charlie and Bombay shared a smile. “He is.”
“You’re lucky,” Logan meant to keep that to himself but it just kinda came out.
“Oh yeah?” Charlie’s interest was piqued. “How so?”
Logan froze. “No reason. It’s stupid.”
“He tried that one on me,” Bombay said to Charlie. “Didn’t work.”
“Never does,” Charlie shook his head and unknowingly echoed what Bombay said. “You know how many years he’s worked with kids? He knows when something’s up.”
“Tried to tell him that.”
Logan shrunk a bit under the pointed looks he was getting from both men. “Okay, okay,” He muttered. “It’s just...my dad’s never home anymore because he’s trying to buy us a house and even when he is home, he’s just sad all the time.”
Charlie pushed away his empty plate. “Why’s he sad?”
“My mom cheated on him.”
He nodded.
“It’s not fair,” Logan said, a hint of vulnerability showing. “Nothing's the same anymore. I just want everything to be the same again.”
“I used to wish every night I’d wake up and my dad would be downstairs with my mom,” Charlie admitted. Bombay squeezed his shoulder. “I was pretty jealous of my friends because most of them had both parents.”
“Did you ever tell them?”
“No,” Charlie said. “I didn’t want them to feel bad for anything. It wasn’t their fault. I think a couple of them knew, though.”
“Have you told any of your friends, Logan?” Bombay asked.
“No,” He shook his head. “Not really. I try to act like it doesn’t bother me.”
“Does your dad know it’s bothering you?” Charlie said.
“Yeah. He made me tell him. He told me it’s temporary and everything’ll change once we move into our own place.”
“But it still hurts,” Charlie finished.
Logan lowered his eyes.
Charlie took out a pen from his pocket and grabbed a napkin to write something down. Logan was caught off guard when the napkin was thrusted his way.
“What’s this?”
“My number,” Charlie said. “If you need someone to talk to.”
“Or you can come find me after practice,” Bombay added, “We don’t even have to talk about it.”
Logan felt really grateful. He felt like....he felt like he had people on his side. It was a different kind of feeling to be around people who understood--in a way--what he was going through. “Thanks,” He whispered.
“I used to sharpen skates when I was upset,” Charlie said after giving him a smile in response. “Until he wouldn’t let me.”
“I wouldn’t let you because you kept acting like you got hurt,” Bombay rolled his eyes.
“I learned it from Hans,” Charlie was smug about it. “You’re just embarrassed you fell for it every time .”
“Who’s Hans?” Logan said, consuming the last bit of his pizza.
“He used to have that hockey shop in town,” Charlie said.
“ And ,” Bombay said, “he’s the reason the Ducks existed.”
“He used to hate hockey,” Charlie said. “And kids.”
“ You hated hockey?” Logan found it difficult to imagine.
“I did,” Bombay nodded. “For a while.”
“Until Hans talked some sense into him,” Charlie chimed in.
Bombay snorted. “Yeah, until that.”
Logan enjoyed himself for the rest of the time that they were there. He heard stories from the past and felt like he understood Bombay better. At the end, as he and Bombay were walking back to the truck after saying goodbye to Charlie, Logan sent his coach a shy smile.
“Thanks for taking me, Coach.”
Bombay ruffled his hair. “You’re welcome.