Icing by Ashley Stanton

his Mother’s cancer had affected him.  She was alluring in her skating attire.  Jackie had jet black hair in a cute bob with giant hazel eyes.  They were a good fit.
    His second job was thanks to Dr. Albertson as well.  He was working on some promotional collateral for the athletic department.  They were in the midst of kicking off a campaign to promote their swimming and diving programs.  Kyle could manage to cross the pool and knew some women on the swim team.  He did not really give it much thought beyond that.  The program, as it did at most Universities, existed in the shadows of basketball, baseball and hockey.  They wanted to gain exposure and get their share of NCAA money.
    “I’ll take the challenge Dr. A, but you should know I’m a hockey guy.  This is new territory.”
    “I know that Kyle.  Jackie says you are looking around for a second job.  With due respect to tacos, this job will look better on a resume.  You know business and you can see if sales and advertising is more interesting than finance.  There is a lot you can do with a business under grad degree.  You don’t have to work in a bank.”
    “Thank you sir.  I will give it a try.  I will be taking a four day trip to Massachusetts.  I’ll have to make sure it’s doe able for me to take a Monday through Friday.”
    “You’ll do great Kyle.  It’s all water anyways.  Yours is just frozen. One more thing kid.  Start calling me Dan.  You’re like a little part of the family.  I like having some testosterone around.  I’m outnumbered at home.”
    “Yes Sir. Oh, sorry the Dan thing is a new one.”
    “Get out of here Kyle.  Hurt my baby girl and your dead.”
    Kyle was heading to Needham for a visit with Truman and a lot of the other guys from school. Con was planning to join them for a couple of nights down at the Cape.  Jackie was considered as a traveling companion.  She and Kyle were an exclusive couple.  He decided against it and decided to keep it an all guy thing which he managed with no bruised feelings.  Jackie trusted Kyle and it would be a good break from his frenetic pace allowing her to focus on her future at BC.  
    “Truman my man. What’s up dude?”
    “Come on in man.  Welcome to Needham.  My Mom is working and by brother and sister are working.  We can just chill.  We’ll cook out back tonight.  Burgers and whatever.  Beer?”
    “Sure.  I’ve been on the road for eight hours and that sounds like heaven right now.  Are the girls coming over?
    “Yeah, Rose and Di will present.  They look pretty fine – all tan and healthy.”
    “I’m sure. They are part of the crew but I do forget they are women.  Thanks for reminding me.  I’ll be sure to throw them a compliment.”
    The girls joined The Cohen’s and Kyle in the backyard.  They ate burgers from the grill and Mrs. Cohen whipped up potato salad and a lot of fresh veggies from the garden.  Rosemary baked some delicious sweets.  It was a postcard perfect evening.  Kyle thought he knew his roommate well but this opened his eyes to why Truman was well grounded.  There was no Mr. Cohen but all Kyle knew he wasn’t dead.   As the oldest of three Truman was, and acted as the man of the house.  It wasn’t a fancy place but it was brimming with love and possibility.  Truman was not ashamed of his humble home.  He took pride in all of it, appearing happier than most people with more stuff.  He was named Truman and he was the true measure of a man.
    They met up with Con and roamed the Massachusetts coast.  They swam, drank beer and even caught a Red Sox game.  The ceremony of attending the event at the legendary “Green Monster” was beyond rumor and depiction told in movies and books.  They were playing the Oriels and the sun was shining.  The hot dogs were exceptional and they all quaffed a beer.  The snapping of the bat to ball was musical added to the constant roar of the enthusiasts with their enunciated Boston