He took out the first file and handed it over. “The Sooners upped their offer after your recent performances and the playoff potential.”
Seven years at twenty-five million. The number was close to what Michael wanted, and I glanced around the huge estate. This could be transformed to be more kid friendly and elegant. His house felt barely lived in. “Your house here is nice.”
“What else?” Michael pushed it toward his father and signaled for another paper.
Phil handed another folder over and said, “Boston has a strong offer and the benefits are good.”
Twenty-three million for eight years. Massachusetts didn’t seem that different than Pittsburgh, but Michael wrote on the side "high taxes". I read it and so did his agent as he said, “This sounds right. What else?”
Smart. Take-home pay mattered, and Phil said, “New York has the highest offer but after taxes it’s almost equal to the Sooners.”
New York’s offer was twenty-nine a year for eight years.
My stomach tightened as I’d been physically sick the only time I’d been in Manhattan. My son needed security and I trembled under the table. Sarah returned with glasses of water on a tray and started serving everyone. I asked, “What about Pittsburgh?”
Did Michael expect me to serve like this? Quietly not having an opinion but there to kiss Jeremy’s bruises?
Phil said to Jeremy, “Their offer wasn’t serious before. I sent the personalized request but so far, no answer.”
My son’s face fell to his chin and he swung his legs. I asked, “Jeremy, what are your thoughts?”
Jeremy met my gaze and didn’t’ blink at all when he said, “I just hate leaving my friends.”
At six, he probably was but, in time, he’d make new friends. “We have to go back and visit all the time. All your aunts are there.”
His father then asked, “Anything from Texas?”
Wait. Texas? My mind was spinning. Sarah now brought in a small tray of crackers and cheese for the table as Phil said, “The Rangers have a decent starting point. I could continue negotiations if I can say you’re serious.”
Twenty-two million for eight years. Michael asked, “Why, Dad?”
He nodded and said, “I always liked the Rangers organization and Texas.”
Something unsaid was happening between the men, but he showed me the paper and wrote low taxes as he said, “Georgie, what do you think?”
Well low taxes meant more take-home pay and more available for savings. And the Sooners might be what he wanted, and this house was nice. I nodded, but honestly, my thoughts rushed and I wasn’t sure. I was open to both places. Honestly, I’d never been to Texas but the houses there on TV always seemed big, so I said, “I think…loyalty is a good thing. I’d say the Sooners should be number one. I think Texas is better than New York for us if I’m being honest.”
His gaze narrowed and my heart raced like I’d said the wrong thing when he asked, “Why?”
My skin was jumpy. “Houses are big and less taxes sound nice.”
“Talk to the Rangers.” Michael nodded and told Phil, “And if Pittsburgh doesn’t bring an offer, our third major franchise should be New York.”
My heart sank. I’d been to Manhattan and that wasn’t my cup of tea when I asked, “Why New York?”
“If I’m selling out my team for money, New York generally has the most and I look good in pinstripes.”
Team? He hadn’t sounded loyal to the Sooners. Maybe he’d always wanted to be on that team, but my stomach twisted. My tongue was thick in my throat, but words didn’t form. Tight spaces full of people all the time was a horrible way to live. I lowered my head. I wanted to scream, cry, but all I said was, “I never wanted to live in New York.”
He pressed my lower back. “It’s closer to Pittsburgh to see your family.”
I’d not dash his dream, though the idea of New York made my body tense as I said, “That’s true. It’s fine.”
Fine was the exact opposite of true. I really was turning into my mom now.
Boston and New York just weren’t my style. I preferred to spread out with a big house like this, the plains of Texas or even a mountain view and asked, “What about Colorado? What was their offer like?”
Phil shook his head but took out another file as he said, “Lower, but St. Louis was extremely competitive.”
Ten years but twenty-one million. The years were what Michael wanted and I nodded and said, “I’m fine with St. Louis.”
Phil asked, “Then I should focus on the Sooners, the Rangers, and St. Louis?”
“Yes,” Sarah said to summarize.
“How about Houston?” Tom asked.
Phil ruffled his briefcase and said, “Their offer was competitive too. Would that be a good finalist?”
Nine years at twenty million.
Michael wanted thirty for a ten-year contract. Phil had to know the goal if he was talking competitive, so I said, “Yeah. Any other major team with a high offer?”
“We discussed the offers over twenty now.” And he showed his paper with the notes as he said, “After taxes you walk away with more money with these teams.”
Michael stood and shook hands. “I trust you Phil. Bring the final number to thirty for ten and we’re going to that team as a done deal. Nothing has changed.”
“Got it,” he said, and Michael walked him to the door.
Jeremy asked me, “So we’re definitely moving, Mom?”
He’d be fine. My stomach twisted again at the thought of New York. “It will be an adventure.”
“I guess,” he said, though he had little enthusiasm.
Michael returned and he met his gaze. “I…I’m okay if we do.”
I wasn’t. My insides burned, but I forced my cheeks to lift when I said, “Good. Me, too.”
His father, Tom said. “Let’s celebrate before we all head home.”
Sarah jumped up, collecting the waters as Michael asked, “What do you have in mind?”
I watched her closely. Michael had said she’d been the one who'd bandaged his bruises, but Sarah silently went about cleaning up as Tom said, “I’ll grill
