Naked Hero - The Journey Away

experienced either,” was Marie’s response. “I think that it’s obvious Lewis has benefitted this fortnight from fresh input - it may be in his interests for that to continue. Jim has been more like a father to him than a coach. But Lewis is an adult now, even though he doesn’t always act like one. Perhaps it’s time to cut those strings. Would you consider it, if the position became available? You would be the logical choice.”
    Scott shook his head again. “I don’t think it would be right for me.”
    “Why?” asked Marie, feigning surprise. “Because people might talk: speculate as they did earlier this week. I thought you had put that silliness behind you.”
    Scott nodded slowly as if pondering the matter. “I think it could still be an issue. I’m not proud to say that, but it did affect me, and it would be unfair to enter into something if I wasn’t sure I could handle it. It could be damaging to us both - Lewis especially.”
    “So you will leave after the tournament? Return to America and play golf?” asked Marie.
    “Probably - I’m sorry to disappoint you.”
    Marie paused for a moment before responding. Appearing to choose her words carefully, she eventually replied, “I’m not disappointed... Please don’t take that the wrong way. I think that in most respects you would be an ideal coach for Lewis, there’s no one he would respond better to, but...”
    “But what?”
    Marie brushed it away with a wave of her hand. “No, it doesn’t matter. If you have decided to leave then the issue will never arise.”
    “What issue?” asked Scott. “Come on, Marie, tell me... There’s a part of me that would like to take the job on. It would be good to know for sure that refusing would be the right thing to do. Lee Porter is a thorn in the side at present, but I suspect he’ll disappear after the tournament, and press speculation would die down eventually. If there’s another reason for not getting involved, then I would like to know it.”
    Marie gave him agitation – a woman in a quandary – a performance that would grace any Parisian stage. “ It’s probably wrong of me to say anything,” she finally offered. “It’s only because I care for Lewis that I do so. I know I tease him, but I’m very fond of him. I don’t want to see him getting hurt... chasing a dream.”
    “What do you mean by that - me backing off again?”asked Scott, looking equally agitated, although he was for real. “I would have to be sure of myself there. I couldn’t give any guarantees. Who could?”
    A hand reached out and gently touched Scott’s arm – a little intimacy that sold the next confidence. “There could be a problem even if you didn’t walk away,” said Marie, almost in a whisper. “Come on, Scott, you know about Lewis. Have you not considered how he might feel if he were to spend a lot of time with you? It’s a common occurrence: player and coach. Only in this scenario, it would be one-sided.”
    Scott froze momentarily, trying to control his reaction, before laughing out his reply. “I think that’s very unlikely!”
    He covered it well, b ut Marie was too skilled an observer not to notice the interest she had excited, and took it as confirmation of her suspicions. She smiled sympathetically as if it was a lost cause. “Do you? That’s not how I see it... He already idolises you – and I mean that sincerely. And once Lee Porter is out of the picture, which may be very soon following the latest exposé on him today, then I think it would be very likely if you were still around.”
    “Has Lewis said anything?” asked Scott overenthusiastically.
    “Only with his eyes!” answered Marie with a shake of her head. “Poor Lewis! He would jump at the chance to have you coach him, or work part-time along with Jim, but he wouldn’t think through what might happen. ...Sorry, this hasn’t been easy for me, and I’m still not sure if I’ve done the right thing. I’ve been debating it ever since that meal. He seemed so desperate to find a reason to see you again after Melbourne.”
    “Yes, it was a bit embarrassing. I hope I didn’t offend him by not saying anything.”
    “No, he wouldn’t have been annoyed with you over that – Lewis would have been annoyed with himself for creating awkwardness. I fear he’s already smitten.”
    Scott looked shocked. Marie gave a polite laugh and patted his arm. “Don’t be angry with him – he’s young, and can’t help his nature.