Chapter 3
Tom Alan was careful, Erika had to hand it to him. He made certain he was never alone with Kensuke, who dropped by practice five days in a row, at Irina Mischen’s rink and their own in Somers, even though that one was quite a hike from where he lived. Only twice did he bring Jesse with him.
Kensuke loved the ice, and Tom Alan was far too compassionate to turn him away. “I’m half-tempted to steer him toward competing at the adult level,” he said one day, “but I’m not convinced he would take it seriously, and I don’t feel like putting our reputation on the line just to end up embarrassed by some of his shenanigans.”
“Shenanigans.” Erika had to laugh. “Next thing I know you’ll be using words like ‘folly’ and ‘falderal.’”
“Hey. You’re the one who told me to act my age.”
“Your ag
