Page 75 of Muscle Cub

Veronica clasped her hands as if in prayer and mouthed to Austin, “Thank you.”

Austin followed the kids, glancing back at me and whispering “Sorry.” It clearly wasn’t the time or place to get him behind closed doors, and I could tell he was every bit as excited as they were.

Once they were gone, Veronica said, “Paul, will you turn that off? Just hit the power button on the remote. We took the console out of his room so he wouldn’t turn into a shut-in, but honestly, the noise of it is driving me freaking nuts.”

After a quick trip to the bathroom, I returned to the backyard to find Austin walking the kids through a set of movements I recognized. “Sixty seconds,” he called out while setting a timer on his phone. “Go!”

I sidled up to Austin. “The Spartacus workout, huh?”

Austin arched an eyebrow. “With some equipment-free modifications and a little bit of the Morning-After Drill.”

He managed to keep them focused for about ten minutes before they increasingly started doing their own thing, but he brought them back to attention by announcing a new challenge called “Gladiator Poses.”

Midway through warrior two, a girl with an awfully chic bob for a child called him out on it. “This is just yoga.”

“Just yoga? Can you do this?” Austin went up on one foot in a shaky tree pose, and they all copied him. “What about this?” He dropped into a one-legged squat with the other leg straight out hovering parallel to the ground, and everyone who attempted it ended up sprawled on the grass.

While leading them through more increasingly absurd contortions, which I doubted belonged to any formal fitness discipline, Austin had also drawn a crowd of adult spectators. Charles among them. When I caught his eye, he smirked and shook his head, amused.

Honey clucked her tongue. “There’s nothing like a man who’s good with kids, is there, Cathy?”

Unable to disagree with Honey, Mom responded with a vague hum.

Austin finally left his new followers lying immobile in starfish positions on the ground and joined the adults.

“What have you done to our kids?” one of the moms quipped. She’d obviously intended it as a joke, but Austin flinched, and his smile fell.

Veronica said, “You must teach us this witchcraft at once.” A few of the other parents chuckled.

Austin recovered his usual happy expression and shrugged. “Shivasana. It works on all ages.”

Honey put her hand on Austin’s arm. “Did I overhear you telling Charles you’re a gym teacher?”

“Well…” Austin shoved his hands deep in his pockets and drew his shoulders up near his ears. “Technically…” I could tell he was struggling with how to answer.

I jumped in to speak for him as I had with Charles, spinning what little I knew. “Austin recently obtained his degree and certification. He’s looking for the right position for his talents. He’s very passionate.”

“Wonderful.” Honey said. “We have a new program at YA that I think you’d be perfect for.” She pulled a phone from the pocket of her jumpsuit and held it out to Austin. “Why don’t you give me your number, and I’ll text you later.”

“Yeah. Sure.” Austin chuckled nervously. “Excellent.” He entered his digits and handed the phone back to her.

Missy, my mom’s Shih Tzu, appeared in a blur of movement at our feet. She could be obnoxious around crowds, but Mom adored her more than any living thing on the planet. She couldn’t stand to leave Missy home alone, so she usually confined her to a guest room. Having escaped, Missy was beside herself with excitement. She sniffed Austin’s boots before deciding to climb his legs.

“Missy! Get down!” Mom impotently admonished her. “Leave him alone.”

Austin lifted Missy into the crook of his elbow and allowed her to lick his face.

“I’m sorry, Austin.” Mom reached to take Missy from him.

“Ahh. No need to apologize.” Austin scratched Missy’s ears. “No such thing as a party that can’t be improved by a small enthusiastic dog.”

I could tell Mom was pleased he was indulging her little monster.

“Did you just make that up?” I was prepared to be impressed.

Austin shook his head. “Nah. Saw it on the internet.”

Veronica interrupted, calling over the karaoke mic for everyone’s attention. She made a teary-eyed toast to her daughter, and then, as Sadie shrank in mortification, John took over the mic to lead everyone in singing “Happy Birthday.” One of Veronica’s friends brought out a cake alight with candles, and Sadie blew them out.