Blaze

From the venerable Baleine Bistro to the raucous university arena to the homes and businesses all across the island, every screen on Ehkolie will be tuned in to the Slalom finals of the Salt Lake City Games as local boy Blaise ‘Blaze’ Nilsen takes to the slopes to compete for our island’s first Olympic medal. With a strong fifth place finish in last year’s alpine skiing world championship and a blistering personal best in the qualifying rounds Blaze looks destined for the podium.

“I’m feeling good. I’m feeling strong. This is my year.” Said Port Haven’s premier athlete during a visit last month where he received a rock star’s welcome everywhere he went. “I’m going to do it! I’m bringing the gold to Ehkolie!”

Never shy of confidence the energetic young man with the dashing smile and disarming stutter charmed and inspired all he met during his whirlwind visit. From the preschools to the care homes Blaise set the hearts of young and old and everyone in between ablaze with pride for our island home. As he now faces his greatest challenge on the world’s biggest stage it is time for us to inspire him to victory.

Tune in tomorrow starting at 10 am and help cheer our boy Blaze to Gold!

***

I stare at the short article snipped from the local paper over two decades ago as I process what it was telling me. Above the words was an action photo of the man featured streaking down a snow packed mountain slope. With helmet and goggles and a spray of snow all around you couldn’t see his face in the picture, but I didn’t need to. Everybody on Ehkolie knew what Blaise Nilsen looked like. Casting my mind back to the entrance of the school gymnasium I can see the plaque that commemorated the day where the gym was bestowed his moniker. It was a photo of an attractive slender man with sandy brown hair, a bright smile, and bronze metal around his neck standing between two much taller men in suits and a woman in a bright pink skirt and blazer. If I recall the other people were the governor of Ehkolie, the mayor of Port Haven, and the principle of the school at the time of the ceremony. I hadn’t thought much about that picture back when I was going to school, but now…

I look up at Grandpa. “Him!?”

He gives one slow nod. “That visit they referenced was when he and your mom…erm…you know.”

“I…I d-don’t know what to say.”

“It had to be somebody.”

“Yeah, b-but…I thought it’d be…I don’t know…j-just some islander living some q-quiet life.”

“Blaze was not one for the slow lane.” Grandpa says, making reference to the tales of Ehkolie’s prodigal son’s thrill-seeking lifestyle that followed his Olympic fame. “Though by the sounds of it he’s taken it down a gear or two. Age catches up with the best of us.”

“Sounds of it?”

“He’s in Washington now. Works at the Crystal Mountain Resort. He’s living in Enumclaw with his wife and two kids.” He says. “It’s a pretty sweet story actually. His wife was the nurse that helped him back on his feet after the big crash. Sky-diving with skiing?” Grandpa chuckles. “He was an adrenaline junkie in his day, no doubt.”

“Kids?” I whisper.

“Two girls. They look to be about 8 and 10 or so. He’s quite active online. It’s all out there to see.”

“I…I thought he’d b-be a local.”

“He stayed close. Visits in the summer to see his folks. Enumclaw’s not so far away.” He says. “Less than a four hour drive once you’re on the mainland.”

“It c-can’t be him.”

“Why not?”

“I dunno.” I say as I continue to stare at the words of the article like they might tell me something new. “I thought m-maybe an artist. B-Because of my eye for color.”

“He’s got your love of the outdoors.”

“I got that from you!” I insist. “He’s n-nothing like me. An athlete? A d-daredevil? Not shy in c-confidence?”

“Buttercup.” He says warmly. “Like I said, he doesn’t define you. You are your own person. Great just the way you are.”

“Yeah.” For a moment there is just the sounds of the wind through the cockpit and the waves breaking against the hull before I say. “He’s got a stutter. J-Just like me.”

“He passed it down I guess.”

“He w-wasn’t very tall.”

“Maybe an inch or two taller than you.” He says. “If you talk to him you should find out about any genetic conditions that run in his family. Probably be a good idea to know. That stuff can be important, specially as ya get older.”

“Talk to him!?”

“IF you talk to him.” He says. “That’s a decision you’re going to have to make at some point.”

“Oh boy.”

“Your mom told me that they…took precautions.” He says, squirming a bit at the uncomfortable subject. “But that things, er, happened. She didn’t realize until the next morning when she saw the broken…er…”

“Condom?”

“Mm.” He nods. “They met at a hotel bar. She’d gone there after a fight with your dad. She’d taken her ring off.”

Evidently things hadn’t been so rosy before I showed up on the scene after all. “He’s n-not my dad.”

“They’d been drinking. And she kept on drinking at the bar.”

“Why am I n-not surprised.”

“Yeah.” He sighs. “I met him a few times, ya know. Real personable guy.”

“Blaze?”

“Mm. I know his father. I know him quite well actually. Known him a long, long time. And so have you.” He looks at me. “He’s my barber.”

“Barber?” I blink…then blink again as a face slowly coalesces around the word. “Claude?”

“It’s a small island, isn’t it?”

“Claude Nilsen! The same Claude that g-gave me…?”

“Your first professional haircut?” He says. “One and the same. I never could have guessed I was talkin grandpa to grandpa.” Putting his hand on my shoulder he gives it a squeeze.

I slump back in the seat, struck mute in disbelief.

Grandpa returns his eyes to the sea and smiles. “You were such a brave little guy sitting up on that booster seat in the big barber chair. You didn’t complain once even though I knew you were nervous. I was so proud of ya.” His smile grows. “So proud.”

“I…c-can’t believe it.” I say, my voice hushed. “I just…” Closing my eyes I try to tamp down the emotions that were swirling inside of me. “N-No. I d-d-don’t want another grandpa! You’re m-my only grandpa!”

“Avery.” He says with a calm that I very much needed right now. “It’s okay. Family isn’t all about blood now, is it?”

“No.”

“Nothin nowhere changes anything between you and me. That’s as solid as that mountain there.”

“I know.” I let out a long breath. “Hahhh. This is a lot t-to take in.”

“I can only imagine.”

Opening my eyes again I stare at the picture of the skiier. “I know a N-Nilsen. Not r-really know, know her b-but…we’re acquainted.”

“They’re around.”

“Kimmy.” I say grimly. “Kimmy Nilsen.”

“That’s Claude and Mary’s eldest’s daughter. Blaise has an older sister. Kimmy would be your father’s niece and your cousin.”

“She…she used to b-bully me. H-Her and her friend Becca.”

“Aw, my boy.” Grandpa pats my arm. “I’m sorry. Kids can be so cruel.”

He was right of course, but adults could be just as bad too. In this case Kimmy Nilsen had called me ‘Kayla’s pet femboy’ and sent pictures to Winona to make my life hell earlier this very week. I’d had this half of my family tree for all of ten minutes and it looked like there was already another Jack among the branches. A celebrity dad, half-siblings, another grandpa, a living grandma, a new aunt, Kimmy as my cousin…this was all SO MUCH at once! I’d prepared myself as best I could for learning about my father but the rest of it was overwhelming me.

“How you doin, Buttercup?”

“This is s-so weird. I didn’t know what to expect b-but…it sure wasn’t this.” I say. “This is a l-l-lot.”

“I know, my boy.” He says. “I wish I coulda made this easier for ya.”

“You have, Grandpa. More than you know.”

“Why don’t you take some time to yourself. Get your head around this.” He says. “Winona’s okay where she is. I’ll keep an eye on her. And I’ll be right up here if ya need to talk.”

“Yeah.” I nod, in a bit of a daze. “Yeah. I th-think that’s a good idea.”

Nodding out the open door he says. “I got the book about Blaze that they used to sell at the tourist shops. Left it on the old armchair down below. If you're interested.”

“Yeah.” I say. “That’d be…g-good.”

As I rise to leave he steps into my path and pulls me into a strong hug. “I love ya, Avery.”

I hug him back just as hard. “I love you t-too, Grandpa!”

***

Author's Note: Chapter 200! Thank you all for sticking with this tale for so long and an extra special thanks to my supporters. Knowing y'all are reading along inspires me everyday.