Chapter 10

Ernie’s main focus was on figuring out how he would get home without dying, but agreed he would sign the contract on his way out.

“Great,” Butch said and squeezed Ernie’s sore shoulder. “You go ahead and take your shower. I’ll meet you out front and we’ll get you all set up.”

“Uh…?” Ernie asked tentatively as he saw Old Man Bartlett shuffle off toward the locker room. “will I work with you every time?” He liked Butch but he still hoped Quinn might be part of the deal as well.

“Yep. We like to stay with a client for consistency. That way I get to know you and your strengths and weaknesses. Don’t have to review and backtrack so much.”

Ernie noticed that Butch’s hand had rested on his shoulder during this entire exchange.

“Remember you’re gonna be sore tomorrow. That’s normal. But it can be pretty bad. Just keep telling yourself, ‘No pain, no gain.’”

Ernie nodded. He’d heard the phrase many times before. It was the pain part that had kept him from making much gain.