Chapter 11
1931 Words
CHAPTER 11
After moping around the restaurant because of this new smack down on me playing I decide I better perk up because we leave Canada tomorrow morning. As soon as we walk into the ice arena where the game will be played I take in the atmosphere.
It’s so amazing how connected people are with hockey here. I mean people are into hockey here like people are into baseball in the States. It's so, well, incredible! We slowly go through the crowd and go into the rink. When I see everyone in the arena, I flip out. It's so cool! There's so many people decked out in, hockey jerseys and shirts. I start to go crazy! We go to our seats, I sit on the end next to Dad,
"So, what do you think?" he asks.
"It's so so," I say looking for just the right words.
"Amazing, incredible, phenomenal, the coolest thing in the world?" he says trying to help.
"Well yeah but, I was going to say indescribable!"
Finally, Toronto and New York come out, I start cheering at the top of my lungs. I see a bunch of the NHL stars I recognize from TV. Drew is freaking out just as much, as some of our favorite players skate out on the ice. This is the dream I start to think.
After warm-ups the teams go back off, so the Zamboni can clean the ice. The energy in the crowd is thick and I'm loving every single second of it.
I can't help but still fell a little draggy though from Mom's news. I try to just shove it to the back of my head, but when you’re getting told your passion is dead it's hard. We hear the speakers crackle and the announcer welcomes us and tells us the starting line ups as the teams make their way player by player out onto the ice. We stand for the playing of both the Canadian and our National Anthem and then it's time for the face off.
I honestly don't care who wins. Neither Toronto or New York is in the Chicago's division, so they can't throw off those standings, and we’re far enough away from both of them in the overall standings for it to have an effect. New York has some of my favorite players but the fact that we're at Toronto’s home makes me want Toronto to win. So, I'll be happy either way. New York won the faceoff and the game is soon under way.
~~~
Soon the first period's over, Dad looks at me,
"Want to walk around?" he asks.
"Yeah," I say getting up.
"Can I come?" Drew asks.
"No, I need to talk to Angie." Dad says.
We go up and out to where you can buy shirts, jerseys, other souvenirs, and concessions. I find a cool place selling shirts. The line looks massive,
"Can we get in line, so I can buy a shirt?" I ask.
"Sure," Dad agrees. We get in line and stand there quietly for a little bit, "Honey you got to perk up!" he tells me.
"That obvious I'm dragging?" I ask rather blandly.
"Your Mom's just caught up in the moment, she'll come around." Dad says encouragingly.
"Dad, Mom's as hard as headed as Grant is. When she makes up her mind there's no changing it!"
"Well she can't change your love for the game."
"I'm going to be on total restriction. She'll probably take away all my gear! I'll be lucky if she lets me go to public skate."
"Honey you’re overreacting. She just wants someone to girlify."
"I thought that's why we have Drew." I say smiling a little bit. Dad laughs,
"Yeah he's probably her next choice."
"I'm not going to let her girlify me! The word makeup makes me nauseous!" I tell him.
"I never said you had to." Dad says.
"If she takes away my hockey stuff I'm going to scream bloody murder!" He laughs,
"I promise I'll help you through it."
After we finally get through the line I buy a shirt. We went back to our seats and I try to act happier. Besides this is pretty awesome, being at a Toronto New York game. I put my shirt on and Drew gawks,
"Not fair! How come she gets a shirt?"
"Cuz I bought it!" I inform him.
Mom just shakes her head, but I just ignore it. My phone vibrates, it's Jon again.
does it kill u 2 txt ur bf?he asks.
I exit out and see 3 other messages from him. One saying Grant has a level 2 concussion, another saying Grant's back from the hospital, and the third begging me to answer.
sorry didnt see the messages. i'm @ a toronto NY game!!!I text back. I decide I should tell Dad the news.
"Grant has a level 2 concussion and is back from the hospital." I tell him.
"Make you a deal, I won't tell Mom if you don't because if we do she'll make us leave to check on him." Dad whispers.
"Deal," I agree not wanting to miss a split second of the game.
New York is out shooting Toronto but still no one has scored and it's the start of the second. The teams both take the ice, they both warm up a little then it's time for the face off.
New York's starting center wins the face off. He passes it over his left winger who goes and undresses the D. He passes it back to the center up top who taps it up over the goalie’s shoulder. The crowd goes crazy! I want to scream but since I'm wearing a Toronto shirt I decide I shouldn't. Dad and Drew are screaming and high fiving all over the place. Dad looks at me confused.
"I'm wearing a Toronto shirt, I can't celebrate New York's goal." I say slyly. He smiles,
"Suit yourself but Toronto isn't going to give you a reason to celebrate." he teases.
I roll my eyes with a smile and bring my attention back to the game. 5 minutes later Toronto come back and score an equalizer. I start to cheer and look at Dad who just smiles and shakes his head. The period goes on and Toronto take a penalty. The PA comes on,
"2 minutes, number 28 tripping." I sigh knowing that New York could easily score a power play goal. Sure, enough their starting center scores again,
"He's going to have a hatty!" Dad teases. He's probably right, he is New York’s leading scorer.
"Hey, you're only up by one and there's still a whole period left!"
Unfortunately, the period ends 2-1 New York's lead. I get my phone out and find another 5 messages from Jon. Basically they all say he's super jealous and wants me to answer. I send him a message,
i'll txt u when i get back 2 the hotelI say. I put my phone down and start feeling antsy. I start to tap my leg and Dad puts his hand on it.
"Chill out Ang, you're too tense." I smile,
"A little but it's mostly excitement." I assure him.
After sitting for a while longer well a lot longer the 3rd period starts. It takes a while for anyone to score. Like 5 minutes in their New York sets up their center again and he scores. It's a nice goal he put it top shelf. He gets his hattrick, so all the hats go flying out onto the ice.
Everyone returns to the face-off circle. The play goes on. Before we know it there's 2 minutes left. It's 4-2 New York. Well is was, New York now sets up the starting left winger. He goes left and the goalie follows. He quickly goes all the way back and pulls right putting it in.
"That was so nasty!" I scream. It was so amazing I don't even care it was for New York.
"Yeah it was!" Drew agrees.
The buzzard soon sounds, and the game is over.
~~~
Finally, after making our way through the crowd we're back in the safety of our hotel. That's when Dad tell Mom about Grant,
"Oh yeah by the way honey Grant's back here and he has a level 2 concussion." he says.
"When did you find that out?" she asks.
"Just before the 2nd period." Dad says calmly.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Mom asks irritated.
"I wanted you to enjoy the game." Dad says taking her hand. Mom rips her hand away and runs towards Grant's room.
"Shall we follow?" I ask Dad.
"We shall," Dad says following. We go to Grant's room and go in. Jon offers me a smile,
"I must know how was it to see that last goal in person?" he asks.
"It was so sick!" I exclaim. Mom shoots me a look and I know I need to shut up.
"Grant sweetie are you okay?" Mom asks fussing over him.
"I'm perfectly fine Mom, why are you here?" Grant asks.
"To make sure you're okay." Mom says.
"I'm fine I can take care of myself." Grant says. I smile, he's right I know it, but we hold this in common. Trying to prove to Mom we can hold our own.
"Honey you have a level 2 concussion." Mom insists.
"Which is minor and only requires rest, I can handle that." he says trying to prove a point. Dad looks helpless,
"Honey why don't you let me and Angie handle this. You and Drew go back to the room and rest. It's crowded in here anyway."
"But-" Mom starts to object.
"Listen to Dad!" Grant says. Mom sighs,
"Alright let's go Drew." They say bye and leave.
"I can't stand her!" I say. Grant looks confused,
"Why?"
"She's not going to let me play hockey." I tell him.
"What? She can't do that! All the freshmen are expecting you! Coach is too!" Grant says.
"You think I want this?" I ask him tiredly.
"What happened, what's with her sudden change of mind?" Grant asks. Dad and me exchange alook. I don't think now is the time to tell him,
"Well," Dad begins, "Your concussion." he says flatly.
"What about it?" Grant asks.
"She's trying to protect me." I say making air quotes, "She doesn't want me to get hurt." I say.
"Oh," he says quietly.
"She's sick of me being me, she's going to try to girlify me." Alex and Jon laugh,
"You girly? Yeah that will be the day." Alex says.
"She'll come around." Grant says. Now it's my turn to laugh,
"Yeah right! She's as hard headed as you!" I reason.
"That's possible?" Jon asks.
"So how was the game?" Grant asks changing the topic.
"Amazing!" I say in awe.
"Yeah when she wasn't moping around." Dad says.
"Dad drop it!" I tell him.
"I can't help but feel responsible." Grant says. I laugh nervously,
"Well you kinda are." I level.
"No, you’re not, it was the St. Noel player that decided contact to the head was a good idea who's responsible." Dad intervenes.
"So, I'm guessing you and Mom aren't on speaking terms?" Grant guesses.
"At the moment? Not really," I admit.
"Now Angie," Dad starts.
"Dad you know she's being completely unreasonable." He sighs,
"Let's just drop it for tonight, Grant needs to rest anyhow." He says pushing me towards the door.
"Bye people!" I call then leave.
- Writer
