Redeeming Heart

Second chance offer

“Sorry, I am late.” I was out of breath and my lungs felt like they were literally on fire from running all the way from home, after I dropped Jonah off and over to her pub.

Aunt Maggie raised her head and gave me a look of disbelief. “You did so well during your first week.” She tsked, forgetting that I also have a life aside from working here.

“I do have other responsibilities that include me babysitting my soon-to-be stepmother’s son while she is at work.” I clarified, walking up to the bar counter and greeting everyone before going to stand in front of Aunt Maggie.

“Stepmother?” I frowned and then my eyes widened when I realized that she didn’t know.

I thought she knew. “My… my dad, didn’t tell you?” I stammered.

Aunt Maggie eyes were steady and resting on me, giving me no indication of what was going on in that mind of hers at this minute.

“Last time we spoke was about how difficult it was going to be getting over my sister.” She replied, placing her work down and closing the space between us.

He got over her alright. “I didn’t know he was planning on getting remarried. It hasn’t even been that long time ago since we buried her.” Aunt Maggie continued looking baffled and a bit upset. She should have seen me when he brought her home and informed me that they were planning on getting married.

I nodded and shrugged. “That’s part of the reasons why he and I don’t get along anymore,” I said and excused myself. Not having the energy to talk about this right now.

The pub was starting to become overcrowded like any other evening and while everyone else minded their own business and enjoyed the company of their drink, some were intrigued at the ice hockey tournament being broadcasted live on the tv behind the counter.

“Can I get you anything?” I asked noticing a man sitting at the bar looking at me with a curious expression on his face.

He looked familiar but I just couldn’t place my finger on where I’d seen him before.

“Don’t you think that you are wasting your time on something that isn’t meant for you, Sasha-lee Adams?”

I frowned at the man’s remark and wondered how he knew my name but it slowly came back to me.  “Coach Peterson.” I greeted with a bit of suspicion.

Like me, he is a has-been when it comes to the world of field hockey as it came to an end here in New Orleans a few years ago. Everyone was either becoming an ice hockey or baseball fan.

“What are you doing here?” I questioned.

“Having a drink and hoping to have a word with you.” He answered-—not beating around the bush.

I kept my cool and reminded myself that I was at work. “What will you be having then, coach?”

“Just a whiskey.”

“I always wondered what happened to you.” He began after accepting his drink. “I never imagined a legend like yourself becoming a bartender.”

“Not all dreams get shaped overnight,” I noted.

“Yes, but you threw yours away.” I bit down on the inside of my cheek to contain the words from spilling out.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“I want you to join the hockey team I am putting together.” He said straight from the shoulder.

I wasn’t given many opportunities to return to field hockey and basically, there was no hope at returning because most of the teams in the US came to an end.

“In what world? There isn’t a single team left in Louisiana. Even colleges and Universities in the US stopped offering scholarships.”

He smiled at me. “Not according to the sports director.” I frowned at his remark.

“I’m starting a hockey club that would be able to compete internationally.” He explained. “And I’ve already approached a few old players who are looking for a chance to compete and many of them successfully agreed to be a part of my team.”

“Then why did you come here if you already have a team?” I wasn’t amused by his small visit to the pub.

“Because nobody is close as good as you. There is not a centre in New Orleans that has your talent.” I think he was overexaggerating. I faced many good players when I used to compete that can take my place any day.

I shook my head. “Field hockey met its end years ago because everyone rather become an ice-hockey player and there hasn’t been a field hockey team since 2006 who competed in the leagues.” I would remember because my mother was one of those players.

“Everything is going to change this year.” The coach replied, pushing an envelope towards me.

“I was given the okay to put a team together and have them compete in the leagues, and if we win every game- including winning the cup. We get a chance to compete in the Olympics.” It has always been my mother’s dream to compete in the Olympics but she never made it that far since she fell ill.  

“What happens if you put a team together but no one would want me on their team?” I broke the hockey code when I started a brawl during a match.

I became a disgrace and nobody was interested in scouting me including my so-called scholarships and bursaries I’ve received months before my mother’s sickness took a bad turn.

“Let’s face it, Adams. You have a lot to do to prove yourself but I believe in you because you’ve got your mother’s blood coursing through your system. Don’t let that talent go to waste because of one bad apple.”