Redeeming Heart

Learning the game

Meredith called Jonah’s coach the next day and informed him Jonah will be returning. The coach was more than thrilled to have Jonah back but he was going to be a replacement which was fine for now.

Throughout practice, I tried to eavesdrop on how the game works and watch Jonah closely and memorise his mistakes to help fix them later on.

I started by helping him after everyone has left after practice. Meredith was working late which gave us some time to work on his skills before the Gladiators took over the ice for their practice.

He showed me the basics and explained his position. I was amazed when I learned he was a defenseman. I understood he was fast, but he wasn't aggressive enough.

I wanted him to demonstrate his defence tactics on me and if he can protect and steal the puck from his opponent, but first, I had to get out on the ice. I have never touched ice before where I had to wear skates and glide on around it.

I rented a pair of skates and met Jonah out on the ice after slipping them on. The first touch of ice wasn't that bad but the second I started getting a hang of it and wanted to go faster, I almost made out with the ice.

“Wow, you really suck as ice skating.” He said, meeting me halfway.

“Lay off,” I grumbled, holding onto his shoulder when he offered support.

“So, the referee drops the puck and a player of each team goes for it.” I began. “What happens next?”

“We literally use physical force to win the puck off our opponent. Body checking can even be used.” He explained and I started to think that this sport was crazy.

“There are three forwards, a centre, a left-wing and right-wing with two defensemen on either side. Any player is allowed to handle the puck as often as they want but not allowed to touch or pick up the puck with their hand.”

“Okay, that’s basic rules,” I noted.

“So, you are supposed to be defensemen?” I queried, remembering his position from practice.

He nodded. “Defensemen are usually the fastest players on the team. We block, check, or hit a player with our body, as long as it falls within the rules.”

I arched an eyebrow. He got seriously crushed last time and he was supposed to crush him.

“Why are you a defenseman? Shouldn’t you be a forward or at least a centre?” Jonah didn’t seem like the type to use his force to block or hit someone with his body.

“I am fast.” He noted.

“Okay, well, let’s see what you’ve got when it comes to defending.” I at least got the hang of my skates and had a one on one with Jonah.

I first had to learn that ice hockey is more of a back and forth motion with steady hands. They used the rounded side of the paddle which in field hockey was resulted in a loss of possession of the ball. Here, on the ice, they were allowed to stickhandle with the front and back of their stick blade.

He forced me a few times into the billboards, railings and windows but he didn’t have enough force. I still got through and scored each time. I started to believe that this was probably not the right position for him and maybe that other kid that bullied him was in a much better position to become a defenseman.

Jonah was too small and not aggressive enough.

“I think you should switch up your position.” He frowned at me.

“You are too nice, Jonah. As a defender, you gotta be tough and shove that person out of your way and away from the guy who has the puck. Your obligation is to protect him but you aren’t in the position to do so.”

He didn’t look thrilled with my observation. “You only played for a few minutes and now you think you know everything?”

I didn’t react to his impoliteness with words of my own. I only tried to reach for him when he skated away from me and I forgot for a moment I was wearing skates. My one foot slipped out from under me and I went down with quite a bang.

Everything was cold and wet, and I didn’t want to start thinking about how it was going to hurt when I get up from here.

I heard skates gliding over the ice and I thought it was Jonah but to my surprise it was Brandon. He was already dressed for practice and I was suddenly very much aware if he was here, so was his team.

“You, okay?” He asked, offering his hand to me.

I nodded and took his hand, letting him help me up. “Sweet Jesus,” I muttered, once I stood and cupped the side of my butt I landed on. That was definitely going to leave a mark.

“Usually, the coach will tell us to walk it off.” He began and I didn’t miss his smile. “But I get the feeling, you will punch me in the face if I have to tell you to walk it off.”

I suppressed a chuckle and started to see where Jonah was since he didn’t come over to help me out. I caught him talking to two of Brandon’s teammates.

“You weren’t wrong what you said to Jonah.” I gazed at Brandon, keeping my expression dull while I was amazed that he overheard my conversation with Jonah.

I know I was right but it was hard for anyone to admit to something they are passionate about.

“Do you have any advice because he basically shut me down when I only mentioned the possibility of changing positions?” Brandon was the person that Jonah looked up and he mentioned to me that he wants to become like him.

They have something in common and Brandon is way more experienced than me in ice hockey.

“We’ve got a few minutes to spare before practice. You and Jonah can even stay so he can learn.” He offered and I know Jonah will be more than happy to stick around.

“Yeah, sure. I am sure his mom won’t have a problem.” Brandon nodded at me.

I glanced over my shoulder when I heard Jonah’s chuckle and then he was making his way over to us with Brandon’s friends. “This is Jake and Jared.” Jonah introduced without an apology but I saw the guilt in his eyes.

“Sasha,” I introduced myself.

Both of them nodded their heads at me before heading off to show Jonah some moves. “You want me to teach you how to control your skates?” Brandon asked, noticing my discomfort.

“On the contrary, I just want to get off the ice and out of these things,” I said, leaving the professionals to take charge of helping Jonah with training.

“Need some help?” I didn’t miss him struggling to conceal his laughter when I almost slipped again.

“Just tell me what I have to do,” I said with a frustrating huff.

“Well, first.” He kicked my foot in the right direction. “They are just like shoes, just with full blades. Always have them pointing forward and close together because they will go opposite sides, and you will end up doing some splits on the ice.”

“That sounds like fun,” I mumbled, catching his smile.

I didn’t say anything when he hesitantly snaked his arm around my waist and helped me safely over to the barriers. Making sure I didn’t fall again and let me go once he was sure I was alright before going over to his friends.

I got working on removing my skates while they were showing Jonah some moves when a girl with long straight, dark-black hair made her way over to me. “Not a fan, huh?” She asked, sitting down next to me.

“Fan of hockey but not the skates,” I grumbled, kicking them off and rubbing my feet.

“Yeah, I don’t know how Brandon and his friends can handle being out there for hours.” She noted, glancing over at Brandon and waving at him when their eyes met.

“I’m Ashley.” She introduced.

“Sasha,” I said, grabbing my shoes and slipping them on.

“How do you know Brandon?” Her question somewhat made me cringe when I realized what she is insinuating.

“I don’t. We can barely stand each other. He is a friend of Jonah’s, my little brother.” I don’t know if my answer justifies her mixed feelings but I didn’t care.