“So how did it go, spending a day with her?”
“Not bad.We had a chaperone.”
“Oh?”His eyebrows would be popping.
“She brought her kid.”
A moment of silence.“Why?”
“Power was off at the school or something.I’d said she could bring him along if she needed to.”
“What’s he like?”
“He’s in grade one, plays soccer.”
“So not a hockey fan?”
I grinned.“He hasn’t had a chance to play, but he’s interested.”
“Did you impress him with your hockey cred?”
Arne’s eyes had gone big when he told me the Blaze were an NHL team.But the biggest thrill had been drawing on my hand.“I think he was more impressed by my cast.”
Fitch laughed.“Yeah, that’s kids for you.”
“I let him sign the cast.He drew a duck on Ducky’s signature.And Tigger on Oppy’s.”
“That’s totally what we should call Oppy.”
“Maybe not.Tigger is popular with kids, but Oppy, he’s a little too?—”
“Too R rated?”
“Wouldn’t want to spoil Winnie the Pooh for a generation of children.”
We shot the shit for a bit longer, then I let him go.I texted Jess, so she’d know things had been fine.She’d worry.I didn’t call, because she needed time and space to work things out with Alek.
She texted back.
The team told Alek’s agent that he isn’t going to get an extension from the Blaze.
It had been a long shot, but with Ducky almost back in playing shape, the team couldn’t afford both of them.Ducky was cheaper and younger, and the team didn’t have a lot of cap space.But if we’d had both Alek and Ducky, our top two lines would have been unstoppable.
Sorry to hear that.
I’m going to pretend you mean it.
I’m trying.That was 50% sincere.
I appreciate it.How are things?
I told you, fine.Mia had to bring her son with her today, so we had a chaperone.
And tomorrow?There she was, worrying.
It’ll be fine.
Should I come out?