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I’m so pissed I get hurt the very season I decide to retire.
What kind of bad luck is that?
I’d been seriously considering retirement, but when I actually said I was going to do it, it felt right.
Seeing Alissa arrive confirmed I made the right choice too. I want to be able to see her and Emily every day.
I’ve had my fun being in the NHL and hockey will still be a big part of my life, but now at the front and center of it will be Emily and Alissa.
I didn’t get a break from physical therapy and training, so I had to skip Family Day. It was tough knowing that everyone else was enjoying the festivities while I was stuck at the gym, lifting tiny weights and working through exercises to rehab my shoulder.
But the highlight of my weekend was spending evenings with my girls. Eleanor was content to spend her evenings alone in her own room with room service, and I realized she probably doesn’t get a lot of alone time.
Emily, Ali, and I had cozy dinners together and watched movies, just enjoying each other's company. Ali tried to teach me some board games she brought, and Emily laughed when I struggled to keep up.
We even found time for a walk together. It was simple, but those moments meant a lot to me and made me realize how much I looked forward to many more like them as a family.
But now it’s time to say goodbye. I book a limo to take us all to the airport, so Emily and I can spend as much time as possible with Ali.
As Alissa is just about to enter security with her grandma, I kneel in front of her to say, “Are you going to call me every day?”
She nods.
“And are you going to get good grades?”
“I always do!”
“You’re still not going to call me dad?”
She giggles but shakes her head.
“But do you love me?”
She goes strawberry red. “Yes!”
Alissa jumps in my arms, and I hold her tight for as long as I can.
Emily hugs her close soon after. “Next weekend we’ll be there to see you, okay?” she explains, kissing the top of her head.
“See you soon, you two,” Eleanor says, taking Alissa by the hand. “We gotta go or this plane is flying without us!”
We wave goodbye until they disappear and with a simultaneous sigh, Emily and I hug each other and express how we both miss Ali already.
“What do you want to do now?” she asks me, pulling back carefully to not press on the sling.
“I don’t wanna go to the hotel. There must be something worth doing in Tampa,” I say.
“How about a strip club?” she suggests with wide eyes and a sly smile.
“Nope. Not falling for that!” I start making my way outside, a finger raised in the air.
Emily giggles behind me, replying, “Good answer. You passed!”
“Alright!” she says as we get outside. The air is warm, and I can even feel warmth radiating off the concrete, making me miss the cooler temperatures of home. “Let’s ask the driver!”
We get inside the limo. It’s pretty bright and gives me a headache.
“Can you please dim the lights back here?” I ask the driver as soon as I’m in.
