“You’re the head coach.” My dad sounds like he’s going to keel over into his pot roast.
“More potatoes?”
“Stop trying to feed that man carbs and dairy. He needs alcohol, Trina,” Granny Murray says then turns to me. “You’re gonna do great, kiddo. Shit, I already placed a bet on your game tomorrow.”
“You did?” My brothers are howling in laughter.
“Yep, my whole Social Security check.”
“Your entire…” Nate holds a finger to his eye that is visibly twitching. “Trina,” he hisses to Mom, “we agreed your mother was going to stay here while she saved up to move into another retirement home.”
“Yes, Nathan,” Granny Murray slurs. “My entire Social Security check, because I believe in Ellie. I raise girls’ girls. Women support other women because the men in their lives won’t.” She waves her mug of scotch at my dad. “You’re gonna dogreat, kid. I’m gonna be there cheering you on. And don’t forget: the best motivation for men is sex. Sometimes you gotta suck a few dicks to win a hockey game.”
My siblings sit there, shocked. Unlike me, they do not live at home and thus seem to have forgotten what Granny Murray is like when she starts drinking on a weeknight.
Jace raises his hand. “How many dicks do you think I’d have to suck to get a Stanley Cup?”
Our dad shoots daggers at him. “Don’t you dare engage in any sex acts with anyone!”
“So, we’re hosting a holiday party,” I say in an attempt to change the subject.
“When are we not hosting a holiday party?” Angie interjects then turns back to hockey. “So, what’s your strategy for the game tomorrow?”
“Forget that—what are you going to wear?” Maxie leans over.
“You have to wear white,” my other sister says.
“No, pink.”
“Her strategy is gonna be to loooose.” My brothers cackle.
“No offense, sis!” Adam steals the slice of meat off my plate and stuffs the whole thing in his mouth. “I do support you, but we’re still going to kick your ass.”
“They’re going to crucify you,” my dad says. He’s staring blankly at the china cabinet. “I’m going to talk to the NHL tomorrow. My daughter can’t be an NHL coach. You’re basically a child. You still live here. At home. With me. It’s not happening. It can’t happen.”
“A woman can be an NHL coach, Dad,” Maxie argues.
Nate turns on me. “You can’t control these men. These are the best of the best.”
“Uhhh…” Adam makes a face. “The Rhode Islanders team isn’tthatgood, Dad.”
“She’ll probably be better than that coach they had,” Jace adds. “It doesn’t matter who they hire, the Direwolves are going to destroy you guys.”
“It’s just a temporary position until they get a real coach,” I promise my dad.
“Maybe you can help her find a coach, Nate,” my mom suggests.
My dad gives a sharp nod. “Right.” He looks down at his food and slices his meat aggressively. “I’ll do that. You’re not going to be an NHL coach. You can’t.” He dishes up more salad for me and my siblings. “That’s final.”
6
ELLIE
Iwake up early to Granny Murray and my dad yelling downstairs.
“My house…” my dad is saying, “…under my roof…”
“Misogynistic asshole!”
