Page 213 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

Encouraged Ethan.

Made Liam laugh.

Today...

I stare at the page.

Finally, I write:

Stayed patient.

It doesn't feel like much of a victory.

Maybe it is.

I move to the second question.

Someone I Encouraged

That answer comes more quickly.

Ethan.

He looked stronger on the ice today.

More confident.

I smile to myself.

He's going to become a fine hockey player.

Then I reach the last line.

Something I'm Grateful For

The pen hovers above the paper.

Normally I'd write something without much thought.

My shoulder. The team. Coach. Another day closer to playing again.

Tonight...Only one answer comes to mind, one I’ve written many times.

Annette

I stop. The word sits alone on the page. For a long moment I simply look at it.

Then, slowly, I draw one careful line through it. Not because it isn't true, but because somehow it feels too personal, too revealing.

Instead, I write: Progress.

I close the notebook before I can change my mind again. As I stand, my phone vibrates on the table.

For one ridiculous second, I hope it's Annette. It isn't.

A reminder from the rehabilitation clinic.

Appointment: Thursday – 9:00 a.m.