Page 28 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

She smiles the instant she hears her name.

"You're awake. I was hoping I'd beat breakfast."

"You lost."

"I've been losing a lot lately."

She laughs as she empties the trash.

Annette watches quietly from the computer outside the room.

She hears Jamie ask: "Did you tell Mateo I said good work?"

Maria stops, turns. “I told him I met you and what you said. He was impressed that his Abuela had met the great hockey man!”

“Well, you tell him I think his Abuela is pretty great too, okay?”

She leaves nodding and smiling.

Late morning brings the physical therapist.

Only a few careful steps today.

Nothing ambitious. I stand slowly. The room immediately tilts. My hand grips the walker harder.

Annette is already beside me.

Not touching, ready.

"Easy."

"I am."

She says nothing. The therapist smiles knowingly.

"Every athlete says that."

I take one careful step. Then another.

Each breath catches against the healing ribs.

By the fifth step it’s obvious I’m feeling the pain..

"Enough."

Jamie's head turns. "I can do another lap."

The therapist smiles. "So could I."

Pause.

"But neither of us should."

Reluctantly, I nod.

As Annette helps me settle back into bed she says quietly, "You seem surprisingly familiar with rehabilitation."

"I've spent a lot of time around it."