Page 44 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

She continues quietly. "I like seeing someone walk again."

Another step. "Drive again."

Another. "Pick up their grandchild again."

She laughs softly. "Those victories don't make the news. But they're still victories."

I don't interrupt. I don't joke. I don't even look away. I simply...listen.

Really listen.

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Why hockey?"

Now it's my turn to think. Most reporters ask that question expecting a rehearsed answer. Love of the game. Dream come true. Skates at age three. All true.

But none complete.

I look through the therapy gym toward a little boy learning to walk again with braces on his legs. His mother claps quietly after every step.

"My dad flooded our backyard for a rink every winter."

Annette smiles. "So, you fell in love with hockey."

I shake my head. "No."

She looks surprised.

"I fell in love with..." I watch the little boy take another determined step."...belonging somewhere."

Neither of us speaks again until we reach my room. Some conversations don't need another sentence. They just need...a little silence.

I’m back in therapy later that afternoon. The therapist has me do one final exercise. I want one more repetition, but the therapist says, "That's enough for today."

Old Jamie would have argued. New Jamie starts to. Stops. Looks over at Annette. Half smiles.

"See?"

She raises an eyebrow. "See what?"

"I'm learning."

She smiles. "Slowly."

Chapter six

Annette

The Weight of the "C"

By Thursday morning, Captain Jamie Walker has become the least demanding patient on the orthopedic floor.

Which, according to every nurse I know...is suspicious. I step off the elevator as the day shift begins gathering around the nurses' station.

"Morning, Annette."