Page 66 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

"Tired?"

I watch the familiar lake appear between the trees. The frozen surface sparkles beneath the afternoon sun. "It feels strange."

"What does?"

I don't answer immediately. The truck turns onto the narrow lakeside road. Cabins begin appearing one by one between the pines. Smoke curls lazily from stone chimneys. Children pull sleds across front yards. Someone waves from a porch, and Colby waves back.

"So?"

I finally speak. "Going home..."

The words catch somewhere deep in my chest. "...when everyone else is still playing."

The truck grows quiet. Colby doesn't rush to fill it. He understands. Probably because he'd feel exactly the same way.

A few more turns, then my cabin appears through the trees.

Stone chimney.

Wide front porch.

Snow piled neatly along the driveway where somebody had already cleared a path.

Colby parks, but neither of us moves for a second. Then he climbs out and quietly unloads the bag.

"I'll check on you tomorrow."

"You don't have to."

"I know."

He smiles.

"But I will."

I nod.

"Thanks."

He claps my good shoulder gently.

"Welcome home, Cap."

The truck disappears down the snowy road. Its engine grows quieter...then fades completely.

For the first time in nearly a week everything is still. I unlock the front door, and the familiar scent of cedar and coffee greets me immediately. A pan of fresh pastries sits on the counter; no doubt Colby’s wife Sadie brought them from her bakery. What a kind thing, so typical of her.

Nothing has changed. My favorite mug still rests beside the coffee maker.

A folded practice schedule lies exactly where I dropped it before leaving for the road trip.

My skates lean against the mudroom wall, obviously brought here by Mark or one of the guys.

Waiting, as though I'll lace them up tomorrow morning.

I close the door quietly behind me and the cabin settles into silence.

Not peaceful.