Page 74 of Cherry Picking

Somewhere over Oregon, Augie falls asleep mid-clue, pen still gripped in his hand, and I put my headphones in and watch the ground disappear under a floor of clouds. Our next game is in Seattle, which means a couple more days in this time zone before the schedule drags me back east.

It’s cold, gray, and raining sideways off the water. We beat the Surge 3–1, and I get an assist on Augie’s power-play goal that Bellan calls “the first honest defensive game you’ve played in a month.” From him, that’s practically a bouquet.

I take a picture of the visitors’ tunnel—bare cinder block and one sad motivational poster—and send it to Evie. Aside from Vegas, Seattle is my least favorite road city. I’ve never once seen the sun here.

After three winters in North Carolina, I’ve lost whatever tolerance I had for standing around in the rain.

Briggs

seattle is such a shithouse

Evie

stunning. is that mold or a design choice?

Briggs

I assume it’s both. seattle is the vegas of washington. both convinced they’re better than they are

Evie

what do you have against seattle? I love it there

Briggs

the people are rude as hell and it smells like wet dog

Evie

not my version of the city. try it in the summer

how’d we do, by the way? I didn’t get to watch the game

Briggs

we?

Evie

for all you and your dad have put me through, I have equity now. how’d WE do?

Briggs

we won. I was very fast. ask the big man

She takes a few minutes to reply, and I find myself checking the phone twice before it buzzes. It’s a ridiculous amount of attention to give a screen.

Evie

he says you were “gripping your stick less.” congratulations on your loose stick

Briggs

let’s never say that again

Our flight home lands past two in the morning, and there’s a text waiting when we touch down. I didn’t expect her to be the one to start it. Thank God I opened the door back up the other night because being in Evie’s good graces is bar none.

Evie