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I sigh.“It wasn’t that.Kriecheque and I used to play on the same travelling team in high school.I started, he didn’t, and he’s had a chip on his shoulder ever since.Even though he made it to the NHL three years before I did.”
Rich grunts.“That’s important information.Information I don’t think the Department of Player Safety is going to like.They’ve called Kriecheque in for a hearing Friday afternoon.He’s going to be out for at least a few games, no doubt about that.Could be more if they suspect this was part of a long-standing grudge.That shows a kind of malice and mental instability no one wants loose on the ice.”
“That will only make this fan backlash worse.”I pace faster, wishing I could go for a run or hit the weight room.I’m an athlete.I’ve always used exercise to clear my head and process my emotions.I’m going to go crazy with nothing but short walks and cups of hot tea to ease the stress building in my gut.“Who told the fans that I was trying to get Kreicheque kicked off his team and slapped with criminal charges, anyway?”
“No clue.Maybe no one.Could just be the cheesehead rumor mill.Not much else to do in Wisconsin in the winter but gossip and stir up shit.”
“Not much else to do in Minnesota, either,” I say, voicing the part of this that hurt the most, “and I don’t see Midge fans standing up for me.”
“You’re new,” Rich says, the pity in his voice making me feel even worse.“The fans don’t know you yet.But the public relations and social media teams are putting together a statement to put out later today.It will make it clear we’re behind you.That you’re the victim here.You should be focused on healing up, not dealing with ugly internet rumors and threats.”
I swallow past the lump in my throat, a horrible thought blooming in my mind.“Am I safe here, Rich?I’m staying with a friend and her son.The last thing I want to do is put them in harm’s way.I don’t want to put my family at risk, either.Maybe I should go back to my apartment in the city.”
“No, you shouldn’t be alone.You’re healing from a major injury and don’t have use of one arm.You need emotional support from the people who care about you as much as you need help lifting things and opening jars.”
“Not if it puts them in danger,” I say.
“For now, I think you’re fine.No one knows where you are, and the ugly talk is only coming from a few fringe weirdos.Weirdos usually prefer to stay safe and anonymous behind their keyboards.I’m sure they realize you could kick their cowardly asses, even with only one good arm and a hole in your neck.”
“It’s not a hole anymore.It’s healing fast,” I say, because it’s the truth, and because I want Rich to know that I intend to get back on the ice as quickly as possible.“I should be able to leave the bandage off completely in a day.”
“That’s great news,” Rich says.“But don’t rush it.Better to give yourself time to come back strong than to rush things and end up compromising your strength long term.We want you back when you’re one hundred percent and not a day before.Even if that means sitting out the rest of the season and joining us this summer for training.We signed you because we believe in you, Aaron.That hasn’t changed because you got on the wrong side of a bad actor.”
I should be comforted by his words, but…I’m not.The thought of staying out of the game for four months or more makes my skin feel too tight.I haven’t gone more than a week without playing hockey since I was a kid.Hockey is my life, or at least one of the biggest parts of it.I try to be there for my family as much as possible, too, but lately, that’s meant sending flowers and gifts and hooking up for video chats on a night we all have free.
For the past few years, I’ve been giving hockey everything, even more so than usual.I knew I was running out of time.Every birthday I celebrated without being signed by an NHL team made it that much harder to keep hope alive.Players are staying on the ice longer than ever before, but rookies still tend to be young, often straight out of college or even younger.
At thirty-two, I’m not the oldest rookie ever, but I’m up there.
I’m afraid if I don’t prove myself this season, I’ll end up back in the minors.Or, worse, that this will be it.The end.That after just three NHL games, my dream is dead in the water, and I’ll have nothing to show for it except a scar on my neck and a shoulder that aches when it rains.
But a conversation with my coach isn’t the place to voice any of those fears, so I force an upbeat note into my voice.“Gotcha.Will do, Coach.I’ll focus on coming back strong and let this roll off my back.I can’t control what people think about me, only how I respond to it, and I don’t have energy to spare for drama right now.I’ll lay low and let the social media team handle it unless you tell me otherwise.”
“Great plan,” he says, sounding pleased.“This is why we need you, Aaron.You’re a grown-up.We need more of those in the NHL.Hell, in the world.”
“Thanks, Rich,” I say.
“You’re welcome.All right, I’ll let you go and touch base if there’s anything you need to know.Otherwise, enjoy the time with your friends and family and know we’re all rooting for you.
I thank him again and end the call.Tossing my phone on the bed, I sit down heavily on the window seat.I’m tempted to reach for my laptop and dive further down the rabbit hole, but I don’t know if I can handle the hate right now.I’m already injured, not sleeping well, and dreading what the new scans might reveal tomorrow.If they say I need surgery, there goes my chance of rejoining the team before summer training.
Seeing how many people want to beat the shit out of me for the sin of getting fouled by their favorite bully might be more than I can take and maintain a healthy mindset.
I need to think good, healing thoughts, and keep my spirits up.
So, I put in a call to one of the most upbeat people I know.“Hey, baby sister,” I say when Nora answers.“Want to come have lunch with me and Gram at Melissa’s house?Gram and Slasher are bringing pot pies over at noon and I’m sure there will be plenty to share.”
“Rats, I have a supplier meeting at one,” she says.“But I can swing by after and bring you coffee and cupcakes around two-thirty or so?I feel terrible that I haven’t been able to gently hug you yet.You were sleeping when I stopped by Gram’s the morning after the accident, and I’ve been slammed with work.I picked the worst time to expand my business.The very worst.”
“It’s fine,” I assure her.“I haven’t been doing anything interesting anyway.Just napping and eating as much of Mel’s food as possible.But yeah, come over at two-thirty, and bring extra cupcakes.Mel and Chase might want one when they get back.”
Nora hums her agreement.“Yes.Absolutely.I’ll get the gourmet cupcakes from Whisk Me Away then.Mel doesn’t like the recipes they’re using at The Cupcake Factory since the new owners took over.”
“She’s fussy,” I say, with a smile.
“She is,” Nora says.“But I respect a woman who knows what she wants and won’t settle for less.”
I do, too, and I’m feeling pretty pleased that Mel’s warming up to me so quickly.The cocky part of me likes being on par with gourmet cupcakes.
