Page 73 of The Game
As expected, when he gets back, he asks me about the flowers, and I make up a lie about the neighbours sending a bouquet. As there is no card to be found, he looks sceptical but drops it, nevertheless.
We go to her grave, and I bring a single lily with me to place in front of the gravestone, as well as the flowers Dad and I picked out.
We sit in silence for a while before Dad wants to take a walk, leaving me alone with my mom.
“Hey, Mom, we miss you, especially today.”
Some people might think it’s crazy to sit and talk to the dead, but for me, this is the perfect way of feeling connected to her.
I sit there, feeling the cool air as I tell her about the latest developments in my life.
Then I tell her about Dad coming to the game in the city, and even though the result wasn’t what we hoped for, we still had a great time. It reminded me of old times, when we all went together.
I look down at the lily, letting out a sigh.
“I’ve met someone, and he’s not just anybody. He sent me flowers, your favourite flowers!”
The tears start rolling down my cheeks again, the emotional day making me cry more than usual.
I sit there and tell her all about Alexander and how he makes me feel.
“I think you would’ve loved him,” I whisper, wishing she had been here with us.
When I’ve got it all off my chest, I feel lighter, knowing my mom is out there somewhere, watching over me.
And now, she knows all about the man in my heart.
My dad comes back, and together we say goodbye as we head home.
We watch Chicago play their game, and once again, everything seems off.
The guys aren’t in synch, and the mistakes are piling up like never before. They lose 3-1, leaving everyone in a bad mood during their post-game interviews.
They try to put up a professional front, saying all the right things about how they’re going to bounce back from this.
They’re just in a funk they need to get out of.
When it’s time for Alexander’s interview, I almost feel like running out of the room, but I stay seated with my eyes fixed on the TV.
He’s overwhelming, even through the screen.
Like the other guys, he’s clearly frustrated with their game and the outcome. And if the media was tough on the others, it’s nothing compared to the hard-hitting questions they’re asking him.
Alexander answers every single one without losing his temper, even though some are really trying to push him over the edge.
That’s why he’s the perfect captain.
A lot of players would lose their heads in a situation like this, where they’re basically blaming him alone for their loss.
Alexander stays calm and collected, and even though I can tell he’s irritated, he handles the situation beautifully.
“I’m not sure he’s the right man to lead the team,” Dad says from beside me, making my temper rise.
“What? What makes you think that? Alexander is a great captain. Did you not just see him and how he handled the media? Most guys would flip out 5 seconds into that interview,” I say as I gesture to the TV.
When I turn my head toward my dad, he’s smiling in a way I’ve never seen before.
Shit.
