Page 3 of Puck Your Charity

Sam looks star-struck. His mouth opens and closes twice before he speaks. "You're Finn Hayes. You had thirty-two saves last game."

Finn grins, a genuine, dimpled smile that transforms his face. "I got lucky on a few of those. The defense bailed me out. It's great to meet you, man."

I watch from the corner of the room, keeping an eye on the door. Victor enters last.

He steps over the threshold and freezes. All the color drains from his face. His skin turns an ashen, sickly gray. His eyes dart around the small room. He stares at the medical equipment, the clear tubes taped to Sam's arm, and finally at Sam's face.

His chest heaves. He looks terrified. He looks like he's about to throw up all over the linoleum floor.

Before anyone speaks, Victor spins around. He shoves past the doorframe, his shoulder clipping the wood, and flees down the hallway at a dead sprint.

The room goes dead silent.

Sam looks at the empty doorway, confusion spreading across his small face. "Where did he go?"

My teeth grind together until my jaw aches. I dig my fingernails into my palms until it stings. He lacked the stomach to pretend to care for five minutes. He took one look at the reality of a sick kid and ran away like a coward.

I step forward, forcing that fake smile right back onto my face.

I pat the blankets near Sam's feet. "I heard him mention earlier that he forgot something in his car. He'll return soon. But you have the rest of the guys all to yourself right now."

Malcolm and Lawrence exchange a dark, loaded look. For a split second, I think they plan to run out after him. Malcolm clears his throat and steps closer to the bed. He pulls a handful of gold and black markers out of his tracksuit pocket.

"Yeah." Malcolm forces a grin, turning his attention to the kid. "We've got plenty of time. Let's get that puck signed, man."

Lawrence nods and pulls his phone out of his pocket. "Absolutely. Let's get a group picture while we're at it."

Finn leans in, his warm presence filling the space by the bed. "I call the spot right next to Sam."

Malcolm uncaps the gold marker and signs the rubber puck. He passes it to Lawrence, who adds his signature before handing it to Finn. They crowd around the small hospital bed.

Lawrence hands his phone over to me. "Mind taking some photos for us?"

I take the phone and step back to frame the shot. Sam beams with a gap-toothed smile. Finn and the other guys lean in close and make goofy faces. I snap a few pictures and hand the device back.

Sam points to the TV mounted on the wall. HisNintendo Switchsits on the tray table. He grabs a red joycon. "Do you guys playMario Kart?"

Malcolm grins and snags a controller. "I call Yoshi."

Lawrence takes another one. "Prepare to lose. I dominate Rainbow Road."

Finn scoots his chair closer to the bed and takes the last controller. "Let's see what you got, Sam."

I step back toward the window and watch them settle in. The familiar countdown music fills the small room. The race starts. The three athletes lean into every twist of the track. Their broad shoulders bump together. Malcolm curses under his breath when a blue shell hits his green dinosaur. Sam laughs, a bright, genuine sound, and drifts his kart around the final corner.

The hospital room door swings open right as Sam crosses the finish line on the TV screen. The guys groan in exaggerated defeat.

A woman in a blue retail polo shirt and khakis steps inside. She clutches a worn purse to her chest. She breathes in fast, ragged gasps.

Sam's mom, Elena, looks at the giant hockey players crowded around her son's bed. "My manager kept me late on the register. I drove like a maniac to get here in time for pictures."

I step forward and offer her a warm smile. "Elena, these are the Iron Wolves. Guys, this is Sam's mom."

Finn pauses the game and stands up. He shakes her hand. Malcolm and Lawrence follow suit, introducing themselves with easy smiles.

Elena's eyes well up with tears. "Thank you for staying. That means the world to us."

Finn smiles. "We wouldn't miss it. Sam just destroyed us on the track. We need a rematch."