Page 75 of Walk the Line

“For the accident.”

“The accident that occurred in which you were not the driver or a person anywhere near the scene?”

“You were coming to pick me up. I was drunk.”

“You wouldn’t be the first teenager to be drunk and you won’t be the last.”

I wouldn’t be, but I remember my teenage days when I took Hockey seriously but I partied even more than I do now. It was fine for me for a while, but the one night I’m too drunk to make my way back home is the one night my dad offered to pick me up and got hit by a car on his way.

“Still doesn’t make it okay. I should have been focusing on Hockey but instead I was partying.”

“So you think you’re making up for it by putting all your energy into Hockey now?”

All my energy and energy I don’t even have.

“You can no longer play Hockey professionally, so yeah I’m doing this for the both of us,” I say, because the consequence of that night still lingers in the air, my dad making it through but his injuries being enough to take him off the ice that he loved.

“I never asked you to do that,” which is the truth.

“Of course you wouldn’t, but it’s only right,” I say.

“You don’t get it,” my dad begins. “Yes, I loved Hockey but I was also interested in Pharmacy and always had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to do that.” I do remember it coming up a few times. “You know I didn’t go the university route when I was younger, and I just went straight to Hockey. Yes, it was a big shock when I learned that I had to give up the career but there was also a big part of me that was happy, because deep down I knew Pharmacy was what I really wanted and being able to go to university and study it as an adult hasn’t been this traumatising experience like the one I think you’re imagining.” I have nothing against people of any age going university, it just felt like I’m the reason he had to start over so late. “It’s like you think you’re the reason why I’m here when I’m a little older but that’s just down to me choosing another path when I turned a little older,” he says, answering my own worries. “It’s been a very rewarding experience actually. And I’m the oldest on the course but everyone loves me.”

I scoff. “Did they tell you that?”

“They don’t have to, I just know it. But yes actually, they have all told me that,” he says with a laugh.

“So this isn’t just…something you’re settling for?”

“No,” he says and I know he’s telling the truth. “I did enjoy Hockey, I won’t deny that. But I’m not one to dwell on things when they have to come to an end, especially when it’s not the end of my life itself by any means. I think for you, Hockey was always the one and I’m happy for you to do the work to be the best but not at the expense of your happiness, or because you think you owe me something.”

I replay back our whole conversation, one conclusion remaining prominent at the very end. “I shouldn’t have ruined our relationship like I did for all these years.”

“You haven’t ruined it at all,” he says, which instinctively releases a large sigh from me. “But like I said Son, I miss you and I hope this is the start of us talking again.”

“Yeah, definitely,” I say quickly.

“That’s good.” I feel lighter than I have in a long time. “Now your mother and brother said something about you pretending you’re not interested in your housemate but not being convincing enough at it.”

“Wait. What?”

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

KAYLAH

I hate to believe in something just to find out that I was wrong.

But I’m starting to think that things might be turning around for me.

I’ve been trying to ignore the fact that I aired out my business to the whole team, because I was trying to help Sierra solely and it was worth it to say whatever was going to do the trick.

Since then, I’ve been receiving more passes during games than I can count, and I’m finally getting the recognition I deserve for my contribution to the goals we’ve been scoring.

But nothing looks like recognition more than the dinner I’m finding myself at tonight.

I had to do a double take when Tamarah’s message come through on my phone earlier this week.

We’re celebrating our Captains on Saturday night guys at Tontor Restaurant. Make sure you’re there!