Page 63 of A Match Made In Fall

The coach cuts his peptalk short when the rest of the team starts pouring into the locker room.

“You okay?” Rico asks, his voice low.

I shrug my shoulders. “I think so. Do I have a choice?”

He sighs. “We’re so used to watching these deals go through, but it feels different when it’s happening to you.”

“It sure does.”

We don’t have much time to dwell on the news. The rest of the team is here, and I have a job to do. We have a game to win, and that’s what I need to focus on.

Redemption feels good.

The Bears beat the Washington Bolts tonight, and after what happened at of our last game, the win was necessary. Despite getting the victory, I felt like I was in a fog for most of the night. My mind kept drifting back to the conversation with Coach Denton and the possibility of a trade. But I somehow managed to push everything aside and give the game my all. For sixty minutes, playing hockey needed to come first. But now that the game is over, I’m consumed with everything else.

As soon as I get back to my hotel room, I call my parents. They're the only people I can talk to about this right now. I know they'll let me vent without judgement, and more importantly, I know they won't repeat a word of it.

My dad answers on the second ring.

"Hey, kid," he says. "Your mom and I were just reading through the game highlights. Nice win."

I smile to myself. "Thanks, Dad."

"Your mom's here too."

"Hi, Mom," I call.

"Hi, sweetie,” she says, her voice full of concern. "We weren't expecting to hear from you tonight. What's going on?"

Sometimes I wonder if my mother has a sixth sense. She always seems to know when something's wrong before anyone says a word. It might be a mom thing, or maybe it's just her.

I sit on the edge of the bed and stare out the hotel window. "Well, I got some news today, and I need to talk to someone about it."

"What kind of news?" Dad asks after a few seconds.

I take a deep breath and explain how Coach Denton brought me in, the rumors, and the possibility that I could be traded in the very near future.

When I finish, they’re both quiet for a few seconds.

“Mom, Dad—are you still there?” I ask.

Finally, my dad breaks the silence.

"The Golden State Seals," he says thoughtfully. "They play a few hours from here. You would be back on the west coast.”

Of course I’ve thought about this. Being closer to my family would be nice. After years of being so far away, having them within driving distance instead of a cross-country flight would be a huge change.

"I know," I say quietly.

"You've always been open to playing for different teams," Mom reminds me. "Has that changed?"

I pause to gather my thoughts. "Not exactly. I'm just struggling with the idea of leaving North Carolina right now."

"That’s understandable," Mom says. "You've had a great experience with the Bears. I’m sure leaving the team will be difficult, but you’ll stay in touch with them.”

"Yeah." I lean back against the headboard. "That's part of it …”

"Okay, what’s the other part?" Dad asks.