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I leaned up against the wall and crossed my arms. I focused on the kid’s shot and waited. I was tempted to give him a few pointers, but if he was like me, he wouldn’t listen. It was about slapping out the anger.
After a few shots, Eric said, “I don’t want to leave the shelter.”
There was no indication of why they would leave the shelter. I could safely rule out that the shelter was pushing them out. Families could stay at the shelter for up to six months to a year. Given the pain in his voice, that led me to believe that it was probably either his mom wanted to move in with a new boyfriend or was going to go back to her husband.
“Why not?”
It was such an invasive question. I hated it, but I couldn’t think of anything smarter. I needed to get Eric to talk to me.
“Dad’s a dickhead.”
I covered my mouth with my fist to hide my grin. I loved the fact that even at age six, this kid could talk like a professional hockey player and directed it at the right people. But I knew most parents and the shelter staff didn’t like swearing.
After a quick moment to recover, I knelt down so I could be more at his eye level.
"Want to know a secret?"
Eric nodded, and he mimed locking up his lips. This was a young kid. I didn't really think that he would keep my secret.
"I lived at a shelter for a short time when I was about your age. My mom got the courage to get away, and then suddenly, we moved back in with my dad. I couldn't stop it even though I knew it was a bad idea. I won't say my dad changed a whole lot, and I'm not going to tell you that your dad is a changed man, either. But getting out, even for a short time, was the best thing for me. I found hockey, and a few years later, I was able to get out for good. You can, too."
"Really?"
I nodded. "But remember, this is our secret."
Before we could say anything more, that's when Ms. Lucy came out. "There you are, Eric. Your mom has been looking for you."
That’s when I realized that Natalie arrived and was right behind me.
I wanted to walk him in, but he was already dashing towards the scary house mistress. So, instead, I picked up his collection of pucks that he forgot about.
I made a note to connect with Eric’s mom and find out how soon they were moving out and if there was a way to keep Eric in hockey.
Chapter 21
Natalie
Listening to Spencer talk to Eric, my heart broke for both of them. While I knew about his rough past, it always broke me to hear him talk about a stay at a shelter. To know that his mom escaped her abuser and went back was almost too much to bear. Sadly, I knew the stats, but to watch it happen or know that it happened to someone you loved was too much to bear.
As Spencer picked up the pucks that were left behind, I collected myself. Couldn't be teary when we had work to do. So I forced a smile and said, "Hey. Need any help?"
Spencer closed the drawstring bag and said, "Nah."
His smile was genuine as he walked up to me and kissed me on the cheek. It was one of those chaste kisses, but there was a fire in his eyes, letting me know that his thoughts were anything but pure.
He asked, "Is it just me, or is it weird that we didn't need to bring anything today?"
While there were still a lot of haters, Legacy fans were amazing at donating things to the shelter. They cleaned out the whole wish list, and the shelter asked for us to help organize everything and not to bring anything. It took so long to convince Spence not to bring any backpacks or care packages for the moms.
"For real. Let's get in there."
I pulled out my phone and got the camera ready.
He frowned since he still hated how we were doing some social media posts about working at the shelter. At least it was just me. It wasn't the Legacy crew trying to do their own stuff, and Spence would be more himself when I filmed.
I tucked my chin and gave him the look that seemed to make him do whatever I said. He would smirk but still do what I needed.
I snapped a photo of him going inside.
