Page 20 of Hockey Player Seeking Fan

"I’m offended."

"I’m not trying to offend you. I just don’t think a gentleman would throw a drink on a woman, even if it was by mistake."

"We’re not going to have that conversation again, are we?" I groan and place my hands on the table. "What can I do? What can I say? What can I buy you to end this conversation?"

"I know that it really wasn’t done in malice or spite," she says. "I’m going to get over it. But I may still tease you about it."

"Okay. Hey there, Tyler." Sheila walks out to us. Her gray hair is back in a bun. Her face is ashen white, and she looks tired.

"You okay tonight? You look exhausted."

"I am ready for bed, but one of the girls called in sick, and you know how it goes. It means that I’ve got to be here another couple of hours."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I hope they're not working you too hard."

"We're not super busy, so it's okay," she says, nodding. She looks over at Erica. "Hi. Have you been to Happy's before?"

"No. This is my first time. Do you have any recommendations?"

"Well, all of our burgers are to die for, so you really can't go wrong. I also recommend getting the 50/50, which is half onion rings, half french fries."

"Ooh, that sounds yummy. I guess I'll get a bacon cheeseburger," Erica says, "and the 50/50. Oh, and a strawberry milkshake, please."

I grin as she smiles at me.

"I'm hungry."

"Hey, I'm not saying anything. I'll get the chili cheese dog, and I'll also do the 50/50 and a chocolate shake."

"Coming right up," Sheila says. "I'll get you both some waters to start."

"Thanks, Sheila."

I look over at Erica. "Man, she reminds me of my mom."

Erica leans forward, looking surprised. "She looks like her?"

"No, but she worked in a restaurant for a really long time and had some really long nights. I can still remember her coming in exhausted and my sisters acting up and her getting upset." I'm quiet for a few moments, thinking about those years when it was really hard. How we barely had enough food on the table, how I could hear my mom crying in the bedroom. How when I got theoffer to be a hockey player, I knew I had to take it even though it wasn't my dream.

"She's doing much better now, though," I say. "And so are my sisters. They live a blessed life."

"That's cool," Erica says. "I guess I live a blessed life myself by virtue of who my parents are." She pauses. "I never really thought about that before."

"You didn't?" I ask her in surprise. "I mean, not to put the rich princess label on you, but you've never realized that you haven't had to want like other people?"

She presses her lips together. "I mean, kind of. Sabrina is my best friend, and she had to work through college, and I saw how rough she had it. But I guess I never really saw myself as having it easy. Though, I guess in many ways, maybe I have." She wrinkles her nose and sighs. "Man, that makes me feel kind of icky inside."

"Why?"

"I don't know. Maybe I haven't been appreciative enough." She leans back in the booth. "But anyway, you grew up in Iowa, huh?"

"Yes, ma'am."

She laughs. "I can't believe you're calling me ma'am. I'm younger than you."

"Just a sign of respect. So, tell me about these fairytales you're chasing."

She shakes her head. "What do you mean?"