Page 27 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

"'How's Ethan?'"

"'Did the team get home?'"

"'Can I call Coach?'"

She tilts her head. "You've been in this hospital almost twenty-four hours."

A pause. "You've asked exactly one question about yourself."

I think about that. She's right. Funny…I hadn't noticed.

"I guess..." I shrug carefully. "I already know how I'm doing."

"And?"

"I'll heal."

"You sound very certain."

"I don't have much choice."

"No."

She closes the chart. "You don't."

Silence settles over the room.

Comfortable. Not awkward. Just...quiet.

Finally, she asks..."So why everyone else first?"

I look toward the window. The morning sun catches the edge of the parking lot below. People coming to work. Going home. Living ordinary Tuesdays.

***

"When you wear the C..." I say quietly, "...you stop being the most important person in the room."

She doesn't interrupt. "You become responsible for making sure everyone else can do their job."

Another silence.

"That's what captains do."

It’s not...who I am.

Not...what I'm famous for.

Simply..."The job."

Annette studies me for a second longer than usual, then she smiles.

Not because she agrees. Because I think she finally understands.

Maria knocks softly before pushing the housekeeping cart into the room.

"Good morning."

"Morning, Maria."