Page 29 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

"As a patient?"

A small smile.

"Sometimes."

She smiles back.

"I'll take that as a mysterious answer."

"You should."

**

That afternoon the orthopedic surgeon arrives, x-rays clipped beneath one arm.

"Good news first."

I look up.

"The surgery went exactly as planned."

A pause. “The plate is secure. The lung is already improving."

"The ribs..."

He smiles sympathetically.

"...are going to take their own sweet time."

My eyes stay on the X-rays.

"When can I skate?"

No one in the room mistakes the question. The surgeon answers honestly. "Months."

Silence.

No false optimism. No empty promises. Just truth.

I nod once. "Okay."

After the surgeon leaves, the room grows quiet. Annette doesn't fill it. She adjusts the IV tubing. Straightens the blanket and checks the monitor. She gives me space to absorb a future I never imagined.

Finally..."Guess I'm not very good at sitting still."

"No." She smiles gently. "I've noticed."

Near the end of her shift Annette finishes charting outside my room.

Another nurse glances toward the doorway.

"You know..."

she says quietly, "he never asks for anything."

Annette looks up. "What do you mean?"

"If he needs something..."