Page 293 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

Annette inhales the moment we step inside.

"Oh..."

Mom smiles over her shoulder. "I take it that's a good 'oh'?"

"The very best kind."

"I'll take that."

She disappears toward the kitchen. Dad hangs his keys by the back door while I help Annette with her sweater.

She glances around the cozy living room. Family photographs cover nearly every shelf.

Me with missing front teeth.

My first pair of skates.

Graduation.

The draft.

Stanley Cup celebrations.

But mixed among them are children I don't recognize.

Families.

Birthday parties.

Holiday dinners.

Foundation events.

Annette walks closer.

"There are as many pictures of other people as there are of you."

Dad smiles.

"They're all family."

She turns toward him. "They are."

He nods. "Some by birth."

He gestures toward another photo of a teenager in graduation robes. "Some by circumstance."

I know exactly who that is. Marcus.

One of the Foundation kids.

First in his family to attend college.

Mom calls from the kitchen. "Jamie! Stop letting that roast get cold."

"I just got here."

"You've been here almost three minutes."