Page 320 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

***

The tunnel leading toward the ice glows softly beneath the arena lights. One by one we gather near the entrance while the public-address announcer begins introducing the visiting lineup.

The roar filtering through the concrete walls grows steadily louder.

Liam leans toward me.

"Nervous?"

I think about the question. Then shake my head. "No."

"Really?"

"I'm grateful."

He studies me for a second before nodding. "Yeah."

His voice grows unusually sincere. "I think that's better."

The anthem singer steps onto the ice. The arena settles into respectful silence.

We remove our helmets. As the first notes echo through the building, I close my eyes for a brief moment. Not to pray for a win. Not to ask for one more chance.

Simply to say thank you.

For healing.

For second chances.

For coaches who refuse to let players quit.

For parents who taught me what mattered.

For teammates who carried the captain until he could carry himself again.

And...for one stubborn sports medicine therapist who somehow convinced me that asking for help wasn't weakness.

***

When I open my eyes again, I look through the opening of the tunnel toward the stands.

It takes only a second to find them in the seats my folks always occupy. Mom sits beside Dad; her hands folded quietly in her lap.

Coach's wife smiles warmly as she notices me looking their way.

Beside them...Annette. She catches my eye immediately.

She isn't wearing clinic scrubs. She isn't carrying a chart. She's wearing my navy Blizzards jersey over a cream sweater, her hair falling softly around her shoulders.

When our eyes meet, she doesn't wave.

She simply smiles. Then she places one hand lightly over her heart. The gesture lasts only a second.

Long enough for me to understand exactly what she's saying. I'm here.

I smile back before the lights dim.

The announcer's voice fills the arena. "Ladies and gentlemen..."