Page 53 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

Jamie nods. "I know."

"No." Coach leans forward. "I mean it."

"The room doesn't stop breathing because the captain misses a few games."

Jamie's smile is small. "I know."

Coach studies him for another second, then nods toward Annette.

Stepping outside the room, while Jamie reaches for his water, Coach lowers his voice.

"Do you know why those guys would skate through a wall for him?"

Annette shakes her head. Coach smiles. "Because he'd do it for them first."

He glances back toward Jamie. "That's why they voted him captain."

Annette looks through the doorway. Jamie is sitting exactly where she left him. One hand wrapped around a paper cup. Already smiling at a passing volunteer. Already asking someone else how their day is going.

And for the first time she wonders whether carrying the "C" has become so natural that Jamie no longer remembers how to set it down.

***

The room grows noticeably quieter after the FaceTime call ends. Coach heads downstairs to grab lunch, promising to be back before physical therapy.

The silence lingers for a moment. Jamie sits looking at the now-dark phone in his hand.

Not sad. Just...thinking.

I finish updating his chart before closing the tablet. "My turn."

He looks up. "...I'm sorry?"

"My turn." A faint smile touches the corner of his mouth.

"I don't remember agreeing to that."

"You didn't."

I pull the visitor's chair closer and sit across from him. "You've had almost a week."

"To do what?"

"Ask questions."

"I ask lots of questions."

"You do." I nod. "Just never about yourself."

He chuckles softly. "I think we've covered that before."

"No." I shake my head. "I don't think we really have."

He opens his mouth, closes it again, honestly confused. "I don't..." His voice trails away. "I guess I never..."

"No, you don't."

He leans back carefully against the pillows. "I suppose..."