Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Fate was exceptionally generous to me and I know that. The difference between before and after meeting Danica is that I was never able to be grateful for it. I’ve felt too guilty to admit how fucking fortunate I am.
“It’s okay to be glad to be alive,” Danica said, and then she said something else I’ll never forget. “I, for one, am very glad you weren’t on that plane.”
Those were some forceful words, shocking me to my core. Validation that I have the potential to be someone important to her. Maybe as important as Mitch one day.
The burger joint is a short walk from the arena and I’m going to meet Danica and Travis there. I could’ve had them meet me in the family lounge on the same level as the locker room, but that would be outing ourselves and we’re not ready for that.
When I enter the restaurant, my gaze sweeps the place. It’s crowded because it’s dinnertime, our game an afternoon one. People recognize me instantly and I have a fleeting moment of panic that maybe this was a bad idea.
I’m a Titan getting ready to sit down and have a meal with a Titan widow and her kid.
I spot Travis first—he’s facing me from a booth in the back. His smile is huge and he’s waving with both arms. Danica sits next to him, as beautiful as ever, and despite my unease, just seeing her settles something deep inside me. It’s a blanket of calmness and I decide to embrace it.
Winding my way through the tables, a few people tell me “Good game” and someone takes a photo of me as I walk by. Travis slips out of the booth to rush up to me. “You were awesome tonight, Camden.”
I’m shocked when he throws himself against my side for a hug and my arm comes naturally—protectively—around him for a squeeze, then a ruffle of his hair. “Thanks, kid.”
He pulls away and turns to go back to the booth, and I see he’s wearing Mitch’s name and number on his jersey. It’s an older jersey, worn from many washings. My heart thumps, a moment of sadness for Travis mixed with immense awe at his resilience and ability to embrace his past and future.
He slides in next to his mom and I realize she’s wearing Mitch’s jersey too. While I have the same flash of sorrow for her, awed that she calmly coexists with what’s behind and what’s in front of her, an extra emotion digs at me.
A bit of jealousy.
Or maybe it’s a desire to have her wear my jersey.
I push it away and plop down opposite them in the booth.
“You were amazing tonight,” Danica says. There’s not a lot of gush to her words the way there was with Travis, but her praise is all in her eyes. I can see it clear as day that she’s proud of the way I played, and I have to force myself not to puff out my chest.
“It was a team effort. We’re on a hot streak, for sure.”
I’m not being intentionally humble. I’ve never believed one man makes a difference in this sport. Sure… we’ve got some superstar players like Coen, Stone and Drake who will be at the top of the stats at the end of the season, but they’re only as great as the team around them who provide defense and scoring opportunities. We’re running like a well-oiled machine.
Danica taps her foot against the side of my leg and the smile she levels at me tells me I’m a superstar to her. I have to drag my eyes away and force my focus on Travis. “What did you think of that penalty Casperson took in the third period?”
Travis lights up, eager to share his knowledge and analysis. He gives me an impressively succinct argument as to why it was a stupid penalty—and it was—along with a better play that could have been made to stop the breakaway. The kid has hockey in his DNA, but he’s smart as hell. Not many children who play can think at that level. Those who can are destined to do well because once you marry the savvy with the physical prowess, you have an elite player.
The waitress comes and takes our drink orders. Danica joins me in a celebratory beer and then we order burgers. Travis is the center of attention in our little threesome. He’s incredibly extroverted and likes eyes to be on him. He’s funny, gregarious and a pleasure to be around.
I use an opportunity when Travis has his mouth full of food to ask his mom, “What do you have going on this week?”
Nicely innocuous question, hoping to get a feel if we might be able to sneak in some time together. We have another home game tomorrow, a day off and then we’re gone for the rest of the week. Tillie and Coen’s housewarming party is on Saturday when we return.