This chapter is a lot shorter than the normal ones, but I haven't updated in a while so I figured I would put something up to hold you over until I can find my writing touch again. Comments would be great... GO PENS!!!
Chapter Twelve
"You wanna hang out?" Jared has asked when Kailey sat down next to him on the bus after school.
"I would love to but Marc just called and said it's important."
Now she stood in the parking garage next to his apartment building and she was devastated; her best friend was leaving her and she didn't know for how long.
Once Marc was completely out of sight Kailey pulled her phone from her pocket and pushed two, the speed dial for Jared. It was cold out so she decided that her car would be the best place for this conversation to take place. "Hello?"
"Jare, can I come over?"
"Yeah, what's up?"
"I'll tell you when I get there." She didn't say good-bye or even the usual, 'I love you' before hanging up. The last few weeks had really messed her up, first seeing on of her best friends in the hospital, then that friend dying, she had been there for Marc; being strong, helping him through the hard time, but Marc had been there to help her just as much. Now this, now her best friend, the friend who she had been there for and who had been there for her was leaving. She didn't know how long he was going to be gone, and when if ever she would be able to see him again. She was sure that he would come back to the NHL, but would they still be friends? Would he remember their friendship, or just forget it, after all it had only lasted a few months.
"Kailey stop," she said out loud. Of course he would remember, the last few weeks at the very least. He had said that they would remain friends though, and she was sure that Marc would never break a promise that he had made to her, especially one like that.
She started the car and soon she found herself in front of Jared's house. She had gone there on auto-pilot because she hadn't even remembered leaving the parking garage. She took one more deep breath before turning the car off, removing the key from the ignition, releasing the seat belt, and getting out of the car. The ground was still covered in a light layer of snow and it made crunching noises under her converse as she walked up the path to the porch. The doorbell let out a rang when she pushed the button and she brushed the bottom of her shoes off on the rug in front of the door as she waited.
"Oh hello Kailey, Jared's out back," his mom said.
"Thanks." She closed the door behind her as she walked inside and made her way to the back door and walked back outside. Jared was shooting at the net that he had in the yard but when he heard the door close he dropped his stick to the ground and practically ran over to his girlfriend and wrapped his arms around her.
"Tell me what happened baby," he brushed snow off the stone wall so that she could sit down.
"He's gone."
"Who?" Jared asked with concern.
"Marc, they sent him back to his junior team. That's why he called me after school. They told him at practice today, he wanted to tell me in person and say good-bye. He's gone Jare, and I don't know when I'll get to see him again." She rested her head on his shoulder and hoped that he wouldn't realized that she had started to cry.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Chapter Eleven; Au revoir, pour maintenant.
Kailey awoke to find the sun filling her room; it was the first decent sleep she had gotten since Vero had been in the hospital. She didn't want to get up but after seeing what time it was she rolled out of bed, she had to get ready. This was later than when she would have normally woken up on a Tuesday, but the cause of her being able to sleep in was not something that she was happy about. It was the day of Vero's funeral.
Still half asleep she stumbled into her closet to find something to wear; this was something that she should have done the night before but she had been with Marc, comforting him until late. The whole situation had taken a toll on Kailey but Marc, as was to be expected, was completely out of sorts. A black skirt, blouse, and heels were what she finally decided on; the usual attire for a funeral. With her hair up in a bun she grabbed her jacket and went out to her car where she found her boyfriend awaiting her. "Morning Jare," she said stopping in front of him.
"Morning baby, you look beautiful."
"Thanks, you look quite handsome today." She tried to bring herself to smile as she said this but her expression remained the same. Today was going to be hard for her; even though she had only known Vero for a few months they had become close. Deep down Kailey loved Marc in a way other than friendship and she knew that Marc had loved Veronique with all of his heart, and knowing how much he was hurting hurt her. Jared took a step closer to her and wrapped his arms around her, as he did snow began to fall from the sky, this would normally make Kailey at least smirk, but not today.
"You gonna be okay?" He released her, but held her at arm's length.
She nodded and cleared her throat as if she were choking back tears, which she may have been. "I'll be fine; I have to be strong for Marc today." With that Jared pulled her back towards him, kissed her cheek and opened the driver's side door for her.
The night before Kailey had offered to drive Marc to the funeral home but he said that he would be fine. He had been fine driving there for both viewings so she trusted that he would in fact be okay.
One more person needed to be picked up before the short trip to the funeral home, Amy. She was dresses much like Kailey and didn't say much one she got in the car. The funeral home was close to Kailey's house and when she pulled into the snow covered parking lot there was only three other cars; Marc's, Vero's parents, and the funeral directors. Once inside Kailey walked straight to Marc who was standing at the casket, staring at who had been and still was the women he loved.
Marc sensed that she was there, or at least that's what Kailey thought because she hadn't said anything to him yet and he turned towards her. She could tell that he needed a hug or a time machine so that he could make this all go away, but for now a hug would have to do since the latter was impossible. She held him tightly for a moment before looking him up and down. He wore a black suit with a white button-up and black tie. His hair was slicked back, his eyes were still filled with sadness and hurt but the dark circles had begun to disappear; he must have had a decent sleep the night before just as Kailey had. "How ya holdin' up?"
"Okay," he paused. "For now."
"You're allowed to cry sweetheart," she took his hand in hers.
"I know," he turned back towards the casket, each time he looked at her another piece of his heart broke. Kailey stayed there with him in silence until they were told that everyone would soon be leaving for the church. "I'll meet you outside, okay?"
Kailey nodded and turned to go outside with everyone else. Marc remained inside for a moment more; placing his hand on the side of the casket be began to speak quietly, a whisper. "I love you Vee, I miss you so much. I know that you're in a better place now, I would do anything to have you back, to see a smile on those beautiful lips. To see hope and love in your eyes. To hold your hand, to kiss your lips, and hear your voice. You could always make everyone in a room smile, Vee you could make me smile after a loss and no one else could. Now there's only sadness. I love you Veronique, I love you." All of this he said in French before looking at her lifeless yet beautiful face one last time. "Good-bye, for now."
At church everyone found their seats and sat mostly in silence. Kailey sat with Marc in the front; his family along with Vero's was also in that row. Jared and Amy sat directly behind Kailey. Mass began with a song and when it came to the eulogy both Kailey and Marc fought to keep tears from spilling over. "She was easy to love and she loved with all of her heart. She could bring a smile to any one's face, and I know that now she's in heaven smiling down on all of us," he father said from the pulpit.
Kailey knew that this was true, she had been holding Marc's hand thoughout the eulogy and at this point his grip tightened. She looked up to see that tears were falling, she didn't blame him, she was crying as well. with her free hand she whipped a tear from her cheek, when her hand reached her lap she felt a hand on her should. She turned to see Jared leaning forward, his hand on her shoulder; he was comforting her.
As everyone began to process out Jared waited for Kailey to leave her pew with Marc. She let go of one goalie's hand and it was soon replaced by another. "I love you," he whispered. "And everything will be okay, I promise."
"I love you too."
"Hey Marc, did know if you still wanted to have our normal post game phone call, but I'm going to bed so I wanted to say goodnight."
"Oh, yeah I forgot, I'm still at the arena."
"Marc, the loss wasn't your fault, well it wasn't all your fault. Oh wait-" It finally clicked in her head; Vero had always been there to comfort him after a loss, even if it was just a phone call. Her voice had cheered him up enough to shed his gear, say 'We'll get 'em next time', and shower before going home. "I'm sorry sweet heart."
"It's fine, get some sleep Kaiely. I'll be fine I promise," he said before she could bring it up.
"Okay, goodnight Marc."
"Goodnight."
Over the next few weeks Marc got a few wins but he was still quite out of it, he was still hurting and it was showing in his game. Thursday the twenty-ninth after practice he was called into the general manager, Craig Patrick's office. "Marc, we know that you're still not yourself, and we understand that." The we he was referring to was coach Eddie Olczyk and himself. "But we're sending you back to your junior team. It's what's best for you and the team. As you probably heard we're having some financial trouble, and it should be good for you to be somewhere you're comfortable with."
"I understand," he said before leaving the office and going to the locker room. After clearing his stall he headed home to pack and while he was doing so he pulled his phone from his pocket. Kailey was still in school, but he had to tell her that he was leaving. She would be getting done soon and he hoped to time the phone call so that she was walking out of school as it began to ring.
"Hello?"
"Hey, are you free?"
"Yeah, what's up?"
"I'd be better if I tell you in person."
Kailey told Marc that as soon as she got off the bus after school she would head over to his apartment. This is exactly what she did and about twenty-five minutes after they hung up Kailey was standing at Marc's door waiting for it to open. When it did she say sadness in his eyes. "What's wrong sweetheart?"
"I'm going back to Cape Brenton, I just wanted to say good-bye in person."
Kailey was shocked to say the least, she had become such good friends with him since their meeting back in August. She had just lost a good friend in Vero and now that Marc was leaving there was a chance that they wouldn't be friends anymore. She helped him pack and when everything that he would be taking was put into suitcases Kailey walked him to his car. "I'm gonna miss you Marc."
"I'll miss you too Kailey, I promise we'll stay friends though, okay?" Kailey nodded and hugged him one last time before he held her at arms length and said, "Good Kailey."
"Good-bye Marc," she kissed his cheek before he got into his car and she watched him drive-away.
They had been through so much and she knew that they would stay friends because of this. "I love you Marc-Andre," she said just before his car disappeared.
Still half asleep she stumbled into her closet to find something to wear; this was something that she should have done the night before but she had been with Marc, comforting him until late. The whole situation had taken a toll on Kailey but Marc, as was to be expected, was completely out of sorts. A black skirt, blouse, and heels were what she finally decided on; the usual attire for a funeral. With her hair up in a bun she grabbed her jacket and went out to her car where she found her boyfriend awaiting her. "Morning Jare," she said stopping in front of him.
"Morning baby, you look beautiful."
"Thanks, you look quite handsome today." She tried to bring herself to smile as she said this but her expression remained the same. Today was going to be hard for her; even though she had only known Vero for a few months they had become close. Deep down Kailey loved Marc in a way other than friendship and she knew that Marc had loved Veronique with all of his heart, and knowing how much he was hurting hurt her. Jared took a step closer to her and wrapped his arms around her, as he did snow began to fall from the sky, this would normally make Kailey at least smirk, but not today.
"You gonna be okay?" He released her, but held her at arm's length.
She nodded and cleared her throat as if she were choking back tears, which she may have been. "I'll be fine; I have to be strong for Marc today." With that Jared pulled her back towards him, kissed her cheek and opened the driver's side door for her.
The night before Kailey had offered to drive Marc to the funeral home but he said that he would be fine. He had been fine driving there for both viewings so she trusted that he would in fact be okay.
One more person needed to be picked up before the short trip to the funeral home, Amy. She was dresses much like Kailey and didn't say much one she got in the car. The funeral home was close to Kailey's house and when she pulled into the snow covered parking lot there was only three other cars; Marc's, Vero's parents, and the funeral directors. Once inside Kailey walked straight to Marc who was standing at the casket, staring at who had been and still was the women he loved.
Marc sensed that she was there, or at least that's what Kailey thought because she hadn't said anything to him yet and he turned towards her. She could tell that he needed a hug or a time machine so that he could make this all go away, but for now a hug would have to do since the latter was impossible. She held him tightly for a moment before looking him up and down. He wore a black suit with a white button-up and black tie. His hair was slicked back, his eyes were still filled with sadness and hurt but the dark circles had begun to disappear; he must have had a decent sleep the night before just as Kailey had. "How ya holdin' up?"
"Okay," he paused. "For now."
"You're allowed to cry sweetheart," she took his hand in hers.
"I know," he turned back towards the casket, each time he looked at her another piece of his heart broke. Kailey stayed there with him in silence until they were told that everyone would soon be leaving for the church. "I'll meet you outside, okay?"
Kailey nodded and turned to go outside with everyone else. Marc remained inside for a moment more; placing his hand on the side of the casket be began to speak quietly, a whisper. "I love you Vee, I miss you so much. I know that you're in a better place now, I would do anything to have you back, to see a smile on those beautiful lips. To see hope and love in your eyes. To hold your hand, to kiss your lips, and hear your voice. You could always make everyone in a room smile, Vee you could make me smile after a loss and no one else could. Now there's only sadness. I love you Veronique, I love you." All of this he said in French before looking at her lifeless yet beautiful face one last time. "Good-bye, for now."
At church everyone found their seats and sat mostly in silence. Kailey sat with Marc in the front; his family along with Vero's was also in that row. Jared and Amy sat directly behind Kailey. Mass began with a song and when it came to the eulogy both Kailey and Marc fought to keep tears from spilling over. "She was easy to love and she loved with all of her heart. She could bring a smile to any one's face, and I know that now she's in heaven smiling down on all of us," he father said from the pulpit.
Kailey knew that this was true, she had been holding Marc's hand thoughout the eulogy and at this point his grip tightened. She looked up to see that tears were falling, she didn't blame him, she was crying as well. with her free hand she whipped a tear from her cheek, when her hand reached her lap she felt a hand on her should. She turned to see Jared leaning forward, his hand on her shoulder; he was comforting her.
As everyone began to process out Jared waited for Kailey to leave her pew with Marc. She let go of one goalie's hand and it was soon replaced by another. "I love you," he whispered. "And everything will be okay, I promise."
"I love you too."
***
The next day the Pens played and Marc took the ice for the first time since Vero's death, well in front of a crowd. He was a bit nervous, he shrugged it off though, he was nervous before every game. He started out playing well but his game started to slip as the Blackhawks fired more and more shots at four by six behind him. The final score was Chicago three, Pittsburgh one. Marc left the ice with the rest of the guys as usual, but unlike every other day, he was the last one to the locker room. He was interviewed by FSN, but it was kept short as they knew that he was still mourning. Most of the guys had already showered and started to head home while Marc still sat at his stall, pads still on; leg pads and chest protector. It was almost eleven when his cell phone rang on the bench next to him. "Hello?""Hey Marc, did know if you still wanted to have our normal post game phone call, but I'm going to bed so I wanted to say goodnight."
"Oh, yeah I forgot, I'm still at the arena."
"Marc, the loss wasn't your fault, well it wasn't all your fault. Oh wait-" It finally clicked in her head; Vero had always been there to comfort him after a loss, even if it was just a phone call. Her voice had cheered him up enough to shed his gear, say 'We'll get 'em next time', and shower before going home. "I'm sorry sweet heart."
"It's fine, get some sleep Kaiely. I'll be fine I promise," he said before she could bring it up.
"Okay, goodnight Marc."
"Goodnight."
***
Over the next few weeks Marc got a few wins but he was still quite out of it, he was still hurting and it was showing in his game. Thursday the twenty-ninth after practice he was called into the general manager, Craig Patrick's office. "Marc, we know that you're still not yourself, and we understand that." The we he was referring to was coach Eddie Olczyk and himself. "But we're sending you back to your junior team. It's what's best for you and the team. As you probably heard we're having some financial trouble, and it should be good for you to be somewhere you're comfortable with."
"I understand," he said before leaving the office and going to the locker room. After clearing his stall he headed home to pack and while he was doing so he pulled his phone from his pocket. Kailey was still in school, but he had to tell her that he was leaving. She would be getting done soon and he hoped to time the phone call so that she was walking out of school as it began to ring.
"Hello?"
"Hey, are you free?"
"Yeah, what's up?"
"I'd be better if I tell you in person."
Kailey told Marc that as soon as she got off the bus after school she would head over to his apartment. This is exactly what she did and about twenty-five minutes after they hung up Kailey was standing at Marc's door waiting for it to open. When it did she say sadness in his eyes. "What's wrong sweetheart?"
"I'm going back to Cape Brenton, I just wanted to say good-bye in person."
Kailey was shocked to say the least, she had become such good friends with him since their meeting back in August. She had just lost a good friend in Vero and now that Marc was leaving there was a chance that they wouldn't be friends anymore. She helped him pack and when everything that he would be taking was put into suitcases Kailey walked him to his car. "I'm gonna miss you Marc."
"I'll miss you too Kailey, I promise we'll stay friends though, okay?" Kailey nodded and hugged him one last time before he held her at arms length and said, "Good Kailey."
"Good-bye Marc," she kissed his cheek before he got into his car and she watched him drive-away.
They had been through so much and she knew that they would stay friends because of this. "I love you Marc-Andre," she said just before his car disappeared.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Chapter Ten; Temps va lent
Hey guys,
I'm sad to say that this will be my last update for a while. I'm leaving next week for U.S. Air Force basic training which means that I will be unable to get to a computer for eight and a half weeks. I know this seems like forever for you guys but just think how ling it's going to be for me; waking up a four am everyday, doing countless push-ups, sit-ups, running mile after mile. The next time that I will be able to update will be once I get to technical school, but the exact that that I can update is unknown. I hope that you can all bare with me, your support is greatly appreciated and expect an update in either late January or early February.
Thank you all so much,
Miriya.
Chapter Ten
I'm sad to say that this will be my last update for a while. I'm leaving next week for U.S. Air Force basic training which means that I will be unable to get to a computer for eight and a half weeks. I know this seems like forever for you guys but just think how ling it's going to be for me; waking up a four am everyday, doing countless push-ups, sit-ups, running mile after mile. The next time that I will be able to update will be once I get to technical school, but the exact that that I can update is unknown. I hope that you can all bare with me, your support is greatly appreciated and expect an update in either late January or early February.
Thank you all so much,
Miriya.
***
Chapter Ten
Game time finally came and Kailey smiled when Marc stood strong in net. The rest of team played well in front of him and they brought home a win. When the final buzzer rang Marc was shown on the screen and as he removed his helmet a slight smile could be seen on his face. This caused Kailey to smile again, still not a full smile but enough to show that she was truly happy with her best friend's accomplishment. "He's smiling V, he's smiling."
The TV was kept on after the game but just so there was some noise other than the monitors and silence. Kailey listened to the interview and even recognized the voice but none of what the man said sunk in as she again turned to Vero, searching for any sign of life.
Marc must have been the first one to shower and leave the parking lot because he returned to the dreary hospital room just after eleven o'clock. "Hey," Kailey said standing from her chair. "Good game. I saw the smile at the end." She wrapped her arms around the tall, muscular but slender goalie.
"I hoped you would," he returned the hug. "It felt good to be back out there with the guys."
"I'm glad. Well I have school and a game tomorrow so I won't be able to get here. Will you be okay til Wednesday?" She asked concern in her eyes.
"I'll be fine, some of the guys said they would stop over." He reluctantly released her from his arms. "Good luck tomorrow."
"Thanks Marc, I'm gonna need it. Try to get some sleep okay?"
Marc nodded before saying, "You too."
A gentle kiss was placed on his cheek before Kailey left the room and he returned to his seat next to the bed. Taking Vero's hand in his again he kissed it and proceeded to tell her about the game. He knew that she couldn't hear him and that Kailey had probably told her what had happened throughout the game but wanted something to seem normal. Throughout the season when she had been in Canada he would call her following each game, just as he did with Kailey, and they had talked about what happened. Marc wanted that again, to be able to hear her speak, to see the gleam in her eye when he walked into the room, to hold her in his arms and tell her how much he loved her.
Kailey found her car and after clearing the windshield she just sat in the driver's seat for a moment. She could only imagine how hard this was on Marc, to have the women he loved so helpless, lifeless. There was nothing else that she could do for him, she was there at the hospital with him every chance she got, but she wished that there was something more.
These thoughts quickly brought her to her love, Jared. Pulling her cell phone from her pocket she pressed and held two. "Hello," someone said groggily on the other end.
"Hey baby, did I wake you?"
"No," he said clearing his throat. "You okay?"
"Physically yes, emotionally no. These past few days have taken such a toll on me. I know we have school tomorrow but I'm stressed and most probably won't be able to sleep anyway, can you come over?"
"Of course, are you home?"
"I'll be there soon, I'm leaving the hospital."
"I'll be waiting."
When Kailey pulled into her drive-way she found Jared waiting on the front porch. Putting her keys in her pocket she took his hand and led him to the backyard. Snow covered the concrete which would make it harder to shoot but Kailey didn't care, she needed to relieve stress and this was the only way that she could think of with her mind as clouded as it was. The wind blew, swirling snow at their feet but Kailey didn't care how cold it was.
She picked her stick up and stick handled a pink ball for a few seconds before launching it towards the net. Snow had built up on the back of the net since he hadn't used it in a few days and when the ball hit the twine a puff of snow fell to the ground. Normally this would make Kailey smile, but not tonight. After a few more slap shots, just from Kailey, Jared just stood by and watched, he felt that it was safer that way, she couldn't hold back anymore.
Tears began to fall, freezing on her cheeks but she didn't care. Jared pulled her against him and sat down on the cold, wet ground, bringing her onto his lap. Her stick fell from her hand and she buried her face in his chest. She normally wasn't an emotional person but she just couldn't hold it in anymore. Normally she would just release all of her emotions in the form of slap shots, but this was too much. The situation not only affected her directly because Vero was her friend but Marc was so hurt by this, inflicting more pain on Kailey.
"What if she doesn't wake up?" She asked finally lifting her head.
"Then Amy, you and I will be there for Marc. Right now though let's try to think happy, okay?" Kailey nodded and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Let's get you warmed up."
Once they had made it inside and Kailey changed into her pajamas Jared instructed her to lay down on the couch. Returning to the family room he had two blankets in hand which he used to cover Kailey bringing a slight smirk to her face. She set the alarm on her cell phone for later that morning, which seemed all too soon. Jared went to lie on the other side of the large wrap-around couch but Kailey was forced to say no. "Please."
Understanding her completely he lie down next to her, wrapping his arm around her, for both protection and warmth, after all she was still chilled. Jared fell asleep before she did, but when she was finally warm and couldn't keep her eyes open any longer sleep finally overtook her.
***
As she had expected, morning came too soon. School seemed ten times longer than normal, even longer than it had the day before. Hamlet was still being discussed in English Lit, something that again she paid no attention too. In the rest of her class mid-terms were being reviewed for and she tried her hardest to pay attention, but she found herself drifting in and out. She managed to stay awake the whole day, which was something she had strived for, but she hoped that she would be able to say the same about later that night, her game.
Taking the ice for warm-ups she felt okay, the cold air helped to wake her up a bit. She was out for the opening face-off even though she had tried to convince her coach to give her less ice time. Bob had told her that the only way she would be given less ice time was if she completely sucked. Kailey didn't plan on flat out sucking but there was no way she was going to be playing at her normal pace, she was not even close to being one hundred percent.
Things started out slow, but when it came to keeping the puck in the other team's zone she was as good as ever. The physical part of her game though was not up to par. She only attempted two checks that night and both ended up with her slamming into the boards instead of the opposing players, something that rarely happened. Another time she got laid out behind her own net and that's when she really woke up. Prying herself from the ice she shook off the hit and played well for the rest of the game.
***
The rest of the week was the same, Marc sat at the hospital, Kailey went to school, hockey practice, and then the hospital. Friday morning she drove from hockey practice to school. There was no practice after school so she planned to go straight to the hospital. Classes drug on as they had all week and Kailey couldn't wait for the final bell to ring.
When it came to English Lit Kailey was paying more attention than she had for the rest of the week and was glad that she was when the teacher directed a question at her. "Ms. Schwartz."
"Yes," she said looking up from the table. She had actually been paying attention and even with all of the stress she had been keeping up with her homework to include her reading for this class.
"What is Hamlet talking about in the 'To be or not to be' soliloquy?"
"Whether or not to kill himself," Kailey said weakly.
"Very good," the teacher said, partly shocked since she had paid any attention in class all week.
After school she said good-bye to Jared and quickly made her way to the hospital. It had been a week since the accident and a long week at that. It was the first week back after Christmas break and all of the teachers at Kailey's school had begun to review for mid-terms.
"Hey," Kailey asked walking into Vero's room behind Marc. "Anything."
"No," he said without looking away form Vero. He and Kailey sat in silence until around six o'clock when out of no where the heart monitor flat lined. The sound alerted nurses and doctors, Marc and Kailey were pushed to the hallway, and the doctors did everything in their power. "Time of death, six-oh-three," a doctor said looking at the clock on the wall.
When the room was empty again Marc slowly returned, Kailey just a step behind him. He took Vero's lifeless hand in his one last time and the tears he was fighting to hold back finally spilled over. "I love you," he said barely audible. "I love you." He repeated this over and over again until he fell to his knees. Her hand slipped from his, his hair fell to his face, but he didn't care about anything at that moment, he had lost everything.
Kailey sat down next to him and pulled him into a hug, she too was crying. She knew that there was nothing she could do now to make things better, Marc had just lost the women he loved and she had lost a good friend.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Chapter Nine; Jours longs et nuits sans sommeil
Marc sat in shock, he didn’t know what to do, and he stopped breathing for a moment. He had to get to the hospital but he was in no condition to get there under his own power. Without even thinking he picked his phone back up and dialed.
“Hey Marc what’s up?”
“All I know is that Vero was in an accident and I don’t think I’m in a good state of mind to be driving right now. Can you please come pick me up?” His voice was not his usual high pitched voice; he was frantic, worried, and anything but happy.
“Oh my god sweetheart I’m on my way out the door now, I’ll be there in ten minutes tops.” The line went dead; Kailey grabbed her keys and ran to the car. As quickly as she could she started the car, pulled out of the driveway and made it to Marc’s apartment building in six minutes. He was waiting outside and quickly got into the car saying, “Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome,” Kailey threw the car into drive and started off towards the hospital. She pulled Marc’s hand onto the gear shift to try to give him some comfort but they worry that was evident was the same on Kailey’s. They arrived at the hospital as quickly as possible, the roads were still icy as snow fell in large flakes from the sky, and Kailey didn’t want to get into an accident of her own. Marc ran into the hospital as Kailey parked the car.
He found out all that the front desk could tell him, which wasn’t much. He made his way down a long hall to her room where he was met just outside her room by a doctor who filled him in on her injuries; it was quite a long list. Soon Kay was by his side. “She’s in critical and in a coma,” Marc said, his voice cracking as the tears he was holding back finally spilled over.
“I’m so sorry,” was all Kailey could bring herself to say as she too held back tears. She pulled him into a hug and when she loosened her grip she looked up into his brown eyes that were glazed over by tears and asked, “Are you ready to see her?”
He nodded, wiping the tears from his eyes with the sleeve of his jacket and they entered the room. The sight that awaited them was not something that either of them had every wanted to see, it was something that one would see in a movie. It looked nothing like Marc’s best friend and girlfriend. Her beautiful face was covered in scratches and deep cuts that must have come from the broken glass of the windshield Her long brown hair was pulled to one side and covered with a white bandage which was covering a spot on the side of her head that must of have been a deep cut. Her flawless body which normally sported a very ‘in’ outfit now modeled a white hospital gown along with various bandages and casts.
“Oh my god,” she said quietly. “Marc, I’m so sorry.” She hugged him again before he pulled a chair up to the bed of the women he loved. He sat down to notice that somehow, miraculously neither of her hands had been injured in the accident. He took them in his own and he couldn’t hold back anymore. Tears spilled over once again and he placed a kiss on her right hand, he rested his head on the bed and continued to cry.
Kailey placed a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him but she felt a tear fall to her cheek as well. She had become close with Vero since their first meeting in October and knowing how much Marc loved her only made it worse for Kailey. She looked through her tears to her friend and wished that there was something she could do to make Marc feel better. Kailey didn’t say anything until a nurse came about an hour after they had arrived. “I’m sorry honey but you’re not family so you can’t say in the room.”
Kailey nodded and placed a hand on Marc’s shoulder, “Goodnight Marc.” She made her way out into the hallway and down to the waiting room. Finding an empty row of chairs she tried to make herself comfortable. Using her hoodie as a pillow wasn’t an option, she didn’t want to take it off because the hospital was cold and it was being used as a blanket. Lying on her stomach with her arms crossed under her head she eventually fell asleep.
The next morning Kailey awoke to see that she wasn’t the only one in the waiting room and ran to her car and then the bathroom to fix herself up. She always kept a brush and deodorant in the glove compartment. Looking half way presentable she made her way to Vero’s room where Marc was still sleeping, holding Vero’s hands in his own. It was by no means a deep sleep, Kailey placed a hand on his back causing him to stir and life his head; not letting go of his beloved’s hands. “You stayed?” He tried to smile but smile expression didn’t change.
“Yeah sweetheart I stayed and I called into work to tell them that I couldn’t come in.”
“I should call coach and tell him there’s no way I can play tonight. Can you stay here til I get back?” She nodded, Marc got up out of his car, but not before placing a kiss on Vero’s hand, and left the room. “Hey coach there’s no way I can play tonight,” he went on to explain what had happened to Vero, or at least what he knew, which wasn’t much, and her condition.
“I wish you the best Marc, Salmon will play tonight. Let me know if you can play, okay?” Edzo said.
He finished talking to his coach and made his way back to the room. He and Kailey both sat in silence for most of the day, nurse and doctors came in periodically to cheek Vero’s condition, which hadn’t changed. They left at meal time only to bring the food back to the room; someone was always by her side. Marc and Kailey watched the game together that night and when it was coming to an end so were visiting hours. “I’ve gotta get going Marc, I have practice in the morning but as soon as it’s over I’ll be back here. Is there anything I can get for you?”
“Just some clothes,” he said pulling his key from his pocket and placing it in Kailey’s hand. “Thank you Kailey this really means a lot to me.”
“You’re welcome sweetheart,” she looked up to the TV one last time to see the score of the Rangers four and the Penguins one. “Try to get some rest.” Marc nodded and Kailey kissed his cheek gently before leaving.
Kailey and Marc both had a hard time sleeping that night; their thoughts were only of Vero. Kailey tossed and turned until her alarm went off, she had to get up for practice. She arrived at the rink before anyone else, this was the norm and today some time on the ice alone was what she needed. Throwing her bag down in the locker room she sat at her stall and put her gear on more slowly than usual. Finally taking the ice the cold air hit her face and put some life back into her. She slowly took one lap around the ice and went to lean against the bench. “Hey baby, you look tired,” Jared said taking his mask off. He sat it on the boards and pulled her into a hug.
“I couldn’t sleep last night; I couldn’t stop thinking about her.”
“How is she? How’s Marc holding up?”
Kailey explained everything just before the coach blew his whistle and everyone met at center ice. Practice woke her up, especially the check she took from Amy along the end boards. After shedding all of her gear she went to Marc’s apartment. Seeing various things of Vero’s throughout the apartment was like a kick to the stomach for Kailey. Pulling a few outfits from Marc’s dresser as quickly as possible Kailey left the apartment. She wasn’t sure how much or what she even grabbed until she made it out to the car. A few shirts, two pairs of jeans, a couple pairs of boxers and some socks. She had no idea how long Marc would be staying at the hospital and if he were to play a game he could come back to the apartment and grab a suit for himself and get cleaned up.
When Kailey returned to the hospital Marc sat still holding Vero’s hand but watching something on TV to try to take his mind from the pain. “Hey sweetheart, here’s your stuff.”
“Thanks,” he let go of Vero’s hand to take the bag and made his way to the bathroom. His hair had started to get oily and had been sticking up all over the place but Kay felt that it was best to not say anything. She heard the water turn on and knew that he was taking a much needed shower. It wasn’t a long shower but the warm water relived Marc of some stress.
When he returned to the room he wore a new outfit but sat right back down in the chair next to the bed and took Vero’s hand in his once again. He and Kay sat mostly in silence until the end of visiting hours when once again Kailey had to leave.
“I’ve gotta get going sweetheart, I have school and hockey practice but as soon as I’m done I’ll be here. Four-thirty okay?”
“Mhm, thank you again, you have no idea how much this means to me.”
“No problem, anything for a friend. I know you have to play tomorrow; it’ll be good for you to get some fresh air and be at the rink. As usual she kissed Marc’s cheek softly before leaving.
She had trouble sleeping again that night and morning came quickly. She rolled out of bed and got ready for practice that was before school. Practice seemed like it went on forever; Kailey was tired and worried therefore she was dragging her feet the whole hour.
“Hey Kay, you okay?” Aaron, a kid in her Bio II class asked.
“Just tired.”
“Hey babe,” Jared said from behind and wrapping his arms around her. “You feeling any better than at practice this morning?”
“No, if anything I’m more tired than I was. I’m the top defenseman and I’m slacking.”
“Do you think that’s how coach sees it?” Kailey sat silently. “No,” Jared said. “He knows what’s going on and how hard it is for you. You’ll get through this and you’ll get your game back.” He kissed her cheek.
“Technically I’m not off my game since I haven’t played since this happened.” She tried to force a smile but her expression didn’t change.
“Kailey everything will be fine. Are you going to practice or straight to the hospital after school?”
“Don’t worry I’ll be at practice, I have to get myself back into the right mindset.” With that the bell rang and it was the last period of the day, English Lit. Kailey sat in class, her mind wandering from the class discussion of Hamlet to her best friend who sat at the hospital with the girl he loved. She was so helpless as she lie lifelessly in the hospital bed but Marc was there with her almost every minute of every day, hoping that she would wake up.
The bell rang to end the day and pulled Kailey from her thoughts. She was the first to arrive at practice and before she went to the locker room to suit up she grabbed her work schedule. Glancing down at the paper she saw that she wasn’t working for the next week and for the first time since she had started working there she was very grateful for this.
She geared and hit the ice before the rest of the team. She hadn’t put her helmet on and placing it down on the ice she lie down on the ice next to it, her face pressed against it an attempt to wake herself up.
When practice ended at four Kailey quickly showered and was off to the hospital. Since she had been there every day since Friday no one asked questions as she made her way to Vero’s room. Marc was ready to go when she arrived, all but his suit. “Thank you so much for sitting with her during the game. I’ll see you as soon as I can; I worked it out with the nurse so that you can stay with her until I get back.”
“Okay sweetheart have a good game. Try not to think about this okay, focus on the game.”
“No promises but I’ll try, the boys need me.” He gave Kailey a hug before leaving and held her in his arms before leaving.
Kailey sat down next to the bed, where Marc had been sitting and though she knew that she couldn’t be heard she began to talk to Vero. “Hey V, I know you can’t hear me but I want you to know that I really care about you. It hurts to see you like this, you’re one of my best friends and you don’t deserve this.
“These last few days have been so hard for Marc. He’s been here every day since the accident; I don’t think he leaves this chair. I know that he tries to hide it but he cries every day. He loves you more than anything in the world, you can see it when he so much as looks at you. He would always smile when he talked to you on the phone, even after a loss you could bring a smile to his face. I miss that smile. I promise that if you end up leaving us we will both be complete wrecks. We’ll cry for days V, I don’t want that, we both need you. If it is your time though, if God is calling you home then I will be right here for Marc, by his side, I will doing everything I can to help him though it.
“Enough of that though. He didn’t go to morning skate today but he’s playing tonight. I told him not to think about this for a while, you and me, to focus on the game. I think it’s what’s best for him. He’s been in this room for days just staring at you, crying and holding your hand as if his life depended on it, he needs something to take his mind off of it even if it is just for a few hours. He hasn’t let the hospital since you first got here Friday night; he sits by your side all day and when he manages to get some sleep at night he’s still holding your hand.
“I’m going to watch the game with you, I hope that’s okay. I just want to see how he does in his first game back. He’s supposed to be leaving for the World Junior Championship but he’s not going, he wants to be here when you wake up. And I’m going to be right here with him.”
“Hey Marc what’s up?”
“All I know is that Vero was in an accident and I don’t think I’m in a good state of mind to be driving right now. Can you please come pick me up?” His voice was not his usual high pitched voice; he was frantic, worried, and anything but happy.
“Oh my god sweetheart I’m on my way out the door now, I’ll be there in ten minutes tops.” The line went dead; Kailey grabbed her keys and ran to the car. As quickly as she could she started the car, pulled out of the driveway and made it to Marc’s apartment building in six minutes. He was waiting outside and quickly got into the car saying, “Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome,” Kailey threw the car into drive and started off towards the hospital. She pulled Marc’s hand onto the gear shift to try to give him some comfort but they worry that was evident was the same on Kailey’s. They arrived at the hospital as quickly as possible, the roads were still icy as snow fell in large flakes from the sky, and Kailey didn’t want to get into an accident of her own. Marc ran into the hospital as Kailey parked the car.
He found out all that the front desk could tell him, which wasn’t much. He made his way down a long hall to her room where he was met just outside her room by a doctor who filled him in on her injuries; it was quite a long list. Soon Kay was by his side. “She’s in critical and in a coma,” Marc said, his voice cracking as the tears he was holding back finally spilled over.
“I’m so sorry,” was all Kailey could bring herself to say as she too held back tears. She pulled him into a hug and when she loosened her grip she looked up into his brown eyes that were glazed over by tears and asked, “Are you ready to see her?”
He nodded, wiping the tears from his eyes with the sleeve of his jacket and they entered the room. The sight that awaited them was not something that either of them had every wanted to see, it was something that one would see in a movie. It looked nothing like Marc’s best friend and girlfriend. Her beautiful face was covered in scratches and deep cuts that must have come from the broken glass of the windshield Her long brown hair was pulled to one side and covered with a white bandage which was covering a spot on the side of her head that must of have been a deep cut. Her flawless body which normally sported a very ‘in’ outfit now modeled a white hospital gown along with various bandages and casts.
“Oh my god,” she said quietly. “Marc, I’m so sorry.” She hugged him again before he pulled a chair up to the bed of the women he loved. He sat down to notice that somehow, miraculously neither of her hands had been injured in the accident. He took them in his own and he couldn’t hold back anymore. Tears spilled over once again and he placed a kiss on her right hand, he rested his head on the bed and continued to cry.
Kailey placed a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him but she felt a tear fall to her cheek as well. She had become close with Vero since their first meeting in October and knowing how much Marc loved her only made it worse for Kailey. She looked through her tears to her friend and wished that there was something she could do to make Marc feel better. Kailey didn’t say anything until a nurse came about an hour after they had arrived. “I’m sorry honey but you’re not family so you can’t say in the room.”
Kailey nodded and placed a hand on Marc’s shoulder, “Goodnight Marc.” She made her way out into the hallway and down to the waiting room. Finding an empty row of chairs she tried to make herself comfortable. Using her hoodie as a pillow wasn’t an option, she didn’t want to take it off because the hospital was cold and it was being used as a blanket. Lying on her stomach with her arms crossed under her head she eventually fell asleep.
The next morning Kailey awoke to see that she wasn’t the only one in the waiting room and ran to her car and then the bathroom to fix herself up. She always kept a brush and deodorant in the glove compartment. Looking half way presentable she made her way to Vero’s room where Marc was still sleeping, holding Vero’s hands in his own. It was by no means a deep sleep, Kailey placed a hand on his back causing him to stir and life his head; not letting go of his beloved’s hands. “You stayed?” He tried to smile but smile expression didn’t change.
“Yeah sweetheart I stayed and I called into work to tell them that I couldn’t come in.”
“I should call coach and tell him there’s no way I can play tonight. Can you stay here til I get back?” She nodded, Marc got up out of his car, but not before placing a kiss on Vero’s hand, and left the room. “Hey coach there’s no way I can play tonight,” he went on to explain what had happened to Vero, or at least what he knew, which wasn’t much, and her condition.
“I wish you the best Marc, Salmon will play tonight. Let me know if you can play, okay?” Edzo said.
He finished talking to his coach and made his way back to the room. He and Kailey both sat in silence for most of the day, nurse and doctors came in periodically to cheek Vero’s condition, which hadn’t changed. They left at meal time only to bring the food back to the room; someone was always by her side. Marc and Kailey watched the game together that night and when it was coming to an end so were visiting hours. “I’ve gotta get going Marc, I have practice in the morning but as soon as it’s over I’ll be back here. Is there anything I can get for you?”
“Just some clothes,” he said pulling his key from his pocket and placing it in Kailey’s hand. “Thank you Kailey this really means a lot to me.”
“You’re welcome sweetheart,” she looked up to the TV one last time to see the score of the Rangers four and the Penguins one. “Try to get some rest.” Marc nodded and Kailey kissed his cheek gently before leaving.
Kailey and Marc both had a hard time sleeping that night; their thoughts were only of Vero. Kailey tossed and turned until her alarm went off, she had to get up for practice. She arrived at the rink before anyone else, this was the norm and today some time on the ice alone was what she needed. Throwing her bag down in the locker room she sat at her stall and put her gear on more slowly than usual. Finally taking the ice the cold air hit her face and put some life back into her. She slowly took one lap around the ice and went to lean against the bench. “Hey baby, you look tired,” Jared said taking his mask off. He sat it on the boards and pulled her into a hug.
“I couldn’t sleep last night; I couldn’t stop thinking about her.”
“How is she? How’s Marc holding up?”
Kailey explained everything just before the coach blew his whistle and everyone met at center ice. Practice woke her up, especially the check she took from Amy along the end boards. After shedding all of her gear she went to Marc’s apartment. Seeing various things of Vero’s throughout the apartment was like a kick to the stomach for Kailey. Pulling a few outfits from Marc’s dresser as quickly as possible Kailey left the apartment. She wasn’t sure how much or what she even grabbed until she made it out to the car. A few shirts, two pairs of jeans, a couple pairs of boxers and some socks. She had no idea how long Marc would be staying at the hospital and if he were to play a game he could come back to the apartment and grab a suit for himself and get cleaned up.
When Kailey returned to the hospital Marc sat still holding Vero’s hand but watching something on TV to try to take his mind from the pain. “Hey sweetheart, here’s your stuff.”
“Thanks,” he let go of Vero’s hand to take the bag and made his way to the bathroom. His hair had started to get oily and had been sticking up all over the place but Kay felt that it was best to not say anything. She heard the water turn on and knew that he was taking a much needed shower. It wasn’t a long shower but the warm water relived Marc of some stress.
When he returned to the room he wore a new outfit but sat right back down in the chair next to the bed and took Vero’s hand in his once again. He and Kay sat mostly in silence until the end of visiting hours when once again Kailey had to leave.
“I’ve gotta get going sweetheart, I have school and hockey practice but as soon as I’m done I’ll be here. Four-thirty okay?”
“Mhm, thank you again, you have no idea how much this means to me.”
“No problem, anything for a friend. I know you have to play tomorrow; it’ll be good for you to get some fresh air and be at the rink. As usual she kissed Marc’s cheek softly before leaving.
She had trouble sleeping again that night and morning came quickly. She rolled out of bed and got ready for practice that was before school. Practice seemed like it went on forever; Kailey was tired and worried therefore she was dragging her feet the whole hour.
“Hey Kay, you okay?” Aaron, a kid in her Bio II class asked.
“Just tired.”
“Hey babe,” Jared said from behind and wrapping his arms around her. “You feeling any better than at practice this morning?”
“No, if anything I’m more tired than I was. I’m the top defenseman and I’m slacking.”
“Do you think that’s how coach sees it?” Kailey sat silently. “No,” Jared said. “He knows what’s going on and how hard it is for you. You’ll get through this and you’ll get your game back.” He kissed her cheek.
“Technically I’m not off my game since I haven’t played since this happened.” She tried to force a smile but her expression didn’t change.
“Kailey everything will be fine. Are you going to practice or straight to the hospital after school?”
“Don’t worry I’ll be at practice, I have to get myself back into the right mindset.” With that the bell rang and it was the last period of the day, English Lit. Kailey sat in class, her mind wandering from the class discussion of Hamlet to her best friend who sat at the hospital with the girl he loved. She was so helpless as she lie lifelessly in the hospital bed but Marc was there with her almost every minute of every day, hoping that she would wake up.
The bell rang to end the day and pulled Kailey from her thoughts. She was the first to arrive at practice and before she went to the locker room to suit up she grabbed her work schedule. Glancing down at the paper she saw that she wasn’t working for the next week and for the first time since she had started working there she was very grateful for this.
She geared and hit the ice before the rest of the team. She hadn’t put her helmet on and placing it down on the ice she lie down on the ice next to it, her face pressed against it an attempt to wake herself up.
When practice ended at four Kailey quickly showered and was off to the hospital. Since she had been there every day since Friday no one asked questions as she made her way to Vero’s room. Marc was ready to go when she arrived, all but his suit. “Thank you so much for sitting with her during the game. I’ll see you as soon as I can; I worked it out with the nurse so that you can stay with her until I get back.”
“Okay sweetheart have a good game. Try not to think about this okay, focus on the game.”
“No promises but I’ll try, the boys need me.” He gave Kailey a hug before leaving and held her in his arms before leaving.
Kailey sat down next to the bed, where Marc had been sitting and though she knew that she couldn’t be heard she began to talk to Vero. “Hey V, I know you can’t hear me but I want you to know that I really care about you. It hurts to see you like this, you’re one of my best friends and you don’t deserve this.
“These last few days have been so hard for Marc. He’s been here every day since the accident; I don’t think he leaves this chair. I know that he tries to hide it but he cries every day. He loves you more than anything in the world, you can see it when he so much as looks at you. He would always smile when he talked to you on the phone, even after a loss you could bring a smile to his face. I miss that smile. I promise that if you end up leaving us we will both be complete wrecks. We’ll cry for days V, I don’t want that, we both need you. If it is your time though, if God is calling you home then I will be right here for Marc, by his side, I will doing everything I can to help him though it.
“Enough of that though. He didn’t go to morning skate today but he’s playing tonight. I told him not to think about this for a while, you and me, to focus on the game. I think it’s what’s best for him. He’s been in this room for days just staring at you, crying and holding your hand as if his life depended on it, he needs something to take his mind off of it even if it is just for a few hours. He hasn’t let the hospital since you first got here Friday night; he sits by your side all day and when he manages to get some sleep at night he’s still holding your hand.
“I’m going to watch the game with you, I hope that’s okay. I just want to see how he does in his first game back. He’s supposed to be leaving for the World Junior Championship but he’s not going, he wants to be here when you wake up. And I’m going to be right here with him.”
Monday, October 5, 2009
Chapter Eight; Un pas si bonne année
Two days later the Pens weren’t so lucky and fell to the Islanders six-one at home on New Year’s Eve. Kailey spent the day watching hockey and partying with friends. When it got closer to midnight everyone gathered around the TV and counted down. “Happy New Year!” They all screamed before running outside; setting off party poppers, squirting silly string, and blowing into noise makers. “Happy New Year baby,” Jared pulled her close and kissed her.
“Happy new year,” she smiled. As much as she wanted to stay in his embrace she also wanted to enjoy her time with her friends. She kissed his cheek and went on to run around the yard and play in the snow with her friends. Just as she was getting hit with a snowball thrown by Amy her phone buzzed in her pocket. “Hello?”
“Hey Kailey, I’m about to go to bed because we have a game tomorrow, but I just wanted to say happy New Year.”
“Happy new year, I’ll be watching tomorrow,” she said with a smile just before a snowball hit the back of her head and some of the snow ran down her back. “Oh my god, cold.”
“Do I want to know?”
“We’re having a snowball fight, I’ll talk to you later, goodnight Marc.”
“Goodnight Kailey.”
At around one o’clock everyone said good-bye to Jared before he headed home and they headed inside and sat down to watch a movie. Later that morning when everyone woke up breakfast had been set out by Nikki’s mom, which all of the girls enjoyed. Kailey and Amy were going to watch the game together that night but spent most of the day before the game at Nikki’s house talking and laughing.
Half an hour before game time Kailey and Amy headed to her house to get ready for the game, getting food ready, preparing a score sheet, and turning on FSN Pittsburgh. As the minutes ticked down, game time approaching Kailey got more and more excited, she was always excited just before games. There was nothing special about this game about there had been a game the day before but Kay always looked forward to a new challenge for her team and another chance to bring home a win.
The game was hard fought but again the Pens fell short, they had been defeated three-two by the Nashville Predators. Following the game Kailey and Amy headed outside to take shots on net for a while, they had an afternoon game the next day and they hadn’t done much shooting since their practice three days earlier. An hour after they had stepped outside Kailey’s phone rang, just as she had expected it would. “Hey Marc, sorry about the loss.”
“I’ll get over it. We’re leaving for the airport now but I just wanted to call like after every other game and let you know that I will most probably be at your game tomorrow.”
“Aw Marc you don’t have to come I want you to get some sleep. But if you do come that would be great. Oh do you know if Vero would be coming?”
“I’m not sure; I’ll let you know tomorrow though. Goodnight Kailey.”
“Goodnight Marc-Andre.” After one more slap shot from the edge of the concrete that went top shelf the girls headed inside and got ready to go to bed. After she showered Kailey climbed into bed and called Jared to say goodnight. She had talked to him after the Pens game but since she hadn’t seen him that day she felt the need to call him again, to tell him she loved him, to push the feelings for Marc, no matter how weak, from her mind.
“Hello?” Jared said sleepily.
“Hey babe, did I wake you?”
“Yeah, it’s fine though, you going to bed now?”
“Mhm goodnight Jare, I’ll see you at the game. I love you.”
“I love you too, goodnight.”
The phone call made Kailey feel better and only moments after placing her phone on the bedside table and saying goodnight to Amy she was asleep. It was a restful sleep during which, as always, she dreamt of the Penguins. However she was pulled from these dreams when her alarm went off, it was game day and she had to get ready. The two girls got up, ate breakfast and took a few more shots on net before getting dressed in sweat pants and a t-shirt. Throwing her under amour shirt and shorts into her bag Kailey slung it over her shoulder and grabbed her stick from behind the door. She always kept one in the car and one inside, inside was the stick she had used to score her last goal but because she was only superstitious about professional hockey she used whatever stick she picked up first from her stall first before taking the ice.
When both girls were ready they headed outside into the snow and threw their bags into the trunk. Once they got into the car Kailey opened her phone to make sure that she hadn’t missed a call from Marc, nothing. She figured that he still didn’t have an answer from her or the more she thought about it she realized that he was probably still sleeping.
Just as she was pulling into her usual spot at the rink her phone rang. “Hello?” She asked without looking at the caller id and shutting the car off.
“Hey just calling to let you know that I will be at your game today but Vero can’t make it. She says she’s sorry.”
“It’s okay, I just got to the rink so I’ll see and talk to you after the game.” She hung up and grabbed her things from the trunk before heading inside and gearing up.
Taking the ice to warm up Kailey found Marc in his normal seat and waved. After receiving a wave in return she went to the corner to stretch and take a few shots at the wall before shooting on the goalie and practicing her skating backwards. Upon returning to the locker room she finally said hi to Jared and received an awkward hug, all of the equipment seemed to get in the way. A good luck kiss was shared between the two of them before they took the ice again.
Being in the starting line-up, as always, Kailey made her way to her spot on the ice and awaited the drop of the opening face-off. The game started off quickly and remained that way for the rest of the sixty minutes. One of Kailey’s shots from the point was deflected in for the winning goal with just thirty seconds remaining in the final period.
“Great job out there,” Marc said hugging Kailey after the game. “You too guys.”
“Thanks Marc, so what was Vero up to today?”
“She was going shopping with some of the other girls; she said that if she would have known about the game before she promised she would go with them then she would have been here.”
“It’s fine, she’s going to be here for another week, there’s two more games,” she said with a smile.
Marc decided that as was tradition he would go to get something to eat with ‘the guys’. Kailey and Amy threw their bags in the back of their car before getting into Marc’s car and heading to the Eat ‘n Park down the street, this was where they usually ate their celebratory meal, which today was dinner.
On the way to the restaurant Marc called Veronique, no answer. ‘Probably trying on clothes and can’t hear her phone,’ he thought. “Hey beautiful, I just wanted to see how your day was going. I guess I’ll see you when I get home. I love you V.” He said once it had gone to voicemail.
After everyone had finished eating they made their way outside to find large flakes of fluffy snow falling from the sky. After wiping the snow from his windshield Marc drove Kailey, Amy and Jared back to the rink so that they could get their cars. Kailey kissed Jared good-bye before starting to clean off her windshield. “Be careful baby,” she said pulling away from his embrace.
“You too babe.” He got into his car and carefully left the parking lot.
Kailey hugged Marc-Andre and went back to removing snow from her car before saying. “Be careful Marc,”
"You too Kailey.” Soon both cars were no longer covered in snow and both Marc and Kailey carefully left the parking lot and headed home.
Kailey dropped Amy off at home before arriving at her own house and jumping into the shower. Marc arrived home to find the apartment empty and a note on the counter in the kitchen.
‘Petit ami,
I’m sorry that I couldn’t go with you today but I’m out with some of the girls and should be back by five o’clock. I love you Marc.
-V’
Marc looked at his watch to find that it was after six o’clock. Marc began to worry, his girlfriend was an hour later and it was practically a blizzard outside. He wasn’t usually one to worry but Vero was never late. He pulled his phone from his pocket and called Vero, three rings and no answer, four, five.
“Hello?” a voice finally said on the other end, it wasn’t Vero though.
“Who are you, are you with Vero?” he said, now he grew scared.
“My name is Mike and I’m with Veronique, I’m a paramedic. How do you know her?”
“She’s my girlfriend, what happened?” His breath caught in his throat, fear could be heard in his now shaky voice.
“She was in an accident. Her car was found on the side of the road and she had no emergency information on her so we did not know who to contact. We’re taking her to the hospital now, you can see her there.”
“Happy new year,” she smiled. As much as she wanted to stay in his embrace she also wanted to enjoy her time with her friends. She kissed his cheek and went on to run around the yard and play in the snow with her friends. Just as she was getting hit with a snowball thrown by Amy her phone buzzed in her pocket. “Hello?”
“Hey Kailey, I’m about to go to bed because we have a game tomorrow, but I just wanted to say happy New Year.”
“Happy new year, I’ll be watching tomorrow,” she said with a smile just before a snowball hit the back of her head and some of the snow ran down her back. “Oh my god, cold.”
“Do I want to know?”
“We’re having a snowball fight, I’ll talk to you later, goodnight Marc.”
“Goodnight Kailey.”
At around one o’clock everyone said good-bye to Jared before he headed home and they headed inside and sat down to watch a movie. Later that morning when everyone woke up breakfast had been set out by Nikki’s mom, which all of the girls enjoyed. Kailey and Amy were going to watch the game together that night but spent most of the day before the game at Nikki’s house talking and laughing.
Half an hour before game time Kailey and Amy headed to her house to get ready for the game, getting food ready, preparing a score sheet, and turning on FSN Pittsburgh. As the minutes ticked down, game time approaching Kailey got more and more excited, she was always excited just before games. There was nothing special about this game about there had been a game the day before but Kay always looked forward to a new challenge for her team and another chance to bring home a win.
The game was hard fought but again the Pens fell short, they had been defeated three-two by the Nashville Predators. Following the game Kailey and Amy headed outside to take shots on net for a while, they had an afternoon game the next day and they hadn’t done much shooting since their practice three days earlier. An hour after they had stepped outside Kailey’s phone rang, just as she had expected it would. “Hey Marc, sorry about the loss.”
“I’ll get over it. We’re leaving for the airport now but I just wanted to call like after every other game and let you know that I will most probably be at your game tomorrow.”
“Aw Marc you don’t have to come I want you to get some sleep. But if you do come that would be great. Oh do you know if Vero would be coming?”
“I’m not sure; I’ll let you know tomorrow though. Goodnight Kailey.”
“Goodnight Marc-Andre.” After one more slap shot from the edge of the concrete that went top shelf the girls headed inside and got ready to go to bed. After she showered Kailey climbed into bed and called Jared to say goodnight. She had talked to him after the Pens game but since she hadn’t seen him that day she felt the need to call him again, to tell him she loved him, to push the feelings for Marc, no matter how weak, from her mind.
“Hello?” Jared said sleepily.
“Hey babe, did I wake you?”
“Yeah, it’s fine though, you going to bed now?”
“Mhm goodnight Jare, I’ll see you at the game. I love you.”
“I love you too, goodnight.”
The phone call made Kailey feel better and only moments after placing her phone on the bedside table and saying goodnight to Amy she was asleep. It was a restful sleep during which, as always, she dreamt of the Penguins. However she was pulled from these dreams when her alarm went off, it was game day and she had to get ready. The two girls got up, ate breakfast and took a few more shots on net before getting dressed in sweat pants and a t-shirt. Throwing her under amour shirt and shorts into her bag Kailey slung it over her shoulder and grabbed her stick from behind the door. She always kept one in the car and one inside, inside was the stick she had used to score her last goal but because she was only superstitious about professional hockey she used whatever stick she picked up first from her stall first before taking the ice.
When both girls were ready they headed outside into the snow and threw their bags into the trunk. Once they got into the car Kailey opened her phone to make sure that she hadn’t missed a call from Marc, nothing. She figured that he still didn’t have an answer from her or the more she thought about it she realized that he was probably still sleeping.
Just as she was pulling into her usual spot at the rink her phone rang. “Hello?” She asked without looking at the caller id and shutting the car off.
“Hey just calling to let you know that I will be at your game today but Vero can’t make it. She says she’s sorry.”
“It’s okay, I just got to the rink so I’ll see and talk to you after the game.” She hung up and grabbed her things from the trunk before heading inside and gearing up.
Taking the ice to warm up Kailey found Marc in his normal seat and waved. After receiving a wave in return she went to the corner to stretch and take a few shots at the wall before shooting on the goalie and practicing her skating backwards. Upon returning to the locker room she finally said hi to Jared and received an awkward hug, all of the equipment seemed to get in the way. A good luck kiss was shared between the two of them before they took the ice again.
Being in the starting line-up, as always, Kailey made her way to her spot on the ice and awaited the drop of the opening face-off. The game started off quickly and remained that way for the rest of the sixty minutes. One of Kailey’s shots from the point was deflected in for the winning goal with just thirty seconds remaining in the final period.
“Great job out there,” Marc said hugging Kailey after the game. “You too guys.”
“Thanks Marc, so what was Vero up to today?”
“She was going shopping with some of the other girls; she said that if she would have known about the game before she promised she would go with them then she would have been here.”
“It’s fine, she’s going to be here for another week, there’s two more games,” she said with a smile.
Marc decided that as was tradition he would go to get something to eat with ‘the guys’. Kailey and Amy threw their bags in the back of their car before getting into Marc’s car and heading to the Eat ‘n Park down the street, this was where they usually ate their celebratory meal, which today was dinner.
On the way to the restaurant Marc called Veronique, no answer. ‘Probably trying on clothes and can’t hear her phone,’ he thought. “Hey beautiful, I just wanted to see how your day was going. I guess I’ll see you when I get home. I love you V.” He said once it had gone to voicemail.
After everyone had finished eating they made their way outside to find large flakes of fluffy snow falling from the sky. After wiping the snow from his windshield Marc drove Kailey, Amy and Jared back to the rink so that they could get their cars. Kailey kissed Jared good-bye before starting to clean off her windshield. “Be careful baby,” she said pulling away from his embrace.
“You too babe.” He got into his car and carefully left the parking lot.
Kailey hugged Marc-Andre and went back to removing snow from her car before saying. “Be careful Marc,”
"You too Kailey.” Soon both cars were no longer covered in snow and both Marc and Kailey carefully left the parking lot and headed home.
Kailey dropped Amy off at home before arriving at her own house and jumping into the shower. Marc arrived home to find the apartment empty and a note on the counter in the kitchen.
‘Petit ami,
I’m sorry that I couldn’t go with you today but I’m out with some of the girls and should be back by five o’clock. I love you Marc.
-V’
Marc looked at his watch to find that it was after six o’clock. Marc began to worry, his girlfriend was an hour later and it was practically a blizzard outside. He wasn’t usually one to worry but Vero was never late. He pulled his phone from his pocket and called Vero, three rings and no answer, four, five.
“Hello?” a voice finally said on the other end, it wasn’t Vero though.
“Who are you, are you with Vero?” he said, now he grew scared.
“My name is Mike and I’m with Veronique, I’m a paramedic. How do you know her?”
“She’s my girlfriend, what happened?” His breath caught in his throat, fear could be heard in his now shaky voice.
“She was in an accident. Her car was found on the side of the road and she had no emergency information on her so we did not know who to contact. We’re taking her to the hospital now, you can see her there.”
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Yet another one shot....
Hey guys I don't know how many of you would want to read it but I just posted a new one shot about Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit. It's called The Man Behind Home Plate.
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