Page 216 of Skate the Line

The clock is ticking down, with only thirty seconds to go in the second period. We’re on a power play, and that means we can really do some damage and hopefully get back on track.

Despite my stomach in knots while waiting for SGT Mel’s text, I have to focus.

At the end of the day, hockey may not be the first thing on my priority list, but Ellie is, and if I didn’t have hockey to ground meandpay the bills, I’m not sure where we’d be.

Malaki connects with the puck after Kane wins the puck drop. I skate with determination and plow down a player in white as we both head for the puck.

Malaki has the momentum we need.

I skate to a halt, knocking another player down. I’m about to be on their shit list, but when the puck slips right between their goalie’s legs, it’s hard to care.

The buzzer sounds, and the team flows into the locker room on a high note.

We’ve taken back the lead, and that’s always a good thing going into the third and final period.

“Good work.” I tap helmets with Malaki and plop down beside Hayes. Emory is the last to enter with his full goalie gear.

Then in comes Coach Jacobs.

Tarvo has stayed away, which I’m not angry about.

His face is the last thing I want to see after being on a high from the last play.

Coach Jacobs gives some words of inspiration and encouragement and then proceeds to go over some new plays he wants to run in the next period.

Kane and I give him some ideas on how to change things up. Being that we’ve been up close and personal with their best players, we see things from a different angle.

After making a few adjustments, we’re due back on the ice.

Per usual, I grab my phone.

I have two messages.

One from Marco, telling me Ellie has fallen asleep.

And the other from SGT Mel.

I fumble with the device and swipe the message open.

It’s a photo of some type of document.

I zoom in, enlarging the tiny font as much as I can.

To the Honorable Court of Washington:

The Petitioner,Allison Edwards, respectfully requests the Court to issue a Temporary Protection Order against the Respondent,Nicholas Tarvo, based on the following facts:

Nature of Relationship: Petitioner was a nanny for the Respondent's child, hired under both parents.

Acts of Abuse/Threats:

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