Page 201 of Slap Shot

“Mr. and Mrs. Galloway. It’s an honor to meet you.” I step toward them and offer Madeline’s dad my palm. “So glad y’all could make the trip out here.”

“Doug.” Madeline’s dad shakes my hand, giving me a warm smile. “And this is Julie. Thanks for having us.”

“We’ve been wanting to visit for a while, and I’m glad it finally worked out.” Julie reaches for me, hugging me instead of going for a handshake. “Your place is beautiful, Hudson.”

After a round of hellos and hugs with Madeline and Lucy, everyone settles at the kitchen table. I hand out drinks and a cheese plate Madeline put together. When I take my seat, Lucy jumps into my lap and rests her head on my chest. Her eyes close, and I think she’s seconds away from falling asleep.

“How was the flight?” I ask.

“Long. The person behind me kept kicking my chair,” Doug says. “I almost turned around and gave him a piece of my mind.”

“Dad.” Madeline rolls her eyes. “It’s a confined space with the traveling public. Sometimes you just have to deal with it.”

“Your game is tonight, Hudson?” Julie asks, ignoring her husband’s complaining. “And which number is it?”

“It is. Game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals. This is for all the marbles. Whoever wins this, wins it all. It’s going to be tough, though. Los Angeles didn’t have their best player the first six games, but he’s back tonight. It’s going to make things interesting.”

“Hudson scored a goal in the last game,” Madeline says proudly. “A one-timer.”

“Wow.” I toss a grin her way. “Eight and a half months living here, and you finally learned the term? I’m proud of you, Maddie.”

“I’ve been studying up.” She sticks out her tongue and turns her attention to her parents. “We have the guest room set up for you all. Tomorrow is Lucy’s first grade graduation, which will be rough depending on how tonight goes. I thought I could show you around DC after the ceremony.”

“We’d love that,” Julie says. “I can’t believe how big Lucy’s gotten since September. She looks just like you, Madeline.”

Madeline smiles and glances at her daughter sleeping against my chest. She nods and reaches out, taking her small hand in hers. “Doesn’t she? She’s starting to act like me too withher mannerisms and the way she holds herself. Everything is moving too fast.”

“What did you do for Mother’s Day? You sent me a picture of some flowers.” Julie smiles at me. “Did you get those for her, Hudson?”

“I did. My mom loves—loved—flowers, and I wanted Madeline to know how celebrated she is. We’re going to start growing some flowers out on the balcony, and I can’t wait to be able to pick some and give them to her on a random Tuesday afternoon,” I say.

“You were raised right, son,” Doug says, and Madeline nods in agreement.

“He really was. I planned on a casserole for dinner tonight,” she says, switching gears, and I’m grateful I don’t have to share the story about my mom so soon into meeting Madeline’s parents. “I’m sure you all are tired after your travel day, so I can have it ready in an hour and a half, then we can get ready to head to the arena.”

“Sounds good to me.” Julie yawns, and I stand, moving Lucy to my hip. “Do you mind if I lie down for a few minutes? That plane ride wiped me out.”

“I’ll put Lucy in her room then show you to yours. Y’all are next to each other,” I say, and Julie follows me. “And leave the bags. I’ll grab them in a minute.”

“You’re sweet, aren’t you, Hudson?” Julie smiles as I lead her down the hall. “I can’t thank you enough for hiring Madeline and taking her and Lucy in. You changed her life, you know. Not just with cooking, but with other things too.”

“Ah.” I nod, a blush creeping up my cheeks. “They changed my life too. I always pretended I was happy, and then they came along. I finally learned what it really meant to be happy, and it wouldn’t have happened without them.”

“She’s been through a lot. I know you know that, but I can’t tell you how much it means to me to see you step up and help with parts of her life you don’t have to be a participant in.”

“I wouldn’t consider it stepping up because I’m happy to do it.” I nudge Lucy’s door open and carefully put her in bed. “I’m lucky I get to be involved. I want to be involved.”

“Madeline told me about your mom.” Julie gives me a sad smile. “I hope you know she’d be proud of you.”

“Yeah.” I nod. “I do.”

The arena isthe loudest I’ve ever heard it.

Our hometown crowd is fueling us on, invigorated after we clawed our way back to win the Eastern Conference finals. They’ve been supportive in all the games we’ve had at home in this series, too, and now we’re minutes away from the season being over.

Piper grabs me for an interview before I can take the ice for the last time this year, and I smile when the camera turns on.

“Hudson. We’re heading into the final period of game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals. You’ve been here before. What are you feeling right now?” she asks, holding out her microphone.

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