Page 51 of Slap Shot

I wait at the end of the hall, and Lucy waves when she sees me. I smile and flip to the first page of the notebook, my pen poised above the paper.

Hiya, Lucy.How was school? I write, holding up the notebook so she can read it.

She gives me a thumbs up, then beelines it for the dogs, giggling when they lick her face and forgetting all about me.

“Is it okay if I communicate with her like this?” I ask Madeline, tapping the notebook. “I want to do things right, and I’m not sure if this is the way to do it.”

“You’ll want to keep it to basic questions. ASL—the sign language Lucy uses—is different from the English you and I use. She does read and write at school, but her primary form of communication is with her hands. It might be hard for her to have full conversations with you on the pages,” she explains. “But we can try.”

“Got it.”

I whistle, and the dogs follow me to the kitchen with Lucy in tow. I set her on the barstool, laughing when she smiles at me with a missing tooth grin, then sliding the plate of apple slices her way.

Thank you, Lucy signs, which is one of the only phrases I’ve picked up on, and I nod. She bites down on the apple and looks at Madeline, signing something else to her.

“Lucy wants to know if we can take the dogs for a walk,” Madeline tells me.

“Oh, yeah. They need to go out, and I could use some fresh air,” I say, and I don’t like that I have to use Madeline asthe middleperson to communicate. “We’ll go to the park up the road.”

“Hudson said we can take the dogs, but you have to finish your snack first,” she explains, and Lucy doesn’t waste a second.

She eats the apple slices in record time and jumps off the stool with another eager grin. I grab the dogs’ leashes from the pantry and gesture for her to come close to me.

Without words, I show her how to hook the leash to their collar, and I let her do the second one. She’s careful and gentle, placing a kiss on Millie’s head when she’s attached.

“Way to go, baby.” Madeline opens Lucy’s backpack and hands over her coat. “Make sure you zip up.It’s getting cold outside.”

“I hate the cold,” I say, and Madeline moves Lucy’s empty plate to the sink. “I’d rather be in ninety-degree weather.”

“You play on ice.”

“I know, and I wish I were in a sauna.” I lead the dogs to the foyer. Madeline and Lucy trail after me, and I pull on a hoodie. “I love to sweat.”

“Your socks got mixed in with mine last week, and I almost gagged when I opened the washer,” Madeline admits. “Why do you bring that stuff home?”

“I don’t bring game stuff home. The place would need to be fumigated.” I hold the door open for them and we move into the hall. “Just some practice gear.”

“I say this respectfully, but it’shorrific. When Piper gave Lucy Maverick’s jersey, I had to wash it four times before it didn’t smell like a dead body.”

“Been around a lot of dead bodies, Madeline?”

“I told you I’m good with knives.”

I laugh. “Trust me, I know how horrible all of it smells. I shower after the game, then I shower when I get home. Feels like it takes two washes to get clean some days.” Lucy runs ahead andpresses the button for the elevator. Gus and Millie sit beside her, and she strokes their fur. “I’m glad she and the dogs get along.”

“She loves them. We’ve never had any pets because my schedule has always been too chaotic, so it’s good to see she’s not afraid of them.” Madeline smiles and gently ushers Lucy into the elevator. “Have you always been a dog person?”

“No, actually. I was terrified of them growing up. When I entered the league, I realized how isolating this career can be if you’re not into the party scene or married with kids. I didn’t like sitting around the house alone, so I went to the shelter and adopted Millie. Gus came later, when I had a better handle on balancing my responsibilities. They help keep me sane when it feels like the world is up against me. They don’t care if the Stars win or lose, and it’s nice to be loved even if I make a mistake.”

“That’s parenting,” she says as we head for the ground floor. “I’ve made so many mistakes as a mom. I’ve messed up, but despite it all, Lucy loves me unconditionally. It’s scary, honestly.” The doors open to the building’s lobby, and we file out.

“Here.” I stand behind Lucy and lift her arm so she’s holding the leashes. I fold my hand over hers so I’m still in control, but it lets her feel like she’s the one leading Gus and Millie. “I have a good grip on them, so they won’t yank her.”

“Does that feel okay, baby?” Madeline asks, and Lucy nods. “If they’re too strong, let me know.Mr. Hudson will take over.”

“Mr. Hudson.” I laugh. “That’s what the kids at the Stars’ summer camp call me. Makes me feel ancient. Then you have my teammates who call me Huddy Boy.”

“What do you prefer?”

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