Page 76 of Must Love Dogs… and Hockey

“Am I being a dick?” I don’t flaunt my money. I think.

She opens her eyes and shakes her head. “No. I just can’t relate.”

“Let’s not talk about money.” This never seems to go well. I get that she’s sensitive about the imbalance, even though it doesn’t bother me.

“Fine with me.”

We continue our exploration of the museum.

“This place is sick,” I tell Lilly with delight. “We need to come back here.”

She beams a gratified smile. “I’m glad you had fun.”

After, we walk to a nearby Mexican place for sangria, chips and queso, and enchiladas. We sit in the bar where there are TVs playing sports.

“Did that distract you from your worries?” Lilly asks, picking up a chip.

“Yeah. It did. For a while.” I grimace.

“That’s good.”

“I’ll be more distracted shopping for an Aston Martin.”

Her smile unravels more of the coil of tension inside me and I lean back in my chair. One of the big screen TVs on the wall is playing the Islanders versus Oilers game.

“Who are you cheering for?” Lilly asks, nodding at the TV.

“Oilers.”

“Really.” She lifts an eyebrow. “Why?”

“They’re not in our division. It’s Thanksgiving this week and that’s an important date for the playoffs.”

She leans her chin on her hand, her elbow on the table, and regards me with fascination “How so? Playoffs are months away.”

“I know, but statistically, about twelve out of the sixteen teams in playoffs spots as of American Thanksgiving will still have a playoff spot at the end of the season.”

“Huh.”

“So everyone’s looking at standings and how teams are performing as of that date.” I shrug. “It has some merit.”

“And where are you in the standings?”

“I can’t believe you don’t know that.” I shake my head in mock disappointment.

“Sorry. I like hockey, but I don’t know all the stats.”

“I’m kidding. The Islanders have a spot right now, but we don’t. So we need them to lose.”

“Ah. I see.” Her forehead pinches. “Does that mean you’re out of the playoffs?”

“Hell no.”

“But you just said—”

I grin. “Never mind that. It’s not over until it’s over.”

She laughs.

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