Page 38 of For the Win

“I’ve been driving him to and from work as much as I can,” she says.“I’m not confident about his driving anymore.”

“Shit,” I murmur.

“You need to take his keys away, Mom,” Everly says, grasping Mom’s hand.“He can’t drive if he’s a risk to others.”

She nods.“I know.”

“Is that why you’ve been at the office with him so much?”Ash asks.

She frowns.“How do you know that?”

“Théo.”

“Oh.”She sighs.“That, and also I need to know what’s going on.He doesn’t remember everything.”

I slowly move my head from side to side and sink back down into my chair.“Théo’s got things under control, Mom.”

“Yes, he does.And I’m so glad it’s him.I trust him.”

She trusts him.Even though his parents have never trusted her.Fuck, she’s amazing.

“We all trust Théo,” Everly says.“What else can we do, Mom?”

“I’ll let you know.I will.You all have lives to lead.”She smiles.“I’m happy for you and Wyatt.And you do a great job with the Foundation.”She turns to me.“You keep playing.Your dad is so proud of you.”

“He is?”

“Of course.He’s proud of all of you.Ash, you’re such a great writer.Noah...you’re the only goalie in the family.”

He shakes his head.“Onlymalegoalie, Mom.”

We all smile at his defense of Riley.

“Right, of course.”Mom shakes her head.“I meant in the NHL.She’s done amazingly well.”My niece played for the US women’s national hockey team before becoming a goalie coach for the Hawks in the AHL.

“Can you convince Dad to retire?”Everly asks.“He should relax and enjoy his life now.He’s worked so hard.”

“I don’t think he can totally give up hockey.But we’ve talked about it.We’re thinking of going on a trip this summer.And next season...we’ll see.”

Dad returns and Mom bustles into the kitchen to get lunch.I go in to help carry out a platter of sandwiches, a couple of salads, and veggies and dip.When everything is outside on the big dining table on the patio, I stop her in the kitchen.“Are you okay, Mom?”

She meets my eyes, hers going glossy again.“No.”

I pull her in for a hug.“I know.”

“We’ll get through it,” she mumbles.“Thank you for being here.”

“Of course.We’ll always be here for you.”

She squeezes me, pulls back, dashing away tears, and smiles bravely.“Okay, let’s go eat.”

* * *

Monday morning,we have a practice and another yoga class before.The guys who were skeptical about yoga are coming around, saying they feel better when they get on the ice after the poses and the focus.

And everyone’s in a great mood because Vancouver lost last night, and right now, we’re ahead of them in the standings.

I feel happy about it, in a distant sort of way.

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