Page 42 of For the Win

“Yeah.”

“So, your season’s almost over.”

“Four more games.Tomorrow we leave for Vancouver and Calgary, and then two home games next week.Wow.”He shakes his head.“It goes fast.”

“You play a lot of games, though.”

“Yeah, we do.Things get even tougher now.”He pauses.“Will you still be doing yoga classes for us in the playoffs?”

“We haven’t decided yet.They wanted to see how things went and if you guys feel it helps.”

“Well, I’ll put in a good word for you.It hasn’t been long, but I feel really good.Physically.”

His eyes shadow.I remember the bad news.Should I ask about it?I don’t want to be a downer.

“That’s good, I’m glad to hear it.I think there are benefits, and for the playoffs not getting injured and being able to focus are very important.”

“Yeah, for sure.How were your classes today?”

We make small talk while we look over the menu.They have a three-course wine dinner plus dessert, each course paired with a different wine, which we decide to have.

“No seafood, right?”Harrison says, looking at the menu.

“You remember.”

“Sure.”

That’s so...nice.

Dinner starts with a salad of greens with cranberries and sunflower seeds, served with a delicious Spanish rosé brut.

“If the team doesn’t hire you to do more classes, I’m going to keep coming to your other classes,” Harrison says.

I tense briefly, make myself relax.“Sure.”

“Today it really helped clear my mind and focus.”

“That’s good.”I’m still curious.

“It was also you,” he says.His words should alarm me, but he says it in such a low, quiet tone, not even looking at me, I’m touched rather than scared.“Just your...I don’t know.”His cheeks redden.“Your serenity.And your voice.You’re so calming.”

“Oh.That’s so nice to hear.”

“I needed that today.”He looks up and meets my eyes, his smile crooked.

“I kind of got that.”

“You’re really perceptive.”

“I guess.I try to read the group and feel what’s going on.”

“I think you’re good at that.”

“Thanks.”I pick up my wine and take a gulp.The bubbles tingle all the way down my esophagus.“I enjoyed watching you practice.Seeing you interact with your teammates.I think you’re good at reading them too.”

“Yeah?”He tips his head, eyebrows elevated.“Cool.”He pauses, then says, “I wish I’d known you were there.I would have shown off more.”

I laugh.“I was impressed enough.”

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