Page 27 of Hockey 101

She’s not my date. Anyway, it’s my fault that she has to work here. I’m going to look over her story once it’s done. To me, Andy looks admirable. She’s the type of person to put her responsibilities first. Plus, how many people could work in a pub and not worry about what other people think? Not me.

Make sure the story doesn’t suck this time, Big Z says, then makes his way across the pub to talk to some people. People meaning attractive women.

How are you supposed to help her with the story? Mats asks. He knows that writing is not one of my strengths.

I can fix the hockey parts. Andy’s a good writer, she just doesn’t understand hockey yet, I explain.

Ethan snorts. How the fuck would you know she’s a good writer? You didn’t even know there was a college newspaper an hour ago.

I’ve read other stuff she’s written, I say defensively.

Yeah? Like what? Ethan is almost as irritating as his cousin, who continues to use my bedroom whenever I’m not in it. He may even be there right now.

Her journal, I say quietly.

What? Is that like her diary? Bergy asks. Was it hot?

I shake my head but I’m already blushing, proving that I’m lying. The first entry I read was about her breakup—and it was beautiful, full of emotion and poetic observation. But the one I was reading when Andy returned…well, that one was about her being a feminist, yet having sexist fantasies—of being more submissive. I will forever regret not having time to finish that one. But if she wants to feel a little helpless and out of control while she’s being fucked, I will happily volunteer for that job all night long.

Oh, now I get it. You like her because she’s kinky. What kind of shit is she into? A threesome? I’d be up for that if you need someone, Bergy offers.

Luckily, before I have to answer that unwelcome offer, our waitress arrives with our meals. Here you go, Jack. Enjoy. She sets a plate in front of me with a wink and a smile.

Thanks. I turn to Mats. You want to go sit with Andy?

Sure, as long as we’re not disturbing her, he says.

If you could read the story too, that would be a big help.

We get settled in the booth. Andy pulls off her headphones and smiles at us.

How’s it going? I ask.

Almost done. She seems less stressed about the article.

Andy, this is Roy Matsumoto. He’s going to help us too. We’ll eat now, and you can show us the story once it’s done. Oh, I brought you a drink. I push the ginger ale towards her. Are you sure you don’t want anything to eat?

No, thanks. I ate dinner before the game. Although I might steal a fry. She looks over our plates. Oh. No fries. You guys must be serious athletes.

Mats smiles. We eat clean when we’re out with the team. But we mainline Pop-Tarts in the privacy of our homes.

Andy laughs and pulls her headphones back on. I eat and chat with Mats, but I’m keenly aware of her presence. I can’t stop fantasizing about her, and now she’s right beside me.

Almost as soon as we finish eating, Andy finishes her typing with a flourish. All done.

She turns her laptop towards us. Don’t worry about my feelings, be as harsh as you can. I’d rather fix things now than hear about them later.

Mats and I read through the piece without saying much. While she’s covered the main points of the game, it’s very awkward. Like that game where you translate song lyrics into another language and then back into English—everything’s just a bit off.

Um, ‘light the lamp’? Nobody uses that term except eighty-eight-year-olds, I say.

Darn. I read this glossary of hockey slang and I’ve been trying to sprinkle phrases in. Andy makes a note. Thanks. Keep going. I’ll change everything at the end.

Mats is a faster reader than I am, and he’s already done. It’s better than your last story, but skip the hockey slang altogether. It sounds weird. Andy nods.

He continues, Look, most people who are going to read this have actually been to the game. So, while it’s important to have all the facts, like who scored and assisted, you also want to give fans something positive. Like capture the highs and give them reason to feel hopeful about the team.

Andy absently touches her pen to her lips as she mulls over Mats’s suggestion. Okay, sure. So, a high would be the goal you scored in the second period? Could you give me another example?

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