Page 34 of Hockey 101

Oh, this is a decent kitchen, she says. The house is old, but the kitchen has been renovated recently. Not up to my mom’s standards, but everything works fine.

Yeah. Mostly we cook for ourselves, but once a week we do a house dinner. We take turns cooking. That dinner is my favourite meal.

We pass through the dining room, which has a large wooden table and mismatched dining chairs. Luckily this has been a hockey house for years, so it came fully furnished. All I had to bring was my bed.

It’s a king, and it’s the biggest bed in the house, calls Bergy, who’s eavesdropping from the living room. Be sure you show her that.

I roll my eyes. How would these guys act if they actually wanted to help me?

Andy remains unfazed. I’ll stay on the main floor, thanks. How many guys live here?

Five, I say. Not counting stupid Lloyd. Wait. You’re not doing a story on our place, are you?

Of course not. It wouldn’t be ethical to research a story without telling you first. I’m just curious. You’re a freshman, but you land on a nice place to live and automatic friends. It’s a sweet deal.

For sure. But hockey is like that, your team is like your family. That’s one of the things I like about hockey—the built-in community no matter where you go.

When we get to the living room, the pregame show is already on. The guys greet Andy and the cookies with equal enthusiasm. Even though I dropped a few strong hints, I’m not going to be spending any time alone with Andy tonight. Bergy, Swanny, and Ethan are all watching the game too.

She greets everyone and settles onto the couch. I shove Bergy over so I can sit beside her.

Andy, these cookies are awesome. You’re welcome anytime, Swanny says, mouth full.

Day or night. Bergy winks at her. Did you try out Sinc’s big bed?

Andy rolls her eyes. I can predict what your bedrooms look like without even seeing them. Plaid bedspreads, gaming systems, posters on the wall, and clothes on the floor.

Uncanny, says Swanny. It’s like you’ve been in Bergy’s bedroom, but no woman has ever crossed that threshold.

Hey! That’s not true, Bergy protests.

Oh sorry. I forgot about that time your mom helped you move in.

Fuck you, man, he says.

Mats joins us in the living room. Are there cookies? Oh, hey, Andy.

Hi, Mats. Have you read Jacob’s stories? she asks. He’s written three so far: one last week and two this weekend. I read them as soon as they go up and make sure to leave positive comments.

Yeah, they’re excellent. Best stuff the Messenger’s ever done. He takes a couple of cookies and sits in the armchair.

His stories have been a huge hit, Andy says excitedly. Lots of positive feedback, and, best of all, the editor-in-chief has stopped criticizing the sports coverage.

The editor-in-chief is her ex-boyfriend, so I’m glad to hear that he’s leaving her alone.

I like the other sports you’ve been covering as well. I’m weirdly addicted to the wrestling stories, I say. I’ve been reading the entire sports section since Andy edits it all.

She nods happily. That’s all thanks to you guys. Once I saw how good Jacob’s stories were, it made me realize there are people out there who love sports but wouldn’t normally get a chance to write about them. It turns out that the newspaper is a pretty exclusive place.

How did you find the wrestling guy? I ask. Those stories are over the top, full of flowery descriptions and dramatic stakes.

Oh, I found Mehmet at a wrestling meet. He’s an exchange student from Turkey who loves wrestling. English is his second language, so he never dreamed of reporting. I have to edit his pieces, but his authentic voice comes through loud and clear.

I didn’t even know we had a wrestling team, says Ethan.

Andy smiles. Mehmet is the opposite. Wrestling is such a huge sport in his country that he can’t believe that hockey is bigger here.

All of us laugh at that idea.

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