Page 6 of Coast to Coast

Me: I was researching ways to entertain toddlers on an airplane. Has he ever flown without you?

Kelsey: Not without me, but we’d plan several joint trips before you went alone with him.

Me: I know nothing about hockey.

Kelsey: Me neither! And Sam has taught me everything I know about baseball. Just point out his daddy on the ice, get excited if he scores, and distract him if Tom is fighting.

Me: What is it like in Colorado?

Kelsey: Tom’s place is outside Denver. There are plenty of playgrounds, and the weather in Denver can sometimes be milder than in Boston. Do you ski?

Me: I do.

Kelsey: The guys want to teach him as early as possible. I won’t be out there this winter, so it would be great if you can bring him. And, well, with the new baby coming, we don’t want him to feel like he’s being pushed aside.

Me: Are you going to need help with the new baby?

Kelsey: At this point, we’re planning for you to focus mainly on Crew. I was single when he was born; I did it by myself. Sam will be off; we don’t plan to hire additional help.

Me: OK. Monica sent me the ticket to the game. Should I meet you there or someplace else?

Kelsey: I’ll send you our home address. I can park with the players, so it will be a lot easier if we drive together.

We said goodbye. I ran through my skincare routine and turned in for the night. I may not have ever planned to be a nanny, but it was by far my best option.

TOM

This summer, I had a long-term rental in Boston, only a few blocks from Kelsey and Sam. The more time I spent in the city, the more difficult it was to leave. Boston had quickly come to feel like home. I hated the thought of Crew traveling with me all winter without consistency. While he’d traveled last year, he’d been with his mom.

I didn’t even know I was a father at this point last year. The shock of finding out wore off the moment I saw my son. If Kelsey and Sam had not been committed to me being in Crew’s life, the last year could have been hell. I worried about what life held once the new baby came along, especially since Kelsey was panicking about having Crew across the country from her when she couldn’t travel.

Damon: I heard you found a nanny. Is she hot?

Damon Amari, my teammate and one of my best friends, texted. We’d both signed with Colorado last season, and he’d been with me through the craziness of learning to parent, find my way in the NHL, and not lose my mind. At the beginning of the season, he’d been dating his high-school sweetheart, butthey’d broken up. She hadn’t been able to handle the travel and had major trust issues. Going through major life changes and adjusting to the NHL rigors had bonded us.

Me: Are you ready to move on from Kayleigh?

Damon: What, not going to warn me off of the nanny?

Me: Nah, I’m more interested in knowing if anything happened while you were home. Did you run into her?

Damon: I plead the fifth.

Me: Fuck, man, I hope you know what you’re getting into with her.

Damon: I think it’s going to be different this time. How’s Crew?

Me: It’s always going to be different. Crew is awesome. He’s starting to talk a bunch more, so there will be no more swearing in front of him.

I wasn’t the only player on the team with a toddler, but I was the only one with shared custody who planned to be a single parent half the time. With Calliope on board, I should be able to find some balance, if it’s even possible in season.

Damon: Enjoy the rest of your summer. I’ll catch up with you before training camp.

Me: Be careful, brother.

Damon: Yeah, I’ll be fine. Always am.

I planned to meet with the group at Kelsey and Sam’s place, and we’d all head to the stadium together. After having stayed there last summer, I had gotten spoiled. Baseball money and hockey money were so far off that his yearly salary was what I hoped to make in my career. Forget about endorsements. We weren’t even in the same league financially. Kelsey came from a family of modest means and was generally uncomfortable with displays of wealth; she’s never thrown it in my face and would do her best not to let money ever be a factor in my relationship with Crew.

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