Page 53 of The Trade Deadline
“We’ll make it,” Lars Nilsson said at the end of the pre-season. “I promise.”
I, for one, certainly appreciate the confidence. Let’s hope Nilsson’s promises are as good as his slapshot.
FAN POLL:Will the Crabs make the playoffs this year?
YES: 63%
NO: 37%
Chapter18
Ryan
After finally gettingthrough what could only be measured as a full hour of goodnights to his family, Ryan was finally able to sneak off to his old bedroom (the smallest room in the whole house, barely fitting the double bed he’d used throughout his childhood and the teensiest of desks that he’d used on the rare occasions he actually did homework) to unwind. He loved his family, but dear God. They were what could generously be labeled as “close,” but really felt more like overbearing.
The house was packed for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow with lots of extended family in town, himself included. He’d ridden with the team bus to the airport and then gotten on a commercial flight to Montana, making use of the few days off to visit home. When he came to town for games, he rarely got to do more than drink with his sisters, brothers-in-law, cousins, and the rare aunt or uncle who could keep up with them; he liked coming for family events where he could sit down with the older and younger generations.
It was also exhausting. His nieces and nephews tired him out, but he enjoyed being the “cool uncle.”
An uncle who was only seven years older than one of them, but oh well.
He dumped his duffle bag on his minuscule desk, changed into sweats, and climbed into bed. He had to prop himself up against the headboard to keep his feet from spilling across the other end, and with a bone-deep sigh, he settled in for aimless phone scrolling until he fell asleep. Except of course, as soon as he turned on his phone, there was a message waiting for him that would 100% take all of his attention.
where are you?? why aren’t you on the plane?
sorry i had my phone off
i’m in montana for thanksgiving
i took a flight to billings
It was nearly midnight on the East Coast, but almost immediately he got a reply.
i had to sit with tomas. TOMAS.
all he did was talk about some reality tv show. you owe me.
you could’ve sat by yourself
i TRIED. he took your seat.
Your seat.Ugh, that shouldn’t do things to him. When had Ryan become so easy? Though it did amuse him to think of Lars’s bewilderment when Tomas sat down next to him, and his brow furrowed in confusion as he no doubt politely engaged with Tomas on a topic Lars had neither interest in nor understanding of.
sorry
Next time you gotta get your headphones on quick even if you’re not listening to anything. Then he won’t talk to you
do you always go home for Thanksgiving?
usually can’t.
Last year we had a game the day before and after. Lucked out with the timing this year.
I get a whole 36 hours in Montana ??
What about you? Swedes do Thanksgiving?
no.
