Page 65 of O Goalie Night
He seems a bit disappointed, but not surprised by my gentle let down. We say our goodbyes and I hop in the car. I can see him in the rear view mirror watching as I drive away.
CHAPTER 26
FOSTER
“Jingle balls…deck those halls…winter wonderland,” Will sings loudly and proudly in the showers, much to the dismay of everyone within earshot.
“Does he seriously not know the words to Jingle Bells?” Austin mutters as he rinses himself off.
“How is he flat and sharp at the same time?” Ben asks when our tone deaf songbird hits a particularly nasty high note.
Will loves Christmas more than any grown man I’ve ever met. He’s a normal person eleven months of the year, but as soon as December hits, he’s insufferable.
“Give it a rest, Prancer!” Austin hollers over his shoulder as he towels himself off. We’re all in the locker room after getting our asses handed to us by the Red Wings. I should be disappointed, and I am, but mostly I’m just excited to get home.
Talking to Beth on Facetime is better than nothing, but it isn’t enough. I’m aching to see her in person, to hold her in my arms.
Will, completely unphased by the team's unfavourable response to his serenading, smiles at the jeers.
“I can’t help that I’ve got the Christmas spirit,” he says as he’s lacing up his boots.
“Anyone want to crowd fund for an exorcism?” Ben asks.
Will’s grin only gets bigger. “Only three more weeks, boys! You can take it.”
“That’s what I told your mom the last time I filled her stocking,” Austin retorts. If he’d said that to anyone else, a brawl would start, but Will just laughs before launching into a jazzy rendition of God Rest Ye Merry Santa Claus.
I choose the seat next to Will on the flight back. This is partly because I’m the only one willing to sit next to him as there is a very good chance he’ll break into song again. It also means I won’t be stuck next to Ben for the next few hours, while I’m thinking about going home to his sister.
“Check it out,” Will grins, showing me his phone. A video is playing of a house with a display of Christmas lights that cover every inch of its exterior. Strings of multicoloured bulbs wrap around the eaves, tracing the roofline in a vibrant cascade of reds, greens, and blues. The windows twinkle with lights in the shape of stars, wreaths, and candy canes, creating a festive glow that spills into the night. A giant inflatable snowman waves from the lawn, illuminated from within, while glowing reindeer graze nearby. The front door is adorned with a lit-up wreath. It’s giving major Griswald family vibes.
“Is that your place?” I ask, recognizing the bright red door as I squint at the screen.
“Sure is,” he answers proudly. “The company I hired just finished setting it up. Isn’t it sick?”
That’s one way of describing it. I should take Beth to see it. She’d probably lose her mind.
“My entire family would spend a weekend getting our place set up back home when I was younger. I wish I had the time to do it myself, but the company I use is great.” He’s still staring at his phone with a dumb grin on his face.
“Wait, aren't you going home for Christmas?”
“Of course.”
“So why get your place done if you’re spending the holidays with your folks?”
He puts his phone away and leans back in his seat. “I miss my family a lot this time of year. All my siblings are in Nova Scotia and they’re always hanging out together, posting pics on Instagram. I guess that’s why I get so into Christmas. When I sing the songs and see the lights, it reminds me that I’ll be home soon.”
We chat a bit more about his family before Will crosses his arms and closes his eyes. He’s snoring within minutes.
I take out my own phone and pull up the message I received a few days ago from Cody.
Cody: Hey Foster. I’m sorry we ran into each other the way we did, but not sorry it happened. I’ve been wanting to reach out for some time, just kept losing my nerve. I’d love to meet up and talk. I take full responsibility for what happened between us. I hope I hear back from you. I miss you.
I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve read it. If it werea physical note, the paper would be bent and creased from being opened, read, and refolded.
A couple of times I even typed out a response, but each time hit the backspace button over and over until each word of my message disappeared.
Of course I want to see my brother again, but I’m scared. What if he hasn’t gotten the help he needs and I lose him again? Or what if he has and there isn’t a place for me in his life anymore? What if I can’t form a connection with my niece because I’ve been absent her entire life?
