Page 24 of Slapshot
“Let me guess, you don’t like the skates because they’re too tight?” Kaitlyn’s tone is annoyed. It matches her glare.
“Where are they?”
“Give the new skates a chance. You barely had them on five minutes.”
“Five more and my feet will be numb.”
“They won’t.”
I grit my teeth. “I want my skates back.”
“And I want to be in New York sipping on an iced ginger coconut milk.” She sighs. “Just try them for the second period. You’re thinking about them now, but you won’t be when you’re in the middle of the game. That’s where you’ll give them a fair shot.”
“And then you’ll give me my lucky skates back?”
Her brows raise. “Lucky?”
“Do we have a deal?”
“Two shifts,” she counters.
“Fine, but you owe me.”
“For doing my job?”
I don’t answer and she starts back to the bench. When we’re almost out of the tunnel, she pauses to let me go ahead. “Equipment, gear, routine… it isn’t lucky. They’re tools. You hold your own luck.” Her features soften. “My dad used to say that.”
“I, uh…” Well, shit. I have no idea what to say. The buzzer sounds interrupting the moment and I don’t have to worry about it.
Pat wins the face-off, and the second period is underway. I move my feet around in my skates while I wait on the bench. I don’t have a great feeling about skating in them, but I don’t ever want to have to put these back on, so I’ll do my two shifts.
The first time I get out, my skates barely touch the ice before Tate gets called for high-sticking. He goes off to the box and Coach sends in our first line to stop UMass from capitalizing on the power play.
I get my next opportunity after Jonah scores off a wrister from Ash. The third line comes off the ice and Scoville, Thomas, and I go out.
We’ve got a little momentum and a lot of adrenaline. There’s only thirty seconds left in the period. This is how it goes for the fourth line. Small opportunities that you have to take advantage of before you take a seat and watch the next ten minutes.
I’m only vaguely aware of the tightness of my skates and the way it feels when I make a quick turn to snatch a sloppy pass that goes high and gets away from UMass. Once the puck touches my stick, I could have snapping turtles on my feet and I probably wouldn’t notice.
Avoiding two defenders, I send the puck to Scoville on the right side. He has it batted away, and they battle for it up against the boards before my teammate manages to slap it in front of the net. I beat their goalie to it and take it behind the net and around to the left side. Thomas is in position on the right side but a pass between the UMass defenders is too risky, so I take it toward the net myself. I aim for the five-hole and the goalpost lights up.
For three crazy seconds, I’m not sure if this is real life. Did I just score my first college goal? Thomas barrels into me. “Fuck, yeah. Nice work, Vonne.”
The rest of the guys on the ice join him and then we skate by the bench where my entire team stands to congratulate me. I feel on top of the fucking world as they all bump my glove and tap me on the head. It’s the first time I’ve felt like I contributed, and it feels fantastic.
And at the very end of the line is Kaitlyn with the biggest, smuggest smile I’ve ever seen.
* * *
The bus ride back to Burlington is filled with singing, a lot of loud chatting and laughter, and making plans for hitting up the Biscuit as soon as we get back. We’ve won every game this season, but this is the first time I’ve felt like I could really celebrate. I had a part in this.
I didn’t do it alone though.
Kaitlyn is at the front of the bus in her same seat, but she made a point of putting her bag next to the window and sitting next to the aisle. I can’t say for sure it was to keep me from sitting there again, but it seems likely.
I can’t quite make out what her deal is. She knows a lot about hockey but doesn’t seem to enjoy being around it. She’s good at her job, but not enthusiastic about being part of the team. Maybe her dad did force her into the job. But why, I can’t even imagine.
We make it back and everyone is eager to get going. The Biscuit will be nuts tonight. Any time we win, the place is crawling with people to help us celebrate.
