Page 17 of Puck with Karma
“Here you go.”
I jump in distress when a box slides in front of me. I look up in surprise. Laura is standing in front of me with a smile on her face.
“It’s a new phone. We keep a few on hand. You’ll have to sign a waiver agreeing to return it should it show you were at fault for your own phone breaking.”
Her voice is steel despite the pretty smile she has on her face, giving me no chance to ask questions or explain anything further.
“Thank you,” I finally say.
The next three hours go by in a blur. Orientation is brutal. There is a lot of information thrown at us, and, while they do answer any questions we might have, it is obvious that they are all business, and they want to get to the next topic with no incidents.
“Okay, everyone,” Laura claps her hands together. “Next, we will tour the arena,” she explains, and we all let out a quiet sigh of relief. “You’ll be able to visit the back area where the lockers are, then we’ll detour by the ice.” She takes a moment to look at her watch. “Practice is almost over. But we may run into some players, and we’ll introduce you.”
Someone walks by each desk to collect the documents that required our signatures, leaving one copy for us to keep. I put all my stuff in the binder they provided, deciding that I’ll organize everything better once I get home.
My eyes fall to the box with the new phone Laura gave me. I haven’t had a chance to get it started, so I can’t even check my messages really quick before we go on this tour.
“You can leave everything here,” Laura smiles at me when she notices my confusion. I don’t have a large enough bag where to put all this stuff. “We’ll come back here at the end of the tour.”
I nod and join the rest of the group that is already out in the hallway, feeling all fidgety as I do that. Nerves are making my stomach knot, and I worry that I’ll have to use the bathroom soon.
As we walk around the building, I calm down a little. Cool air signals our approaching the ice, and now excitement takes over.
“This is where all the magic happens,” our tour guide announces. He then goes over the skating schedule. It sounds pretty gruesome to be honest. I don’t know how the players do it. It makes me have more respect for my brother. He obviously worked hard to get to where he is now.
“Have you ever met a hockey player before?” the guide asks. Without thinking, my arm goes up, along with a few others. “Nice,” the guide smiles at us. “Now get ready to meet some hockey superstars.”
To all our disappointment, not very many players are left on the ice by the time we enter the area.
“There’s always tomorrow,” the guide assures us with a teasing smile. “Let’s hit the lockers.”
We all turn to walk out and head back into the large hallway. I am at the back of the group now, feeling a little chilled. The elegant pantsuit I am wearing is not offering much protection against the elements.
I mostly feel rather than hear when someone approaches me from behind, like thunder rolling through the building.
I turn my head just in time to see this giant come straight for me.
“You’re fuckin’ stalking meherenow?”
I have no idea what to say, so I just stare. He is in full hockey gear, looking like something out of a movie, a scary one. Whenmy eyes finally reach his eyes, I feel like I know him. But I don’t know anyone here yet.
I don’t have time to react when he continues.
“Maybe I should’ve pressed charges last night when you broke into my building.”
My mouth opens and closes, fear lodged in the back of my throat.
“I…”
“You fuckin’ reporters never know when to stop. Just hounding us like we’re a piece of meat.”
“I’d say!”
Without any idea who chimes in from the back, I continue to stare.
“I… I…”
I want to cry when I am unable to form any words. My brain just doesn’t know what to do. I’ve never been in a situation like this before, and it’s safe to say that I am scared for my life.
