Page 71 of Puck with Karma
Another thing that’s been on my mind a lot lately is my sister. Janie has been interested in managing my social media. She did a couple of posts for me once, and she did a great job. She is eager to learn more because she’s hoping to turn it into a full time job.
I had to tell her no. My father got me all tangled up with a company that does all that. And, surprise, I can’t get out of that contract, at least not yet. The disappointment on her face when I told her that gutted me.
I decide that I want to make it up to her. I grab my cell phone and walk out of the locker room. I still have my uniform pants on, but my skates and shirt are off. But it’s not like I’ve never walked these hallways shirtless before.
“Janie,” I speak into the phone as soon as she answers. “How are you doing?”
There’s a small hesitation on her part, and I know she must be shocked that I called. I don’t do it very often.
“Hey, big brother,” she finally says, trying to sound happy to hear from me. “I’m great. How are you?”
I lean against the wall and look down at the floor.
“I’m good.”
Silence ensues, neither one of was knowing what to say next.
“Was there anything that you needed from me?” she finally asks, her voice as gentle as ever.
With one hand propped on my hip and bare back against the cold wall, I try to come up with something. Every time I think that I know a way to get closer to my only sibling, I freeze up. The fact that we barely spent any time together over the years doesn’t help. But now that I feel an imminent breakup between me andour parents, I want to make sure that I will have a connection with Janie.
“I wanted to ask you if you wanted to come to our next game,” I finally say. That’s the only thing I can come up with. “I’ll hook you up with great seats,” I tease when she doesn’t say anything.
“But your next game is in New York,” she reminds me. I lean my head back and gently bang it against the wall. How did I forget that?
“I thought you’d want to see the city.”
I am completely out of my element here. I have no idea what she likes.
“Really?” The happiness in her voice is unmistakable. That’s followed by a little sigh of disappointment. “Mom and dad would never let me go there by myself though. And I don’t think mom can go. She has something scheduled…”
“What about Mallory?” I refer to her best friend.
Mallory and her parents lived next door to our parents. When I was younger, they would have Janie over whenever I had to travel for hockey since my parents didn’t want to miss any of that, and bringing Janie along was not always an option.
“Oh, I can ask her! I’ll have to see if she can afford the plane ticket though…”
I cut her off. “I’m paying for everything. For you both,” I make sure to clarify. “I’ll cover the flight, hotel, and VIP tickets for the game.”
“Really?”
My ear starts ringing from her loud squeal. I’ve never heard her this happy before.
“My treat,” I smile into the phone.
“I… Thank you, Xander.” Janie’s voice sounds serious now. “This means a lot to me. And Mallory will be so happy too, I just know it.”
“No big deal.”
My voice sounds gruff, and almost uncaring, like I do this all the time. The reality is that I never do it. This really is a big deal. I am trying to repair the almost non existing relationship I have with my sister, and she seems open to it.
“That is very generous of you, Xander. I…” She hesitates again. “I don’t know what to say.”
I decide that’s enough mushy shit for today.
“I hope you and Mallory are going to have fun. Talk to you later.”
I hang up the phone but don’t move from my spot against the wall. The gritty cement blocks at my back feel good, and I relax some more. With a start, I realize that I have no idea who normally arranges for travel arrangements like this. My father always took care of everything as far as that goes, and I never had to think about it. All I had to do was play hockey. All the time.
