Page 97 of Love at Teamsgiving
“Married to an American.”
He chortles. “The coach’s daughter.”
Badaszek still hasn’t spoken to me.
“See you there,” Redd says as if it’s final.
I spot Pop getting into his truck and he nods.
“But the Tigres are playing,” I say, referring to his favorite soccer team.
“It’s Thanksgiving,” he says.
Well, I know that.
Junie links her pinky to mine and says, “Come on. Maybe it’ll be fun.”
“Going to work on a holiday?”
“It’s early, maybe we can eat turkey and nap on the couch later.”
When we arrive at the Ice Palace, the main concourse is eerily empty, but the main hospitality room with a wall of windows overlooking the rink is decorated for fall with stacks of hay bales, pumpkins, and scarecrows.
Three tables, arranged in a horseshoe, are in the middle of the room, topped with flowers, woven cornucopias overflowing with gourds, along with candles and festive fall tableware.
“I’m guessing Margo had something to do with this.”
Voices rise and fall as a bevy of people arrive—the front line along with their families, Vohn and Gracie, Coach and his daughters plus their spouses, and my family, plus Mrs. Popovik.
When everyone has coffee or cider, Coach Badaszek says, “Welcome to the first-ever, and likely only, Knights team Thanksgiving.”
A few people cheer.
He turns to me and says, “And our official welcome of Mikey Cruz to the team. You’ve done well.”
Glasses and mugs are raised and everyone goes wild. I blink, not quite understanding why the hubbub, but I play along, hoping someone will explain later.
But later doesn’t come until after we’ve had a breakfast of assorted pastries, free skate down on the rink, which turns into a rowdy game of “Turkey hockey.” I don’t understand the rules—I don’t think anyone does and they’re making them up as they go.
But seeing my teammates, brothers, Pop, and the moms out here with us feels like a win.
Then, coach Badaszek skates over, expression serious.
“Hey, Coach,” I say uneasily.
He clacks his stick on the ice. “Hey, yourself. Not much gets by me and I was disappointed.”
My ears heat. Is he mad on my parents’ behalf for marrying Junie without telling them?
“I had my eye on you after last season. Sixteen months ago. Saw a real talent, but what’s more, you were committed.”
I think back to CK’s asylum-like bakery and the white room. “Sir, I don’t quite follow.”
“In a relationship, engaged to be married.”
“I can explain. Sort of. You see, some women—and men—can be stubborn. Unfortunately, at the time, Junie and I both were, leaving us at odds and?—”
He slams a free puck into an empty goal. “I chose you because of your skills and loyalty. When you got here and I found out you were single, I had to question my judgment.”
