Page 64 of Hot Stuff
“You know I had a mild concussion.”
“Yes.”
“Well, the hit wasn’t enough to scramble my brain completely or even forever, but it did cause damage to my right eye.”
“What?” she pushes up, but I hold her down.
“I’ve lost peripheral vision on the right.”
“You lost your sight?” Now she pushing against me and trying harder to sit up. “What the fuck, Walker?”
“I’m fine. It’s fine. Well, it’s not but it hasn’t improved; they don’t know if it will.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, let me up. I need the light on.”
I let her go and reach over to switch on the beside lamp.
She’s looking at me in horror and all I want to do is reassure her I’m okay. “I’m fine, Oakley. I can see. And the loss is only a small amount but it’s enough to stop me from being able to see anyone on that side of me. I wouldn’t see a puck or a hit coming until it was too late.”
“Oh, Walker.” The tears in her eyes spill over.
Holding out a hand I say, “Come here.” Pulling her in, I hold her close and let her cry. “I haven’t told anyone the exact reason I’m calling it. Drake knows the most, but he thinks it’s my knees, not my sight.”
She sniffles into my neck. “Does he know about your sight at all?”
“Yes.”
“Are you going to reveal why you’re retiring in your announcement?”
“I wasn’t going to but I’m wondering now if I should.”
“Does anyone really need to know? It doesn’t seem to be something you have to reveal.”
I shrug. “I’ve never thought about it. We went bare bones on the announcement. Hell, we didn’t even tell the Knights why I was retiring, just that it was due to the injuries I received on ice.”
“Leave it that way. No one needs to know. I won’t tell anyone.”
“I’ll need to tell Blake if only so we can work together without difficulty.”
“I haven’t noticed anything. Not once did I suspect you had a vision issue.”
“It’s not obvious; it would be during a game though.”
“I’ll leave it to you who you tell. Just let me know so I’m aware.”
“I think I should tell the whole Rogues org, from the players to the front office to the arena staff.”
“Do you want to tell the public? Or leave it to naturally filter out?”
“How about we worry about it after the franchise announcement.”
“We can do that.”
“Okay. Now we should get some sleep.” I reach over and tap my phone. “Shit. It’s five-fifteen.”
“Almost time to get up.” Oakley snuggles in as I slide back down the bed with her in my arms.
She’s asleep again in seconds and this time instead of staying awake and overthinking everything I’m right behind her.
