Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 92779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Kids scatter to the line as fast as they can. I look to Ellis, who gives a thumbs-up. “Go!” I shout, and the first batch of kids takes off. They definitely look better than they did this morning, and that’s after hours of grueling work. It’s amazing what the promise of a little face time on TV can pull out of them.
We have the kids do a few highlight moves of what we’ve learned today, all while Ellis videos them and Joy watches on with a smile. To be fair, I don’t think she’s watching the kids, but rather, is watching me with them. Or at least, I’d like to think she is.
When Ellis nods that he’s got enough, I wave at them and call the kids over to me and DeBoer once again while Ellis and Joy interview a few parents.
“Great work today, everyone! One thing I’d like you to pay extra attention to is . . . you were dog-tired after taking all those shots on your goal from me and DeBoer, yeah?” They nod, looking at each other in support. “But what happened when you heard there was an opportunity to be on the news?” I don’t wait for them to answer, but rather roll right into my pep talk. “You dug deeper, did more than you thought you could, and demonstrated what you’re truly capable of. Remember that? You don’t need a camera in your face to be your best. That’s your choice to make each and every time you skate onto the ice, go into a classroom at school, or tackle a new day in your life. You hold the power to do your best, so don’t let anyone stop you. Especially yourself.”
The kids clap politely and I dismiss them, truly hoping they heard me and use the lessons from today both on and off the ice. Several kids skate straight for their parents, grabbing gear for me and DeBoer to sign or their phones to take selfies with us. Some parents carefully walk onto the edge of the ice to take pictures with us too.
It takes a while, but eventually, the kids and parents clear out. DeBoer holds up a fist and I bump it with my own. “Thanks for today, man,” I tell him. “Couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Yeah, right,” he scoffs. “I know you didn’t want me here.”
“Hey!” He glares at me, daring me to lie to his face, and I sigh. “You’re right. I didn’t want you here . . . at first. But you really came through today—in the planning and the execution. I think I’ve misjudged you, Eric, and I’m sorry.”
He flinches at my earnest apology, but then he smirks. “Why’re you calling me by my government name? You’re not my mom, Days.”
“Fine,” I sigh. “I thought you’d be a pain in my ass and spend the day trying to fuck the moms, but you didn’t, soooo . . . good job, I guess. Asshole.”
“That’s better,” he chuckles. “Good job to you, too, or whatever.” I think that’s it, but then he dryly adds, “I was afraid you’d be telling kids to fuck off and making them cry, and all the while, the moms would be fighting each other to be the first to throw their bras at you.”
I laugh hard at that.
In a twisted way, we’re calling a truce. We don’t have to trade braided friendship bracelets, but I’m not quite so pissed that DeBoer will fill my role one day. As long as it’s not soon, we can be chill. Hell, maybe I’ll even invite him to the next hotel hot tub meeting.
Nah, let’s not go that far.
“I’m out. Merry Christmas, Days.”
“You too,” I tell him. When I turn around, I see that Joy is sitting in the bleachers by herself. Ellis must’ve wrapped up when the parents and kids left.
I skate over to the board in front of her. “Wanna take a loop with me?” I ask.
She holds up her foot, showing me her New Balance tennis shoes. “No skates.”
“I’ve got you,” I say, holding a hand out.
She peers at me curiously, but she comes to me without hesitation. I pick her up over the wall easily and set her on the ice carefully. Facing her, I place my hands on her hips and lift her until her feet are on top of mine. “It’s like dancing,” I whisper in her ear.
“This is dangerous,” she says, looking around.
She doesn’t mean the tandem skating. She means doing this, here, where anyone could see us.
“Everyone’s gone. It’s just us.”
I move my feet carefully, and she follows my lead, feeling the flow as we move around the rink. I’m not a figure skater, have never pretended to be. I’m all speed and brute force on the ice, but with Joy, I feel different. I feel like I’m gliding gracefully with her in my arms.