When It Falls (Sequel To Skate On) {ON HOLD}

Chapter 4: Back Home part 1

CHAPTER 4: BACK HOME part 1

January 2011, Ottawa

Playing on that very ice was the best feeling. I had such good memories playing in Ottawa, it was like playing with my father. Even though it was hard, I only wanted to think positive and think of all the time he would bring me early in the morning when I was 11 to train. He taught me everything, and it was such a relief finally being back home.

As I stood in the middle of the ice, listening to the national anthems, I blocked every thought out of my mind and looked over at the crowd. These are the same people that use to come watch me play, that cheered me on. And I couldn't help but think back:

“Remember how all the boys were surprised to see you, and to see you on that ice with us. They were not expecting a girl to be as good as you were, but you beat their asses, you remember that?” Nick’s voice came back to my mind, but not letting myself get lost in the memory.

“Ottawa was our home. When we went out, people always knew who you were. Nobody cared about me obviously, I was like your little psychic on the ice. They loved watching us play together, we were like tag team partners, we could take on anything. People will always love you back there, Rose.”

A little boost of confidence and the anthems were finally done. The lights were back on and I looked around me and up at the clock. I remember every time looking up at that clock, in those good times and stressful times. This really was where it all began, where I probably felt the most peace. It was so relaxing.

I saw the other players line up in front of me, and a few of them caught my eye. A few of them obviously knew who I was because when I started playing in this place, with the juniors, a lot of them were very encouraging and supportive, seeing a girl working as hard I was to be as good as I was.

And right in front of me was none other than Mike Fisher, such a kind man who had approached me once at one of my practices years ago. He smiled at me, both of us taking our gloves off so that he could shake my hand. “It’s nice to see you again, Rose. I’m honestly not that surprised you made it.”

I smiled. “That’s nice. I don’t get to hear that often.”

“Well, congratulations. Ottawa is always behind you… always.” He said, getting into position.

I channeled out everything else around me and glanced over at Kaner one last time and he winked at me before the first face-off of the game was dropped onto my stick and I successfully passed the puck over to Sharpie.

*****

I had scored a goal in that period but it was a strange feeling going back into the changing room. I took off most of my gear and simply laid down on the floor of the room, letting my eyes slowly close. All the other guys knew what they were doing between periods, I was always lying on the floor for some reason. It became a habit and I always had to be on the floor, even when the coach talked to us.

Kaner was with the trainer, Toews was somewhere in the showers and you had a bunch of guys everywhere. Although, once the coach was back in, everyone settled down, and Coach Q's voice spread through the locker room, telling us what we could do in the next period and everything that we did wrong as well. He was in full rage because we were losing 3-1.

“The only player who was playing at their full potential was Rose, and that’s a bit embarrassing.” Our coach said, and my eyes flew open, still lying on the ground. A few of the guys smiled at my reaction, as I stared in his direction with a confused expression. “No offense, of course, Rose, you’re always brilliant.”