The Puck Bunny

Sixty-Nine

My mom had left before Lexi and I woke the next morning, claiming she just had to go back to the office today. I knew better. I knew she was really trying to avoid me. That's why she never bothered to come in last night, and that's why all I got in the way of a goodbye was a small note on the counter apologizing for leaving before we did, hoping to see me during summer.

Lexi and I didn't dwell on it too much further, having a quick final check over the apartment, one last stop upstairs and then finally leaving the building.

"I hope to see you in the summer, Miss Pruitt, you as well Miss Daniels" Pauly said as we approached the door.

"Thanks, Pauly, it was lovely meeting you"

"Thanks, Pauly, see you again someday" With a tip of his hat and a small smile, we were outside and hailing a cab.

As soon as we sat in the cab, Lexi looked at me.

"I'm sorry I didn't believe you when you said your mom was a bitch" I laughed.

"It's fine, I'm sorrier you had to see her actually be a bitch"

"It wouldn't have happened if I'd just changed my stupid screensaver, or moved my phone" Lexi said, with a sigh.

"Lex, it's fine. And believe me, it might not have happened last night for sure but it would have anyway. Time doesn't stop her, only delays her. Speaking of delays, I fucking hope there aren't any with our flight" Lexi finally cracked a smile, and soon we were both giggling. We were still making silly jokes and laughing when we got to the airport, leaving the cab driver with a hefty tip that made him chuckle to himself as well.

"Come on, let's check our bags now so we don't have to worry. Then we can go eat" I suggested.

"Good, I'm starving" Lexi added. We dropped our bags with no issues and made our way to a small café by the domestic gates and ordered some food.

"So, this uncle of yours, he works at North Memorial? Where you went for your wrist right?" I nodded.

"My mom's younger brother. Really came through for Joey and me when we were younger. Moved to Minnesota to be head of intensive care at the start of last year, seeing as I had one semester of high school to go. He put off the move and the job for about three years"

"Why?"

"Like Joey said, he knows mom and doesn't like her but he loves us kids. He knew what being away would be like for me, given my relationship with my mom in high school. But once I was seventeen and clearly capable of living my own life, he agreed it was time to move his own life forwards. He's the reason I considered Minnesota in the first place. Him, the cold, and the hockey"

"And you haven't had a chance to catch up with him?" I shook my head.

"I was scared he was still in some form of contact with my mom. Not after what Joey told me last night though, I want to go see him today if I can, or when he's next off work" Lexi nodded.

"What about your dad?" I felt my breathing hitch in my throat.

"Huh?"

"It's just you barely mention him, but it's not like you never mention him. And everything I've heard sounds good" I sighed.

"He was the best. He uh, died when I was younger"

"Oh, Carter I'm sorry! I didn't know" I shrugged her off and attempted to smile through the lump in my throat.

"It's okay, you didn't. I guess it shouldn't be that surprising to me that Fraser never mentioned his mom when I did the exact same thing with dad"

"You two have more in common than I realized"