Anyone But The Hockey Boy

-8-

Hunter:

"Those stupid birds of paradise would be the bitchiest, I'm telling you guys," Luca, a second-year forward yells from the showers. Somehow, magically, Thomas and Owen had begun a debate about which animals would be the rudest if they could speak. The current contenders are; the kangaroo, bulls, house cats and now birds of paradise.

"the question was 'which one would be the rudest' not the bitchiest Charboneau, keep up," Gage laughs.

the team yelling around half-naked about stupid shit almost reminds me of my team back in Michigan, God I miss those idiots. When the offer from Waterloo came through last season to join the team as a starting forward with a full-ride scholarship the only thing holding me back was my friends. After I told them about this life-changing chance they were on me to take it and run, but before I let them in on the small secret I wanted to turn it down and finish my education with them. I still talk to them often, but it's not the same.

"What do you think it'd be, Gav?" Sean elbows me playfully in the side. I did what the coach asked me to and tried to engage more with the team. I won't lie, it was painful for the first hours until I heard Sean cursing Logs out under his breath. When he caught me smiling he simply asked if I hated the guy too, I didn't hesitate to tell him yes.

"probably cats," I ruffle my hair with my town to drive it off, "those things are so spoiled". he nods and takes a seat next to me, lacing up his shoes.

"your probably right," he agrees. Sean waits for me to finish getting dressed and we're the two first to leave, the argument still lively inside the changing room. "I heard of a party happening this Friday," he tells me, "My buddy in my physics class is hosting it at his place just off campus, it could be fun," he shrugs. "if you're interested I can send you the time."

Usually, I would decline and just stay in with my roommates playing Mario kart until ten then going to sleep early. But, because of what the coach said I smile and nod, "I'll check it out," I tell him. he smiles and waves me goodbye before jogging out into the snowy parking lot and hopping into his Honda.

It's still early in the evening, not even five thirty at night. Because I have nothing better to do I set up at one of the tables at the entrance and scroll through my phone. It's my first time opening it since I got off the rink and I see a few messages from my mother.

Mom: Hey Gavin!
Mom: We booked a last-minute flight to California over the holidays and won't be home. You're welcome to use the house but we won't be there. Sorry.
Mom: We love you and will hopefully see you things summer and you can tell us about Canada!

I can't help but fall back into the chair and shut my eyes in frustration. The same thing happened over thanksgiving, a last-minute trip to Cancun was more important than seeing their son for the first time in four months.

Things have been difficult, to say the least. The last five years of our lives have all been unexpectedly painful but while I worked on moving forward they just continued to distract themselves with trips and activities.

They can do what they consider healing all they want but after what I've learned in my two and a half years as a phycology student you can't fix things by avoiding them.

I just message her back telling her it's okay and that I'll see her at the end of the second semester. I already knew what to expect and didn't bother trying to convince myself this year would be any different from my first. Although this was very expected it still puts a damper on my post-practice happy mood.

I just sit there silently with my phone flipped over for a good minute, I guess I'll have the house all to myself this break. All the boys will be gone so why not enjoy my new home instead of going to my empty childhood one?