State of Grace - Jack Hughes

016

Jack

I hate my birthday.

It is always hyped up to be the perfect day, nothing can go wrong, everything is about you. But, those are the things I hate most. It's never perfect, everything goes wrong and everything is about you. There is something so awkward about all the attention being on me when I am off the ice. In a game, there are thousands of eyes watching my every move. But my birthday makes me want to shrivel up and die. If we had held out in playoffs I could have avoided this whole evening. Now according to my captain, "if we cant celebrate a Cup, we will celebrate you".

I've been sitting in my car for 30 minutes in the parking garage next to my apartment. I don't want to get out and deal with the delivery I know is waiting for me. I managed to escape to for a run early this morning. I needed a few minutes of peace today. The moment I leave my car, the day is no longer mine.

The walk to my unit is long. I took the stairs instead to add a few minutes to my trip. I can see my door a mile away. Like clock work, on my door step, a bundle of balloons wrapped around a gift box. My mom, bless her heart, never misses a birthday, regardless of my protest. The multicolor balloons block any way of entering without wresting them out of my way.

"What the hell, fucking...move!" I say a little too loudly, making quite the entrance into my kitchen.

"Morning birthday boy," Luke says from his spot on the couch. "I told mom the balloons were unnecessary."

"She loves birthdays more than anyone else, it's pointless arguing with her."

"What's in the box?"

"Well, I haven't developed x-ray vision since we last spoke so I don't know yet."

"Well fuck me then. I didn't know if you asked for something." He states making his way to join my in the kitchen.

"I asked for nothing, so I don't know. Hand me the scissors please." Better to get this over with, "Hey Siri, FaceTime Mom."

It takes only 2 seconds for my moms face to fill the screen.

"Jacky! Happy birthday! Did you get my gift?"

I hold up the box, free from its balloon prison, "Right here, but I haven't opened it yet."

"Well hurry up now and open it!"

I use the scissors to slice the tape, but the box feels empty. I open the flaps and feel Luke breathing down the back of my neck.

"Dude ,back up."

"I just wanted to see."

"Your eyes will work from the other side of the counter," I shout, pointing to the bar stool.

"Boys! Please stop."

"Sorry mom," we say in unison from other sides of the counter.

I open the box and I am greeted with printer paper. My mom must see my puzzled look as she starts to laugh. "Jacky, you have to read the papers."

"Gee thanks. I did but I don't understand. UA298, AA922, AC848. Flight numbers?"

"Boys, I have to run. Jacky, I love you so much and I hope you have very happy birthday. Luke don't annoy your brother. Bye!"

Before I can ask more, she's gone. "What is she up too?" With a quick Google search, I learn one flight is coming from L.A., one from Michigan, and the other from Montreal. "She didn't."

"What'd she do?"

"Check Quinns location."

"Uh, last seen at the airport in Michigan. Where is he going?"