Living Proof (NHL)

Chapter Four

"Let's talk about last night during the Penguin's, Duck's game. Penguin's newest member, Kolby Bair, daughter of David Bair and his partner Justin Bair, played in her first game last night." I hated when people said that. Like Justin isn't my dad just as much as my real dad was.

I was sitting on the couch watching the Bruins and Red Wings game. We were playing the Bruins tomorrow and I wanted to see how they were. As the second intermission ended, they started talking about what was new in the NHL and of course, I was the first topic.

"David Bair was one of the best NHL players when he died suddenly in the middle of one of the games. Now, his daughter is playing with the Penguin's and living her dream."

"I don't know how she's doing it though." The guy, who I couldn't be bothered to remember his name, started. "I mean she's a girl. She's what, 5'7"? You saw her getting thrown around and she threw a fit after. I don't think it's long before she-"

The TV was shut off and the room went silent. Turning around, I came face to face with my dad who held the remote.

"Why'd you do that? I was watching the game-"

"I know what you were watching Kolb's and it was them talking crap about you. I told you Kolby there is going to be a lot of backlash and people are going to say some hurtful things but you have to ignore them."

Sighing, I turned around and looked at the black screen. I knew what he was saying but I still wanted to know what they were saying. I wanted to know what I needed to change or do different. I wasn't really throwing a fit when I hit Getzlaf right?

"See Kolby. I know the gears in your head are turning. You weren't throwing a fit. You were standing up for yourself and letting them know you're not going take their nonsense. Don't change what you're doing because you're just letting them win."

He dropped the remote next to me and walked out of the room. He was right. I couldn't listen to them talk shit and let it get to me.

Picking up the remote, I debated turning it back on but I put it back down and walked out of the living room. Turning off all the lights downstairs, I walked up stairs and peeked into Lily's room. She was curled up in bed with her stuffed penguin my uncle bought her. Shutting the door, I shuffled into my room and crawled into bed. I was out like a light.

****

"Alright Lily love, Grandpa will be here to pick you up in a little bit okay? Be a good girl." The second I let her go, she took off to the big pile of lego's that were sitting on a little rug in the middle of the room. It was her first day at her new daycare and I was more nervous than her.

"She'll be fine. Trust me, she seems like the type to make friends with everyone." Nodding my head at the owner of the daycare, I slowly backed out of the door as I watched Lily start building things with a boy around her age.

It was hard leaving her there so the whole way to the arena and even as I walked into the locker room I was freaking out. I had already called when I got here and made sure she wasn't hurt or crying for me but to my utter sadness, she was having fun. It's not that I wanted her to be sad, I at least wanted her to miss me which I don't think she did very much.

"You okay Cub?" Coming back to reality, Geno was standing in front of where I was sitting waving a hand in my face. The locker room was already full with all the guys who were getting ready to work out and do pregame soccer.

"Yeah, Yeah I'm fine sorry. I just had to take Lily to daycare for the first time. It's a little nerve wracking."

"Why she no stay with her dad?" I smiled at his English and shook my head. He was adorable and I've always had a soft spot for him before I even knew him.