In which a backup goalie finally feels like he's helping.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Sobering Thoughts
"What do you want for Christmas, Janny?"
Whoever suggested exchanging wishlists over beer would be a good idea couldn't have been more wrong. Janny was a blubbery sort of drunk. He sure had a lot of secrets - things he stored up inside that he wouldn't tell anyone. But when he was drunk, it all came gushing out in a sea of sadness.
Some people drank because they were depressed. Janny drank to become depressed.
Wellsy was the first one to notice the forlorn look in his eye when he finally looked up from the mesmerizing vortex swirling in his glass. He liked the sound the stein made against the tabletop. Janny was pretty far gone, but he wasn't too far gone to stop himself before he said what he was thinking.
I want to feel needed.
"A puppy," he mutters, fingers bending backward as Wellsy pries the mug from his hands. He unfurled his hand, sliding it out from where it was nuzzled between the handle and the glass itself. He watched as his teammate placed it aside, the liquid sloshing slightly.
The boys laugh at Janny's answer - just like he figured they would. He'd be the laughing stock of the team forever, that was just a fact. No one wanted to be an Olympian who slept their way through a gold medal. He tried his best to do what he could. He helped out Jimmy, he encouraged the guys (especially Jack - he was right there pushing him through every rep during rehab), he sharpened their skates.
But there was that niggling thought in the back of his mind. The thrill of scraping the ice beneath his skate, feeling the weight of the puck against his glove, the soft pad as he snatched it right out of the air.
Sometimes, when he was on the bench, he'd close his eyes and listen to the chant. He'd listen to how it echoed through the arena, bouncing off the ice and the helmets of the other team. The chill of the cool air would rush in through his nostrils as he took a deep breath. He'd feel it course through his veins, down to his fingers and the tip of his blades. He'd imagine it was him out there they were cheering for.
He'd made the save. He'd helped beat the Russians.
He hated that he did that.
"Why do you want a puppy?" Jack snorts, shifting his leg stacked in the chair beside him. Janny suggested he let it stretch out. "We've got Neal for that."
38 eyes turn to look at the youngest member of the team. Broten practically bounced in his seat - the equivalent of a golden retriever puppy. Janny wasn't sure how they managed to scoot him in - maybe the bouncer was another hopeful for the team - but Neal sure looked happy to be included.
In a show of affection, Janny reached over and ruffled the younger boys hair. "Just wrap him up for me and I'll be a happy man."
There's a pause, then Davey Christian catches Bah's eye and he snorts. Then the table erupts with laughter. They laughed at him again.
