Netting Crow (Blackhawks Fan-Fiction)

Chapter 8

After the Winter Classic game, it meant that Christmas break was coming to an end.  That Saturday, I needed something to do outside of the house that was fun for a five-year old, but not torture for me.  I couldn't play with the same toys from Santa another day.  I decided to check out Navy Pier's Winter Fest.  

According to the website, Winter Fest was great for everyone; there were rides, activities and indoor ice skating.  Sounded like it was something right up our alley.  I was concerned at first because the weather wasn't great, but I also hoped that this might mean that it wouldn't be too crowded.  

After breakfast, I dressed Nathan in some warm comfy pants and his Patrick Kane t-shirt, and I threw on some of my favorite jeans and my Stadium Series Corey Crawford t-shirt.  Then Nathan and I bundled up and made the drive from northwest Indiana to Chicago.  It normally was only about a 20 minute drive, and even in the snow, it only took us about 30 minutes.

We arrived at WinterFest and Nathan was in heaven.  Jumpy houses, kid rides, photo opportunities, and ice skating.  He ran around for a solid couple of hours just riding the rides and playing in the jumpy houses.  Then he turned to me and said what I had wanted to hear since we arrived...

"Mommy?  Can we ice skate?" Nathan asked.

"Sure, buddy.  Let's go rent some skates and see when we can get on the ice." I replied.

Nathan had only skated once in his life and it was a disaster, but I really wanted him to learn to like it.  I wasn't fabulous, but I wouldn't fall on my face.  We walked over to the rink to get set-up.

"Can I help you?" the attendant asked.

"Yes, we would like to skate and we both need to rent skates." I said.

"Okay, no problem.  The rink opens in about 10 minutes.  Here are your skates."

"Thank you." I said as I handed her our payment.  

I grabbed our skates and we sat down on the bench.  There wasn't anyone around the rink area yet and even though it was a Saturday, the whole place was relatively quiet.  "Must be the weather," I thought.  We put our jackets and belongings in a locker, and I helped Nathan get on his skates.  As I was putting on my skates, the attendant opened the door to the ice.  Nathan was in awe of the ice and also the banners hanging up around the rink.

"Look, Mommy!  Patrick Kane." He said, "And Corey Crawford."

"I see that.  But I need you to wait for me to finish putting on my skates, so I can help you." I said.  But before I could finish tying my skate, he stepped onto the ice.  It all happened in slow motion.  He put one foot on the ice.  Followed by the other and then he fell.  Hard enough to make himself cry.  I got up and grabbed him off the ice.  I sat back down on the bench with him and tried to comfort him.  It took a minute until he stopped.

Sniffling, "I don't want to skate anymore."

"But Nathan, we haven't even skated yet.  I will help you."

"I don't want to fall again. I don't want to skate."  And the tears began to flow again.  I shook my head and began unlacing my skates.  Guess, I wouldn't get on the ice today.  Then I heard it, a voice that seemed vaguely familiar, but I couldn't place it.

"Would you like me to help you, buddy?  I've been skating since I was your age." The mystery voice proclaimed.

"You won't let me fall."

"Absolutely not.  I promise." The voice stated emphatically.  I finally looked up and when I did, my eyes looked into the most gorgeous brown eyes.  The most familiar brown eyes...the brown eyes of Corey Crawford.  "Do you mind if I help him?"  He asked me.  I shook my head no.