Opening Up: Non-Fiction Stories about Give and Take, Volume 1

Chapter 12 - by A Man's handshake is annoying

The Score clock read 0:34.67, I was next in line.  Waiting, anticipating what I would be doing if I had the chance. Where I would go and what I would do. Then I heard it, the clang of the cold steel door opening.

“Yeah! Yeah, one one one.” My assistant coach screamed.

My skates dug into the broken up ice like ice picks. I  skated like a Tiger on it’s prey into our own end. Then Michael grabbed the puck and busted down the ice. I was with him the whole time. I arrived at the blue, I lunged back with one foot, dragging my toe in order to stay onside. Michael brought it down to the  hash marks, I pumped my legs until they would go no further. I was parked right in front on the tendey.  Stick on the ice, ready for an easy tap in. I could see it, the sweet taste of victory. Then Michael bolted right passed me, the opening for the pass was closing faster and faster. He shot and missed by at least three feet. The buzzer sounded.

I slapped my stick on the ice, absolutely dumbfounded. I walked on to the bench shaking my head in bitter disappointment,  I stormed in the dressing room. I launched my unused stick at the floor. I was in absolute astonishment,

“ The nerve in that kid. Who does he think he is? Gretzky? News flash bud. Your not.” I thought to myself.

My coach walked in the room and pointed at me

“In the hall now.” He said sternly

I was so mad I slammed my helmet in my bag and paced out of the room, rolling my eyes and shaking my head I threw open the door.

“What?” I screamed

“I do not care how mad you are. You will not walk off the ice again.  Am I clear?” He told me.

I looked at the roof as if it would hold my words back for me.

“That was such B.S. Come on you know that? What kind of a kid doesn’t pass on a two on “O” ? “ I questioned

“He should have passed, yes but he is still your teammate.  Whether you like it or not.” He lectured.

“Teammate.. Yeah good one.” I joked.  “If he was a real teammate he would have passed.” I stated.

He looked at me as if he knew I was right.  I turned my back to him and walked back into the room. I sat down on the bench in front of my bag, thinking about what happened.

I got undressed rather quickly that day. I strolled out into the main lobby still bummed about my so called “teammate’s” selfishness. My dad saw the disappointment in my eyes, wrapped his arm around me as if to say don’t worry about it. You’ll get them next time.

The End.