Reflection (Artemi Panarin)

Satisfaction

Lesson 15: If you get up with determination, you will go to bed satisfied.

-Taylor's POV-

It's April now and I'm done with physical therapy. We have a morning skate and I can finally be on the ice again. Sure, I've only skated a few times but athleticism burns inside me to get back out there. Better yet, Brain is joining us for a few drills today.

"Ready kid" I ask fixing his beanie and cupping his cheeks.

"Yes mom. Please don't do that in front of the guys" he begs and I laugh.

"Art, you ready" I call out. Artemi falls out of our room looking very flustered and Brian and I loose it. After he glared at us for a while we headed out to the UC.

"Fuck yeah! Guys! Brian's here" Pat cheers from the locker room.

"Hey! Language..." I say smacking him on the chest. But that doesn't stop the boys from cheering and giving Brian all the hugs.

"You cuss all the time mom" he states from the pile of boys surrounding him.

LTrue. But it's cute when I do it" I tease and hug Artemi from behind.

"It's true" he shrugs and I can't help but laugh.

Practice starts with line drills and Coach Q sends Brian down to take some shots on Scotty. I watch as Brian lines up the pucks on the blue line and carefully thinks about which shoot out moves to use. Once Scott is ready Brian picks a puck and skates fast down the ice. He does five or six stick handles before faking a forehand causing Scotty to move to the left and Brian quickly switches and backhands it top shelf.

Now, I've been to his practices and games as much as I could go and I have never, ever, seen a eight year old show so much patience and control with the puck.

"Holy shit" Scott says trying to find his cloths after being undesses by Brian. He skates up to me and shrugs.

"Could have had a quicker release from my forehand to backhand. If I tried the same move again he would stop me" he remarks. Damn. He's smart. Artemi skates up to us and knocks on Brian's helmet a little.

"Why don't you try another move" Art suggests and Brian again heads to the blue line. This time Crow is in net. He heads straight up the middle before breaking off about 5 feet in front of the crease and shooting to his left. Crow follows Brian and Brian leaves the puck behind and slips it 5-hole. Stunned. We all stood there stunned. He learned that in three months?

"See, I've always liked that kid" Pat says skating past us to go congratulate Brian.

"Did you do this" I ask Artemi who seemed to be standing proud.

"A little bit. Most of it was because he never leaves the rink. He's hard headed, must get that from you" he says with a nudge.

"You know what they say. Get up with determination, go to sleep satisfied" I shrug.

I haven't let Brian read my writing because he wouldn't understand but he understands the simple lessons. "Damn Breadman, only a few months and he's already better than you" Jonny chirps.

"Ha ha Jon. Very funny. But he's better than you too" he retorts and Jon nods his head.

"Okay... You got me there. Have you thought about putting him in a tougher league" Jon questions. Never thought I'd it. He could probably play up an age but for how long? He had a talent. Since he started late you would think he would be behind but here he is, scoring on NHL goalies. I'll have to ask him.

After watching Brian do a scrimmage on the same wing as Art I decided that he could do it. He could do anything he put his mind to. I finally realized what Nancy meant when she said the kid was special and that she couldn't give him what he needs to be successful.

"Mom I'm hungryyyy" Brian whines from my side pulling on my arm.

"Yeah mom I want fooood" Patrick chimes in pulling on my other arm.

"Children please" I tease and we all share a good laugh.

We ended up eating at Panera because Patrick was throwing a fit. Halfway through I decided to use the bathroom.

"Brian, keep a eye on Pat. Make sure he stays out of trouble" I say patting his shoulder. Kane frowned at me and I couldn't help but laugh. I use the restroom and make it back. They boys were talking about the playoffs in a few weeks and discussed the chances of it being the Stars or Blues. My phone starts going off and I see Gregs name flash a phone.

I excuse myself once again. "Hey Greg! What's up" I wonder. He never calls, usually texts or just shows up to Artemis apartment.

"Can you come home, please" he sobs. I instantly freeze. I had a feeling in my stomach that I know too well. The feeling that something isn't right.

"Of course. We'll be there as soon as possible" I assure. The sobs get harder and I can't take it. I run to the table and throw a 50 down and pull Artemi and Brian out the restaurant.

"Care to explain what's happening" Art asks from the passenger seat a little shaken up.

"I don't know, that's what's so scary".