It's Never too Late to Try ~ Sidney Crosby

Chapter 1- Last Day of School/Birthday Party

My son, Eli, was sitting at the dining room table eating his cereal while I made my coffee and listened to the news. It's Eli's last day of kindergarten and I'm excited to spend my summer with him. He's made so much progress in school and has started growing interest in sports; hockey especially. Eli's 5th birthday was coming up this weekend, so I decided to get him a special present. I got him into a hockey school in Cole Harbour led by Sidney Crosby himself.

"Mommy, are we still going to ice cream after school?" Eli questioned, putting his bowl in the sink. "Of course, sweetheart. It's the perfect way to celebrate you going into 1st grade." I answered, smiling at him. He cheered and ran to grab his backpack. He was sporting his Montreal Canadiens backpack and I couldn't help but smile.

"You got your homework assignments?" I asked Eli, while locking the door to the house. "Yes!" He threw his arms in the air. "Lunch?" I asked again. He nodded his head and I smirked. I walked up to my car and Eli climbed in the backseat. "All buckled up, bud?" I turned my head to see him strapped in and ready to go. I turned around and started driving to school. Living in Canada has been different. Eli and I moved to Nova Scotia when he was only 10 months old. I left my family and friends behind to start over with my son. I had Eli when I was 19 years old, while I was still in college. His father left us because he was immature and was cheating on me in secret. Now I'm 24, living with my son in a 2 bedroom condo.

Once we got to the school, I parked the car and Eli jumped out of the car, putting his backpack on. I turned off the car, got out and locked it. We walked to the school doors and I knelt down to give Eli a big hug. "I love you, baby. Have a great last day!" I said, kissing his head. "I love you too, mommy." He beamed at me. I stood up and he ran off to go see his friends.

As soon as I got home, I climbed on the couch and turned on the TV. Being a nurse who works 10 hour shifts, I take advantage of my days off. I took off work today to spend time with Eli after he gets out of school. I soon fell asleep to the sounds of the news.

I woke up two hours later, totally confused and disoriented. "Did I seriously pass out that long?" I asked myself, looking at my watch. "Holy shit." I stood up and slipped on my oxfords, grabbing my bag. I was excited to spend the evening out with my son. We don't go out often due to our lack of money. I locked the door to the house and got in my yellow Volkswagen, turning on the radio. I sang along and drove to the school. Once I got to the school, I saw Eli run up to the car with his report card and a balloon. I couldn't help but smile as I put the car in park and got out of the car.

"Mommy, I got a balloon for getting good grades!" Eli cheered, jumping up and down. I scooped him up, giving him kisses and smiled. "I'm so proud of you!" I said, wrapping him in a huge hug. "Ice cream time?" He asked me. I chuckled and nodded. "Yes, it's ice cream time!" I cheered.

We went to the diner nearby in Halifax and ordered ice cream. Our ice cream was brought out quickly and I looked over at the TV in the corner and saw my son's favorite hockey player on the news. "Eli, look who it is." I said, pointing.

"Sidney Crosby!" He cheered, smiling. I chuckled a little bit and started eating my ice cream. "He won the Stanley cup again, mom! He's bringing it here in August." Eli said, picking the chocolate chips off of his vanilla ice cream. "Oh really? He's from here?" I asked him, putting down my spoon. "Yes, he's from Cole Harbour, mom. He's also doing his summer camp soon. I wish I could go." Eli looked at me and I smiled. "I know, buddy. I just don't have the money right now." I said with sympathy. He pouted and I smiled to myself, knowing that I worked overtime to get the money for his camp.

We finished our ice cream and then headed home, so I could start making dinner. Some of Eli's friends were coming over to watch a movie, so I had to clean up a bit. My friend from work was stopping by to give me some company, which I needed so bad. It was hard being a single mom because I couldn't go out and have fun. I have too many responsibilities to take care of.

"So, how's the party coming along?" Darcy said to me. Eli was sitting in the living room with 3 of his friends, watching an animated movie. "It should be fun. I ordered food and bought decorations, so everything is set." I told her. "Birthday gift?" She looked at me. "Hockey camp." I whispered. Her eyes widened. "I worked overtime to get the money, it'll be worth it when I see how happy he is." I added.

"You're the best mom. Can you adopt me?" Darcy joked, drinking some coffee. I chuckled and chewed on some chips that were on the table. "So, are you still coming with the cake on Saturday?" I asked her. She gave me a thumbs up and all of a sudden I heard the boys laughing really loud. "Who knew that Pokémon was so funny?" Darcy looked over at me. "I had no idea!" I shook my head, looking at the tv.

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"Happy birthday, Eli!" I quietly said, walking into his room. His eyes fluttered opened and he smiled. "How does it feel to be 5?" I asked, sitting on the edge of his bed. "Great!!" He beamed at me. He jumped out from under his blankets and hugged me. "I can't wait for my party!" He cheered, hugging me still. "Me too, bud!" I said, standing up. "You want some pancakes?" I asked. He nodded and ran into the kitchen.

We sat at the dining room table eating blueberry pancakes and Eli was going on about his new package of Pokémon cards from his friend, Brandon. I felt bad about how upset he was yesterday about the hockey camp, so I decided to give him his present earlier. I stood up and walked into my room quickly, grabbing a box wrapped in blue polka dot paper. As I walked back into the dining room, Eli looked at me with a mouthful of pancake. I giggled and walked over to him, handing him the box.

"So, I know I wanted to give this to you later tonight but I figured that I'd give it to you now. I'm too excited to give it to you." I said, sitting down next to him. He smiled and looked over at me. "Open it, baby." I said to him. He quickly ripped off the wrapping paper and took the top off the box and he froze. He sat there staring at the contents of the box. "What is it?" I pried, smiling at me. "You got me into the Sidney Crosby hockey school?" He asked with his eyes wide. I nodded and couldn't stop smiling. He jumped at me and hugged me. "Thank you, mommy!!" He said, holding onto me. "This is the best present ever!" He added. Eli jumped out of my grip and ran around screaming.

"I'm gonna meet him!!!" He cheered, running around the condo. I giggled and watched him until he tired himself out. He sat down next to me again and smiled. "How did you get the money, mommy? You said it was too expensive." He pried.

"I worked extra hours just for you. I wanted to get you something special for your birthday." I replied, eating my pancakes. He just kept smiling and looking through the package.

Later that day, Eli's friends were over with their moms. Blue balloons hung, along with streamers. I ordered burgers, fries and Mac and cheese for the kids. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. I was sitting at the table with a few of the moms eating Mac and cheese, listening to them gossip. I watched Eli run around with his friends as they played outside after dinner.

"You know, you're doing such a great job with Eli. He's a great boy." Brandon's mother, Tina, told me. "Thank you so much. It's been hard by myself but I'm managing." I smiled over at her. "I heard that you got him into the Crosby Hockey Camp. That must of made him ecstatic." Tina told me. I nodded and chuckled a little. "Yeah, he ran around the house yelling. He's so excited. It starts at the end of the month." I explained.

"He's a real looker." Tina told me, with a huge grin on her face. I looked at her confused and she laughed. "Sidney Crosby!" She said to me. I smirked and drank some water. "I don't know much about him. All I know is the facts that Eli tells me." I replied. Tina held up her index finger and took out her phone. Seconds later, she shoves a shirtless picture of him in my face. My eyes went wide. "Woah! Holy shit." I managed to get out. "Exactly my point!" Tina laughed.

As soon as the sun was starting to set, Eli's friends left and I finished cleaning the house up. I sat in the living room, watching Gilmore Girls while Eli read a book in his room. I laid down on my stomach, only to pass out two minutes later.

I woke up stiff and confused on the couch. I looked over at the clock on the cable box to see 3:45 AM. I groaned and turned off the tv before dragging myself to my bedroom and collapsing on my bed.