Sweet Caroline (Corey Crawford)

Play Insane Or Remain The Same

Caroline

The long road trip from home started off good with a win against the Canucks. Then they had three straight losses to the Flames, Oilers, and Sharks. They got back on track with a win against the Ducks and they finally end their trip with a game against the LA Kings here in LA.

I decide to take advantage of it being warm outside in late November and walk around. Like always I wasn't allowed to do so alone and Jonny insisted on joining me, so we decide to go for a run and find something to eat. He was on a pretty strict diet between being a professional hockey player and his issues he had with his body his second year in the league. But we find a nice cafe along our jogging rout and decide to eat there. He buys me a meal and I thank him over and over again.

I order a salad and he gets a turkey sandwich without the bread. We sit down and eat and talk until one of us had to be somewhere.

"Didn't I hear you say you wanted to start writing a book" he asks and I nod. We spent a lot of time together and we knew each other well, he was the type of professional that everybody could use in their team.

"Yeah. I was going to write one about my dad. Between my moms notes and my notes I think I can cover what I want to. Not that it would be hard to find interesting things about my father" I chuckle.

"He was a character, that's for sure" Jonny agrees.

"I have been wanting to do this for a while, but since I've gotten into hockey my dad is starting to get back into it too. He misses it a lot and I know he wants to come back, but he won't come back as a player. So I wanted to write something about his legacy he left on the ice" I explain.

"What's the book going to be called" he asks.

"Play Insane or Remain the Same" I say and Jon smiles.

"I like that. I think it works perfectly for him" he laughs.

"He was pretty crazy. People don't believe me when I tell them he is my dad. But he is and I am proud of it. No, he is not perfect, but he is everything I need and more" I admit.

"What is your favorite memory of him" he wonders.

"Easily when he decided to stick handle into the middle of the ice. He dangled past Gretzky and instantly it became a classic. I specifically remember my mom holding me on her lap going, "he lost his mind... he lost his damn mind." I was only twelve, and I was still pretty small, but I jumped out of my moms lap and clapped so happily. It was the funniest thing I had ever seen up until that point" I laugh.

"I remember that. It was all anyone talked about" he laughs.

"There was never a dull day with my dad around" I shake my head.

"Do you miss him" he wonders.

"More times than not, yeah. But I needed this, this is good for me" I insist.

"Well I'm happy I can be a part of your journey. It's been a pleasure getting close to you" he claims resting his hand on top of mine and squeezing it. I smile up at him and he smiles back.

We finish our food and head back to the hotel. I do a little more research about writing a book and send off a few emails filled with questions.

After that I take a shower and let my hair do whatever it pleases. I throw it in a pony tail and a baseball cap and hope for the best. I sit down in the nearest open seat and press my glasses up to my face. I look over the numbers and matchups for the LA game tonight and try to find a story line for this games article.

About four in the afternoon I decide to head to the rink early. Maybe grab some food and get situated upstairs.

I go up there and find a nice spot to sit at. Somewhere you could see the bench and the ice clearly from up too. I sit quietly by myself and look down at the ice. They had lights on it as it shows off how pretty it was when it was untouched. This LA team was no joke and they were making their way up in the world. They too had a up and coming goalie who was fiery and unpredictable. The best types of goalies of you ask me.

After eating a hot dog I get up to walk it off. I decide to go downstairs and find the other reporters so I know who I'm working with tonight.

On my way down I see Corey leaned up against a wall with his eyes closed, was he sleeping?

"Hey goalie man" I yell and his head pops up. He smiles when he sees me and walks on over.

"Hey Caro" he says as he stops in front of me.

"Hey Crawford. Is there a reason you were nearly asleep on the wall" I ask.

"Not a good one" he claims.

"I didn't ask for a good reason, just a reason" I reiterate and he sighs.

"I just had a long night. Julie called me late last night complaining that I haven't been home in a while... like I could control that. I tried to explain to her that this is my job and it's so much more than that, but she didn't buy into. I'm not sure that she understands that I'm not going to be home even if it is the holidays. I'm not even sure she realizes I don't celebrate the American thanksgiving" he chuckles.

"That sounds rough. I'm sure you wish you could be home" I try.

"Not really. I kinda needed this break from Chicago. Get out a little and not be so constantly worried about the issues I have over there. They don't seem to follow me and it was nice to be away for a while" he admits.

"Are you going home for the holidays" I wonder.

"Yeah, I'll be back in Chicago for my birthday though" he claims and I turn my head sharply.

"When is your birthday" I ask.

"The 31st Of December" he explains and I smile.

"That's my moms birthday" I say.

"That's really cool. I'm honored to share a birthday with someone who is related to two of my favorite people" he smiles.

"That holiday was always one of my favorites and now it really is. I was just telling Jonny about what I was planning on doing for the New Years but now I feel like I'm going to get forced into going out" I admit.

"Oh... you went out with Jonny again" he asks with a hint of sadness in his voice. His normally happy face looked a bit slighted now.

"Not really. I mean, yes we went out to eat, but Jonny and I aren't together. We are just close" I try to explain.

"Really" he asks. "It really seems like you two are a thing" he claims.

"Jonathan doesn't want a relationship right now. He wanted to focus on himself and be the best he can be before he can be the best for someone else and I respect that" I say and he nods.

"Sure sounds like Jonny" he chuckles, seeming to be in a bunch better mood now than before.

"Yeah" I agree. "So are you going to be okay" I ask and he smiles.

"I will be."