Sweet Caroline (Corey Crawford)

Hometown Hockey

Corey

Before we left for a little Christmas break in the season the Canadiens were in town for a game and my parents decided to come down. I was excited because it was the first time all season they got to come see me play. Plus Caroline's Dad was going to be down for the game and she promised that we could all grab lunch together and hang out some.

My parents arrive early the morning of the game and I pick them up at the airport. We go back to my house and chill for a little before meeting Caroline and her dad at Giordanos.

"So when are we meeting your girlfriend" my mom asks.

"You've already met my girlfriend" I reply almost like a question.

"I thought you said this girl is a new one" my mom says.

"Julie isn't coming to lunch. She would probably rather die than be at this lunch" I admit.

"So this Caroline girl isn't your girlfriend" she asks.

"No. She's the one that was behind the bench the other day and got hit in the head" I say.

"Ohhh. She's a cutie" my mom claims and I shake my head.

"Please don't embarrass me" I beg. "You especially Dad" I warn and he looks at me.

"How would I embarrass you" he asks.

"Just promise me" I beg.

"Fine. I'll try not to be embarrassing" he promises. Something tells me that's not going to help much.

I take them over to the restaurant and I see Caroline and her dad already at a table waiting for us. I turn to my parents for one last check up.

"Okay, now remember not to mention her mom and no embarrassing stories. She's not my girlfriend but she means a lot to me. No hounding with questions for either of them and no making a scene" I beg.

"You're acting like Patrick Roy is over there" my dad says and I laugh. I bring them over and my dad nearly falls over.

"Corey... that's Patrick Roy" my mom whispers.

"Hey guys" I say walking over to the table and they wave. "These are my parents Sylvia and and Trevor. Mom and Dad, this is my very good friend Caroline and her dad Patrick which I'm sure you've figured out by now" I say looking at their faces.

"Oh wow, it's such a honor to meet you" my dad says shaking Patrick's hand.

"The pleasure is all mine" he smiles and I swear to god my dad was going to cry. We sit down and order our food before starting to talk.

"How is your head" my dad asks Caroline and she laughs.

"Better now, thank you" she smiles.

"You know, it was really cool seeing a girl behind the bench" my mom says.

"It was a awesome experience. I've been around hockey my whole life but never on the bench. It was cool to listen to Q, my dad knows how that goes" she says nudging him.