Fire in her Heart and Ice in her Veins.

Chapter 4

A few days later .  Friday, July 24, 1979. 

Rochester, New York. 

" Forget it guys, I am not doing that! 

Right now, I was having coffee with my dad and old Coach Bev Turner at our towns local diner. I loved my dad and Coach  Bev and I appreciate everything they do for me...but what they just said was crazy. 

" I am not trying out for the Men's Olympic Hockey Team  dad...last time I checked, I'm a woman!" I said, gesturing my hands to my body, proving my point.  

Just think of a woman playing that level of hockey was just unheard of. People would think I were crazy! Plus I'm not even 19 yet. Like am I even old enough to play in the Olympics? 

Most Athletes who compete in the games are middle aged men and women! But I did kinda like the idea. To get a chance to play in the Olympics would be incredible. The chance of a lifetime. And not only that, but I would be the first woman in America to play hockey in the winter games.  

That would be so sick! 

" Chelsea, you are not quitting hockey! I'm still not happy that you just quit NYU simply because you didn't like the coach. You are too stubborn for your own good " Dad said, narrowing his eyes at me. 

I looked over at Bev who was sitting across from me in the booth we were sitting at and saw that she has pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket.

She handed me the paper and I saw it was the tryout information for the olympics. I think I'm going to regret opening my damn mouth but..oh screw it. 

" Okay...if I were to tryout for this team, which is a huge if  by the way, would I even be allowed to play since I'm a girl and all" I said wanting to know all the details about this. 

" It says all are welcome to come try out if they think they have the skill to compete in the Olympic Games...and Chelsea, my dear, you are just the person they are looking for...once they see how great of a hockey player you are, they won't care if you're a girl or not" she said, laughing at the end.

Mhm, they're just totally going to forget the fact that I'm a girl...(sense the sarcasm). It doesn't work like that...but what if they don't care if I'm a girl. Agh, what am I saying. Of course they're gonna care that I'm a girl! A lot of people don't think girls should be playing hockey...that its too dangerous and they should just stick to a sport like track. 

My dad is one of those people. He wanted me to be some soccer player or a ballet dancer, not a hockey player. I mean, don't get me wrong, my dad is one of my biggest supporters, but he is always afraid I'm going to get hurt playing hockey. And for some weird reason, my dad seems to be pushing me to play hockey again...I thought he would've been glad that I quit. 

"  I thought you didn't like or want me playing hockey dad? Especially mens hockey" I said, remembering that my dad pulled me out of men's hockey when I was younger. 

 Dad groaned and started to whine and I heard him curse underneath his breath before he spoke. 

" You're right, I don't like it" he said at last, taking a deep breath. 

Wait, what? Now I'm really confused. Dad wants me to tryout for the Olympic team, but....he doesn't? 

" You do know I'm not some normal girl dad, who cries whenever she cuts or scratches herself, I'm a tom boy who's not afraid of getting hurt or getting her hands dirty" I said to dad, sounding very defensive even though I wasn't trying to come off that way. 

Dad and Melanie exchanged looks and then laughed at me. 

" Oh we know" they both said in unison with one another.

 Now it was my turn to laugh at them for talking at the same time. Like did they plan that or something haha?  

" Chelse, your mother wanted you to do something like this. It was her dream to see you play in the big leagues. She wanted you one day to play in the NHL or the Olympics and you would me making her even more proud by at least trying out" Dad said, his voice sounding quiet and raspy. 

My mom was a tough subject for my dad and he doesn't know how to act when we talk about her. He usually gets emotional, which is the way he is acting right now. 

I always knew that my mom supported me playing hockey and I never really thought much of it. I always thought college hockey was the highest hockey a girl can play...but I guess the NHL and the Olympics can be done. 

Mom always said that with everything I do, I should be happy with what I was doing, that it shouldn't make me feel bad. AND hockey makes me happy. The idea of playing in the Olympics is so exciting and it makes me feel so so happy. 

Then Dad and Coach Mel both gave me a look that made my stomach churn. Their intense eyes were staring right through me, and it made me feel uncomfortable. 

" So will ya do it Chelse?" Turner finally asked, looking at me anxiously. 

I don't know about this whole thing but the one thing I do know, is that I love hockey. And I'll do anything if I'm able to play the sport I love. Plus, being the first woman to play hockey in the Olympics sounded so cool.  

 " I don't know guys" I said causally, trying to bring more suspension to my dad and Melanies desperation, even though I already knew what my answer was.  

 " I don't think the guys would be happy with there being a girl trying out, or let alone being on the team--that is if  I make it!" I said trying to make that point crystal clear so they didn't get their hopes up. 

I mean a lot of people still today are against women even playing ice hockey, since  hockey is traditionally a mens sport. But you see that's were they are so very wrong. 

I smiled widely showing off my teeth, getting ready to tell them my answer.  My dad smiled and looked at me looking really excited and happy. 

" So does this mean you'll do it?" he asked, looking at me with hopeful eyes. I laughed at them and nodded my head.

 " Yeah, I guess I'll tryout" I said, smiling at them. 

" Hah! Yippeeeeee!!" Dad yelled,  running over and wrapping me into a tight hug.

 All the people in the diner all looked over at our booth, wondering what was going on.  I laughed and hugged dad back, before pushing back on his chest, because I could barley breathe.  Dad finally let me go, and before I knew it, I was being pulled into another hug by Coach Turner. 

I was already starting to regret my choice on agreeing with dad and Mel on trying out for the Olympic hockey team, but who cares, I love hockey, and I miss feeling that incredible feeling when I used to play hockey. That feeling that made me feel unstoppable. I'd do anything to get it back. 

Plus, I know my mom would have wanted me to do this. I was going to do this for her, to make her proud of me. 

Tryouts started next week, meaning I had to be in Colorado by Tuesday. This didn't leave me a lot of time to train for, but I was still in pretty good shape from that summer training I did at Buffalo. 

Watch out Colorado, here comes Chelsea Evans.