Kind Hearted (Patrick Kane)

16- Act of Kindness

Patrick

With the season ending next week Coach Q gave the usuals a few games off to rest up. We've played a lot of good and meaningful hockey the past three plus months and we needed to rest up for the post season. We were in first place by the widest of margins and could take the foot off the gas for a little. But only for a little.

So I decide to go over to Victoria's place and hang out with her dad until she got off. So he lets me in and I walk into the apartment. Like always it smelled like warm vanilla and was as nice as it could possibly look.

"What's going on in there" I ask pointing to the kitchen. It was filled with a bunch of boxes and bags and foil containers.

"Oh, that? That's a bunch of food Tori's going to make. That's why she asked if you could come over" he explains.

"Make all that food for what" I ask.

"To feed the homeless. She would do it when we lived back in Detroit too. Then when she's done she goes around the city and hands the meals out to whoever it is that needs it. She asks them how they're doing and if there is anything more she can do for them" he explains.

"Wow. That's incredible" I gasp. "How did she get into that" I wonder.

"We were almost homeless at one point in our lives. She hates when I tell people this, and not because she's embarrassed but because she wants to protect me. But it's true, before I was sick and I was working my factory job I got laid off for a little and couldn't pay the bills.

She was pretty young, only 8 or 9, but she remembers it pretty vividly. It was so so scary, but she was strong through it all. She was always my rock. She learned how to cook with what little food we had. She unplugged it all and sold her tv and a few other things for some cash. Until I had a job again she was everything I needed her to be and more. She has saved me so so many times and she won't even let me thank her" he says.

"Yeah. I know how that goes" I laugh. "I just had no clue that's what you guys went through. She's so strong but she's only strong because she had to be. I can only imagine where I would be without both my parents and the amazing opportunities given to me. She was never given those chances but she made sure each chance she did have she was making the most of it. I'm sorry you guys went through that. I wish there was a way I could help" I sigh.

"You are helping. But not helping in the way money does. You're helping in the way the heart does" he explains and I smile big.

"She's an amazing girl. It's contagious" I insist.

"We're all this way for a reason. Hers isn't the best reason but it's still a reason. What made you the way you are" he asks.

"I don't know. I kinda lost all of that in translation the past few years" I admit.

"You can never lose yourself. You're always going to be there for yourself and I know Tori worked on that with you. Trusting yourself. She really believes that who you are deep down, and what made you who you are, is something truly incredible" he explains.

"I know. That's a lot to live up to. I hope I don't let her down" I insist.

"Trust me, you couldn't if you try. That girl... she's crazy about you. She might not show it on her face because she thinks she needs to be strong all the time, but she's totally and absolutely head over heels in love with you" he claims and I get chills.

"You think so" I ask.

"My daughter never stops loving. She's always loved the idea of you. But I do believe that even if she doesn't say it with her mouth, she says it in many other ways. Like when she lets you come over to help cook food for the homeless, she wouldn't even let me help. She makes time out of her schedule to fit you in. She doesn't care what these people think as long as you still care about her" he lists off.

"I do. I care so much more than I should ever care about anybody" I insist.

"I know son" Andy smiles. He rests his hand on my shoulder as he looks into my eyes. "I know."

After we grab some food we sit around and watch tv all day. We find a baseball game since they were under way and watch it. At four Tori gets home and she takes a shower before we get started on the food.

We make spaghetti and meatballs and brownies and leamonade and tea. There was crackers and even some garlic bread for the future. I help Tori pack it all up so we can hand it out.

"I love what you're doing. This is really cool" I admit.

"I try to do little random acts of kindness and I haven't for a while because I've been so busy. But I'm happy that I can finally do something nice for others" she claims.

"What do you mean? You always give back. All I've seen you do is give" I insist.

"It's not called giving when you're giving someone something they need" she insists. "Giving is like me giving you a hug. You don't need it but you want it. These people don't want this food. They need it, and that's what matters here. Not how much of my time or effort I give to people. It's about people getting something that they need even if they don't want the help" she explains.

I stare at her as she finishes packing up. She squints at me as I try no to be so predictable.

"My Dad told you about us almost being homeless... didn't he" she asks.

"Yeah. He told me why this is so important to you" I admit.

"Oh" she says softly.

"I don't think of you any differently" I assure her. "I know not everyone had a big loving family and a nice upbringing. But that doesn't make you any less of a person. It doesn't make you any less important. In fact you're the most important person in my life and I can't begin to explain how highly I think of you" I insist.

"It's not like I'm trying to keep this stuff from you" she begs.

"I know baby. I don't expect you to just break down and tell me this stuff that's incredibly hard for you to talk about. I know you try your hardest to forget these things. There's nothing wrong with that" I insist.

"I just don't want any little kids out there like me wondering what's the point to any of this. Wondering what their worth is and if it will ever be enough. These people shouldn't have to worry about when their next meal is but they do. Whatever happened to love thy neighbor? We should help take care of each other" she insists.

"Not everyone is as kind hearted as you" I remind her.

"I know. But those people on the streets are some of the kindest and most brilliant people out there. Maybe their parents gave up on them or they were never given a chance. But they love in the same we do, they eat and breath like us. Who are we to judge" she asks.

"That's a good question" I admit. "But I don't want to judge. I want to help you deliver this food to people who would appreciate it" I insist and she smiles.

"Perfect."