Jack

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

Maddie

He might not be nervous but I sure as hell was. I knew my father was going to be reading us the riot act for Jack quitting. My father was Eric's juniors coach and he knew something about hockey, and for Jack to quit, with his talent, well dad would not be happy.

Of course if Dad wasn't happy, I would get to hear about it. I mean don't get me wrong, I love my dad, but he can be a bit of a control freak and always think he is right, and no matter what my mom says, we are not alike.

We got to Spencer's, a family owned restaurant in the city of Clay, north of Syracuse and my parents had already beat us here. We went inside and the waitress just smiled and said "your parents are already waiting, follow me."

I knew I had never seen her before but I am sure my Mom filled her in on everything. She led us around a corner and there they were waiting for us with big smiles on their faces. Oh this was going to be so bad.

"Hey Mom and Dad," I said closing the distance so I could give Mom a hug. Dad gave me one and then he stuck out his hand for Jack, and they shook like men will do.

"Mr. and Mrs. Maddison Jack said formally with his panty dropping smile.

"Don't be silly Jack, I'm Gail and he's Jim, the same two people you met before." She said falling for his smile. Mom you were so easy.

"Well thank you for that Gail, it is always a trying time meeting the parents of the girl you are in love with for the first time. I think it's safe to say that the other time we met kind of caught us all off guard."

"Yes, I think we can safely say that." Dad said and indicated for us to sit down.

We made small talk while we ordered dinner and when the waitress was gone Dad started right in. "Jack, so you weren't kidding when you said you would quit."

"No sir. I won't lose Maddie, and I will do whatever it takes to be with her."

"So what are your plans Jack? I mean without Hockey, what will you do?"

Damn it dad. This was going to be an interrogation. Before I could speak up though, Jack laughed, and continued talking.

"A already have a job with one of the local cable channels doing a hockey show once a week, and Mr. Green said something about me being a scout when my career was over. I'm going to see if that's still an option, if not I have a four year communication degree and will see who might be looking for someone."

"I see, well looks like you are already taking the reins on this." Dad said impressed and I was a little relieved. "Of course, it will be hard to give up hockey, it's a part of you."

"It was, and it brought me the greatest gift ever, so for that alone I owe hockey more than anything." He said squeezing my hand.

"I am worried about Eric though. Without you, his numbers have dropped drastically, and I am worried he isn't strong enough emotionally to be in the league."

"Yeah he is talented enough. I will continue to see who might be a good line mate for him and let Maddie and mister Green know, I used to do that anyway, before all happened, so I am sure they will take my thought seriously. I'll keep trying to look out for him as best I can."

"I appreciate that Jack," Dad said and then we heard, "so tell us about Haley, we saw some TV footage?" Mom said jumping in.

I took this one and told her everything about the little girl and Jack piped in to say how he saw them at a game and what their sign had said. Then we told her how stories of Eric were giving her strength and about her last appointment coming up.