We Can See STARS

Future Chapter 21: Liiga

"Hey babe!" As Jamie came in, I gave him a quick kiss on my way into the kitchen. He followed me in slowly.

"Hey, so...uh."

"Hungry?"

"Kind of, yeah."

"Okay, how was practice?" I got busy making us both sandwiches.

"It was fine. But I've gotta talk to you about something."

I slowed down slightly. The heaviness in his voice and the slow pace with which he was starting this conversation worried me but I wanted to hear him out. "What about?" I gave him his sandwich as we walked into the dining room.

"I got called in by the coach and GM today."

Worry shot through my mind. "Okay. About your contract?"

"Yeah." He paused again, clearly trying to find the words to tell me difficult news. As he was about to start again, Jojo bounced up to us.

"Hi papa!" Jamie picked Jojo up who sat in his lap, wrapped his arms around Jamie's neck and baby kissed him.

"Hey Jojo bear!" They smiled at each other before Jamie got back to the conversation.

"So, what happened?"

His face turned back into a look of concern. "My contract isn't being renewed. I'll be a free agent at the end of the season."

"Have there been any meetings with other teams?" I held out hope that he could still have a couple of years.

"Technically, yes."

"What does that mean?" I asked as I gave the rest of my unfinished sandwich to Jojo.

"My agent has gotten calls from two different teams. Neither in the NHL."

"What does that mean? Going back down?"

He turned back to Jojo who had just finished off my sandwich. "Jojo bear! Why don't you go find LJ and show him the new move you learned at practice?"

"Okay papa!" He wiggled off and picked up his stick before heading to the bedrooms.

Jamie scooted closer to me. "It's either Lukko in Finland or Barys in Kazakhstan. One is part of Liiga in Rauma and the other is part of the KHL."

I looked at him in disbelief while trying to process the information. The idea of our family moving overseas for Jamie's career was both daunting and exciting to think about. It would mean leaving Dallas, friends and family, our home, and Jojo starting school in a different country. "Wow." I finally said. "What are you thinking?"

"I can either play overseas or not at all. But me playing means uprooting my family's life and not playing...well, I know I wouldn't die if I don't play but I'd like a shot at another year or two. But I can't think of just me."

"When do you have to decide?"

"My agent wants my answer in a week."

"Wow, Jamie."

For the next week, we would have random conversations about what our lives would look like with each choice. We were set up enough that he could retire but I promised him from the start that I would support his dream.

"So, what about Jojo starting school in two years?"

"I spoke to the Finns and they said that school/daycare is from 8 months so both boys would already be in school. And I talked to Dobby about Kazakhstan and it starts the same as here."

"So, a little overseas education before coming back home? I don't hate that."

"What about the house?"