Shadows (Patrick Kane)

(7) A Woman Of Many Talents

Sophia

As Patrick takes on the mighty music notes from St. Louis I provide the distraction from the fact that his season can be over with the flick of a wrist. He invited me over to his place and I said I would cook for him to make up for the fact that we couldn't go to my place because I was getting my bathroom redone. I would make a lousy housewife because I find any excuse to leave the house but I do know my way around the kitchen. And what respectable man doesn't like home cooked meals?

"You know I saw you in a magaizne the other day" he starts as he sits at the island. I was making some salmon and steamed vegetables as he supports me from the other side far away from the food.

"You did" I ask him.

"Yeah. The camera really loves you. And I was thinking since you have a media and journalism degree and you look... well you look amazing, all the time, I was thinking what if you were like a sports reporter? You know, somewhere like CSN or ESPN something" he suggests.

I shrug as I turn the salmon over on the stove. "I tried to do something like that when I first got to Wisconsin for the college teams but I felt like this wasn't the way. In college those people are painfully simple minded but I'm not sure much has changed since then. I know who I am or what I look like shouldn't matter, but it does. And until I can swallow the pill that I will never be able to step out of the shadows my family puts out I don't know if I'll ever have the courage to step out on my own. Conforming to what society has me out to be isn't something I am interested in. I don't want to change my hair or my face to appeal to the kind of people who are only going to listen to me because I look a certain way or because of who my dad is. I think I would have a lot of fun reporting all the games here in the city but I'm not sure how many people will listen unless I give them a alternative reason to" I try to explain.

"I don't think that's true" he tries and I turn to look at him. He wasn't expecting me to wait for him to elaborate but I wasn't quite sure what he meant. "I mean, I think you're a great girl. You're smart and beautiful and funny and any TV station would be lucky to have you regardless of what your dad does. You're so much more than your name and it didn't take me long to see that, I don't think it would take many others that long to realize what a incredible person you are all on your own. You have more passion in you than I've seen in anyone in a long time and I know you would do good work. Real work people would be interested getting involved in. You've been in the big games, you have experience with professional sports and you got your degrees. There is no reason you can't do this" he tries.

"You really think that about me" I ask as I turn back around. I flip the salmon again before putting some of the sauce back in the top.

"I think the world of you Posy, and I know it's hard for you to see it. You want to believe that this isn't your path because you've been told no so many times. Or maybe you're afraid to hear the answer.

But I was in your position once. I wanted to be in the NHL so bad and I was told I was too small, not quick enough, don't play enough defense. And I listened to them for a while before I realized that these people aren't me. They don't know what's going to happen, only I control the future and I have everything I need to make it mine.

And so I did. It was hard but I had my family by my side through it all lifting me" he explains.

"That's where we are different. I don't have that" I remind him.

"You have me" he claims.

I feel my cheeks get warm as a smile crawls onto my face. I don't turn from the pan too afraid he will get the wrong idea from my reaction. So I bite my bottom lip as I try to get myself under control.

"Well then I guess I should look around for someone looking for a sports reporter then" I say.

"Really" he squeals.

"I haven't tried up here in Chicago. There's a lot of news outlets so I'm sure people are looking for another reporter. It's 2014, people are trying to be progressive and let women into mens sports. Now is as good time as any" I admit.

"Maybe you can do the Blackhawks games" he tries.

"You want me to cover your team" I ask.

"I think it would be cool. You can have special insight and if you like it maybe it's the different path you were trying to look for" he claims.

"Must I remind you I've never been to a hockey game. I've watched you a few times on tv but I would hardly say I'm a expert" I defend.

"Why don't you come to one of my games then? There's nothing better than playoff hockey" he tries.

"I wouldn't know what's going on" I remind him.

"I can have my parents explain it to you. They know the game better than anyone. And I'm sure my sisters would love you" he says.

I turn the stove off and turn to him. He watches my every move slowly to see how I react to this kind of big question.

"You sure that's a great idea" I wonder. I mean I'm not sure how he will explain our situation to them when we don't even know what's going on.

"Yeah! You mean a lot to me and they know that. They wouldn't do anything to hurt you" he says.

"Alright" I sigh. "I guess I can come to a game. And in return I want you to help next time I make dinner. You're a grown man and you should be able to at least make ramen" I shun.

"Deal" he smiles.

I finish cooking dinner and make our plates. Cooking is a lot of fun to me and it's something I enjoy. Creating foods, trying different spices and experimenting with recipes is one of the many things I enjoy in my life. And I'm happy I can share them with a true friend.

"You're a woman of many talents. This is amazing" Patrick claims as he stuffs another fork full into his mouth.

"It's not a talent I share with many people. So you must be pretty special" I smile.

"I guess so" he smiles back.

We finish up dinner and it was time for me to leave. There's no sense in me staying some place I don't need to stay. I'm sure we would do something we shouldn't should I hang around so he walks me to my car. He turns to me and lets out a sigh.

"Something is on your mind" I accuse. I can feel it.

"I just wish I was in a better place in my life. Then maybe you could stay for a while longer" he admits.

"I'm always a phone call away. You know that. But you need to focus on yourself for now and there's nothing wrong with that. I need to do the same. And hopfully one day we will understand these paths we're on and one day they will overlap" I assure him.