I gave her handa squeeze. “I know. I think I just need a little time to wrap my head aroundthe whole thing. Is it okay if I think about it before giving you my finalanswer?”
Dr. Patel smiledwide. “Of course. Surgery of any kind is a big decision. Feel free to contactmy office at any time once you’ve made your decision and we’ll book your pre-opappointment and surgery date should you decide to move forward.”
We thanked Dr.Patel, left his office, and made our way downtown. Daisy had set up a happyhour date with Gina and Clutch at McCartan’s, a family-owned chain of brew pubsthat were scattered throughout the greater Portland area. Apparently, greatgrandpappy McCartan invented the little metal part that goes between the eraserand the pencil, which made him a gazillion dollars back in the day. These daysit’s beer and wings that keep the McCartan family vault filled with gold coins.
“You doin’okay?” Daisy asked.
“Yeah, why?”
“You haven’tsaid a word in the past ten minutes,” she replied with a smile. “I know you’rea bit on the quiet side, but c’mon.”
“I’m sorry,baby. I promise I’ll be good company at dinner—”
“It’s okay. Youdon’t have to apologize, and you can always be yourself around me. Gina and Clutchas well for that matter.”
“Thank you,” Isaid, taking her hand and giving it a kiss.
“You’ve got alot on your mind, and I don’t want you to feel alone.”
I shook my head.“It’s the opposite. I’ve never felt more connected to a person than I do toyou, and I think that’s what’s messing with my head.”
“What do youmean?” she asked, as we pulled up to the restaurant.
I parked thecar, shut off the engine, and turned to face Daisy. “Whether or not I ever getto play pro hockey again has been a hypothetical question up until this point.A giant ‘what if’ in the life of a young single guy. But now, there’s a chancethat I could play again, and I’m scared.”
“Why are youscared? What’s changed?”
“You,” Ireplied. “You walked into my life, andeverythingchanged. And now whenI picture my possible future in the league, you’re with me.”
“And that scaresyou?”
“No. What scaresme is the thought of not being able to play like I did before, or somethinggoing wrong and not being able to play at all. Now that the possibility ofreturning to the game is on the table, I’m afraid of losing it. And if I do,how would I support our family?”
Daisy smiled.“Our family?”
“If you’d liketo have one with me some day,” I replied.
“Are youproposing to me?”
I shook my head.“When I propose to you, you’ll know it. But I told you from the start that Idon’t play games off the ice. You asked what was on my mind and that’s it. I’mafraid of any kind of future that doesn’t have you in it. I want to play again,and I want us to start a new chapter of life together.”
“Then let’s doit. Let’s get you back on the ice and take on everything else as it comes. Ilove you and I don’t want to be apart any more than you do, so let’s do thistogether.”
“I love you,Daisy. And I will ask you to marry me someday.”
She gave me asassy grin. “Just know that my heart will take more than six months of rest andrehab if you break it.”
“I’d ratherbreak my other knee.”
We leaned intogether for a long kiss. A kiss that felt like the sealing of a promise, thenwe made our way inside to find Clutch and Gina already seated at a table nearthe window. They waved us over and stood to greet us. The ladies hugged andClutch and I shook hands while we made our introductions.
“Should I stillcall you Doc or…?” I asked Gina.
“God, no.Please. It’ll make me feel like I’m at work,” she replied. “Gina’s fine,although most of the guys in the club call me Eldie.”
“Eldie? That’s apretty name. I’ve never heard it before.”
“It’s L.D.”,Clutch clarified as we took our seats. “Stands for Lady Doctor.”
