“Well, even from the few conversations we’ve had. I mean, you are an efficient packer, from what I could tell.”
Olive snorted at that. “I guess I do seem that way. My career is fine. Objectively, it’s great. I’m just not sure if it’s what I want to do. I had to make some sacrifices to get to where I am, especially for the sake of my sister. But now that I finished putting her through university, it’s gotten me thinking about what I want to do. And I don’t know the answer to that yet.”
“I don’t think I could get you that answer, but that alone is so impressive to me,” Charlie said in awe. “I can’t believe you paid for your sister’s tuition like that.”
“Thank you. It wasn’t easy, but we made it work.”
“Hmm, maybe we can figure out your dream scenario,” Charlie said, and Olive raised an eyebrow at her. Charlie had walked through teammates through similar visualization exercises before games, and she thought the strategy may work now for something else. “Do you trust me?”
“Yes,” Olive said without hesitation, and it made Charlie’s heart beat faster, though she knew the exercise would be innocent.
“Okay, then close your eyes.”
Olive complied with the request, her long lashes covering her eyes and showing an unexpected vulnerability that Charlie hadn’t seen quite yet.
“Slow your breathing. In and out, in and out,” Charlie said, and Olive’s shoulders lowered, her body relaxing.
“Picture your ideal day. You wake up in the morning and get up. What’s the first thing you do?”
“Kiss the beautiful person laying next to me,” Olive said without hesitation.
Charlie laughed. “I meant, like, do you grab a coffee? Go for a morning run?”
Olive wrinkled her nose at the mention of running, and Charlie tried not to laugh again.
“No run, got it. You wake up, kiss the beautiful person next to you on the cheek, and make yourself a morning coffee.”
“Tea,” Olive corrected her.
“Morning tea. Then, you head over to your laptop, where you have a few emails to answer about…”
“My latest product line.”
“Your latest product line, a collection of…”
Olive opened her eyes then. “I’m not sure what actually. I didn’t even think about having products or something tangible to sell, but after working on branding and PR for other companies for years now, I guess I’ve always wanted to make my own thing.” Olive had a sparkle in her eye as she said this, and Charlie was happy to see it.
“There you go. Olive Miller, designer of an unidentified brand to come.” Charlie held out her soda glass towards Olive, and they clinked bottles.
“That was fun,” Olive said after they finished their toast.
“I’m glad it helped.” Charlie genuinely meant it. It was nice to chat with Olive about something more personal, more tangible than the idea Charlie had of her in her head.
“What about you? Do you have any dreams once you retire from hockey?”
Charlie shook her head frantically, already trying to avoid the question. “I don’t really know anything except hockey. It’s always been my family’s thing. I guess I should consider myself luckythat I’ve even made it this far.” She thought of the nickname then,Lucky Lajoiethey called her. They say it was because Charlie brought good luck to every team that she joined. It was not all Charlie, but still, hearing that about yourself constantly made you believe it was partially true; that everything you’d worked for was all based on intangible luck, not your own skills.
“Don’t sell yourself short like that. I’m sure it’s not just luck.”
“You’re right, it’s not. I’m a damn good player.” Charlie squirmed in her seat as she started to think about herself instead, it was something she wasn’t used to. “I don’t know why I do that sometimes. Maybe a part of me feels like I have to prove that I do deserve where I am. I know circumstance does play a part in it. I was lucky to have parents that supported me and wanted me to pursue the sport. Well… more like they forced me to. I guess it is luck then that I’m good at it, and that I love it.”
“What do you love about it?”
“The feeling I get on the ice. The rush when I score a goal. Hearing everyone cheer for me.” Charlie left out the part of the game where they cheered her on by calling her “Luck.” She didn’t really want to unpack how she felt about that nickname.
“You really do love it,” Olive said.
“How can you tell?”
