“Cel and I will meet you there. Promise.”
I hug her. “Let’s go eat breakfast.”
* * *
Molly and I eat so fast Mama raises her eyebrows at us.
No way we’re going to tell our mother Daddy’s in town. No telling what she’d do.
“Are you going to Daddy’s game?” Mama says it so calmly Molly and I look at each other, sure we must have heard her wrong.
“It’s okay.” Mama smiles at us. “I know he’s coming to town, girls.”
I swallow. “He may want to see me.”
“Well, I’m here for you if you need me.” She takes a second helping of potatoes.
“I love you, Mama.” I lean over and kiss her cheek.
* * *
“I hope Daddy doesn’t see us until the game’s over.” Molly practically runs to our seats in the stands with Celie and me struggling to keep up with her.
“Are you okay?” I ask her as we sit down. “You seem extra nervous, even considering the circumstances.”
“Sure. I’m fine.” She scans the ice. “There he is! On his team’s bench. He’s sitting with one of the players—see?”
I follow her pointing finger, and my heart drops into my stomach at the sight of my father.
I was a teenager the last time I laid eyes on him. Seeing him again after all this time is so strange. He looks different. Even from here, I notice the graying hair where red used to be, the more pronounced slump of his shoulders, the slower gait. He’s still vibrant and energetic as he moves behind the bench, shouting and gesticulating to different players, but the intensity is less…extreme.
“He’s aged,” I say.
“A lot,” Celie adds.
“He has. Well, it’s been six years,” Molly says. “But it is weird to see him again.”
I sneeze. And again. And again.
“Bless you, and again and again.” Molly hands me a tissue from her purse.
I feel the cold of the rink on my face, and I blow my nose. That’s when Cam skates out to take shots on goal. He glances in my direction, and I wave at him, feeling better already.
He skates right up to the glass and takes off his helmet.
“This game’s for you, Savannah!” He raises his stick at me and I smile.
“Yeah, this won’t get Daddy’s attention,” I mutter to Celie and Molly. “If he sees me flirting with Cam, he could use it against the Cannons. He remembers the no fraternizing rule—he wrote it!”
“He’s probably too busy to notice,” Molly reassures me.
But as if on cue, Daddy approaches one of his players on the ice. He looks directly at Cam as Cam’s grinning at me. Daddy noticeably jerks backward.
My face must fall because Cam turns around and looks right at my father. Then, he puts on his helmet, gives me a wave, and skates past my father like he’s not even there. Daddy glares after him, but Cam takes a puck and shoots it hard at the goal. It sails into the net easily.
Daddy gives his three daughters a head nod and returns to his bench.
“Well, that went super,” Celie says sarcastically. “He’s already pissed, and we haven’t even had a proper hello.”
