“All the time.”
Connor’s grin is so wide it almost hurts to look at.
On the ice, Barrett teaches a group how to properly slide on the ice without immediately eating shit while Bodhi and August run a mini-drill with cones, pucks, and more laughter than I’ve heard out of these guys in a while. There’s absolutely zero pressure. It’s just a day of fun for my son and his friends.
At the team store, I remind the kids to, “Pick whatever you want. Hats, jerseys, mini sticks, take it all!”
Connor holds a Stars hoodie to his chest like it might disappear.
“You like it?” I ask when I see the glee on his face.
He nods hard and then wraps his arms tightly around my waist. “This is the best birthday ever. Thank you, Harrison.”
I swallow hard and hug him right back, squeezing my eyes closed momentarily as I soak up the love and give it right back to him in droves.
“You’re welcome, bud.”
HARPER
I’m standing just inside the doors of the Anaheim Stars practice arena, wrapped in a hoodie. Exhausted after being sick earlier, I’m still a little shaky, but my heart nearly bursts out of my chest at the sight before me.
The ice is full of kids.
Connor’s friends wobble and cling to the boards, laughing and shrieking, while Oliver and Griffin skate backward in front of them, dramatically pretending to fall. August is crouched low, patiently teaching two kids how to push off properly. Bodhi has somehow convinced three boys that crashing into the foam pads is “part of the drill.”
Harrison skates past Connor, taps his helmet gently, and says something I can’t hear, and I swear to God Connor’s grin could power the entire city. The view is like a snapshot of everything I’ve ever wanted. My son’s surrounded by pure joy, engaged with his friends, and confident in himself. He’s out there, fully in his element, just like he should be.
Like I always wanted him to be.
Up in the party room, Marlee, Layken, and Ella have completely transformed the space. Blue and gold balloons and streamers and even a Stars banner with Connor’s name on it fill the room. Pizza boxes are stacked neatly, and the cupcakes look like iced hockey pucks.
“Oh, my God, you guys!” I exclaim when I step into the room. “You guys totally outdid yourselves. This looks amazing!”
Ella hands me a bottle of water the second she sees me. “Sit. You look like you’re trying not to pass out.”
“Honestly, I feel like I’m hallucinating,” I say weakly, pulling a chair out from the table and taking a seat.
Marlee smiles. “Girl, we’ve got you. You’re family now.”
“That’s right,” Ella says, nodding. “The moment Harrison said he needed us, we knew what to do.”
I press my hand to my chest, overwhelmed, and then twist off the cap to my water. “Thank you. Seriously, thank you so much.”
“So vomiting, huh?” Marlee asks, cringing in the most sympathetic way. “Do you think it’s a stomach bug?”
I shake my head. “It must be, right? But I’m not completely down and out, you know? It’s weird. Sometimes I’ll feel fine and then the next minute my head is in the toilet or the nearest trashcan.”
Marlee and Layken exchange a glance before Layken says, “Well hopefully it doesn’t last too long.”
Fifteen minutes go by as I make small talk with the ladies and then I’m back at the ice, watching as Harrison gathers the kids at the center, kneeling so he’s eye-level with them.
“Rule number one,” he says loudly, “if you fall?—”
“We get back up!” the kids shout.
“That’s right. Now before we have cake and pizza, I have a special gift for our birthday boy.” Harrison makes a gift presentation right there on the ice. “This is the jersey I wore for my very first game as an Anaheim Star,” he tells the kids as he slides it over Connor’s head. “And now it’s yours bud. One day you’ll be an Anaheim Star too, I just know it, so you’ll grow into this. I hope you’ll wear it with as much pride as I did. Happy Birthday, Connor.”
Connor looks over at me through the glass, cheeks flushed, eyes shining, like he can’t believe this is real.
