“That’s great news. I must admit I don’t know much about art, especially ice sculpture. But you already know I think your work is amazing, and this fellowship sounds like a big deal.”
His interest in my work warms my heart. Devin never cared about my career. “Would you like to come to my studio sometime? I could show you more about what goes into the process. I’m going to need to start putting together a portfolio and document my work for the fellowship application.”
“I’d like that. How about tomorrow? I have the day off from rehab.”
The next day, Jax arrives at my industrial studio space at a warehouse complex on the outskirts of Pelican Point. Shay ishere with me going over some of the plans for my fellowship package. I feel like it’s as good a time as any for them to meet. Hopefully, once she meets Jax she’ll stop with the warnings and comparisons to Devin.
“Hello? Anyone home?”
I call out to Jax. “We’re back here!”
Jax enters the open work space at the rear of the warehouse. As large as the area is, he still manages to fill it with his massive presence.
“Jax, this is my friend and business manager, Shay Stevens. Shay, this is Jax Morgan.”
Jax extends a hand, and I silently will Shay to behave herself. I breathe a sigh of relief as she returns the handshake, polite, but distant. “Nice to meet you, Jax.”
I give Shay the side-eye, which is her cue to leave. She takes the hint and heads out.
“Welcome to my world.” I wave a hand around the area, pointing out the various work spaces. On one side of the space, I have a working model of my Ottawa fellowship concept. “This is my primary piece for Ottawa. It’s an installation exploring how communities can adapt to climate change through resilience and transformation—harnessing the power of ice and living plants.”
Jax shakes his head. “Wow. This is some setup. I thought hockey operations were complex. This is all way too technical for this athlete’s brain. Your finished work looks like magic, but now I see there’s quite a lot to it behind the scenes.”
“Thank you.” That’s all I can manage to get out as Jax’s praise washes over me, encouraging me to share something else. I point over to the far corner of the room. “Let me show you something else.” I lead him over to the corner, showing him various work stations and displays.
“What’s this?”
“I’ve been experimenting with developing sensory ice play stations for children. Playing with ice can enhance sensory development, improve fine motor skills, and help with cognitive language and social skills. In college, I worked on a project involving ice therapy for autistic kids. One day, I’d like to open up some type of therapy center or program for kids.”
“You are a damn special woman. I’m sure there are plenty of people that would like to help you make that happen. I’d like to, for one.”
Is he serious?That would be amazing. Not sure what to do with all the emotion I’m feeling right now, I change the subject.
“Since you came all this way, how about getting something to eat or drink before you head back?”
Jax chuckles. “Elise Kinney, are you asking me out?”
I have to laugh along with him. Well, I am getting hungry. I’ve been working all day. I figure you might be hungry, too.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“There’s a fabulous Irish gastropub downtown called the Irish Brogue. Despite the old fashioned name, they’ve got some really good Irish fusion cuisine. The salmon and cucumber bites are to die for.”
“Can’t say I’ve ever thought of merging those two items. But an Irish pub sounds fun. According to my mother, I’ve got a wee bit of Irish blood in me.” He finishes his statement by putting his thumb and pointer finger close together to signify the small amount.
“As do I, me lad,” I joke in an awful Irish accent.
I offer to drive since I know the area. When we’re alone in the car, he brings up the subject we ignored the last two times we’ve seen each other.
“I uh, owe you an apology.”
“For what?”
“For the way I reacted after we kissed. Sometimes I suck at communicating what I’m feeling and that was one of those times. I shouldn’t have run off without talking to you. And then I tried to act like it never happened. Truth is, something did happen. I feel a connection to you. And I don’t know what to do with that.”
Without taking my eyes from the road, I reach out a hand to him, yearning for a connection as well. “To be honest, it affected me too, and I have to admit, it scared me a little, given my history with athletes. I hope you won’t take that personally.”
I pull into the parking lot of the pub and cut the engine. I turn to look at him, since we should probably finish this discussion in private before going inside.
