I take another sip of coffee, finishing the cup.My mood is improved, and I’m ready to start doing my part.Walking to the same table I saw Joey stop at, I quickly sign in as a volunteer and am put to work at the hot chocolate and coffee station.My perfect location.
The next thirty minutes pass in a blur of orders, smiles, and sloshed drinks.I know by the end of the day that my cheeks are going to hurt from smiling so much.As I’m handing a drink to a distracted parent, the hot chocolate gets knocked, and the hot liquid splashes on my hand.I have to bite my lip to hold back the curse as my skin tingles with a minor burn.
Are you okay?one of the other volunteers I’m working with asks.I can’t answer her right away, breathing through my discomfort.She takes pity on me and asks if I wouldn’t mind going to the storage room to grab some more cups.I agree with a thankful smile.
I head toward the back hallway, winding around equipment bins and a stack of orange cones.I shake my hand, inspecting the red patch of skin.It’s nothing serious, but damn it hurts.The door to the storage room is barely ten feet away when—
I hear it.
A voice.
A familiar one.
Deep.Warm.A little breathless like he’d been talking excitedly about something he loves.
No.No, it couldn’t be.But my feet stop on their own.
Slowly,very slowly, I turn my head to look down an intersecting hall.
And there he is.
Sid.Uncle Sid.The hot, charming man from yesterday.
Except…not exactly.
He’s not in a hospital room holding a crying nine-year-old.He’s not in a hoodie and jeans, looking like someone’s sleep-deprived brother.He’s in full professional gear.Toronto Nighthawks warm-up jacket, team logo front and centre, surrounded by teenagers and other young players begging him for autographs.
Sidney.Freaking.Crane.
Oh.My.God.
Uncle Sid from the hospitalisSidney Crane, the starting goalie for one of the biggest teams in the national league.
I blink.Then blink again.My brain makes a sound like TV static.There’s no way.There’s absolutely—
Mom!
I feel my whole body freeze in absolute panic and shock.A voice that I vaguely recognize calls out a moment before a tiny body steps right in front of me.Her orange plaster cast hand is pointing right at me, her eyes on someone behind me.
Mom!Mom!It’s her!MOM, MOVE FASTER!
Shi-oot,the woman catches herself in the nick of time.I’m walking as fast as I can, Harper.Jeez.Do you not want this hot chocolate anymore?
Mom,Harper groans, her head thrown back dramatically.
Okay, okay.I’m here.The woman stops beside me, giving me an exasperated smile, partnered with a tiny eye roll.What is it?
With so much pride on her cute face, Harper points up at me again and states,This is Uncle Sid’s crush.The doctor.
Of all the things I was expecting, that had not even remotely been on my list.Oh my freakin’ God.No, this can’t be happening.This is all wrong.She’s mistaken.
I could and should have said about a hundred different things to counter Harper’s declaration.She’s got it way,waywrong.I need to correct her immediately.
But what comes out of my mouth?
I’m not a doctor.
Utter nonsense.Absolute stupidity.Probably the least helpful thing to say.
