Not true,I say, turning into our neighbourhood.I would tell you the truth.And the truth is you’re allowed to have bad days, bud.You’re allowed to mess up.You’re only human.
He doesn’t answer.He looks so small in the passenger seat, shoulders hunched under the weight of pressure he’s put on himself, pressure others piled on top.
And for the first time in a long time… I don’t know what else to say.Nothing I’m offering breaks through the fog around him.
My son needs someone who isn’t me.I could say all the right things, but it would fall on deaf ears.And for once, instead of trying to handle everything on my own, I have an idea.
I park in the driveway, turning off the engine.Joey unbuckles, wiping his face aggressively before rushing out of the car and toward the house.I watch him go, feeling my heart ache for the hard lesson my son is learning today.
Reaching around my seat for my bag, I dig around for my cell.There is only one person I know who could talk sense into Joey right now, who understands the highs and lows of playing a game you love with all your heart.
This is big, me reaching out for help.Yet it doesn’t feel like the wrong move.
My fingers tremble as I hit his name.
Hey, Eddie!How’s it going?Sidney’s voice comes through, warm and grounding.Everything okay?
The second I hear him, something warm settles in my chest.Yes, this was the right call to make.
Kinda.I was hoping you could help me with a hockey problem.
A hockey problem,he jokes over the line.Like you need to understand a play or something?
Joey’s upset,I whisper, as if Joey can hear me from all the way in the house.Really upset because his team lost their game tonight, and Joey thinks it’s all his fault.His teammates are…not being kind about it.I’m trying, but he’s—he’s shutting me out.
What happened?he asks immediately, all seriousness now.
He missed a shot at the end of the game.The guys blamed him.He thinks he ruined everything and wants to quit.He was crying, Sid.He never cries.
There’s silence for a moment.
I’m on my way.
What?No, I—he’s probably in his room.I was just thinking maybe I could hand off my phone to him and you could talk to him.
It’s better if I do this in person.He’ll take my words seriously, face to face,Sidney states, firmly but gently.I’ll be over in an hour.I’m heading into a meeting now but will be on my way soon.
My throat tightens.Are you sure?This is…a lot.
I’m sure,he says, a no-argument tone in his voice.And Eddie.
Yeah?
Thank you for calling me.I’m glad you trusted me to help.
***
An hour and a bit later, there’s a knock at the door.
I’ve been pacing the last twenty minutes, hating how quiet the house is.Joey’s been in his room the whole time.I open the door to a large, warm, steady presence filling my frame.
Sidney steps inside, glances at me for half a second—long enough to see everything I can’t say—then pulls me into his arms for a long, tight hug.The breath I had been holding squeezes out of me, and it feels so good.In his arms, I don’t feel the weight of the world.
Is he in his room?he asks softly into my hair.
I nod.Door’s open, but he won’t talk to me.
Giving me one more squeeze, he releases me and focuses immediately down the hall.He doesn’t hesitate.He simply walks to Joey’s room and knocks lightly.
