Chapter 9
Lennox
The article publisheson Monday morning.
I've rewritten it four times, trying to find the balance between honesty and fairness. Between exposing problems and acknowledging progress.
The headline reads:"Rebuilding the Ice: One Captain's Fight to Change Hockey Culture"
It's not what anyone expected.
I open with the original issues, the hazing, the harassment, the toxic elements that existed. But then I show the changes. The policies Carter implemented. The resistance he faces from coaches and old-guard players. The personal cost of trying to reform a system from within.
I quote his thesis. Include observations from practices. Let his teammates speak, on the record this time about how the culture has shifted.
It's fair. It's honest. It's the full story.
And I'm terrified of how people will react.
My phone starts buzzing at 6 AM. Comments flood in.Most positive, some critical, a few accusing me of being "too soft" on Carter.
One comment stands out:This is what good journalism looks like. Holding people accountable while acknowledging growth. Thank you for the nuanced take.
I screenshot it and send it to Carter:First review is in.
His response is immediate:Just read it. You're brilliant. Thank you for seeing me.
Me:I only wrote what I saw.
Carter:That's why it's brilliant. Coffee after your shift?
Me:Your place?
Carter:Always.
I spend my café shift fielding questions from customers who've read the article. Most are supportive. A few hockey fans are angry that I "went soft" on the team.
"You can't win," Isla observes. "First they hated that you were too harsh. Now they hate that you're too fair."
"Welcome to journalism."
"At least Carter's happy with it."
"Carter's biased."
"So are you." She grins. "But in a good way this time."
When my shift ends, I head straight to Carter's apartment. He opens the door before I can knock, pulling me inside and kissing me thoroughly.
"Hi," I say when we come up for air.
"Hi. I'm proud of you."
"For what?" I ask.
"For writing something that’s complicated. That's honest. That's real." He pulls me to the couch. "Most journalists would have doubled down on the original narrativeor completely flipped. You did neither. You just told the truth."
"The truth is messy."
