“Good grief, Coach. Is it that much of a hardship to imagine I have friends outside of the locker room?”
He barks out a laugh. “When I was playing, I didn’t. We live this life twenty-four-seven, so meeting people outside of the arena is usually difficult.”
“Rest assured, I have a friend, and they’ve heard my thoughts on this whole ordeal.” I point to my face, hating that I can’t see the tip of my nail or even the lines on my fingers.
“Okay, okay. I’ll leave you alone about it.”
“Appreciate the concern.” And I really do. Coach is a tough guy, but the fact that he’s taking a moment out of his busy schedule to check in and using my first name shows me how much he cares.
“Go hang out with the guys and be here in two days for the next game.”
“Will do.”
By the time I make it back to the locker room, Raimo’s ready. He hooks an arm around my shoulder.
“Is this your not-so-subtle way of guiding me?”
“Maybe?”
I grin.
“While I’ve got your attention, maybe you should think about telling the others tonight.”
Immediately I shake my head.
“Come on, Crank? Why not?”
“What if someone overhears and leaks the news?”
“Fine. That’s a real possibility.” He sounds petulant toward my logic.
“Maybe I’ll come to the next practice and let the guys know.”
“Will Coach let you?”
“We’ll see.”
“Tomorrow’s the day, right? The new doctor will know more?”
I nod.
Raimo sighs. “Steff and I will be praying.”
“You will?” Since when did Raimo ride the religion train?
He laughs. “Javier got to me.”
“I’ll say. I thought you felt like I did.”
“People change.”
Do they really? My mom used to spout how much she wanted to change, but she never did.
Not fair.Shecan’t. It’s not her fault she suffers from depression. I know how many times she wished for a different outcome. How many timesIwished. But the young boy inside of me who’s more parent than child is slightly bitter.
Maybe even more than I want to admit.
I run a hand down my face. Something to think about on a different day when I don’t have to put on a happy persona for the guys. If Raimo or Javier knew how worried I am about my visit tomorrow, they’d probably pray over me or something. I don’t want something steeped in fairy tales. I want a treatment that will actually make a difference.
