Raimo meets me off to the side. “How have you been?” he asks in his Finnish accent.
“Good. You?” I give him a side hug.
“Fantastic. You saw we are leading the division, yes?”
“I did. Congrats.” Hockey is my first love.
Blame it on hockey players being my dad’s first clients or simply how fun it is to watch the guys give it their all onskates. Whatever the reason, I’m a huge fan. I glance at Raimo’s table and see his wife waiting for him. She catches my eye and waves, so I return the gesture.
“What are you doing here? Business?” Raimo asks.
“Yes, Dad’s meeting someone to discuss potential terms.”
“You never have fun, Val.”
I laugh, but the move is forced. Raimo isn’t wrong. I can’t remember the last time I’ve gone out with that intention. Usually one of my friends has to drag me out of the house, deeming me an incorrigible hermit when I grouse the whole night.
“Maybe this weekend I’ll do something.” Probably read a book. That’s all I do most evenings.
“Do you want to come to a game?” Raimo watches me expectantly.
Do I? When’s the last time I saw the Warriors play in person? “Y’all are home this Saturday, right?”
“Yes.” He motions to his wife. “Steff will be there.”
That actually sounds amazing. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. It’s not a problem. We will take care of the ticket.”
“Thank you.”
“Anytime.” A mischievous glint enters his brown eyes. “Should I find you a date too?”
“Ugh, please don’t. I just want to have fun.”
“I understand. If you change your mind, I know plenty of guys who would be perfect for you.”
“Appreciate that.”Not. I hook a thumb over my shoulder. “I need to catch up to my dad.”
“Sure, sure. See you this weekend.”
“Tell Steff I said ‘hey.’”
I make my way toward the back of the restaurant. My steps feel lighter, and I smile to myself. Maybe going to a hockey gamethis weekend will chase the blues away. Not that I’m depressed or anywhere near that level of hurt, but lately I can’t shake a certain melancholy. Maybe the turn of the calendar and a promise of new beginnings has me wanting a different outcome. Or I simply hate feeling like the odd man out. Yet I have no clue on how to leave the mundanity.
Jackie goes home to her husband and toddler every night. And though I share a condo with Francis, she has a better social life than I do and is rarely home. Something has to give, and it’s probably me and my routine. Hopefully attending the game this Saturday will help me shed whatever sadness insists on clinging to me.
Please,God,let it be a good night.
3
Jabari
“Seven Nation Army” drums through the arena speakers as we skate around the rink waiting for the game to start. Soon they’ll have us line up in the neutral zone to listen as a local sings the national anthem. Until then, I continue my pregame ritual.
I stop my forward trajectory and begin skating backward, making sure no one is behind me. The guys are all in their own zones as we ready for tonight’s game against the Utah Mighty Five.
Coach motions for us to get back on the bench, so I slow to a stop, then hop over the boards, not bothering to enter through the door.
