I made eye contact with Jonesy and the guys one last time before going in, trying to read their faces to see if anyone knew anything, but everyone else seemed to stop what they were doing and just stare blankly back at me, waiting.
Coach Johns didn’t even look up when I entered his barely lit office. His back was hunched over as he leaned close to the iPhone laying on his desk, putting it mere inches from his glasses. He must’ve been trying to watch game tape. He was a confusing old man. I didn’t understand how he could compliment my quick stick play when I backchecked all the way across the ice from him, but then not see how much time was left on the game clock or pretty much anything on his phone. I guess you didn’t question his coaching genius- it had led him to multiple AHL Championships. He’d been asked to come up to different NHL coaching staffs multiple times in his career, but he always turned them down, saying that Vancouver was his home. That was not the case for me. If I could get on an NHL roster, I’d fly outa here in a second. Not that I wasn’t appreciative of this experience… it’s just… the NHL was the dream.
“Sorry, son,” Coach started talking as I sat down in the cushy office seat across his desk from him.
I wished he’d stop talking right then, because I’d rather hear anything than being traded down to a lower league. How could that happen after my amazing week? I felt my empty stomach churn angrily. I must’ve jinxed myselfsomehow.
“We’ll miss ya for sure around here. But you’ve been traded,” he said as he looked at me over the top of his glasses. He paused and I could hear blood pumping in my ears from the pressure coursing through my body. “Detroit needs ya, son.”
The shock I felt over that statement practically gave me whiplash and I dropped my mouth open, but no words came. Did he meanDetroitDetroit?… As in not a minor team… but The team… The NHL team?
Coach’s face slowly transformed into a big shit-eating grin and his whole body moved as he laughed.
“Sorry for scaring you, I love doing that,” he said. “But I’m happy to be the one to tell ya that the Big League called kid, and you’ve got a shot.”
I stood up, threw my fists down, and let out a loud “Woo!”
Immediately I heard clapping coming from the locker room. The guys must’ve understood what just happened for me.
“The Detroit Crewmen have one week left of their training camp up in Traverse City, so you can chat with their team manager to get you organized up there. From what I understand they want to sign you to a 2-way deal. So, you could either end up on their minor team or, if you play your heart out like I know you can, you’ll be in The Big Show.” He handed me a small businesscard.
My head was spinning with the information he just told me, but one detail really stuck out…
“Did you just say Traverse City? As in Northern Michigan?” I couldn’t help but laugh at my luckyass.
He squinted back at me. “Something the matter with TC?”
I shook my head. “No, sir. Gettin the call and a shot with the girl.”
He nodded at me like he understood and ushered me to leave. “Well get on up there. We’ll miss you around here, kid.”
I was up in a second, reaching over to shake his hand.
“Thank you, sir, thank you,” I pumped his arm before bolting for the door. My mind raced with all I’d need to do before jumping on a plane back to Michigan.
“Make no mistake, Vonnie!” I heard Coach call out behind me. “I don’t wanna see your jersey back in this league, so make itcount!”
13. Ellie - August 7th
I was just putting the finishing touches- the bride and groom figurines- on the Lawson’s vanilla cream tier cake in the kitchen when my phone rang.
I licked a finger and looked down to see the name Jules Scottappear.
“Hi!” I answered brightly, wondering if maybe she needed other services. A baby shower possibility lingered in my mind. I tried to convince her to have one after she confided in me that she never experienced one when she was pregnant with her little boy Canyon. She really needed some baby girl things this time around anyway. I’d never organized a baby shower before, but it was definitely something I was open to expanding into. It would be a bit more work to organize something in another state, but I was down to do it- especially for her.
“Hey!” she answered cheerily. “I have a major favor to ask if you’reavailable?”
“Umm sure,” I said as I motioned to the cater-waiters to start taking the cake out to guests.
“Can you pick up Grey from the TC airport tonight? I know it’s a big ask, but he’s flying in kind of late and you’re the only one I know up there right now. I’m always afraid of relying on driving services. He had to leave last minute for a coaching gig up there,” she explained.
I wondered when the Scotts had crossed the line from clients to friends, but I honestly didn’t mind. It’s not like I had many other friends besides Nikki.
“Sure, I think I can make that work. He might have to wait for me depending on the time though. I probably won’t get out of the venue until midnight,” I warned.
“Thank you so much,” she gushed. “I knew you’d be the right girl for the job. Can you call me when you get him?”
I thought that was an odd request, but I assured her I’d do it anyway.
