Right now, this is enough. It has to be.
21
Chapter 21
ELIDA
Tara chooses the Italian place on Main Street, which turns out to be warm and cozy. She arrives in a red dress like she’s decided this is a proper occasion and everyone else should keep up.
Calloway is already there, coat folded over his chair, glass of water in hand, looking faintly amused by the level of effort.
I slide into the booth beside Tara and she immediately tops up my wine glass from the bottle she’s already ordered.
“This is very kind. Both of you.”
“It’s entirely selfish,” Tara says. “I wanted an excuse for the pasta.”
Calloway smiles. “A goodbye dinner is the least we could do for you after everything you’ve done for us.”
We order and the food is excellent. The conversation is easy.
They ask a lot about my upcoming qualifier, and Tara tries to convince Caden that they should do a staff trip to Europe to support me. He’s very unconvinced.
The women’s team is going well and is being allocated even more funding. They want to attract another skating consultant once I leave.
“They have so much potential. Dani in particular is going to be exceptional.”
“Largely because of you,” Calloway says simply.
I study my pasta.
“And the men’s team. The improvement this season has been… measurable doesn’t cover it.”
“They did the work.”
“They did,” he agrees. “But they wouldn’t have known where to start without you. You’ve made a huge difference to a few of the guys in particular. Russo has had some interest, mainly from overseas. But it’s a valid route into the NHL He’s been considering his options. I think he’ll land somewhere good. He’s earned it.”
I’m surprised by this - he hadn’t mentioned anything. “Where overseas?”
“He’s keeping it open for now,” Calloway says. “Ireland was mentioned - we have the connections with the Belfast Giants. He’s been trying to sort a few things out first before he commits to anything.”
I think about him at my door that time Jake was there and the phone call where I rambled on and didn’t give him a chance to speak.
He’s been trying to tell me.
I pick up my wine.
Beside me, Tara puts her hand briefly over mine under the table.
“More pasta?” she says brightly to the table.
ELIDA
I didn’t think I’d be leaving this quickly.
That’s the thing about decisions - once you make them properly, fully, without the hand brake on, everything accelerates. The Brita sessions have been everyday this past week. The qualifier paperwork is submitted. The apartment is half packed, the suitcases open on the floor.
Jake has texted a few times. Kind, easy texts, checking in, wishing me well. I’ve replied but briefly, not because I don’t care but because the last week has been a blur of video sessions and packing and planning, and suddenly, faster than I expected, it’s my last game.
