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FORTY-NINE

OLIVER

Four days later, Tuesday, June 15, 1993

Oliver had never seen anything like it. Judging from the thousands of people in blue and white lining the parade route downtown, most Leafs fans in southern Ontario had either played hooky or pulled a sickie—unlike Georgie. Ever responsible, she’d booked the day off in advance, guaranteeing her absence wouldn’t ruffle feathers at school. Oliver followed suit, taking a vacation day to celebrate with her. Wearing his jersey and bringing mmmuffins and water for sustenance, he and their friends claimed an enviable vantage point on Bay Street hours before the festivities kicked off.

With barely a cloud in the hazy almost-summer sky, the sun sizzled and reflected off the pavement, sending Oliver, Will, and Stefanie off to purchase sunscreen and additional refreshments, while Michael moaned about his hangover and the others dashed to nearby public washrooms. Camaraderie was the order of the day. Fans shared photos, stories, and snacks until the stirring call of the 48th Highlanders of Canada Pipes and Drums drifted northward from Wellington Street, signalling the team’s imminent arrival. Marching proudly in their tartan kilts and feather bonnets under the midday sun, the band played “The Maple Leaf Forever” and made Georgie tear up, the combination of bagpipes and Leafs joy getting the best of her. Behind them, a procession of open-topped cars, each one carrying several players, coaches, and training staff, drove past slowly, their journey from the Gardens soundtracked by ecstatic shouts and applause under a twirling shower of falling ticker tape. The loudest cheer was reserved for captain Wendel Clark and the Stanley Cup. Oliver marvelled as Georgie snapped an entire roll of film of them alone.

As the last vehicle passed, their group flooded Queen Street West with all the other flag-waving fans congregating in front of City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square. The plaza was already packed to capacity for the public reception, but with Michael’s binoculars and a large temporary screen sharing every smile and speech, they didn’t miss a thing, including another emotional lifting of the Cup. The euphoric cheers and thunderous applause gave Oliver chills.

Georgie wiped away tears as the rally finished. “I’ll never tire of seeing that. Look”—she pulled up the sleeve of her Armstrong jersey—“I’m all goosebumps. I’m gonna remember this forever.”

His arm around her, Oliver smiled, his pleasure genuine. He was delighted for his new friends and city, but mostly for Georgie. She deserved all the happiness.

“I still can’t believe it actually happened,” said Michael, his voice heavy with emotion.

Kaitlin waved her Leafs flag. “That’s why we ALL have to do Speakers Corner!”

Davis exhaled cigarette smoke into the air through a frown. “Again?”

“Yes, Davis. Again!” Grimacing, Stefanie swatted at the smoke. “I thought you quit.”

Having watched Speakers Corner countless times, Oliver couldn’t wait to see how the famous booth worked.

He’d have to pack his patience, though. The usual ten-minute walk from Nathan Phillips Square to the CHUMCity Building at 299 Queen Street West took double the time thanks to the crowd, but once they were past the Queen Mother Café, Oliver spotted the famed CityPulse News truck jutting out of the side of the building, its front wheels spinning like it had smashed through while chasing a breaking news story. More captivating, however, was the historical front façade.

“What a beautiful building!” Oliver studied the five storeys of Neo-Gothic architecture.

“Here, zoom in.” Michael handed over his binoculars.

Gazing through the telescopic lens, Oliver came eye to eye with grotesques carved into the terra cotta. “They’re reading…and writing!”

“Yep,” replied Kaitlin. “This place was the Methodist Book and Publishing Company in the early 1900s.”

“Uh, I’m all for Heritage Minutes, but can we do this rah-rah Leafs thing?” Davis squinted through his glasses. “I have to get back to work.”

In fact, so did everyone else spare Oliver, Georgie, and Michael. The brief history lesson over, Oliver found himself bundled into the tiny video booth built into the exterior corner of the building. Though it stank of cigarettes, the booth looked relatively clean, so he didn’t balk when Kaitlin instructed him to sit on the stool in front of the camera. She and Leesa crouched on either side, and Michael, Stef, and Davis—despite his earlier protest—crammed in behind, leaving no space for Georgie, Will, or Randall. Leesa left the folding door open so they could join in verbally.

“Georgie?” Oliver shifted, unable to see past their friends or through the smudge-dappled windows. “You want to⁠—”

“No, I’m good! Have fun!”

Kaitlin inserted a loonie into the slot, triggering the booth’s lights and two minutes of recording time.

Clearing his throat, Davis began singing: “The Leafs are the best⁠—”

“DAVIS!” His friends collectively hollered.

“What?”

Oliver’s glance over his shoulder prompted Michael’s explanation. “‘The Leafs Are The Best’ is a real song and it’s terrible.”

“One of the players co-wrote it,” added Kaitlin. “It out-cheeses cheddar.”

“Especially the video,” muttered Michael. “Total fromage.”

Kaitlin faced the camera as the LED countdown reached 1:44. “Okay, start over. Leesa, you wanna…?”