Chapter Two: The Big Goon
Once reaching the rink, Lizzy's blue eyes were drawn to the closest end of the rink where a big goon in a black jersey with a dark bandanna tied around his head had just put a smaller kid on top of the net. She looked down at her own uniform smiling softly at her purple Austin Sparks jersey with the gold number 93 on both sleeves and the words Austin Sparks in bright gold on the front. Her long, dark brown hair was tied into a tight ponytail at the nape of her neck, and her purple helmet that matched her jersey rested on the top of her stick. Lizzy looked back up then headed for the door that lead out onto the ice, watching as the Ducks confronted the kids not wearing Duck jerseys. Her eyes traveled the length of the line taking in the names on the backs of the Ducks' jerseys. She noticed they were down six of the original players.
Gone from the team were the Hall brothers, the Duncan siblings, Peter Mark, and Dave Karp. Lizzy was glad to see that not only was her cousin still there but so were her two best friends and there were once again three girls on the team. Suddenly it hit her. Over half the team was made up of the Ducks. Why would Team U.S.A. and Hendrix hockey want a one-time champion? Wouldn't it have made more sense to get the Hawks if they wanted to recruit a good team? Lizzy shook these thoughts from her head then stepped onto the ice, leaned her stick against the wall, cupped her hands in front of her mouth, and let out the loudest duck call she could. The ice went dead silent and 14 heads snapped towards her.
"Thank you. Why can't we all jus' get along?" Lizzy asked, a recently acquired southern twang coming out.
"Right, that's Lizzy Jacobs." Lizzy's attention turned to the man speaking and saw the Senior V.P. again. He was talking to a man she recognized instantly. Gordon Bombay. Lizzy took a deep breath to reign in her temper. At least that explained why there were a lot of Ducks. Bombay had probably only agreed to coach if he could have his team play. "Last week I watched her Texas State Girls Hockey Championship Team take down the all boys' state champs. She does have a minor problem with authority though."
"Oh, he knows all about my problems, don't you, Bombay?" Without giving him a chance to answer she went on, "I can't believe you didn't tell me I was playing for Bombay."
"You two know each other?" Tibbles asked. The poor man looked nervous.
"You could say that," Lizzy answered.
"Cool it, Liz," a voice said. Lizzy's head snapped towards the line of Ducks, her eyes landing on her former best friend, Fulton Reed. He was giving her a look and she sighed but didn't say another word.
"Thank you. Now we didn't come here to fight, we came here to hockey." Bombay said.
"Uh duh. You know I did wonder if we put on this fancy hockey gear to play pick-up sticks," Lizzy said extremely sarcastically.
Bombay looked at Lizzy but didn't comment on her words. Instead he went on with his pep talk. It had less effect than he hoped because Tibbles kept interrupting. Finally Tibbles walked off claiming an appointment but not before Bombay took his whistle. "All right Ducks show 'em what you got, let's scrimmage. Conway, you play with the out-of-staters. Lizzy, a word."
Charlie nodded.
"Help," Lizzy mouthed to Fulton.
"Sorry," he mouthed back, shrugging.
Bombay walked over to Lizzy. "Heartbreak," Lizzy said, as he opened the door in the wall.
"What?" Bombay asked. Then he blew his whistle and the scrimmage started.
"You wanted a word," Lizzy said, sitting on the bench, "Heartbreak is a word and it perfectly describes how my cousin felt when your phone calls stopped."
"And he and I have talked about that. That C on your jersey; what does it stand for?"
"Captain."
"And why did they make you captain?"
"I was the best on the team."
"At what?"
"I don't know, hockey maybe?" Lizzy asked sarcastically.
"Enough with the sarcasm. Being captain is about more than being good at hockey."
"But ever since Matt died that's all I've been good at. I don't have the heart that Charlie does or the personality that Adam does. I have to respect you and listen to you as a coach but I don't have to like you as a person," Lizzy told him.
"If that's the best I can hope for," Bombay answered.
Lizzy turned her eyes back to the rink and saw Fulton with the puck. Lizzy stood and hollered "LOOK OUT!" as Fulton turned to shoot then she dropped to her knees and covered her head. A few seconds later she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Bombay smiling. He walked away and Lizzy saw the team helping to lay Tibbles on the bench. Lizzy joined the Ducks as they surrounded Tibbles and saw he now had an icepack on his forehead. Lizzy clapped Fulton on the shoulder as Tibbles woke up and she gave the boy a weak smile.
"I think he'll be okay," the lady crouching near Tibbles's head answered, "we'll keep an eye on him. Oh, I'm sorry; he didn't have a chance to introduce us." She stood and turned towards Bombay offering him her hand. "I'm Michelle MacKay, their tutor."
"Hi, I'm Coach Bombay, their coach," Bombay answered, shaking her hand.
"Who said we need a tutor?" Adam asked.
"I don't need no school," the big goon from earlier added.
"Nice grammar, it's obvious you're passing all of your classes," Lizzy growled.
"Don't tell me how to talk, city girl," he snapped, glaring at Lizzy.
"Both of you chill," Fulton snapped.
"Ms. MacKay, school lets out in two weeks. Why exactly do we need a tutor?" Lizzy asked.
Goldberg tossed an arm around the tutor. "She's right," Goldberg agreed, "we're America's team here, shouldn't we just be concentrating on hockey? May I suggest optional attendance?" Goldberg asked. The entire team agreed with that.
"That's not a bad idea ..." Ms. MacKay trailed off hoping for a name.
"Call me Goldberg." He grinned.
"Goldberg," Ms. MacKay grinned, "yes, school will be optional."
The team cheered. "I sense a but," Lizzy hissed to Fulton.
"However," MacKay said loudly getting the team's attention again, "however, should you not attend; you will not be eligible to play."
"She can't do that," Lizzy whined. She wasn't alone in her griping.
"Remember that contract you and your parents signed?" Bombay asked, looking over his right shoulder at Lizzy.
"Yeah." Lizzy nodded.
"It's in there," Bombay finished, "alright hit the showers." Nobody moved. "Let's go, we still have to get you into you room assignments." Slowly the crowd broke up and Lizzy looked at Fulton.
"I wonder where they keep their Zamboni." Lizzy grinned as Fulton hopped over the wall.
"Let's find out," Fulton answered back.
They pulled off their gloves, jerseys, chest pads, and helmets and looked around the rink for it. On their search ran into Guy. "What are you two doing?" Guy asked.
"Looking for the Zamboni, duh. There it is, with the keys in it. Awesome," Lizzy answered.
"I'm sure they won't mind if we take it for a little test drive," Fulton said.
All three pulled off their skates and hopped up. They didn't get very far before they crashed through the glass and drywall surrounding ice.
"Oops," Lizzy grinned sheepishly.
"That was awesome," Guy said, "you okay?"
"Yeah," Fulton laughed. They shared a three way five and Lizzy's eyes fell on Bombay and Ms. MacKay. Fulton and Guy noticed their angry stares as well. "Sorry," Fulton sobered quickly.
"Yeah, sorry," Guy added.
"We're okay though." Lizzy nodded.
Bombay sighed. "You three go change into your street clothes and meet me by the bus. And don't touch anything else," Bombay said. The threesome apologized again and went to change, collecting their gear along the way.
In the locker room Lizzy saw Connie and the other girl were nearly done. Connie was tying her shoes and the other girl was packing her bag. "Hi, I'm Lizzy," Lizzy said, offering her hand to the blonde.
"Julie Gaffney, Bangor, Maine," she answered shaking Lizzy's hand.
"Stillwater, Minnesota by way of Austin, Texas."
"You grew up here?" Julie asked.
"Yup, not far from a really good friend," Lizzy answered. Then she turned back to the other brunette, "hello Connie." She tried her hardest to be nice to Connie hoping she didn't insult the girl. They weren't good friends but she knew that the team would be everything in the competition and knew that pushing the Velvet Hammer wasn't a good idea.
"Jacobs," Connie answered neutrally.
"Where's Tammy?"
"Figure skating," Connie replied then walked out.
"You two know each other?" Julie asked as Lizzy changed clothes.
"I used to be on the Ducks in sixth grade when they won state. Then I moved to Texas. However you should know that no matter how hard I've tried I've never been able to get along with girls."
"Oh, I see." Julie nodded then she left as well. Lizzy finished changing then packed up her gear and headed for the charter bus out front. They would be staying at a hotel for the first night then in the dorms nearby until they left to go to California. Lizzy stopped next to the bus and Bombay scrutinized her.
"First thing at our next practice you will give me 25 laps without speaking a word. Every word will cost you three more laps unless I ask you to speak. Is that clear?" Bombay asked.
"Yes, sir," Lizzy answered, stowing her hockey duffle under the bus with the rest of the luggage.
"Get on the bus," Bombay said gently. It was a tone Lizzy had only heard him use with Charlie. She hung her head and climbed on the bus taking the first available seat, right next to a boy in a cowboy hat.
"Hey there, Cowboy," Lizzy said.
The boy looked at her and grinned. "Hello, beautiful," he answered. "So is this why you wanted to take a break?"
Lizzy looked at his face and broke into a huge smile. "Babbit, why didn't you tell me you would be playing here all summer?"
"You didn't mention it either," Dwayne said.
"I apologize. I don't know why I didn't say anything. I guess I didn't want to jinx it."
"I understand. I'm not mad, Lizzy."
"And this is why I'm the luckiest girl in the world. You are so sweet to me." Lizzy took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Need a head count," Bombay said, stepping onto the bus.
"On it." Lizzy grinned, hopping up. She gently tapped each player on the head as she counted up to "12, Coach," Lizzy said turning around to look at Bombay.
"Lizzy," Bombay paused grinning, "count yourself."
"An odd 13," Lizzy said, cheerfully tapping herself on the head, "plus a bus driver and a coach."
Bombay laughed and motioned Lizzy back to her seat. Lizzy took her seat and the driver began driving to their hotel.
"I can't believe you're here," Lizzy grinned at Dwayne, "this is going to be an amazing summer." She leaned over to kiss him but he pulled back. "What?"
"You know how I feel about that," Dwayne answered. "I know that these guys are going to be our team for at least two weeks but I want to get to know them first." They would spend the next two weeks training in Minnesota before the tournament started at the beginning of June in California.
"Fine, most of the Ducks won't care, as long as I'm happy that's all that matters, but the new kids, I can see why you're hesitant."
"I know you're comfortable with showing your feelings but I'm not as comfortable as you are."
"I can understand that. I didn't mean to push you."
"You didn't." Dwayne smiled and took her hand again.
Soon they reached the hotel and Bombay walked to the front of the bus keeping everyone seated. "Alright, listen up!" Bombay called. When the bus went quiet and all eyes were on him, Bombay continued. "I have seven rooms, 13 players, and two adults, so here are your completely random room assignments."
Lizzy did a quick mental count and realized there were an odd number of girls and an even number of boys. That meant one thing. "Oh no. You can't be thinking what I think you're thinking," Lizzy whined.
"Want some cheese with that whine?" Bombay asked.
"Only if it gets me what I want. You can't room me with Connie. Last time I slept in the same room overnight with Connie, it almost came to blows. I can only take so much Velvet Hammer at once," Lizzy explained.
"With Julie in the room I'm sure you'll be fine," Bombay answered.
"That's what Tammy thought," Connie said.
"It's for eight hours. Connie, you can keep your temper in check that long, can't you?" Bombay asked.
"I can try, Coach," Connie answered.
"Lizzy," Charlie called.
Lizzy pushed herself up to look over the two rows of seats separating her from the dirty blonde-haired boy. His look said everything he couldn't say out loud.
"I will behave," Lizzy said as she turned back to face her coach, "but I won't be happy about this."
"That's all I'm asking," Bombay said. "Now listen up for your room assignments. Averman, Wu, you're in room 304. Banks, Robertson, 305. Moreau, Gaffney, Jacobs, 306. Conway, Reed, 307. Germaine, Portman, 308. Goldberg, Mendoza, 309. The bus driver and I will be in 310. Each room has two double beds. Any questions?"
"Three girls, two beds. You do the math," Julie said.
Someone let out a catcall and Lizzy rolled her eyes. "Don't worry; I'll sleep on the floor. I've slept in worse places."
"Worse than the floor of a hotel room?" Goldberg asked.
"The back seat of a minivan with two guys and a cat carrier," Lizzy answered. "I have four older brothers. I do have a question though. What's for dinner? I haven't eaten since breakfast."
"Is everybody hungry?" Bombay asked. There was a general cheer of yes. "Will fast food work for everyone?" Once again the consensus was yes and they went out for dinner. At the restaurant Bombay offered three choices and looked at the list once everyone had decided. "Okay that's eight cheeseburgers, six hamburgers, three orders of nuggets, 13 fries, and 13 drinks. Wait a minute, did somebody order twice?"
"That would be four somebodies," Charlie corrected.
"I said I hadn't eaten since breakfast," Lizzy answered.
"We're growing boys, can you fault us," Fulton added motioning to himself and Goldberg.
"What he said," the goon said. Lizzy really need to learn his name, she couldn't keep calling him "the goon" forever.
After dinner they went back to the hotel and got checked in. Lizzy had been right. It was awkwardly silent in their room. It appeared as though Julie wanted to say something but wasn't sure what to say and Connie was determinedly looking through her bag. There came a knock on the door as Lizzy unzipped her bag and Julie, thankful for any distraction, went to answer it.
"Hey Coach," Julie said.
"I was just checking to make sure you girls were getting settled in alright. We've got an early morning tomorrow; I want everyone up by eight so you girls should get to bed," Bombay said.
"We will, thanks Coach. Are you going to check on us again?" Julie asked.
"Not unless you need me for something."
"Okay. I think everything will work out."
Lizzy heard the door shut and she raced to it. Gazing out the peep hole she saw Bombay talking to Charlie. "He's not coming back is he?" Lizzy asked looking at Julie.
"No, not unless we need him," Julie answered.
"Great." Lizzy grabbed her PJ's and changed in the bathroom. When she came out she grabbed the teddy bear from her bag and headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" Connie asked.
"Less you know, the better," Lizzy suggested.
"You're not sleeping in the hallway, are you?"
"Of course not. Remember I know the Ducks," Lizzy answered.
"Lizzy," Connie said.
"Don't worry about me," Lizzy answered. She opened the door and looked down the hall to see Bombay slip inside his room. Lizzy stepped out into the hall and shut the door behind her. She glanced back then tiptoed across the hall.
Again all comments are welcome in the box at the bottom of the page. I will do my best to answer your questions.
