Gordon walked to the diner Elizabeth told him she would be there with Charlie. He had been walking around town thinking had he gone too far? Was he just out to win? He came to the conclusion he was in. He had to get things right that meant talking to Charlie and Elizabeth.
Elizabeth saw her Uncle coming, she didn't say anything. She just drank her milkshake. Gordon went into the diner and walked up to Charlie.
"Can I sit down?" He asked tapping him. Charlie looked up and nodded. "Did you talk to the guys?" Gordon asked.
"I tried," said Charlie. "They think I'm a traitor."
"I guess they really hate me." Gordon replied.
"They hate Liz too. They figured she put me and Fult up to going on the ice." Charlie told him.
"I did it because it's right." Liz said.
Charlie shrugged. "Is it true you were a hawk? He asked coach.
"Yeah" Coach said.
"Peter said you blew a big game once."
"Well Peter's right," Gordon admitted. "Last game of the state finals. Tied two to two in the third period. And I get a penalty shot. I go in, I triple deke, I fake the goalie out of his pads, the puck's headed in-and then- CLANG! I hit the post. And we lost in overtime. A quarter inch the other way, and it would have gone in." He held up two fingers. " a quarter inch Charlie."
Charlie pointed out," a quarter inch the other way, you would have missed completely."
Gordon laughed
. "I guess I never thought of it that way." Gordon replied
"Well, at least you got to play in a championship game. That must have been cool." said Charlie
Casey walked over. "Hey," she said to Gordon. "You want a cup of coffee?"
"I'd love one," he replied smiling.
"She has many fine qualities that men find attractive," Charlie whispered to Gordon.
"I know that Charlie," replied Gordon. "That fact hasn't escaped me. So what kind of guys does she usually date?"
"Jerks," Charlie said. "I mean, most of them like her. But as soon as they see me, warp speed! They're gone!"
"Don't take it personally, Charlie," said Gordon.
"I wouldn't even care," said Charlie, "Except it's not fair to my mom. She deserves somebody nice." Charlie hesitated. "Are you going to come for dinner again?" He finally asked.
Gordon sighed. "I don't know, Charlie," he answered. "I'm not sure it's a good idea. See that's what I came here to tell you. I talked to Jesse and Terry's dad. He's going to take over coaching the rest of the year."
"Your quitting?" Asked Charlie.
"I'm stepping aside to keep the team together," explained Gordon. "The guys can't play for somebody they can't trust."
"I trust you," insisted Charlie. And the other guys do too. They just don't know it."
"Charlie I've done all I can."
"No you haven't!" Said Charlie. "You have to tell them. Make them understand. You can't walk out on the Ducks. We're your team."
"No, you're not." Said Gordon.
"We are too!" Said Charlie, leaping from his seat. "We weren't the Ducks until you came along. You made us now you're stuck with us!" Gordon tried to answer but Charlie pushed past him and ran out of the diner.
"Uncle Gordon, I could stay by Adam's side when the team walks out on him."
"What?!"
"Uncle Gordon don't tell them I told you that they want me to walk out on him too."
"Yes Lizzy I want you to befriend him."
"Okay."
"Let's go home. I'll make your favourite grilled cheese with ham."
"And vegetable soup."
Gordon nodded.
On Saturday morning the Ducks arrived at the rink ready to win. They were waiting on Elizabeth in the changing room. Elizabeth was waiting outside for Adam. She saw him get out of a nice car. He really was rich.
"Hi Adam, I'm Elizabeth Bombay. I would like to say welcome to the team." She told him.
"Really?" Adam asked. As he looked at Elizabeth he spoke again," Well you know I'm Adam Banks."
"Yeah. Adam don't expect them to like you. They will."
"I don't expect them to." Elizabeth and Adam talked some more, she realized how sweet he really was. She really liked him. She told him that the team was just starting to like her.
"If that's the case, then do what they do." He told her.
"No Adam, I will stick by you no matter what the team thinks."
Adam smiled. He made a new friend. Elizabeth took his hand, they walked into the rink. They both took a deep breath and walked into the locker room.
