Chapter Nine: Close Calls

BanksNotBanksie: go ahead, call me crazy. But it's a FACT that green M&M's taste different from the rest.

BangorCat06: ok, you're crazy, lol.

Julie had been jealous of Adam getting to hang out with the Ducks, but as Adam repeated the lengthy argument that he had had with their teammates over the unique taste of green M&M's, Julie could not hold it against the good-natured center. As the dog days of summer languished on, AOL instant messaging had become a crutch for the lonely goalie, and it enabled her to remain in contact with her beloved Ducks.

She found her random chats with Adam particularly enjoyable, and she relished learning of his endearing little quirks hidden beneath the earnest veneer. Not only could he boast the ability to pick out green M&M's blind folded, but he also claimed that watching Disney movies on Friday the 13th could bring good luck for a month, and that his bedroom ceiling contained several gashes left by the coins that he was able to bounce off his tightly-made bed.

Julie continued the conversation.

BangorCat06: but crazy in a good way :)

Adam laughed slightly. He found it amazing how easy it was to talk to her, but realized that it was only through instant messaging. As much as he looked forward to her return to Minnesota, he feared that his inability to speak face-to-face to the beautiful goalie would resurface.

Noon had arrived in Edina, and with it, the daily test of the siren at the fire department. As Adam's eyes unconsciously moved toward the sound coming through the open window, the corner of his eye caught his Swiss Army knife resting on the top of his dresser – prompting him to think back to that day at Eden Hall when he had finally worked up the guts to exchange contact information with Julie.

He was stunned by how she had deduced the presence of his Swiss Army knife, and seeing the multi-tool reminded him of that surprising little event.

BanksNotBanksie: ok, weird random question….

BangorCat06: oh boy.

BanksNotBanksie: how did you figure out that I was carrying a Swiss Army knife when we exchanged sn's back at school?

Julie let out a small sigh of relief. For a terrifying few seconds, she expected Adam to ask her directly if she liked him. But as her mind focused on his actual question, she drew a blank as she struggled to recall the event.

BangorCat06: did I?

BanksNotBanksie: yes, you did!

BangorCat06: *shrugs* if you say so.

BanksNotBanksie: you really don't remember it?

BangorCat06: sorry :(

This revelation was disappointing, but hardly surprising to the shy forward. It seemed obvious to Adam that Julie just wasn't into him, so naturally she would forget a moment that was insignificant to her…even if it had been hugely significant to him. Before he could figure out a cool reply to mask his disappointment, Julie continued.

BangorCat06: i really like to people watch….it's actually one of my favorite hobbies.

BangorCat06: I'll sit in a park, observe strangers, and try to make educated guesses about them. What they do, what they like, what they want, etc.

BangorCat06: I guess I noticed how you're always ready for anything, so I figured you'd have something like a Swiss Army knife on you. You say I guessed correctly?

BanksNotBanksie: yes, you did.

BangorCat06: yippee! I don't always get it right, but that doesn't keep me from trying. You should try people watching with me when I get back to MN.

BanksNotBanksie: definitely! We could people watch either before or after we check out the art gallery. Remember, you were gonna teach me about art? And then we can top it off with a trip to Mickey's...or some place else. There's this new...

Adam had gotten cut off by the character limit.

Julie smiled as she observed Adam's earnest mind beginning to make specific plans.

BangorCat06: see what I mean about 'ready for anything?' You're already on to making plans. You're a guy who likes to be prepared…the kinda guy who carries a Swiss Army knife.

(Long pause)

BangorCat06: …and I love that.

Oh, thank God.

BangorCat06: but there's no need to cram everything into one day.

BangorCat06: it might be more fun to spread it out, that way we can see each other more often.

BanksNotBanksie: you're not such a bad planner yourself :)

BangorCat06: what can I say, I learned from the best.

Adam hesitated to respond, uncertain if Julie had just referred to him as 'the best.'

BangorCat06: and yes, I meant you there :)

Seeing his crush speak so fondly gave Adam a surge of confidence, thus, he decided to do the unthinkable: ask Julie if their planned outings were to be considered 'dates.' He began typing different responses, deleting them, then starting over again in the hopes of sounding smooth. Despite his willingness to ask the difficult question, he wanted to do his best not to come across as a total dork in the process.

As Julie nervously waited for Adam's response on the other end, she heard footsteps approach. Spinning around in her father's office chair, she observed her mother approach with an annoyed look on her face, and a cordless phone in hand.

"There you are again on that blasted device," Karen huffed. "I thought you sporty types actually spent your free time outdoors, working out and the like – not hogging the phone line."

"Sorry, Mom."

"Just sign off and stay signed off for a couple hours," Karen ordered. "I'm expecting an important call from my agent."

Julie resisted the temptation to roll her eyes at her mother's sense of self-importance. After she had secured a literary agent to hock her manuscript, Karen seemed to expect a telephone call at any minute to announce both her publication and her instant status on the New York Times Best Seller's List. Naturally, this resulted in less Internet/Adam time for Julie.

She turned back to the computer screen to say her goodbye.

BangorCat06: anyway i g2g….Mom needs to use the phone. See ya later!

Julie did not wait for Adam's response before signing off, and was privately relieved for the excuse to leave the chat. She felt that she had been far too effusive with Adam, and given his reluctance to respond, it seemed obvious to her that he was uncomfortable with her compliments. Karen's demand that Julie sign off seemed to spare the goalie's pride of any further exposure.

With Karen having left, Julie was alone in her father's den. As she got up from the swivel chair, she accepted that despite all of her public and private protests against dating, she had fallen for Adam Banks.

For the first time since returning home, she began to dread sophomore year at Eden Hall.

In Edina, Adam stared at his computer screen, the words 'BangorCat06 has signed off' mocking his lack of courage. He had dithered in an attempt to smoothly clarify the nature of his planned outings with Julie, and the goalie had abruptly left without him getting an answer to the question that had bedeviled him for the past several weeks: does Julie like-like me?

His earlier confidence evaporated as he brooded, and he began to feel grateful that Julie had signed off before he had the chance to make a complete fool of himself.


"I'm telling you, Charlie, this is a mistake," a worried Guy declared, reluctantly following his Captain to Connie's house.

The two veteran Ducks had been flying across town on their rollerblades, and planned on taking a trip to the diner with Adam, but Charlie insisted on taking a Connie-centered detour in the hopes of getting Connie and Guy back on speaking terms, if not back together. With Linda out of town, Charlie was free to turn his full attention to team chemistry issues, much to Guy's chagrin.

"And I'm telling you that the two of you have gotta get used to each other at some point," Charlie replied. "So it might as well be before the season starts."

The pair of forwards arrived at a small, white cape cod-style house similar to the one that Charlie had moved into when his mother remarried. Guy stood back at the side of the street while Charlie approached the front door. Charlie rang the bell, prompting Joey, the Moreau family's Aussie terrier, to start yipping from inside.

About half a minute later, Connie arrived at the door, looking like she was about ready to hit the gym in her black mesh shorts and white tank top.

"Hey, Charlie!" She beamed. "Are we off to Mickey's?"

"You know it!"

"Cool, I'll just grab my blades."

As Connie began turning around to make her way back inside, she observed Guy out of the corner of her eye. She turned back to Charlie with a more severe expression on her face.

"He isn't coming, is he?"

"That was the plan," Charlie nodded. "You guys gotta start talking to each other at some point, why not now?"

Connie allowed her front door to do the talking as she returned inside.

As a deflated Charlie made his way back to Guy, the blond forward chuckled.

"I warned you, didn't I?"

"Whatever," Charlie shrugged. "You guys can dance around each other all you like for now, but you won't be able to avoid each other at my birthday party."

Guy's eyes widened. He had forgotten that Charlie's birthday was coming up, and he knew that Connie would be unavoidable there. Despite wanting her back, Guy had grown used to Connie ignoring him, and the prospect of interacting with his on-again/off-again girlfriend actually made him nervous.

"And let's not forget," Charlie continued. "There will be the pool party at Adam's as well."

Guy laughed slightly as they resumed their journey.

"And Mr. Banks agreed to that?"

Charlie flashed his old friend a look that said what kind of stupid question was that?

"Never mind."

As the pair neared Adam's sprawling mansion, they observed the quiet center practicing shots on a cardboard goalie in the driveway – bringing back memories of when Adam rejoined the Ducks during the weeks leading up to the Junior Goodwill Games.

Charlie pulled his beloved duck call out of his pocket, and drew a startled look from Adam as the familiar sound carried across the driveway.

"Hey guys," Adam greeted his friends with a smile, "I'll be right there."

After putting away Puck Face and the net, Adam joined Charlie and Guy on the trip to Mickey's.

"So Banksie…." Charlie began, earning an annoyed look from Adam that the Duck Captain ignored. "I've been meaning to ask, why do you practice on a cardboard goalie when you've got a little brother?"

Adam shrugged.

"Given how uncoordinated Eric is, I think Puck Face presents the greater challenge."

"Too bad Julie's not here," Charlie shrugged, drawing a startled look from Adam.

"What do you mean by that?!"

Charlie gave Adam a bemused look.

"Only that practicing on a talented, live goalie would probably be better for you. Why, what did you think I meant?"

"Uh….nothing." That was close…too close.

Before Charlie could press Adam on his weird behavior, Adam changed the subject.

"So are you guys ready to go back to school? I take it you'll be rooming together again?"

But Guy shook his head.

"Nah, our Captain claims that I snore…."

"You do!" Charlie insisted.

"….so I'll be roommates with Luis this year," Guy finished.

"And I was hoping that you'd agree to room with me," Charlie added, looking over to Adam.

Adam's eyebrows flew up in surprise. He had always been a bit of an outsider among his fellow Ducks. First, he was a Hawk among D5ers. Then, he was the rich preppy amongst the ragtag crew at Eden Hall before being promoted to the school's Varsity squad. Despite his fondness for the group, Adam had never completely felt like 'one of them.'

Now, Charlie Conway, Captain Duck himself, wanted to bring Adam into the inner circle.

"Well, if you're as quiet asleep as you are awake, then I think this'll really work out," Charlie grinned, observing Adam's stunned silence.

"Where do I sign?" Adam asked.

"I got the form back at my house," Charlie replied. "After a little Mario Kart, we can take care of that."

Charlie was relieved that the quiet center had agreed to the idea. With most of the other Duck housing arrangements already taken care of, the Captain had begun to fear that he would be forced to room with one of the Bash Brothers. Not that he had anything against Fulton or Portman, but Charlie did not like the idea of 'getting between' those two.

Eventually, the three forwards arrived at Mickey's Diner, and after an animated but friendly chat over the upcoming NHL season, Adam asked Charlie's mother, Casey, for the bill.

"Your money's no good here," Casey insisted with a smile.

After the kindly assistant manager turned and left the three Ducks, Adam discretely placed a twenty dollar bill in Charlie's hand, drawing a surprised look from his future roommate.

"Slip that into her purse when she's not looking," Adam instructed.

"Heh, yeah – I'll get right on that," Charlie chortled.

But Adam's hard sapphire eyes were unamused, and radiated an intensity that cut right through Charlie's glib exterior. The quiet center was not about to let someone as kind and as hardworking as Casey go without getting a little something for the effort. Sensing his friend's seriousness, Charlie eventually nodded in agreement.

"Ok, man. I'll make sure she gets this."


Karen had waited nearly two hours for a phone call that lasted less than two minutes, but was glowing afterwards. Her literary agent had secured a deal with a publishing house, and with that, Karen Gaffney had gone from aspiring novelist to professional writer. But as thrilled as the Gaffney matriarch was with having achieved her lifelong ambition, Julie was even more delighted by the fact that her mother would not be around for her 15th birthday, as Karen was due to meet with her publisher that day.

It was in this spirit of mutual bliss that Karen told her daughter that she could "play around on the computer," for as long as she liked, and Julie happily took her mother up on that offer, making her way to Steven's empty den. The hardworking business consultant was out of town yet again, this time in Chicago, and his home office had in effect become a second room for his daughter.

After several long minutes of twangs and crashing sounds, Julie connected to the internet at last. Her only unread email from the last couple hours was a chain letter from Averman that threatened bad luck for a decade unless she passed along this little bit of nonsense to at least twenty other people. The practical-minded goalie rolled her eyes, then deleted the message without bothering to forward it.

Suddenly, an instant messaging window popped up.

TVH18: hey Cat.

Julie smiled, recognizing Connie's screen name. The goalie understood why Connie's jersey number was part of the brunette forward's screen name, but the meaning of 'TVH' was lost on her.

BangorCat06: what's up Connie? Hey, what does TVH stand for anyway?

TVH18: The Velvet Hammer. Averman called me that once and it kinda stuck.

BangorCat06: lol. i know how that goes. I don't mind 'Cat,' but 'Cat Lady' makes me sound like a crazy old woman who lives with a bunch of cats.

BangorCat06: I guess I have Goldberg to thank for that one.

Connie laughed out loud at the image of Julie 'the Cat Lady' hollering at a bunch of little kids to get off her lawn before snuggling up with twenty-odd felines. As pretty as Julie was, the image of her as a cat-crazed spinster did not seem unbelievable to Connie. The goalie seemed permanently single, and quite happy about it. Part of Connie was actually jealous of that. Perhaps complete disinterest in dating wasn't so desirable, but Connie wished she could have at least a little bit of what Julie had, so she could purge Guy from her thoughts.

TVH18: so Charlie tried once again to get me to talk to Guy.

BangorCat06: why's that a bad thing? You two are gonna be teammates unless one of you gets bumped up to Varsity.

TVH18: you remember last year, don't you?

Julie had in fact been trying to forget about the tiresome Connie/Guy drama of their freshman year. Guy had dumped Connie for a pretty little trust fund baby named Vicki, only for Little Miss Perfect to stomp on his heart. Naturally, he came crawling back to Connie, but Connie had zero interest in being Guy's fallback option.

TVH18: he'll win me back, then dump me the second he finds someone hotter. That's how it'll go down.

BangorCat06: who said talking is the same thing as dating? If that were the case, we'd be two of the busiest girls in school, given our teammates.

Connie knew that Julie had a point, but her attraction to Guy was so strong that she doubted that their interaction could be limited to hockey matters. But not wanting to look weak, the brunette forward decided to change the subject.

TVH18: so what ever happened to you and Adam when I left you guys that day before we all moved out?

Julie jumped in her seat, taken aback by the random question, a question that involved Adam, no less.

BangorCat06: well that was random.

(Long pause)

Heh, she's not gonna let me wriggle outta this one, Julie thought.

BangorCat06: we exchanged AOL sn's, that's all. I can confirm that he's not online right now, if that's what you wanted to know.

As Julie observed Adam's grayed-out screen name beneath the offline heading on her buddy list, she felt a tinge of sadness. Despite their awkward last chat and her uncomfortable realization, Adam's absence still induced a feeling of disappointment in Julie.

TVH18: that's all?

BangorCat06: that's all.

TVH18: so…have you guys been in touch?

BangorCat06: yep.

TVH18: so what do you think of him?

BangorCat06: nice guy.

Connie grunted in frustration. After the Varsity goalie Scooter Vanderbilt had given Julie that congratulatory kiss on the cheek after the JV/Varsity Scrimmage, Connie naturally had many questions about the two goalies. And Julie had a maximum two-word response for all of those questions. The Bangor-based Duck was now repeating those same cagey tactics with a different guy in question.

For just a minute, Connie considered the possibility that she had taken an interest in Julie's love life to deflect from her own disappointments in that arena; but the Velvet Hammer quickly pushed that to the side, deciding to squeeze everything she possibly could out of Julie.

TVH18: yeah, Adam's a nice guy. Not bad to look at either.

Julie's jaw dropped.

Is Connie moving in on Adam?

Julie knew that she had no right to object, seeing as how Adam was not her boyfriend, but the possibility came as a shock to the goalie. She broke her two-word policy, but still managed to keep her response cool and terse.

BangorCat06: if you say so.

TVH18: you don't agree?

Ha! I've got her now! Connie thought triumphantly.

BangorCat06: whatevs. You see hot guys, I see teammates.

BangorCat06: if you wanna date one of the other guys, go ahead and do it.

But if it's Adam you want, I will kill you in your sleep.

Connie could see that she wasn't going to get anything out of Julie, so she decided to change subjects.

TVH18: your birthday's coming up soon.

BangorCat06: yep. I wasn't excited about it at first, but now that Mom will be in New York, I'm kinda looking forward to it.

TVH18: lol. your mom sounds so sweet.

TVH18: but you should totally look forward to it! The Ducks have a surprise for you.

BangorCat06: oh?

TVH18: sorry, can't say another word. Sworn to secrecy.

Connie had dangled the surprise in front of Julie in the hope that the goalie would provide real answers to the Adam questions if Connie went ahead and spilled the beans. The brunette forward knew that Charlie would kill her for giving away the surprise, but the prospect of Julie/Adam gossip was just too tempting.

Julie, however, did not take the bait.

BangorCat06: sounds cool.

After accepting defeat on the Adam front, Connie chatted affably about best and worst birthday experiences before Julie had to sign off for dinner. The goalie was pleased with herself for resisting the temptation to learn more about the surprise by telling Connie about her feelings for Adam. Julie had already survived a close call earlier in the day when she came just short of laying it all out before Adam.

Enough close calls for one day.

Despite all of that, the surprise nagged at Julie's mind, and she yearned to know what it was.