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Chapter Ten: Trust
Four days before the game against Canada, they continued to work out and Bombay did something during practice that made Lizzy wonder if he knew about her shoulder.
"We're going to do something a little different today. The saying goes you have to learn to crawl before you learn to walk," Bombay said.
"That's not true," Charlie said.
"Lizzy didn't," Fulton said.
"Of course she didn't," Bombay muttered.
"Really; one afternoon Ben and Chris were eating cookies and Lizzy pulled herself up and ran to them. My mom said it was one of the proudest days in my uncle's life, the day his previously immobile 8-month-old got up and ran clear across the room," Charlie explained.
"Well, show me you really can move on this ice. Anyone can skate across the ice but to prove you're willing to work for it, crawl from one end to the other. It's not as easy as you think."
"You're going to make me prove you wrong," Lizzy said. The team followed her lead and as a pack they moved across the ice on hands and knees. Lizzy definitely felt it in her shoulder as they reached the other end.
"Again," Bombay answered. After a couple more times, they moved to shooting and Lizzy could feel the pain soaring through her shoulder. Refusing to show her weakness though, Lizzy powered through the pain and made it to the end of practice. Since they watched all the footage they could, Bombay dismissed the whole team and they made plans to get dinner together.
"You coming, Liz?" Portman asked, setting a hand on her sore shoulder.
Lizzy flinched then answered, "Yeah, just give me a minute."
"Okay," Portman said. As he headed for the door he called over his shoulder "Banks, let's go."
"Coming, be right there," Adam answered walking out of the bathroom.
Lizzy nodded to him then followed the team out. The minute she stepped out of the locker room Bombay stopped her.
"You said we weren't watching any film tonight," Lizzy said.
"We're not. It's something else," Bombay sighed, his hands deep in his Team U.S.A. jacket pockets. "Lift your right arm," Bombay said.
Lizzy lifted her right arm straight up high above her head, keeping her face neutral.
"Now out to the side," Bombay said. Lizzy lowered her arm like a clock in reverse. Again, she showed no pain. "Now backwards." Lizzy dug her teeth into the inside of her bottom lip then slowly drew it backwards. It hurt but Lizzy refused to let it get to her. Bombay gently took her bicep in his hand and made her roll her shoulder; that made Lizzy cringe in pain. "I'm sorry, Lizzy," Bombay said.
"No!" Lizzy said. He was about to bench her.
"Lizzy, I can't let you play if you're in this much pain."
"No, if I miss the rest of this tournament for my shoulder, no scout is ever going to take me seriously."
"And if you continue to play and you damage your shoulder, you won't be good to any scout."
"Bombay, you can't."
"I can't let you play until you're medically cleared."
"That's not fair."
"Lizzy, I've been there. It's why I became a lawyer instead of a player and why I'm coaching now. You'll have another shot, I promise."
Lizzy stared at the floor, her jaw clenched. She didn't bother protesting any farther as she knew he wouldn't get it.
"Wait here, I'll be right back." Bombay turned towards the locker room and Lizzy's stomach sank.
"You know," Lizzy said.
"About you and Adam's injuries? Yes," Bombay answered.
"How?" Lizzy asked.
"It's my job as a coach to know." Bombay walked in the locker room and Lizzy slid down the wall to sit on the floor.
"Liz, aren't ya coming?" Fulton asked. "And where's Adam?"
"In there probably getting the same talk I just got from Bombay. He knows," Lizzy answered, looking up.
"Who knows what?"
"Bombay, about my shoulder and Banks's wrist."
"I didn't tell him Lizzy, you have to know that." He crouched down to look her in the eyes.
"Do I? Really?"
"Why would I tell Bombay that you're hurt? I know how bad you want to play."
"Yeah, alright," Lizzy said. They went quiet and Lizzy heard something clatter to the floor.
"I wouldn't Lizzy, this tournament is too important to you."
Lizzy didn't answer and just stared at the floor.
"Come on Lizzy, you know me."
"I thought I did."
"I didn't even know about Banks," Fulton said, "but it's alright. I guess you don't trust me like you used to." Fulton stood and walked down the hall a bit then Lizzy called after him.
"I do trust you, Fulton," Lizzy called.
"Obviously not," Fulton answered over his shoulder then continued down the hall.
Lizzy watched him go then burst into tears. She cried until Bombay and Adam walked out of the locker room. Lizzy tried to dry her tears but it was no use. Both Bombay and Adam had seen them.
"What's wrong, Lizzy?" Adam offered her a hand up. Lizzy slipped her left hand into his and he pulled her up off the floor.
"I think I just lost my best friend," Lizzy answered.
"Fulton?" Adam asked. "What happened?"
"I may have—he was the only one on the team that knew about my shoulder and when I told him that Bombay knew I may have insinuated that I thought Fulton may have told him. He said I didn't trust him then he walked off. I can't bear to lose him again."
"You won't, I won't let that happen."
"He didn't tell me," Bombay said, "it's my job to notice these kinds of things. You've flinched every time someone has touched your shoulder. It was hard for me not to notice."
"What do I do?" Lizzy asked.
"Right now we get an x-ray of your shoulder. Then we deal with Fulton," Bombay told her.
Lizzy rolled her eyes but went to the hospital with Bombay and Adam.
After getting the x-ray done both Adam and Lizzy waited in a curtained off area, sitting side by side on the bed as Bombay sat in the only available chair.
"Adam Banks?" A woman said entering the room.
"Yes ma'am," Adam answered.
"My name is Lisa Marie. I'm the Resident on your case," she said, offering her left hand. Adam shook it then Lisa Marie turned to Bombay.
"Gordon Bombay, their hockey coach and guardian while we're in L.A."
"Right, my husband and son are big fans of the tournament. As you can see here," Lisa Marie stuck up Adam's x-ray on the lighted board behind her, "it's not broken but it is sprained. You really need to rest this Adam, or you could injure yourself permanently. I don't want you playing hockey until the pain is completely gone. We'll get a nurse in here to wrap it up and get you a sling to wear." She went on to explain the warnings and what she wanted Adam to do to both him and Bombay and Lizzy stared at her hands in her lap.
"Thank you," Bombay said.
"Yes, thank you," Adam added.
"Now, Lizzy right?"
"Yes ma'am," Lizzy answered.
"You're here about your shoulder," Lisa Marie said taking down the wrist X-ray and putting up the one of a shoulder. "Luckily nothing is broken."
"I know what a dislocated shoulder feels like. If it was broken, I'd know it," Lizzy said.
"How many times have you dislocated your shoulder?"
"Twice. Tell him all I have to do is ice it, take some pain meds, and I'll be able to play in our game against Canada," Lizzy said plainly.
"It's not that simple," the resident answered.
"What do you mean? Of course it is. It's back in place where it needs to be, the muscles are fine; I just need to rest it."
"Dislocations are tricky," she said then went on to talk about how they were tricky and what to watch for. Finally Lizzy snapped.
"There are only two options," Lizzy forced out roughly, "either I'm out of the tournament for good, or I can keep playing."
"What Lizzy means is what's the prognosis?" Adam asked.
"Neither. I can't medically clear you yet. I want you to rest it for at least three days. 20 minutes on of ice then let it warm to the touch before icing it again. Do this no more than four times a day for no more than an hour. I also," Lisa Marie turned to Bombay, "recommend she doesn't play at all until she's healed. As for pain medication I can't write her a prescription without a parent present. I would limit the number of times she takes them to three times a day."
"That's every eight hours. Ibuprofen and aspirin aren't strong enough to be taken every eight hours," Lizzy protested.
"That's my recommendation. Mr. Bombay, may I see you in the hallway for a moment? Adam, a nurse will be in with you in a minute." The Resident and Bombay stepped out and Lizzy shook her head.
Soon a different nurse entered and wrapped Adam's wrist then fitted him for a sling. When she was done the Resident and Bombay reentered the room. Soon Bombay was going through a drive thru to get them dinner and before long they were back at the dorms.
Lizzy headed for her dorm without speaking to Bombay. She had just unlocked her door when she felt a hand on her left shoulder. She glanced back and was shocked.
"Portman," Lizzy said, dropping her room key in shock.
"Take a walk with me?"
"Maybe in the morning; I just want to go to bed."
"I'll be here."
When Lizzy woke up the next morning Portman was sitting outside her door. "Well good morning to you too," Lizzy said, surprised.
"I told you I wanted to take a walk with you; grab the duck and let's go," Portman answered.
"Since he's asleep he'll be fine here." Lizzy shut her door behind her then tugged nervously on the bottom of her Waves jersey.
"No need to be nervous, I'm not going to hurt you." They walked away from the dorms and out towards the pool.
"What do you want, Portman?"
"Fulton hasn't been himself since he came back from talking to you last night. Did he say something to you or did something happen?"
"Do you really want to get in the middle of it?" Lizzy asked.
"Do I have a choice?" Portman answered.
"Of course you do."
"Lizzy, I think I'm going to end up in it anyway."
"Port," Lizzy started.
"It's true; I can't let a fight go on. You two deserve better than that."
Lizzy sighed then explained what happened.
"So basically this is all a big misunderstanding," Portman said with a smile.
"What makes you say that?"
"Mommy, Mommy, look; it's Lizzy," a young girl said as Lizzy and Portman reached the building with the pool in it.
"Not now, honey," the little girl's mother answered.
"But Mommy it is," the little girl answered. She couldn't have been older than five or six and she was wearing a black cowboy hat, a red and white plaid shirt, jeans, and pink cowboy boots. Her blonde hair was done up in cute pigtails.
"I said not now Cynthia, enough."
Though Lizzy had never liked little kids, as most of them were annoying little brats, this little girl reminded Lizzy of herself. "Ma'am," Lizzy said gently. She really didn't want to offend the woman.
"Yes?" The woman looked at Lizzy. "Oh, I'm sorry, were you trying to get by?" The woman had a map in her hands and looked confused.
"Uh, no. She's right, I'm Lizzy."
"The hockey player," Cynthia said.
"That's right. For Team U.S.A." Lizzy knelt in front of the girl. "I like your hat. I have one just like it at home."
"Will you sign it?"
Lizzy looked up at the mother who shrugged, not seeming to care either way.
"Sure," Lizzy answered. She patted her pockets and only came up with a black marker. "Uh," Lizzy stammered. Suddenly there was a hand over her shoulder. In it there was a silver marker. Lizzy took it and scrawled her signature on the side of the hat.
"Thank you," Cynthia said.
"Thanks Port. Oh Cynthia, this is my friend Dean Portman."
"You're one of the Bash Brothers. Are you really brothers?"
"No, but were really good friends," Portman answered.
"Come on honey, we're going to miss your brother's race," Cynthia's mom said.
"My brother runs really, really fast."
"I bet he does. Wish him good luck for us," Lizzy said. The little girl smiled and hugged Lizzy. Lizzy gave her a quick hug then stood as the girl pulled the hat back on her head. "The track is about 100 yards that a way."
"Thank you," the mother said then took Cynthia's hand.
"Bye!" Cynthia waved.
Lizzy and Portman waved until the girl was out of sight then entered the pool facility.
"Are you always that good with kids?"
"No, in fact I don't like little kids but something struck me about her. She was just so sweet. So what do you really want to know?" Lizzy asked as they sat in the stands and watched team U.S.A. swimming practice.
Portman sat down next to her and stared out at the water.
Lizzy let him sit in the quiet until it got to her. "You uh ... you see an aircraft carrier around here?" Lizzy asked nervously.
Portman's head snapped towards her and she swallowed but didn't say anything else. Portman shook his head and looked back at the water.
"Talk to me," Lizzy said.
This time Portman stared at her.
"What? I quote movies when I get nervous. And you're not saying anything so ..." Lizzy trailed off.
"Top Gun," Portman said in recognition. "You're missing a word from that quote though."
"Both quotes are missing a word. Two words in the first: Any and boys and Goose in the second. I can't count the number of times I've seen that movie. I was six when we got it on video."
"Wow."
"I have four brothers, one of them is bound to be into action movies; you still haven't answered me though."
"I already told you he wasn't himself when he came back," Portman said.
"And I told you what happened. You said it was a big misunderstanding. What did you mean?"
"I think you both snapped for reasons that had nothing to do with what you were talking about."
"What?"
"What did Fulton say? When you told him Bombay knew?"
"He said, 'I didn't tell him, you have to know that', but he was the only one that knew."
"What did you say?"
"Do I? Really?"
"Oh Lizzy," Portman shook his head, "you were hurt because you just found out you may not be able to play anymore. He was the closest person so you snapped at him."
"And his reason?"
"Fulton knows you trust him."
"Then why did he ask me if I knew he didn't tell Bombay?"
"He's scared. When was the last time you saw Fulton before this tournament?"
"More than a year ago."
"And before you moved to Texas, your relationship with Fulton; what was it like?"
"There were no secrets between us. I knew everything about Fulton and he knew everything about me. I was the only one that knew why he didn't play hockey before Bombay. I have been there for Fulton through everything."
Portman took her hand and cupped her chin. "I know. Fulton hasn't seen you or spoken to you in a year. If it was me, I'd be terrified. I haven't seen you in a year, I haven't spoken to you either, and it's all my fault that I didn't. Would you be able to blame me if I thought I had damaged our relationship to the point where you no longer trusted me? He wanted to make sure you knew he had kept your secret and hadn't said a word to anyone; that you could still trust him. When you expressed that little bit of doubt in him, he snapped, taking it to mean he had screwed up and that you didn't trust him anymore. Can you imagine how he would feel?"
"Fulton and I went to Minneapolis Central Elementary School since first grade. No matter who I talked to, almost no matter what I said I've always had friends. Charlie was like a built in best friend. He was my cousin so I knew he would always be stuck with me. With Guy and Goldberg things were always easy. I could make friends easily. It took me six hours to make friends with a previous enemy once. For Fulton it was different. Fulton's always been bigger than the other kids. More muscle, more height. They've always been scared of him. None of them ever tried to get to know him except Charlie because I made him and Adam because he saw the best in everybody. I never realized how alone he would be when I left."
"I know you didn't mean it. You had no control over leaving and I'm sure you tried to stay in touch."
"I should have done something more. Made sure the team had his back or something."
"You were 13, what were you going to do?"
"I may have only been 13 but I knew how to make that team do what I wanted it to do."
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