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Chapter Nine

Heart of the Matter

~o~o~o~o~o~

"Where are you going, Adam?"

Adam stopped his descent down the stairs, and peered over the banister at his father who was looking up him.

His father was home from work earlier than usual. Which was strange for him because his Dad would never come home early unless there was a game, be it of Drew's, or Adam's. Considering his father wasn't even going to any of the Duck games, he hadn't gone to the Huskies, and Adam doubted his father would go to any of the playoff ones. He knew that Drew didn't have a game that day either.

Why was his father home?

"I'm going out to practice for a bit."

It wasn't a lie. Adam just wasn't telling his father the complete truth. He was going to a nearby pond to skate with Fulton Reed.

"At the Ducks' arena? Is it a practice day?"

Since his father hadn't wanted him to go to the Met Center this past weekend, Adam knew Dad didn't want him to send anymore time with the Ducks than he had to.

There was something about his father's tone, Adam couldn't tell what it was, and something was off. Was his father angry about something? "No, it's not a practice day. I just wanted to get some practice in."

"That's fine, just be home in time before it gets too dark."

That meant he had just over an hour. "Okay, Dad."

Adam heard faint sounds of a car turning the driveway. That meant Drew was home from school. A minute later the car drove off, signaling Drew's ride leaving. Seconds later, Adam heard the front door open and close.

Drew came into the foyer a minute later. "Dad, before-"

"Do you have any idea what you've done?"

His father was definitely angry. His voice hadn't rose, but had tenseness to it.

"I know very well what I've done, Dad," Drew's voice quiet, but Adam could hear it crack at the end.

Adam continued down the stairs quietly, walking with care. He did not want to make any sudden movements.

"Why, Andrew?"

Adam stopped on the last step. His father was calling Drew by his first name; what had his brother done?

"You were almost good enough to get a scholarship to Eden Hall and-"

"Dad, maybe we should talk about this in private?" Drew pointy looked at Adam as he said this.

Dad looked at him. "Go off and practice, Adam."

Adam nodded and quickly left, but as he closing the front door he heard his farther say, "Adam listens to me, Andrew. All I want is the best for you, both of you."

Closing the door with a soft clink, Adam started his walk to the lake.

The wind bit into his skin, and Adam put on a knit cap he kept in his coat pocket. He tugged the shoulder strip of his bag closer to his chest so it wouldn't slip off his shoulder. He was not carrying that much protective gear with him, his gloves and helmet that was it. Fulton would be wearing kneepads again, Adam knew, in case he fell.

What was going on with Drew? It had to be something that his father wasn't happy about it that much was obvious.

Adam was the first one at the lake, not having spotted his teammate anywhere. Quickly changing into his skates, Adam began to skate around to loosen his muscles. Skating outdoors, breathing the fresh air felt liberating.

Why hadn't Adam noticed that before? Maybe it was because he didn't make a habit of skating outdoors. But the cold air was different than air of the arena.

The other practice they had last week had been really awkward since neither boy knew the other that well. They hadn't got much skating done, in the way of practicing. Adam had only observed Fulton skate for a while.

Finally Fulton broke the ice by telling Adam how he became part of the Ducks. Adam had been surprised when he learned that Fulton had broken two of Coach Bombay's van's windows with his slap shot. The other boy explained his record was good at hitting the goal one out of five.

Fulton went on to explain that Coach wanted him on the Ducks because of his shooting, even as inaccurate as it was.

"Thing was, I couldn't skate at the time," Fulton had told Adam.

Fulton explained that Coach had the team roller blade through the Mall of America. Adam wasn't sure if he believed him. "If you don't believe me, just ask anyone else on the team. I'm not sure if I'll ever skate through the mall again."

"You know it wasn't my choice to be on the Ducks," Adam told Fulton after a moment's pause. "I mean if it hadn't been because of the district line change, I-"

"District line change?"

Adam told Fulton about what happened over two weeks ago with Coach Bombay and Pee Wee official showing up at the Hawks' arena. He mentioned that his father hadn't been happy, but didn't go into detail. Nor did he tell the other boy about the meeting that took place some days later that may have kept Adam on the Hawks had Coach Bombay changed his mind. Why bring up something that couldn't be changed?

But that talk about their pasts seemed to start a friendship between the two boys. It certainly made talking to one another easier.

If the Ducks had accepted Fulton just as he was, even though he couldn't skate, would things been different had I been on the Ducks earlier?

Where had that thought come from?

"Hi, Adam."

Adam looked over in time to see Fulton a waving greeting to him. He was just sitting down to change into his skates.

"Hi, Fulton."

What does it matter if the Ducks accept me? Dad is going to want me to leave team as soon as the Ducks finish the playoffs; win or lose.

"You seem distracted," Fulton's voice cut in Adam's thoughts.

Looking over at his fellow teammate, Adam was not sure how to answer him. "Just have some stuff on my mind, I guess."

That was a gross understatement.

Between his random thoughts on the Ducks, and trying to figure out what was going on with Drew, Adam was starting to get a bit of headache.

That did not count whenever his mind would think back to what happened at the arena yesterday. He did not know it would be occupied when he went to go practice. At the time, Adam figured practicing at the Ducks' arena would give him some time to practice in peace and quiet.

Adam had forgotten that Coach Bombay and Charlie had made plans to practice there, too. By the time Adam remembered, it wasn't until he was there, when he saw Charlie practicing the triple deke.

"Anything you want to talk about?"

He could not tell the taller boy that Charlie had said something that upset him. Not to mention, Adam suspected that he really wasn't suppose to know about Charlie learning the triple deke move. He didn't know if the other Ducks knew or not, and the bit of time he spent with Charlie yesterday, the other boy had been frustrated about trying to get it right.

Adam knew that even if he did try to tell Fulton what happened yesterday, it would be complicated. Plus, Adam didn't really think Fulton would understand.

"No, not really."

"So, are we going to practice, or what?"

"Yeah," Adam agreed. "Your skating is getting better, I noticed that the last few days. But I would say that you just have to remember to bend your knees a bit more."

Adam watched Fulton skate around the pond, doing a lap around it. His eyes strayed to the tree that felt ages since he seen it last. Adam knew that last time he had been up in that tree, he had been at a crossroad.

Hearing Fulton's skates on the ice, Adam watched as the taller boy came back up to him and stopped. It was not quite as gracefully as Adam would have done. They would have to work on that too.

"That was pretty good. But you're stopping might need some work."

"Yeah, I noticed that too."

Fulton started to skate again and picked up some speed. He started to slow down once he made another lap around the lake.

"No, keep going around some more, I'll say when to stop," Adam told him. He was skating some distance away and watching Fulton's progress.

After a while Adam spoke again.

"Okay, I want you to turn and stop in front of me," Adam was pretty confident that Fulton could stop in time in front of him. If not, well, he was pretty sure he himself could move in time. But… if Adam was wrong, he was really going to be sore tomorrow.

Fulton, who was still skating, turned in a wide semi-circle and skated toward Adam. He wasn't skating that fast, Adam knew he didn't want to risk not stopping in time to hit him. Fulton skidded to a stop several feet away from him.

"Not bad," Adam nodded. "I want to show you something."

He skated a few feet away from the taller boy, and turned back to face him. He began a crossover drill that he had memorized from his time on the Hawks. As Adam skated quickly to the right, he stopped and skated to the left, and stopped again. He repeated it once more, before speaking.

"You're going to have to be able stop and switch directions quickly like that."

Fulton began to do the crossover drill as Adam as showed him, though he was not able to do it as quickly and neatly. But he was able to do it. Adam was not fooled, Fulton would not be known for his skating. But he could improve on it.

I don't think coaching hockey is in my future. Adam sighed inwardly. Fulton was not a hard person to teach, Adam just thought he really wasn't the teaching type. That suited Adam fine. He would rather play hockey than teach it.

~o~o~o~

The following day, Adam was in the middle of putting hockey gear into his bag for practice when his older brother knocked on his open door.

"You've got practice?" Drew was stating more than asking the question.

"Yeah, in bit, I've got to hurry so I can get the bus."

"I wish I was old enough to drive you myself, bro."

"It's no big deal."

Adam had noticed once he got home last night, as well as this morning, that his father and his brother were not speaking to each other. They were saying as little to each other as possible.

At least his father was still talking to Adam even if he was still being aloof. Adam wasn't sure what he would think if his father would be angry enough not to talk to him.

"Adam, what was it you said was the reason you joined the Ducks?"

Pausing in the middle of putting his skates in his bag, Adam turned to face his older brother.

"I want to play hockey. Drew, what's-" Before Adam could continue on with his question, the doorbell rang down stairs.

"Finish getting your stuff together. I'll see who it is," Drew told him.

Adam was too curious to stay put. Following his brother out, he wanted to see who it was. The last few days had out of the norm for his family.

Turning at the landing, Drew saw him some steps behind. "Adam I said-"

"I know what you said," Adam cut his brother off. "But I'll go and finish in a minute."

He knew he was being stubborn, but right now he didn't care.

His brother did not look too happy that Adam hadn't listened to him, but he didn't say anything but let out a sigh. The doorbell rang again. Going quickly down the rest of the steps, Drew went to the door to open it. Adam reached the bottom of the stairs by the time his brother let whoever it was in.

It was Kevin Shaffer and Brandon Griffin, friends of his brother's. Both teens went to Eden Hall with Drew, and were on the Warriors. Brandon was a junior and Kevin was a sophomore like Drew was.

"Hey, Drew, man, what's this-" Brandon started to say to Adam's brother as Adam came toward the door.

"Bran, I'll tell you in a minute," Drew cut his friend off as he closed the door.

Brandon glanced at Adam, and Adam knew whatever the older boy was going to say he would not ask in his presence. It seemed like it he was an unwanted person in the group. He was feeling like that a lot lately no matter where he went.

"Hey, Turtle," Kevin smiled at Adam in greeting.

Adam feared Kevin would never stop calling him that. It had been several years ago when he had watched the cartoon, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He had loved the show for a year or two, but that was before he was nine.

After that hockey consumed his life. It wasn't that he didn't love hockey before that age; it was that he took it more seriously now. Plus, it might have had something to do with the fact that his father wanted him to play very well for Coach Reilly the following year. Adam could not just be a good hockey player in his father's eyes (or Coach Reilly's) he had to be the best.

"Hi, Kev," Adam greeted his brother's friend as he joined the group. Kevin and Brandon were hanging their Warrior jackets in the hallway closet; their shoes were already on the mat.

Kevin was Drew's best friend from his Hawk days. With three championship games won for the Hawks, at the age of twelve they left the Pee Wee team. They remained good friends because they went to the same private school, Calvin Grace.

Once Drew and Kevin reached high school, they both agreed to try out for the junior varsity team at Eden Hall. They both made it, and it was clear Coach Wilson, the Varsity coach, had his eye on talented players that were JV to step up once they reached sophomore year.

Adam had learned about the Varsity Coach Wilson and some Varsity related stuff from Drew. Adam knew from what Drew told him, Wilson had helped Warriors win a bunch of state championship games. He tried to remember. Did he say it was ten? No, it wasn't that many but it was close though.

"How have you been? How are things going for you on the Ducks?"

"They're fine," Adam told Kevin. That's a lie! If half the team doesn't hate you, the rest of them still aren't that comfortable around you yet.

"They're a new team, aren't they?" Brandon asked. He ran a hand through his light brown hair. "I didn't know about them until Drew mentioned you moved to a different team."

"And that's what you get for not having a little brother, Bran," Kevin told his friend, but not unkindly.

"Oh, right, and you do?"

"I've got Turtle here," Kevin answered. He grabbed Adam in an easy headlock and ruffled his hair. Adam let out a small yelp of surprise.

"Hands off my kid brother, Kev," Drew told him, but he was smiling. "Adam, upstairs now. You've got practice. I don't want your coach mad at you."

Adam doubted there was a mean bone in Coach Bombay's body.

"Okay, I'm going." Adam said as Kevin released his hold on him. Adam went back upstairs to finish getting his things together.

Once he had everything, Adam came back down stairs with his bag and hockey stick. He had to hurry if he did not want to be late.

Heading to the den, one of the glass doors was still slightly ajar. He hadn't learned anything from his father or his brother about whatever was with Drew. He glanced at the potted plant that was next the doors.

Annette, their housekeeper would not be happy if he ruined the plant, so Adam figured it was a bad idea to eavesdrop. And also, he had to get to practice.

Before he could go to the door to tell Drew and his friends his farewells, Adam heard Kevin speak.

"You know that the JV's captain is going to be on Varsity next year, right?"

"Yeah, he's not a bad player, good offense." It was Brandon who answered.

"Yeah, but his defense is alright, but could use some work," that was from Drew.

"Defense? Ri-"

Adam opened the door further, and poked his head in the room. "I've got to leave for practice."

All three teenagers turned toward Adam, but it was his brother who answered. "Sure, bro."

"Hold up, Adam," Brandon told him, Adam stepped into the room. "I'll take you, so you're not late."

"Thanks, Bran."

"I wasn't ready to leave," Kevin protested.

"I'll swing around here again and grab you on the way home."

"Okay, then I'll keep Drew here company," Kevin put his arm around Drew as he said this. "Hey, Turtle," he called before Adam could leave the room. "Show the Ducks you know a thing or two about hockey, okay?" he grinned good-naturally at Adam.

"Sure, Kev." Adam waved to his brother and his friend.

As Adam followed Brandon out of his house, he couldn't stop thinking about what Kevin just said.

But that's the thing. The Ducks resent me because I was a Hawk once, and even if I did try to show them 'a thing or two' about hockey they just think I'm showing off. Why can't they see that I just want to play hockey and I want to play my best? But I can't explain that to anyone, and I doubt anyone would understand that anyway.

~o~o~o~

The practice was uneventful, that is, as much as Adam was getting use to Coach Bombay's methods of how he conducted practices. It started normal enough, in Coach Bombay fashion. Adam felt after a week's worth of practices he was starting to get use to his new coach's methods.

That was before Coach Bombay dropped his bombshell at the end of practice.

"I wanted to say something before we ended practice," Coach told the team. "I've decided to a name captain for the Ducks - Charlie."

Charlie. Adam didn't know what his coach had been planning to say. That had not been it. Yet he shouldn't really be fully surprised that Coach Bombay had picked Charlie to be the captain of the Ducks.

Why wasn't he? Maybe because Coach and Charlie seemed to have a bond that no one on the team shared. But he wasn't the only who knew that, everyone on the Ducks did.

"Charlie?" Connie asked.

"Me, Coach?" the one in question seemed the surprised the most.

"But, Coach, Charlie is just-" Peter started to say.

"That's my final decision, Peter," Coach Bombay's voice became defensive.

Peter did not say another word.

Adam glanced quickly at the faces of the other Ducks. If they wanted to make protests, they did not dare. Everyone remained quiet, not saying a word.

"I know I surprised you guys with this," Coach told the team. "But I think Charlie should be the captain for the Ducks."

That caused most everyone to look at Charlie, who appeared to be blushing under his helmet.

"Go on, I'll see you back on Thursday's practice," Coach told the team. "All of you did good today."

As the Ducks skated off the ice to head to the locker room, Adam started to wonder the reasons Coach picked Charlie for captain.

What other reason was there that Charlie was picked? It wasn't because he was the best player, or one of them. Adam knew that not all teams picked a team captain because of that reason.

Leadership? If so, Jesse could do it.

Coach has to have another reason because he favors Charlie. Question was; what was it?

The male Ducks went to shower and change in the locker room while the Connie and Tammy used the visitor's locker room.

As the other Ducks started to undress, Adam could hear everyone talking. It seemed that Coach's surprise wasn't a good one.

"Like Spaz-way could be captain of the team," Peter said with a hint of cynicism.

"Not like Coach did it for any reason but-"

"Shut up, Karp," Jesse's voice cut the other boy off.

Adam glanced down past Guy to where Charlie stood. He was taking his pads off in a robot manner, but his face was set more in a scowl then anything else.

"It's the truth though," Peter said, "After all Charlie's Coach's pet."

"Coach said his decision was final," Fulton told the smaller boy.

"Yeah, well, if anyone should be captain, why not Jesse?" Guy spoke up.

"Who says Jesse wants it?" Terry looked at Guy.

"Thanks for backing me up, Ter, but seems Coach had someone else in mind for captain," Jesse said on his behalf.

"Why would Coach pick Charlie, out of anyone on the team?" Tommy asked.

"It's because Coach probably is seeing Charlie's Mom," Averman said. "They've must be K-I-S-S-I-N-G," he's voice turned singsong, but badly.

That was news to Adam.

"Shut up, Averman." Charlie told the redhead as he turned to face the rest of the team. "Who says I want to be captain?"

"I doubt it something you can really refuse, Charlie," Goldberg answered.

Adam watched as Charlie met everyone else's gaze. Whatever he was thinking, Adam had no clue. But as Charlie turned back to his locker, he met Adam's gaze.

"And what about you, Banks?" Charlie's voice seemed weary. "You haven't said anything about what Coach said, what do you think?"

If you don't think you can be captain, Charlie, then you can't. Coach must see something in you that we don't.

Adam thought back the first time he came into this locker room. Charlie was the only one who welcomed him.

"You could be a good Captain," Adam finally answered. He couldn't have told Charlie, or the other Ducks his thoughts.

With that he grabbed his things and went to get a shower.

Once he was showered and dressed again, he didn't talk with any of the other Ducks, not even Fulton. They didn't talk to him either. No one was really talking to anyone at the moment.

"Hey, wait a minute," Fulton's voice reached his ears. Adam was about head out of the locker room when he had called out to him.

Stopping, he moved aside so anyone else could leave.

"Are we practicing anymore this week, or what? We didn't talk about it yesterday."

"There's tomorrow, but we have practice Thursday. We don't have practice on Friday because of the game Saturday, right?"

"No, just Thursday."

Adam was still getting use to less practices then he use to have. Coach Reilly had really wanted to make sure the Hawks had been prepared for a game, so they always had a challenging practice before a game.

Coach Bombay however was still only giving the Ducks two practices a week. He was not even making them practice on Friday even with this being a play off game. That was new to Adam.

"Well, I guess we could practice either tomorrow or Friday," Adam answered.

"Friday would be good."

"Okay, I'll see you on Thursday practice, Fulton."

"Bye, Adam."

I'm not sure if Fulton's going to need too many more practice sessions. He's improving, and all he needs to do is just practice more on his own really. With the practices here, and the extra ones he's gotten in he's gotten a lot better.

As Adam neared Coach's office to end to the main entryway, he heard voices.

"…want to be captain."

"Charlie," Coach Bombay's voice sounded, possibly sympathetic. "I understand that you're surprised-"

"Coach, there's any number of people on the team that could be captain. If it means anything, thanks for naming me captain, but I can't accept it."

Adam wasn't sure what he should do. He was obviously overhearing a conversation that was not meant for his ears.

Quickly, but quietly as he could, Adam tried to move back toward the now empty locker room. He could still hear Charlie and Coach's voices, but he couldn't hear the conversion.

It must have felt like ten minutes had past, but it could not have been no more then a few at the most when Adam saw Charlie leave Coach's office.

It only took a few seconds for Charlie to see Adam. He opened his mouth to speak, but Adam stopped him with a quick negative shake of his head. Gesturing toward Coach's office, Adam pressed his lips closed.

He didn't want Charlie to say anything aloud, because Adam knew he shouldn't have heard what was said between Charlie and Coach Bombay.

Frowning, Charlie seemed to listen to him, and snapped his mouth closed.

Both boys walked quickly past the office, where Coach Bombay was busy writing something down. They walked through the entryway and made it through the main door without being detected.

As soon as they were outside, Charlie asked, "How much did you hear?"

"Only that you don't want to be captain."

Charlie shook his head. "I don't, I mean after the mess-" he stopped glancing at Adam. "It seems no one wants me to be captain, so it would be better if someone else was."

Adam felt Charlie meant something more than the just that. He wasn't going to pry. It seemed like it did not get him anywhere today.

"I've got to go."

"You've got to get home, right?'

"Yeah, but I also have do some things before that," Adam did not explain his errands.

"Do you mind if I came with you? I think we need to talk."

Adam just eyed Charlie for a minute. "I think going all the way to Edina would be a bit out of the way for you, wouldn't it, Charlie?"

Adam did not want Charlie to go out of his way if he could say his piece now.

"It would be better if I just come along, please?" Charlie asked.

Adam had yet to get his skates sharpened since he had thought about it the previous week. He had to get it done before the upcoming game this weekend.

Adam let out a sigh. "I've got to get my skates sharpened, and unless you want to come along to Edina with me, so you can talk, that's your choice."

"Actually," Charlie brightened as he glanced at him. "I know someplace that you can get your skates sharpened that's much closer."

"Where's that?"

"There's a shop I know of that's not too far from here. Plus, they've got to be cheaper-" Charlie suddenly looked sheepish. "I shouldn't have said that."

"Than what I'm paying? You're probably right."

"We could actually walk, unless you want to take a bus. It's only a few blocks."

They both were carrying their hockey equipment, but Adam really didn't mind. "No, I don't mind walking."

The sun was going to be setting soon, but the light around them was still golden. The sun was making buildings and any surrounding areas red and orange.

Charlie and Adam started walking; all that Adam could hear were their combined breathing and their footsteps.

"Listen," Charlie begin, "About the other day, when we practicing and stuff, I'm sorry about what I said. The comment I made about hockey and whatever you do in your spare time it was none of my business."

Adam hadn't forgotten about what happened on Sunday, it was that he pushed in the back of his mind because other things had came to the forefront in the last few days.

Looking at Charlie now, he truly looked contrite about what he said the other day.

"It's forgotten, Charlie," he answered instead. "You don't have to worry about it, really."

"Uh," Charlie glanced away. "I think I understand, about what you said, though."

Adam frowned at him. He had only answered Charlie out of the sad reality of his life, as much as he hated to admit it. "What do you mean?"

"You use to have friends? That had to be the Hawks, right? Look, I'll be up front. I asked Coach about why you were on the Ducks, and he told me it was because of a district line change."

"Yeah, that's why."

Adam was not sure what to think. So the fact that he was on the team because of a district line change really wasn't common knowledge. He had wondered the other week when he told the news to Fulton.

"The shop's up ahead," Charlie told Adam as he increased his pace. Adam followed a step behind.

A sign above a worn down building read: Hans and Jan's Sports Shop.

Opening the door, Charlie held it open for Adam.

The boys heard the noise of a running machine in the back part of the store.

"I bet Hans is sharpening skates," Charlie told Adam. "I'll see if he's not too busy to sharpen yours."

"Charlie, I don't want-"

"Just hold on, and let me ask him, okay?" Charlie didn't wait for Adam to reply before he disappeared around the corner.

Thanks for reading and please review. Thanks, Jenn.