Chapter 48 Off the Market.
There is light glowing from the deck outside the great room that illuminates 91. She's standing at the window half turned away from me looking at something outside dressed only in the chemise that I bought her in New York. Her hair is loose and the soft light accentuates her curls. I take my phone off the nightstand and snap a photo. It's a scene I want to remember for when we are not together.
I came through the door not long ago after slogging my way up Plymouth St where the cab dropped me off. The wind has eased off but the snow is falling getting close to a meter high in places making walking difficult. I wasn't deterred. I was getting home to the cave tonight if it killed me. I was frozen when I came through the laundry room into the great room. The fireplace in the corner was flickered cozily and the whole place smelt like home cooking. It was like having a huge weight removed from my shoulders. She's really here. I tried staying as quiet as I could so not to wake 91. But she woke up when I tried sneaking into the walk in closet to hang up my clothes.
'Hey there?' she said sleepily. She sat up and looking like my best dream come true.
'Hey there. Don't move I'll be there in a minute. I'll just ditch these clothes and brush my teeth.' I set my phone on the nightstand and moved to get ready for bed.
'What time is it?'
'Around 430 am. It's been a bitch of a trip here but totally worth it. ' I call from the bathroom as I turn the water on to brush my teeth.
'Has it stopped snowing?' she sounds soft and sleepy.
'Not yet. Maybe by morning.' That's when I came back into my bedroom to see her standing looking out the window and take the photo.
I walk behind her and pull her into my arms. I bury my face into her curls. She turns in my arms and hugs me tightly. I lift her face up to mine and give her hi there kiss. I look over her head at the glow from the deck. The three trees outside the window are now decorated with clear white Christmas lights. They make me smile.
'I hope you don't mind but they looked a bit naked.' 91 has turned in my arms and is looking out the window again.
'I don't mind. They look great.' And they do as they are decorated simply with the lights and snow. They look like Christmas trees.
'You must be tired. Can I massage…' I end her question by rubbing my erection into her bottom. She turns and looks up with her eyes glowing at me to say.' So not too tired then.'
…
'It's a skating party. Everyone pretty much just wears jeans and sweaters. You don't have to dress up for this. It's basically just the team, trainers, equipment staff, a few of the front office people. I don't think that Ray or his boys are going to be there. Mario never makes an appearance. Mostly it's just the on ice guys. Oh and PensTv likes to take a few shots for the website. It's really a relaxed affair.' I'm dressed ready to go but 91 has tried on several outfits for my approval.
'I know so I want to make a good impression. I don't do jeans and you know why. Hockey butt. So my jeans are usually this black cord jumper and a turtleneck. I'll put on warm tights and my new sweater.' She scurries back into the walk in closet. This is the most high maintenance that I've ever seen her. When she comes out she is dressed like a young schoolgirl. She looks so cute. I have convinced her that her curls will be much better loose. 'Mum knit me a new sweater for Christmas. See it's in black and white with penguins on it.'
'That's perfect. I'm ready to go when you are.' I push her along. We are a head of my schedule but the only the main roads have been plowed so I want to allow extra time in case we get stuck. 91 packed her skates in a bag and the picnic basket full of Gingerbread kids to bring with us. It was no wonder why the cave smelt so good last night. Normally this drive would take us about 10 minutes but with the snow. I'm not really sure.
Minutes later we are in the Rover and heading out on the snow covered roads. The access way has been cleared but the road ahead of us is full of drifts. I put the rover into 4 wheel drive and plow our way through them. It's kinda fun. We make it to the Liberty Bridge with out seeing many other vehicles.
'87? You know how I said that Rover was kinda lacking in cuddle room in October?' 91 is looking out at the mounds of snow and people shoveling their way out to the street.
'Hmhmm.' I reply keeping my eye on the road.
'I've rethought that. He's a good SUV. He has many great qualities. I don't think that you should re consider him. Rover got Harv and I safely through the storm to your cave and now he's doing a great job on these icy roads. Please don't change him on my account. I think he's wonderful. If we need to cuddle, then we can always go to my office.' She says very seriously.
I'm still laughing by the time we get to CEC. I use my swipe card to gain access to the underground parking area. As I had hoped, we are there ahead of most of the others. I have thought about the best way of introducing 91 to the players' families. I know that she is very shy so I am trying to avoid her having to walk into a room full of people staring at her. I know how it feels being under a microscope. So we'll get there a head of most of the partygoers so as they arrive I will introduce her.
'Are you sure it's really going to happen today? There aren't many cars here yet.' She's looking around the parking garage as we get out of the Rover.
'Yeah, we are just a bit early. Let's go in and see who is here. I do think that Dana and the equipment guys and their families should be here.' I go to carry her bag for her but she resists me.
'Thanks but I can carry my own stuff. If you want to be a player in the Hylkema family you have to learn to pack your equipment.' She says as she lifts the bag on to her shoulder.
'Oh you sure are packing equipment all right.' I say as I pat her bottom. This gets me a dose of slitty eyes.
'Are you the pot calling the kettle black?' she chirps back at me.
….
Addsy and I are chatting at my stall. Almost everyone has arrived. 91 is talking to Vero, Carol-Lyne, Catherine and Maureen. She's holding the basket of gingerbread cookies.
'She looks a bit like Little Red Riding Hood.' Says Craig. 'About to her way to skate to Grandma house. Don't worry about her. The ladies will take care of her. Michelle Cooke and my wife Anne have asked her to help out with the Wags fund raiser for The Make a Wish Foundation.'
'It's not finding something for 91 to do that causes me to worry but rather the media and some of the more rabid fans. They both can be intimidating.' I lead a very high profile life. I like Pittsburgh because mostly I'm left alone. But I've never had a girlfriend in public view before either.
'You're thinking about Crystal the Psychotic, right.'
'Hhmmhmm. I haven't heard about her since last spring but that doesn't mean that she's not still out there.' I met Crystal through the company hired to decorate the big house out in Sewickley I had built last year. She was part of the design team. We seemed to hit it off so we went out on a few dates, a few shopping excursions and a couple of tumbles through her bed. Then she started acting like we were married and throwing her status around as my "Girlfriend". By that time, I figured out that I wasn't really interested, it had gotten out of hand. Then it got totally weird with her stalking me, posting on various chat forums of our lurid romance that never happened and the final straw was when she contacted a local tv station to give them her story of our relationship. The Pens PR team had a heck of a time squashing the story. I thinking they finally had to go to court to have a restraining order against her. I believe that she now is getting the psychiatric helps that she needs. 'Yeah, I don't think that Ty is likely to go off the deep end but I do worry that she's so gullible and naive.'
'Maybe ask the Media relations department to get involve on how to deal with all this mess. They do it with the new recruits in training camp. Let's face it the social media thing is way more persuasive now than when we both started.' He's a smart man but then he's been to Harvard.
'Oh that's going to be great. I'm going to call up Jen my ex booty call and ask her to help my girlfriend learn the ropes of dealing with my public image. Oh that's going to be fun for all of us.' I hear what he's proposing is sensible but maybe not that practical.
'Talk to Tylyn, first. She's a bright girl and knows that you haven't lived in the tunnels of Pittsburgh then approach Jen. Jen and you parted on good terms, eh? Then she'll know that this day was going to happen eventually.' He makes it sound so easy. I'd rather take a puck end to end through 2 dozen angry defensemen than touch this subject with either girl.
'Right, I think about it.' 91 has looked up at me. Pens TV is here now putting together a spot for the web site. They generally interview a couple of players and film the antics in the locker room and of the group skating. I walk over to introduce 91 to the film crew.
…
VFleury: Elle est fantastique. Bonne chance mon ami!
MDuper: Je l'aime vraiment
MKuni: Sid, this one's a keeper.
CFlamme: Elle est bonbon!
The Wags have spoken. The PensTV crew took video of us skating together and a clip of a few of us taking on some of the kids in a fun scrimmage. 91 played with the kids. She fit right in as a couple of the other boys are taller than her. We have had our hot chocolate and yes her home baking did win over even the toughest of critics. We've all had our turn sitting on Santa's knee to tell him our special Christmas wish and now it's time to go.
'Good afternoon 91?'
'It was so fun. They are all so down to earth. Not at all like I imagined. I really like your friends. The ladies have asked me to show them some sewing that I've done. I'll go to visit them tomorrow when you are at practice.' She bubbles. 'Oh before I forget. Thank you to sending the photo of me in the locker room to Gerry. He's still texting me about it.' I get blown a kiss across the console of the rover.
'They like you too. Maureen, Kuni's wife says that they are all coming over to the cave in the morning.' Actually, I invited them so 91 didn't have to figure her way to out Sewickley.
'No, I said I'd go to them. Really, I can do it.' She's looks very concerned.
'I invited them. It will be easier. Plus the sewing you're working on is bulky and will be hard to transport. I thought that it would just be better. This way you can be making more soup for my lunch.' I wink at her.' How many of those cookies are left? Do you think that Morty would like a couple to go with that thermos of soup that you made?'
It's turned 330pm and the roads are much better now. I've been thinking about a short visit to the hospital before we go home. I haven't seen Morty in a week. 91 says he's pretty weak. I have been getting regular updates from Harv and I know that neither man has family that live around here.
'That would be a great idea. I hid a few cookies away when I saw that they disappearing so quickly. I made double batch. Who would have thought they these kids have never tasted a home baked cookie.' She says disgustedly.
'Poor things have been deprived. Except for Biz and TK they are just depraved.' I get a laugh from her.
The hospital is not far away from actually it takes longer to find a parking spot than it takes to drive there. 91 is back dressed in her red coat, beret and mittens. She does look like little red riding hood. This time I follow her through the maze of elevators and corridors carrying the picnic basket. I am recognized with a smile or a nods from various patients and staff. I smile and return their acknowledgments. The four bed ward has several visitors sitting at the bedsides. I see Harv with a crossword puzzle book open while Morty's eyes are closed. Harv looks up as we enter the room.
'Hey Morty, Little Red Riding Hood has come to visit Grandpa in the hospital.' Surprisingly, it's not Harv that says this but the guy in the bed across from him. Morty's eyes open slowly and he blinks a couple of times focusing on us.
'Tylyn, Sid it's kind of you to come out to visit.' He gasps. Harv has stood up to hug 91 and shake my hand. 'Stop hogging all her hugs, Harvey. She came to visit me. Look she's brought a basket this time.'
'Since you've eaten all the soup from yesterday, I made more last night and some cookies for dessert.' She gives the wrinkled old face a kiss. Morty gives me a look like ha I got a kiss. Okay he may not be breathing all that well but his spunk is coming back. 91 unloads the basket of the thermos and a box of gingerbread onto the bedside table.
'You're never going to eat that whole thermos of soup, old man.' Harv teases Morty as he hefts the thermos. 'That's enough for two of us. What do you say Tylyn, do I get a share of this soup?'
'It holds about 36 oz of soup so that's enough for the whole room to have a cup plus you Harv. I made Beef barley this time.' Morty has wiggled over in his bed to make room for 91 to sit on the far edge beside him.
'Oh that sounds mighty tasty. I'll be eating my fair share. Sid come closer. We watched your game last night. It was a battle out there.' Morty pulls me closer. His hand is cool to the touch.
'Yeah, it was a tough two points but we'll take it. I am just glad we made it back to PIT with the storm.' The people in the rest of the room have stopped their conversations and appear to be listening to us. '91 says she won a bet for you. Don't you be thinking that you have an edge in with her just 'cause she's bring you soup. She's my girl Morty just you remember that.' I tease him.
'Oh I don't know about that Crosby, she's snuggled in my bed.' Rasps out the old voice to a room full of laughter. I share a look with Harv who is laughing. Yes, Morty's on the mend.
…
The difference between last night and tonight is remarkable. Last night the wind howled and blew around a flurry of snow flakes while the residents of Pittsburgh were tucked away in their homes. Tonight the air is crisp and cold, the lights of the city are sparkling and the streets are filled with traffic. Sunday evenings the country club I belong to hosts a dinner dance event. I have booked a table for the two of us. It's time that Pittsburgh is introduced to my girlfriend. We are now dressed up for an evening on the town. I'm wearing my favorite blue suit and 91 looks lovely in the off white party dress from her birthday. At the desk, I introduce her to the front desk staff and arrange that she can come and go as she pleases as my guest. I take our coats and boots to the coatroom to be checked in while 91 signs some forms.
'Mr Crosby?' The headwaiter is flagging me down. 'I think that there may be some mistake here. I see that you've been booked to sit at one of the center tables tonight. Is this what you intended?'
'Actually, yes. I want to be out in the open.' Normally, if I dine at the club I take a back table in the far corner away from the center of attention but not to night. Tonight I am making a statement.
'That's fine. Your table is ready when you are, sir.' The older man smiles at me.
'I suggest that you review the dress code on our website before you visit here so you are aware of our standards, miss.' The desk attendant is giving 91 a cold hard stare. 91 for her part has a deer in the head light look in her eye. Her clothes fit the dress code so I don't know what the problem is.
'Is there a problem?' I ask I slip my arm over 91 shoulders just so the lady behind the desk gets the loud body language hint I am suggesting.
'No, sir, we have been asked to advise all new guests and members to view the dress code. Welcome to Edgeworth, Tylyn.' She says.
'Oh, 91's name is pronounced Hylkema. That's Hill KEEma for you. Miss Hylkema.' I put a sharp point on it.
'I don't know what I did there. One moment she was all welcome to the club then it was like I was going to come dressed as a skanky ho' 91 sounds distressed. 'I wouldn't do that you know I wouldn't, right?'
'I know but they haven't met you yet. Come through I hear our table is ready.' We walk into the main dining room. It is decorated for Christmas with a huge tree at one end of the room, crisp white table clothes with red serviettes and greenery for table centers. The headwaiter leads us to our table in the very center of the room. Most of the other tables have people sitting at them. Some of them look up as we pass. I recognize many faces and greet them with a nod.
'May I offer you a wine list sir?' he asks when we are seated. The waiter is standing slightly behind 91 and raises an eyebrow at me as if to ask….is she old enough to have a drink?
'Yes, please. Tylyn, Hobbart here is concerned that you might not be of age. Could you show him your drivers license?'
'Sure, just give me a moment.' 91 opens her little handbag and pulls out her wallet and shows it to the head waiter who is now looking a bit flustered. Maybe I should have handled that differently.
'Thank you Miss you won't have to show it here again.' He hands me the wine list and leaves.
'So what do you think? Red or white?' I ask her.' Or champagne to celebrate your arrival?'
'I don't mind. Why is everyone looking over here? Don't you come here often? I thought that you said that you play tennis here a lot.' 91 is right people are looking at us. I just smile back.
'I do but mostly I eat in the bar. I don't think that I have ever brought a date to the dining room.' I lean in and whisper to her. 'I don't think that they have ever seen me here with a date before. Beware incoming at 12 o'clock.'
Yes, folks this is the main reason for us having dinner here tonight in full view of the dining area. I want people to see us together. Mrs Wilman is barreling her way through the tables. All the years I have been coming here, this woman has made it her purpose to fix me up. I want her to see what my standards are. I want her to know this is my girlfriend. I want her to know that Sidney Crosby is off the market.
'Mrs Wilman, I'd like you to meet my girlfriend Tylyn Hylkema' if I could emphasize girlfriend more I would have but I just add 'who is visiting from Canada. Tylyn, this is Mrs Wilman one of most distinguished members Edgeworth.
