Chapter 50 50 Shades of Red

'So your sewing projects are all finished and ready for tonight?' I shoulder check and move the rover into traffic after collecting 91 from Alice's store.

'No, but they will be. Alice and Jean worked all evening putting the bindings on two of the throws. The gals in the shop today will finish up the other two. The bags are finished and just being pressed. I am absolutely amazed at how hard everyone worked to make this happen.' 91 shares her morning with me. 'Anne said that she would bring them all with her tonight.'

'That's good.' That is good. I know that I have been busy the last few days with team building stuff. Delivering presents to sick kids in hospital, Project Bundle Up where we give warm clothing to needy kids in conjunction with Dick's Sporting Goods, and visiting the little penguins club. 91 and I have settled in to a pattern. We wake up each day to have a short run through a park, eat breakfast together and then I drop her off at the store before going to practice. Then later on in the day we meet up again. I did miss her through my Wednesday pregame nap but I know she was busy. Plus despite what Flower says I'm not a big baby. I just like my new sleeping buddy.

'Lunch and then the mall?' she asks. ' What's on your list?'

'I thought we'd have some of that chowder you made. As for my list? I have a few items on it. I know you haven't met Marcela yet but I like to get her a little something. Remember that Radio station was asking for gifts to help make kids Christmas. I think it was called Hope for the Holidays drive. I thought that I'd purchase a few things and drop them off. When I was a kid, we never had much but some how my Santa gifts were always there under the tree. If I can do that for another family ….' 91 squeezes my hand enough said I guess. 'Marcela should be at the cave when we get there. I asked to come today so you could meet her.'

The washer is going in the laundry room and I can hear the vacuum humming in the background. 91 is hanging up her coat and hat. I toss my parka on a hook by the door. She looks inside Marcela's coat hung up on the hook beside mine. I look at her as if to say what?

'I'm just checking her size. She's a 10p with' 91 peeks inside Marcela's boots. 'size 7 feet. You never know when this 411 might come in handy.'

'See I knew you were my Agent 91.' I tease as we walk into the kitchen. 'Why don't you serve up some chowder while I go ask Marcela if she want's to join us?'

'Okay. Do you want a roll and cheese too?'

'Sure, I'll help you set the nook table in a minute.' I move into the great room and listen. 'Hola Marcela. Donde está usted? '

'Hola, muchacho. I didn't think choo'd be back soon. You okay?' Marcela is dressed in her yoga pants with a bright flora shirt and a dark sweater over top. 'Your friend with choo?'

'Yeah. Would you come meet her and have a bowl of chowder with us for lunch?' I must look desperate because Marcela looks at me all concerned.

'Okay. Thees place is pretty tidy. Your chica has been raised up right. She's looking after choo really good.' Marcela's nod of approval. 'I sees the fridge is full of cooking and that soup smell good.'

91 has set serving up bowls by the crock pot for serving the thick red chowder that smells delicious. The nook table is set for three with a plate of sliced cheeses and basket of home made buns. 91 is coming out of the pantry with some jar of salmon as we enter. She smiles at us both. I am struck again with her acceptance of everyone.

'Marcela, this is Tylyn. Tylyn Marcela.' I don't feel I need to explain who each other is. They know who they are and their roles here.

'Hola, Marcela , mucho gusto encantado.' 91 holds out her hand to shake it and Marcela takes her hand and squeezes for a moment then hugs 91 tightly to her. They are about the same height but years apart in age.

'Hellos Tylyn. Est so nice to meet choo too. Oh muchacho she es so bonita.' Marcela starts speaking in what we call Spanglish when she gets excited. That couldn't have gone better if it was scripted. I finish serving the bowls of soup and putting them on the table while 91 and Marcela get to know one and another. The conversation is pretty much them talking about food and recipes. Marcela asks 91 about her family and vice versa. I'm basically a decoration at the table. I eat my meal and eventually get up and make a pot of tea for them and a coffee for myself. I bring the plastic container of cookies to the table.

'Seed, you taking pequena here chopping today? Si si? Maybe choo buys a cookie jar thees time.' Marcela looks me in the eye pointedly. 'She a cute cookie.' I have my mouth full of shortbread so can't answer her. A cookie jar, I guess it's back to the Pottery Barn.

…..

I hate these things. I hate these things. I really do hate these things. I'm not even at out of the bathroom yet and I know I hate these things. I'm looking at myself in the mirror while I'm shaving. 91 went through the shower a head of me and then disappeared out of the bathroom. My tux is ready and waiting for me in the walk in closet. I can feel the tension building in my neck and shoulders. I stretch and breathe. I know that this is a necessary evil of my job. People think playing hockey is more of a game but for me it 's a job. Public appearances and speaking are expected of me because I'm the captain. None of it means I like it. I do it but I don't like it. I close my eyes and try forcing myself to relax. Maybe I should try 91's mantra technique. I rinse the razor in the warm running water when I think I hear something. I turn off the water and listen.

I hear music playing coming from the other room. I open the door and there is 91 dancing around the room in with her hair is up in rollers and dressed only in her underwear. The music sounds like something from the sixties. No, it's Smash Mouth's 'Can't Get Enough of You Baby'. She see me standing in the doorway and dances over to me. I can't help but smiling. She's wearing the new white lace bra and panties that she bought today. They are so pretty with white daisies in lace. She's so happy and excited. She takes my hand and pulls me into her dance in the middle of my bedroom. Oh, it's like the dance John Travolta did in Pulp Fiction. I twirl her around in a circle. Her enthusiasm is infectious, I laugh as she tries to twirl me around. I duck under her arm.

'I can't get enough of you baby,' she sings. 'You have to squish down further. I can't get enough of you baby. Right or wrong.'

91 is trying to lift our hands above my head. The music is very rhythmical and she's jumping in time with the keyboard chords. So when I duck walk under her hand to twirl around, I end up tripping over the towel that is wrapped around my waist. This spills us both on to the floor in a heap. I've landed on my back with her on top of me and the towel is mostly underneath me.

'Yes, it's true. Baby, yes it's true. Whenever we kiss I get a feeling like this. I get to wishin that there was more of you.' She hasn't even stopped singing. 91 kisses me and holds me down.

'Oh you want more of me do you?' I tease her.

'Yes I do.' She sings in time with the music as her eyes shine brightly. 'Yes, I do'

I catch her hands and rock them in time to the music back and forth. 91 is sitting on my abdomen leaning with her weight forward on her arms. Yes, I do want more of her. I put her hands on my neck as I sit up and wrap my arms twice around her in a hug like the lyrics suggest. So we are nose to nose. Our lips are doing the soft kisses, gentle kisses between the lyrics. I finger the closure on her bra strap. Wondering if we have time for a quick romp through the bed. Probably not.

'We'll have to be quick about this Sherwood' She's thinking like me as she lifts her bottom up so I can remove those dainty panties. 'I've arranged a car to come and collect us in about 35 minutes.'

Much later as we arrive at the CEC, I can't believe how relaxed I feel. Everything is good. As I shake hands with people, I introduce 91 who is looking lovely in dark blue satin off the shoulder dress. Kurt has designed this dress so it shows off 91 tiny waist and swell of her hips. But the way the collar is cut with the material folded out and over her chest it looks like she has a bigger chest than she does. The dress gives her an hourglass shape reminiscence of the old time movie stars. The room is filled with the who's who of Pittsburgh. 91, who I thought was very shy, has turned out to be quite the smoozer. With Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, she asked him about the Serve PGH innovative. They talked about the number of volunteers involved and the community spirit it generated. Police Chief Harper was asked about the higher crime neighborhoods and community policing. 91 and Dr Steven Shapiro discussed UPMC's need for reducing the RN to patient ratio. I was very impressed that she didn't bring up the whole lack of tasty food for patients. Actually, I'm totally impressed with her knowledge of local affairs. Throughout the evening, I realize that I'm not the center of attention. 91 is deflecting attention away from me by introducing topics other than hockey. Maybe this evening will be not so bad.

We walk over to the table where the Wags have set up the silent auction items. It's the first time I've seen the sewing projects.

'These are amazing, Tylyn.' Says Mary Beth Bylsma after I introduce them. 'I love the use of recycling of the old jersey's. I've got Dan bidding on the nameplate throw. If we don't win it tonight is there any chance that we could get one made for us? I'd really like it for the tv room.'

'Sure I guess. I'll have to talk to Dana about more jerseys.' She seems to waffle for a moment. Just in that second, we are joined by Anne Adams who takes up the conversation.

'Mary Beth, you are not the only one that wants to place an order. Tylyn, go look at those sheets. The bidding has been opened for less than an hour and already the throws have moved on to second sheets with bidding reaching up to $1175 for the penguins crest blanket. I think that we are going to have a discussion about this as a future project. The bags with the penguins are each going to clear $600. So much for bake sales and jersey raffles, these things are hot commodities.' I lose track of the conversation so I can browse the table of items. The throws are being pursued but then each one of them is very different. The bags may not be for me but they are for some in the crowd.

'Don't you bid on that one as well, Sid. I'll never win it if people keep upping the bid.' I turn to see Alexis Lemieux beside me.

'No I won't but maybe if you don't win it. We'll ask Ty to make you another one. Have you met Ty yet?' Alexis is the youngest of Mario's kids and truly like a little sister to me. Actually, I feel very close to all his kids. I look around the room and spot them all in the crowd here supporting their father.

'No, not yet. She's pretty though. Are you guys coming to dinner on Sunday we'll all be there.' She raising her bid up again.

'We haven't been asked. Maybe.' I have moved down the table a bit looking at the items to bid on. I spot a small painting of a trail lined with trees in the autumn. The painting is maybe 8x10 inches. It's titled 'Walking through Schlenley'. It reminds me of our run through the park at Thanksgiving. I lift the pen and double the bid. I turn and watch 91 talking to the Wags. She seems to be doing just fine.

'Sid, do you and Tylyn have plans for Sunday dinner?' Nathalie has joined me.

'Not that I know of.' I look at 91. 'We haven't had much time to make plans.'

'If your available, we'd love to have you over on Sunday. All the kids will be home. Lauren's boyfriend Jaime will still be here. Have you met him yet? Stephanie and Austin will have to go back to Shattucks early Monday morning so it won't be a late night.' By the time Nathalie has done talking, I see 91 and she seems a bit lost.

'I'll ask her but at the moment I think that I should go rescue her from the Ladies.' I excuse myself and politely pull 91 back under my arm.

'I haven't even looked at the silent auction table. How much time is left?' I check my watch for her.

'Maybe 25 minutes. Did you want another drink?' Her glass is empty but she shakes her head no. So we walk over to the tables that have been laden with items for auction.

'Now that looks like fun.' 91 is pointing to a gift certificate attached to a pamphlet. She lifts it up and to read more. 'It's for two hours of snowmobiling in the Allegheny National Forest. Is that far from here?'

'A couple hours north east of here. Snowmobiling? Really? There's one here for a local spa that you might be interested in.' I say looking through the gift certificates.

But she's bidding on the snowmobile one.

'No,no no. You're not supposed to bid. You're a WAG now. This is their table.' Biz busts in between us. He's wearing the oddest tux I've ever seen. Talbot can take some lessons.

'But I'd like to try that. Doesn't it look like fun?' She holds him up the brochure showing a snowy scene with people laughing while they ride on through the snow. 'Do you think that maybe I could drive one?'

'Sure, if you have a driver's license and can see over the faring.' Biz teases her.' What about going on Sunday you guys got any plans?'

Yes, I have plans. I have plans to lay around in bed being pampered silly by my girlfriend. I have plans of wild and crazy sex dotted with pauses for tastey snacks. I have plans of a day full of playing with 91. Now that I have a girlfriend I want to enjoy being with her. Not these guys. I can hang with these guys whenever.

'Cool a day out on the snow sounds like fun.' Nealer leans over my shoulder. 'I know a place that rents machine and some trails. They have a big old lodge that does great food. Hey, Geno you up for some snowmobiling on Sunday? Geno come here.'

'Whad you want?' The big Russian is looking as uncomfortable as I feel.

'A bunch of us are taking Tygyrl snowmobiling on Sunday, so do you want to come with us?' Biz clears up any misunderstanding. I note how he assumes that she's going. 'Hey maybe Tk and Sutter are interested. Nealer check to see how many machines they have to rent. If we leave around 7am we could be there for 10ish and still be back in the city before it gets to late on Sunday evening.'

' They've got lots. What about Boychuk and Depres? That would make maybe 8 machines.' Nealer gets out his phone and starts texting them.

I glance at 91 who is in the midst the guys. She's looking at me with concern all over her face. She walks over to me.

'It was just a whim. We don't have to go. They will have fun by themselves.' She puts her hand on my chest, looks up into my eyes and says very quietly. 'You're all tense again. You've lost your happy. Let's leave them to it and find that happy again.'

She gets me.

…..

Pens 1 (SOG 6) vs Wild (SOG 14) 2 end of the first

Chkaddd: Did they not pay attn this am. pls give - to Luvjoy.

Hckybt: Dan doing it for u. U with Ray?

Chkaddd: Yes; couldn't see over big guy in front of me. check iPad in 2nd. I'll try to send help.

Hckybtt: K. xxx

Pens 2 (SOG 15) vs Wild 2 (SOG 25) end of second.

Hckybt: thnx for help. Flower now p o'd with D. TG he's on.

Chkaddd: He should be. Play smart. Take no Penalties.

Hckybt: Thought that was take no prisioners.

Chkaddd: -ur not out of the woods yet SC.

Hckybt: SC?

Chkaddd: Sweet Cheeks

Hckybt: haha LMAO!

Pens 2 (SOG 27) vs Wild 2(SOG 36) end of third.

Pens 2 (SOG 29) vs Wild 2 (SOG 40) end of OT

Pens 3 vs Wild 2 SO.

Hckybtt: Now lets talk Sweet Cheeks….FY.

My watch is beeping. I struggle to open my eyes. My body is stiff and sore from the battle last night and I'd really rather just close my eyes and snuggle back down with 91. I feel her head lift off my shoulder. Oh god she's getting up. I bury my face in the duvet hoping that she ignores me for a few minutes. I get my wish but that tweaks my mind. What the hell is she doing? I lift my head to listen. She's in the kitchen because I can hear her moving dishes around. I lay back on the pillow. Somewhere after re-finding my happy on Friday evening, Saturday morning, and our pre game nap, I texted Nealer and Biz to say that we'd be going snowmobiling with them. But now early Sunday morning after hard fought game on Saturday night, I am not so sure I'm up to this.

'87 you've got 20 minutes. Then the muffins will be ready. Are you going through the shower? Want me to wait for you?' God, she's so perky.

'You go. I'll dash through after you.' I sit up. My clothes are waiting for me but my spirit is not. I sit on the edge of the bed willing my self to move. I spy 91's phone on the nightstand beside the bed. I plug it into to speakers and scroll through until I find the tune. Smash Mouth gets me moving.

91 is dressed in her brand new snow suit with the container of warm muffins on her knee for the drive north to the Allegheny National Forest. Nealer, Biz and Geno are coming with us in the rover while TK, Sutter and Boychuk are driving up in Sutter's Rav. We met the others at Biz's place near Ross Park Mall. The morning is cold but clear. Geno is in the front passenger seat with 91 in the back between Biz and Nealer. She looks like one of the kids that we helped get warm clothes for this week.

'Are you going to share those muffins or are they just here to torture us?' Nealer asks her.

'They're torture muffins. Pumpkin spice with raisins. Don't they smell good?' her eyes are sparkling with fun. 'You can have one because you played very well last night. Geno want a muffin?'

'Ya, good.' He eats in two mouthfuls. 'Sid no want his so I eat for him yeah?'

'Fuck off Geno. I've had three already while we were driving here.' I haven't really it was only two. Those things are called torture muffins for a reason. They are high fibre any more than two and you've got a problem. I smile at 91 in the review mirror.

'Look there's a big Dick. See the sign? I like Dick's 'she says to Biz who to his credit doesn't bust a gut laughing at her.

'That's good but next time you should say Dick's Sporting Goods. Because as much as I like Dick's Sporting Goods, I'd never refer to it as just Dick's in mixed company.' Biz is a good friend.

'Oh' She's gone fifty shades of red not 50 shades of grey. 'Muffin?'