Connie's POV:
After my long walk I was feeling much calmer. I still didn't completely understand why I had gone off on my Dad like that. I hadn't even realized that I was ever angry at him for not being at my games or asking me questions about my day. And if that was the case then why when all of a sudden he did take an interest did I suddenly not want him to do? I had no clue as to what the answer was.
I walked into the house to find my parents and Cecily in the living room playing a board game. As I hung up my coat I heard Cecily yell, "Yes, I won again."
"Hi honey," my Mom said.
"Come join us," Cecily chimed in.
My dad didn't even look up as he set the game back up so they could start again.
"No thanks. I need to go get ready to head over to Charlie's," I said. I actually had plenty of time until I left. I really didn't want to spend time with my Dad right now, especially not with my little sister there too. I didn't want to drag her into the problems I was having with my dad.
I headed upstairs and sat down at my desk. What I really wanted to do was talk to Julie but that wasn't possible. I was still here in Minnesota and she was at a resort in Maine. I knew Guy would listen but it wasn't the same as talking to Julie. Guy also had his own family problems right now. He had told me the night before that his parents were going to get a divorce.
Sometimes I wished that I had more friends who were girls not that I didn't love the Ducks. I thought about Tammy but then decided against it. We weren't really all that close and this wasn't something I could talk to just anyone about.
There was a knock at my door. At first I just ignored it. I didn't really want to talk to either of my parents or Cecily for that matter. However, whoever it was just wouldn't go away. When they knocked the second time I just let out a sigh. So much for being alone.
"Come in," I called out.
I turned around to see that it was my mom who was at the door. She came in and quietly shut the door behind her. My mom came in and sat down on my bed and I turned the desk chair around so I could face her.
"Your dad told me about what happened and he's a little hurt by it," she began. I looked down at the floor. "But I kind of understand how you feel," she continued surprising me.
"You do?"
"Yeah, I've watched you grow up Connie. I saw the hurt in your eyes when he didn't make it to your games. When he'd come home from work tired and just sit down in front of the tv. But he does love you Connie. Your father is just one of those guys that don't know how to show their emotions. He thought that by working hard and providing you and your sister with as much of what you wanted that he could that he was showing you how much he cared for you. My dad was just like that and believe me I didn't realize it until I was much older. I never did get an opportunity to get to know my Dad before he died but at least your father is trying. Give him a chance."
"Its just hard. I feel like he's criticizing the things that I love."
"He just wants the best for you. He doesn't want you to limit your opportunities."
"But he makes it sounds as if to do that I need to give up the things I love. I really want to try out for that roller hockey team. I mean, I don't think I'll ever make pros unless they start a woman's ice hockey league but I do want to try to keep playing through college. Being on the roller hockey team will keep me in shape for next season."
"Then try out," my mom told me simply. "But maybe you could find another club or something that you could also be involved in. Try to make new friends. Friends who might not necessarily like hockey but that you have something in common with."
"I guess I could try to do that," I said. What she was saying sounded sensible and wasn't I just thinking that I wanted some friends who were girls. I wasn't going to meet many girls playing hockey.
"And I talked to your father. I told him to not try at once to be your best friend. Your sister and I have been around since he got from the hospital and the change in him has been easier to take for us because we got to see most of it take place. You haven't seen him for awhile and suddenly he's a whole different person. I know that is hard. Just be patient. Your father had a scare and those things change people. Just give him a chance. Maybe you can pick one part of your life that you feel comfortable with him asking questions about and share that with him instead of trying to share your whole life with him at first."
"I'll try that," I told her.
"Good," she said standing up. "Sure you don't have time for one game before going over to Charlie's?"
"I guess I have time for one game," I told her standing up. Together we went downstairs and joined my dad and sister in the living room.
Guy's POV:
My family was driving me crazy. All semester while I had been at Eden Hall I kept wishing I was home. Now that I was home I wanted to be back at Eden Hall. This wasn't the family I had left back in September.
Abby had spent most of the day shut up in her room. I think she new something was up but unlike me wasn't going to say anything. The twins just seemed in a worse mood than usual. They complained they were bored but didn't want to do anything anyone suggested. My parents spent the whole day either silently arguing or ignoring each other. Alexis, being only two, was to young to realize what was going on still seemed to pick up on everyone's bad mood and was cranky the whole day. She never did go down for her afternoon nap which just made her even more crankier.
By three thirty I had to get out of the house. It was still early but I headed over to Charlie's place anyway. I didn't think he would mind if I showed up early. I went up to my room, grabbed my gift for the gift exchange and then headed back downstairs. My parents were both in the livingroom watching tv and ignoring each other. My dad was sitting on the couch and my mom was in the rocking chair trying to get Alexis to stop crying.
"I'm heading over to Charlie's," I said to them as I came down the steps and headed for the front door.
"Okay," my dad said never taking his eyes of the tv.
"Have fun," my mom said at least glancing my way.
I left he house and headed toward Charlie's place. I felt a lot calmer just leaving the house. I was starting to think maybe my parents were right. Maybe things would be better after the split up. At least the house wouldn't be so tense. Still, I couldn't figure out how things could've deteriorated in the few months that I had been away at school. Things had been fine this summer as far as I knew. Maybe if I hadn't gone to Eden Hall it would've been different. Maybe my family would have been still been one family instead of splitting in two.
Before two long I was outside of Charlie's apartment building. I headed up the steps saying hello to the people I passed. I had been over at Charlie's enough that all of his neighbors knew who I was. When I reached his apartment I knocked on the door hoping that it wouldn't be a problem that I showed up early.
Shortly after I knocked the door was opened by Charlie. He looked a little surprised to see me.
"Hi Charlie," I said. "I hope you don't mind that I showed up early."
"No of course not," Charlie said. "Come on in," he told me stepping aside.
As I walked in I saw Coach Bombay sitting on the couch.
"Hi Guy," Bombay said to me.
"Hi Coach. I'm not imposing am I?" I asked as Mrs. Conway came into the living room from the kitchen.
"Of course not," she told me. "You know you're always welcome here Guy."
"Actually I probably should be going," Bombay said standing up.
"Are you sure you can't stay?" Mrs. Conway asked. "It would be nice to have some help supervising all these kids," she said with a smile.
"Well, let me call Angela and make sure she didn't have any plans for tonight," Coach Bombay told her. I knew that Adam's mother's first name was Angela so I figured that met that Mrs. Banks was at Gordon's with Adam.
As the two adults disappeared into the kitchen Charlie led me to his room.
"You want to talk about what's bothering you?" Charlie asked as he shut the door behind him and I sat at his desk. He crossed the room and sat on the bed.
"Who said anything is bothering me?" I told him.
"You don't have to say anything. We've been friends since kindergarten. I know when something is bothering you."
I let out a sigh. Charlie was right. We both knew each other too well to try and hide things from each other. Deep down I knew that was the reason I came over to his house because I knew Charlie would start the conversation. That I wouldn't have to try and bring it up by myself.
"My family is what is bothering me. No one is exactly in the Christmas spirit."
"You don't exactly sound in the Christmas spirit yourself."
"I guess I'm not. My mom told me that she and my dad are going to get a divorce."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Charlie said sincerely. " I can't believe they sprung that on you guys right before Christmas."
"They didn't. I sort of picked up on something was wrong and asked my mom about it and she told me. Of course now I have to keep their secret with them because they don't want to ruin Christmas. Not that I think it is helping. The others are picking up on their mood even Alexis."
"Maybe its for the best," Charlie said.
"I just wish I knew what had happen. I go away and everything is fine. I come back and my mom is sleeping on the couch. Maybe I shouldn't have gone to Eden Hall. Maybe I should have just went to Minneapolis High School with Jesse. Then I could have been home."
"Your parents didn't drift apart just because you went to Eden, Guy. It would have happened even if you hadn't been home. Sometimes people's feelings for each other just change. Its not your fault."
"Your scaring me Charlie," I said. "For once your being sensible."
"Very funny," Charlie told me throwing his pillow at me. I caught the pillow and threw it back at him It hit him in the face and fell to the ground. "But seriously, Guy," Charlie said anytime you want to talk I'll listen."
"Thanks Charlie," I told him. "Anything you want to talk about?" I couldn't help asking. I had a feeling that something was going on in Charlie's family life right now too.
"Actually yes but I can't," Charlie said. "I made a promise to someone to keep quiet for now."
"Fair enough," I said. "When your ready or allowed to talk I hope I'm the first one you'll tell what is going on."
"You will be," Charlie said. The doorbell range then and we heard Mrs. Conway call, "Charlie Les and Greg are here." Mrs. Conway insisted on using all of our first names even though we didn't.
"Coming," Charlie called out and he and I left his room to go meet our other friends.
Charlie's POV:
After Averman and Goldberg showed up the other Ducks weren't far behind. Before long we were all crowded into my living room with plates of food that my Mom had prepared. With so many of us and not much room my mom had decided to just do a smorgasbord. It felt great to be with everyone just having fun. I think we all forgot about our family problems for the time being.
The gift exchange was interesting. Most of us had gotten joke gifts for each other which got a bunch of laughs out of everyone. I think the best one was the books that Fulton got Averman which was 101 Lame Jokes Not To Tell At A Party. Connie had drew Adam's name and had brought the present over figuring I'd probably go to see him before she got the chance which worked out because she ended up giving it to Coach Bombay to take with him.
After the gift exchange we all ended up making Christmas/Get Well cards for Adam. I think we all wanted to do something for him to cheer him up on Christmas. While we working on the cards though Averman said what I think we were all thinking.
"To bad there wasn't something else we could do. I'd hate being sick over Christmas," Averman had commented.
"We could all call him tomorrow. I'm sure he'd like to hear from us," Connie said to which we all nodded to.
"But there has to be something more we could do," Fulton commented.
We were silent for a few minutes and then Guy burst out, " I got an idea, if Goldberg is okay with it."
"Well, lets hear it,"I said quickly.
Guy quickly told us his idea. We all thought it was a great idea. We abandoned our cards and headed to the kitchen to run the idea by Coach Bombay.
"Hey Coach," I said as I came into the kitchen followed closely by the rest of my friends. "We had an idea on how to make tomorrow a bit more like Christmas for Adam but we wanted to know if it would be okay to do." I told him.
Bombay listened patiently as Guy told him the idea he had. I watched as a smile slowly came to not only Bombay's face but my Mom's too.
"I think that would really cheer him up," Coach Bombay said when Guy had finished. "And if it is okay with everyone's parents I'll help you pull it off," he told us to which we all started cheering and complimenting Guy on his wonderful idea.
"I'll help too," my mom said over the commotion.
"Is it okay if everyone calls home?" I asked my mom.
"Sure, go ahead."
One by one, all my friends called home and asked if it was okay to do what we were planning. All of them said yes, even Goldberg's parents who had doubted his parents would let him be a part of it. After all of them had permission we retreated back to the living room to finish the cards. Coach Bombay and my Mom came and joined us and we started to plan the details. Suddenly Christmas was seeming a lot brighter.
After my long walk I was feeling much calmer. I still didn't completely understand why I had gone off on my Dad like that. I hadn't even realized that I was ever angry at him for not being at my games or asking me questions about my day. And if that was the case then why when all of a sudden he did take an interest did I suddenly not want him to do? I had no clue as to what the answer was.
I walked into the house to find my parents and Cecily in the living room playing a board game. As I hung up my coat I heard Cecily yell, "Yes, I won again."
"Hi honey," my Mom said.
"Come join us," Cecily chimed in.
My dad didn't even look up as he set the game back up so they could start again.
"No thanks. I need to go get ready to head over to Charlie's," I said. I actually had plenty of time until I left. I really didn't want to spend time with my Dad right now, especially not with my little sister there too. I didn't want to drag her into the problems I was having with my dad.
I headed upstairs and sat down at my desk. What I really wanted to do was talk to Julie but that wasn't possible. I was still here in Minnesota and she was at a resort in Maine. I knew Guy would listen but it wasn't the same as talking to Julie. Guy also had his own family problems right now. He had told me the night before that his parents were going to get a divorce.
Sometimes I wished that I had more friends who were girls not that I didn't love the Ducks. I thought about Tammy but then decided against it. We weren't really all that close and this wasn't something I could talk to just anyone about.
There was a knock at my door. At first I just ignored it. I didn't really want to talk to either of my parents or Cecily for that matter. However, whoever it was just wouldn't go away. When they knocked the second time I just let out a sigh. So much for being alone.
"Come in," I called out.
I turned around to see that it was my mom who was at the door. She came in and quietly shut the door behind her. My mom came in and sat down on my bed and I turned the desk chair around so I could face her.
"Your dad told me about what happened and he's a little hurt by it," she began. I looked down at the floor. "But I kind of understand how you feel," she continued surprising me.
"You do?"
"Yeah, I've watched you grow up Connie. I saw the hurt in your eyes when he didn't make it to your games. When he'd come home from work tired and just sit down in front of the tv. But he does love you Connie. Your father is just one of those guys that don't know how to show their emotions. He thought that by working hard and providing you and your sister with as much of what you wanted that he could that he was showing you how much he cared for you. My dad was just like that and believe me I didn't realize it until I was much older. I never did get an opportunity to get to know my Dad before he died but at least your father is trying. Give him a chance."
"Its just hard. I feel like he's criticizing the things that I love."
"He just wants the best for you. He doesn't want you to limit your opportunities."
"But he makes it sounds as if to do that I need to give up the things I love. I really want to try out for that roller hockey team. I mean, I don't think I'll ever make pros unless they start a woman's ice hockey league but I do want to try to keep playing through college. Being on the roller hockey team will keep me in shape for next season."
"Then try out," my mom told me simply. "But maybe you could find another club or something that you could also be involved in. Try to make new friends. Friends who might not necessarily like hockey but that you have something in common with."
"I guess I could try to do that," I said. What she was saying sounded sensible and wasn't I just thinking that I wanted some friends who were girls. I wasn't going to meet many girls playing hockey.
"And I talked to your father. I told him to not try at once to be your best friend. Your sister and I have been around since he got from the hospital and the change in him has been easier to take for us because we got to see most of it take place. You haven't seen him for awhile and suddenly he's a whole different person. I know that is hard. Just be patient. Your father had a scare and those things change people. Just give him a chance. Maybe you can pick one part of your life that you feel comfortable with him asking questions about and share that with him instead of trying to share your whole life with him at first."
"I'll try that," I told her.
"Good," she said standing up. "Sure you don't have time for one game before going over to Charlie's?"
"I guess I have time for one game," I told her standing up. Together we went downstairs and joined my dad and sister in the living room.
Guy's POV:
My family was driving me crazy. All semester while I had been at Eden Hall I kept wishing I was home. Now that I was home I wanted to be back at Eden Hall. This wasn't the family I had left back in September.
Abby had spent most of the day shut up in her room. I think she new something was up but unlike me wasn't going to say anything. The twins just seemed in a worse mood than usual. They complained they were bored but didn't want to do anything anyone suggested. My parents spent the whole day either silently arguing or ignoring each other. Alexis, being only two, was to young to realize what was going on still seemed to pick up on everyone's bad mood and was cranky the whole day. She never did go down for her afternoon nap which just made her even more crankier.
By three thirty I had to get out of the house. It was still early but I headed over to Charlie's place anyway. I didn't think he would mind if I showed up early. I went up to my room, grabbed my gift for the gift exchange and then headed back downstairs. My parents were both in the livingroom watching tv and ignoring each other. My dad was sitting on the couch and my mom was in the rocking chair trying to get Alexis to stop crying.
"I'm heading over to Charlie's," I said to them as I came down the steps and headed for the front door.
"Okay," my dad said never taking his eyes of the tv.
"Have fun," my mom said at least glancing my way.
I left he house and headed toward Charlie's place. I felt a lot calmer just leaving the house. I was starting to think maybe my parents were right. Maybe things would be better after the split up. At least the house wouldn't be so tense. Still, I couldn't figure out how things could've deteriorated in the few months that I had been away at school. Things had been fine this summer as far as I knew. Maybe if I hadn't gone to Eden Hall it would've been different. Maybe my family would have been still been one family instead of splitting in two.
Before two long I was outside of Charlie's apartment building. I headed up the steps saying hello to the people I passed. I had been over at Charlie's enough that all of his neighbors knew who I was. When I reached his apartment I knocked on the door hoping that it wouldn't be a problem that I showed up early.
Shortly after I knocked the door was opened by Charlie. He looked a little surprised to see me.
"Hi Charlie," I said. "I hope you don't mind that I showed up early."
"No of course not," Charlie said. "Come on in," he told me stepping aside.
As I walked in I saw Coach Bombay sitting on the couch.
"Hi Guy," Bombay said to me.
"Hi Coach. I'm not imposing am I?" I asked as Mrs. Conway came into the living room from the kitchen.
"Of course not," she told me. "You know you're always welcome here Guy."
"Actually I probably should be going," Bombay said standing up.
"Are you sure you can't stay?" Mrs. Conway asked. "It would be nice to have some help supervising all these kids," she said with a smile.
"Well, let me call Angela and make sure she didn't have any plans for tonight," Coach Bombay told her. I knew that Adam's mother's first name was Angela so I figured that met that Mrs. Banks was at Gordon's with Adam.
As the two adults disappeared into the kitchen Charlie led me to his room.
"You want to talk about what's bothering you?" Charlie asked as he shut the door behind him and I sat at his desk. He crossed the room and sat on the bed.
"Who said anything is bothering me?" I told him.
"You don't have to say anything. We've been friends since kindergarten. I know when something is bothering you."
I let out a sigh. Charlie was right. We both knew each other too well to try and hide things from each other. Deep down I knew that was the reason I came over to his house because I knew Charlie would start the conversation. That I wouldn't have to try and bring it up by myself.
"My family is what is bothering me. No one is exactly in the Christmas spirit."
"You don't exactly sound in the Christmas spirit yourself."
"I guess I'm not. My mom told me that she and my dad are going to get a divorce."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Charlie said sincerely. " I can't believe they sprung that on you guys right before Christmas."
"They didn't. I sort of picked up on something was wrong and asked my mom about it and she told me. Of course now I have to keep their secret with them because they don't want to ruin Christmas. Not that I think it is helping. The others are picking up on their mood even Alexis."
"Maybe its for the best," Charlie said.
"I just wish I knew what had happen. I go away and everything is fine. I come back and my mom is sleeping on the couch. Maybe I shouldn't have gone to Eden Hall. Maybe I should have just went to Minneapolis High School with Jesse. Then I could have been home."
"Your parents didn't drift apart just because you went to Eden, Guy. It would have happened even if you hadn't been home. Sometimes people's feelings for each other just change. Its not your fault."
"Your scaring me Charlie," I said. "For once your being sensible."
"Very funny," Charlie told me throwing his pillow at me. I caught the pillow and threw it back at him It hit him in the face and fell to the ground. "But seriously, Guy," Charlie said anytime you want to talk I'll listen."
"Thanks Charlie," I told him. "Anything you want to talk about?" I couldn't help asking. I had a feeling that something was going on in Charlie's family life right now too.
"Actually yes but I can't," Charlie said. "I made a promise to someone to keep quiet for now."
"Fair enough," I said. "When your ready or allowed to talk I hope I'm the first one you'll tell what is going on."
"You will be," Charlie said. The doorbell range then and we heard Mrs. Conway call, "Charlie Les and Greg are here." Mrs. Conway insisted on using all of our first names even though we didn't.
"Coming," Charlie called out and he and I left his room to go meet our other friends.
Charlie's POV:
After Averman and Goldberg showed up the other Ducks weren't far behind. Before long we were all crowded into my living room with plates of food that my Mom had prepared. With so many of us and not much room my mom had decided to just do a smorgasbord. It felt great to be with everyone just having fun. I think we all forgot about our family problems for the time being.
The gift exchange was interesting. Most of us had gotten joke gifts for each other which got a bunch of laughs out of everyone. I think the best one was the books that Fulton got Averman which was 101 Lame Jokes Not To Tell At A Party. Connie had drew Adam's name and had brought the present over figuring I'd probably go to see him before she got the chance which worked out because she ended up giving it to Coach Bombay to take with him.
After the gift exchange we all ended up making Christmas/Get Well cards for Adam. I think we all wanted to do something for him to cheer him up on Christmas. While we working on the cards though Averman said what I think we were all thinking.
"To bad there wasn't something else we could do. I'd hate being sick over Christmas," Averman had commented.
"We could all call him tomorrow. I'm sure he'd like to hear from us," Connie said to which we all nodded to.
"But there has to be something more we could do," Fulton commented.
We were silent for a few minutes and then Guy burst out, " I got an idea, if Goldberg is okay with it."
"Well, lets hear it,"I said quickly.
Guy quickly told us his idea. We all thought it was a great idea. We abandoned our cards and headed to the kitchen to run the idea by Coach Bombay.
"Hey Coach," I said as I came into the kitchen followed closely by the rest of my friends. "We had an idea on how to make tomorrow a bit more like Christmas for Adam but we wanted to know if it would be okay to do." I told him.
Bombay listened patiently as Guy told him the idea he had. I watched as a smile slowly came to not only Bombay's face but my Mom's too.
"I think that would really cheer him up," Coach Bombay said when Guy had finished. "And if it is okay with everyone's parents I'll help you pull it off," he told us to which we all started cheering and complimenting Guy on his wonderful idea.
"I'll help too," my mom said over the commotion.
"Is it okay if everyone calls home?" I asked my mom.
"Sure, go ahead."
One by one, all my friends called home and asked if it was okay to do what we were planning. All of them said yes, even Goldberg's parents who had doubted his parents would let him be a part of it. After all of them had permission we retreated back to the living room to finish the cards. Coach Bombay and my Mom came and joined us and we started to plan the details. Suddenly Christmas was seeming a lot brighter.