Time seemed to be dragging on. I had been in the hospital for nearly a week and was finally off suicide watch, meaning that now I had some privacy, however; I don't know if that was really the best thing for me either. The more time I had to myself, the more I would think about everything that caused me to become stressed and depressed. Dr. Nolan was helping me to develop coping skills and to talk out my problems about my parents, hockey, and school. I suppose it was helping, I was starting to feel a little better about everything. My mom had a hard time coming to see me. She claimed she was busy packing and getting ready for the move.

The move…I wasn't exactly sure how I was supposed to react to that. I mean, I was angry, but maybe my mom had a point. Maybe it would be good for me. What was worrying me the most was college. Where was I going to go now? Hockey would probably be out of the question and I didn't know many of the colleges in Michigan. More importantly, there was the idea that I wouldn't get to graduate, I would miss the entire end of the year senior events and being with my friends during he last couple of months.

"Adam?" I looked up to see Coach Bombay walking into my room.

"Hi, Coach."

"I'm sorry I didn't come sooner. How are you doing?" he smiled and pulled up a chair next to my bed.

I contemplated how to answer that. Normally people say "fine" or "good" no matter how they are really feeling. How did I really feel? "Well…not perfect. Confused mostly I guess."

"That's perfectly normal. I wanted to come because I heard you have been having some trouble with your mom and that you are moving, and mostly, to make sure that you were doing OK."

"Yea…well, my mom is going to re-marry and we have to move to Michigan. I don't even get to graduate and I don't know where I am going to go to college."

"Don't worry about that so much right now, Adam, worry about getting well first. When do you start psychical therepy?"

"I don't know, nobody has said anything yet. Probably not for a while. I might have to have surgery on my ankle. All I want to do is play hockey next year."

"Just don't feel the need to rush. You have plenty of time to come back and even so, there will be more to life than playing hockey."

"I know, Coach, but that's all I've ever wanted. Now with my Dad gone, I want it even more. To prove to him that I can still do it."

"Adam, I know how much it meant to you to please your father, and that the pressure is not any less now that he is gone, but don't feel the need to push yourself so hard right now. Just relax and concentrate on getting better so you can come back twice as strong and ready to get back into the game. Sort out your life first. You gave everybody quite a scare and everybody just wants you to get better first."

All I could do was nod as Bombay continued, "But for when you do feel ready to conquer college and hockey I have a connection for you. There is a small liberal arts college in central Michigan called Alma College. I have a friend from school there who coaches hockey. His name is Luke Mayer and I know he would be glad to help you."

"Thanks, Coach."

"Anytime, now I've got to go, but you know how to reach me. Whenever you need to talk, give me a call Adam, I always have time." He gave my shoulder a squeeze and walked out of the room, and I discovered that I actually felt a little better.

"Adam, wake up."

"Huh?" I opened my eyes to see my mother, Dan, and Dr. Larson standing over me.

"We have good news for you, Adam, you are making good progress, and you will be able to go home in the next few days, but you will have to come back here every three days to see Dr. Nolan and then to begin psychical therepy so we can get you back and playing hockey ASAP."

I nodded; I had hoped this was going to be happening soon. The adults talked for a few more minutes about my progress while I zoned out. My head my starting to throb. I had nearly forgotten about the concussion, I had been drugged up for so long I hadn't been feeling much pain. The light in the room was so bright I had to shut my eyes. All I wanted to do was go back to sleep.

"Adam? Adam?" Somebody was calling my name…why did it sound so far away? Suddenly, everything went black.

A/N: OK, so Alma College really doesn't have a hockey team, but hey, that's why I love fiction.