It was Thursday, game day against Ashland Preparatory—the last day of
Adam's life. Adam took his customary place on the bench in front of his
locker and started his usual pre-game process. Adam stopped suddenly and
realized that today would be the last day he'd ever see his teammates and
friends. To hell with this pre-game ritual, Adam thought. It was an
unpleasant reminder of his father and his negative influence in Adam's
life. The Ducks were always there, always showing Adam unwavering support
and faith. Today would be for them.
"...Scooter really likes it over at Minnesota. He's excited that you're going to be joining him next year. Scooter says he has a spot waiting for you in his fraternity." Julie visibly enjoyed talking about her boyfriend, who began his college career as a walk-on and now excelled as starting goalie of the University of Minnesota's Division I hockey team.
Julie gave him a mock look of concern. "You two aren't going to get in too much trouble, are you?"
Julie was slated to play hockey at Dartmouth University and Adam knew that while she was nervous about returning to the all-female game, Julie would really like it at Dartmouth.
As Julie pulled her hair back into her customary braid, Adam studied her with interest. She really blossomed over the years into a golden beauty and one of his best friends. If Adam didn't care about Thomasin so much, he could have seen himself falling in love with Julie eventually. As it was, Adam would miss her. He surprised even himself as he placed a kiss on Julie's cheek. She gave him a look of confusion. "Good luck with everything, Julie."
Connie and Guy held hands as they talked to Adam about their plans for next year. They would both be playing at the University of Minnesota in Duluth in the fall. The two of them would excel hockey-wise, and Adam hoped that they would make it through all the trials and temptations of college. That was one thing that could make Adam believe in life again.
"You're going to kick ass, Connie. I know it." Adam meant it. Connie held a beautiful grace and loveliness on the ice and always worked to get better. She gave Adam a sweet smile that was adorable and pure.
Adam turned his gaze to Guy. Guy was an extremely consistent player with a fantastic array of skills, and Adam understood that sometimes he felt overshadowed and underappreciated. Adam placed a hand on Guy's arm. Being his roommate for the past two years was filled with moments of unadulterated laughter and fun, and Adam would always remember those times. "There are going to be some great opportunities for you at Duluth. It's going to take some patience and hard work, but you're going to be one of the top defensemen that they have, Guy."
Guy gave him a look that said that he understood. He slapped Adam's arm and said, "Thanks, Adam, but what's up with all the sappiness?"
Adam suddenly felt a little weary. "I've always meant to say these things... But no moment seemed right until now."
Ever since their conversation on the park bench, Adam saw Portman in a different light. "Portman, I just want to thank you for setting me straight. I've been acting like a spoiled preppy lately and I'm glad that someone had the guts to tell me how it is."
Portman grunted an affirmative, but Adam knew that there was more to Portman than met the eye. "I also just wanted to tell you that...I'm proud of you."
It seemed like such a ridiculous thing to say, but at the moment, that's how Adam felt. Portman had gone through things in the past that Adam could not even begin to imagine. Nonetheless, Portman would be attending college in Michigan next fall. Whether or not he'd be playing hockey, Portman didn't know. The point was that Portman had made it when no one ever thought he would.
Adam really wished that he could speak to Jesse Hall right now. When the two of them first met, Jesse was distrustful of working with a former Hawk and "Cake-Eater." But eventually, the two of them became connected through a genuine love of hockey.
Jesse was now playing varsity hockey at a tough public high school in Minneapolis. He had a hard time over there sometimes, because his high school hockey program was always in danger of being eliminated through budget cuts and many of the players had difficulty keeping their grades up.
One time Adam asked Jesse why he refused to attend Eden Hall with the rest of the Ducks. Jesse stared at into the distance before he answered. "I don't know...Maybe because I can make a difference there. I try to be a role model, keeping my grades up and eventually going to college. I teach hockey at the YMCA, and I see kids everyday with dreams—dreams that they think will never come true. I know it sounds dumb...But I just want to show them that it's possible. We don't all take the easy road, but I want them to know that we can all make it, no matter which road we take." Adam held the utmost respect for Jesse, and now Adam wished he could tell Jesse exactly that.
Adam spoke to everyone on his team. He talked to Kenny Wu, who was going to the qualifiers in the summer for next year's major skating competitions. It was going to be a tough, almost impossible road for Kenny. Ice Skating remained as Kenny's first love, and no one could begrudge Kenny his dream. Adam could only wish to have as much courage as Kenny was showing in the last hours of his life.
Adam's conversation with Russ Tyler was light-hearted. Russ cracked a couple of jokes and called him a 'cake eater.'
Fulton was taking a year off of school next year, and Adam wished him luck in everything he did.
Adam let Averman inform him extensively on his latest exploits in Final Fantasy 18—or whatever number they were on now.
Goldberg was going to go back to Philadelphia—to attend a junior college and help his parents out at the deli. He spoke excitedly about the new brands of lunch meats Goldberg's Delicatessen was going to offer in a couple of months.
Luis was going to pursue collegiate track at Ohio State. In the last couple of years Luis had become very much a ladies man and Adam had a difficult time relating to him sometimes. However, he could only wish Luis the best.
Dwayne was going to attend school at New York University—and it made Adam both smile and worry about the same time for him. Adam thought that the change of environment would do Dwayne a lot of good. However, his naiveté in life in general worried Adam. New York was a tough place with people ready to take advantage of someone lacking in street smarts like Dwayne. As Dwayne spoke to him about going home for the summer, roping hogs and raising chickens, Adam really hoped for the best. Adam had to believe in the power of the human spirit, for it existed all around him in this locker room.
Adam sat down on the bench in front of Charlie's locker. He wanted to save his best friend for last. Charlie leaned forward, propped up by his elbows. He had been watching Adam make his rounds.
"Adam, what's going on?" Adam didn't know how to answer Charlie's question. He didn't want to lie to his best friend, but Adam also remembered the warning words of the pale, ethereal woman.
"What aren't you telling us? I don't know...But I have the feeling that you're leaving us unexpectedly. Is it problems with your dad?"
Adam looked at Charlie's face—Charlie looked back at him with an expression of well-meaning concern. He decided at that moment that Charlie should know the truth, at least at some small scale.
Adam let out a sigh. "You're going to have to trust me when I say that I can't tell you everything. I just want to thank you for always being there for me. Through all the craziness with college scouts, my dad, school, Tamsin, you've always given me an ear to talk to and I've never doubted that you've had my back. But soon, there will be a time when I'm not around anymore. Again, I can't tell you when. As my best friend, I just want to ask you to help the Ducks understand in some way. Take care of Tamsin for me. Let my parents know that I love them."
Adam fought hard to keep tears from falling down his face. Now that the time was quickly approaching, he was having trouble leaving it all behind.
Charlie nodded. "I don't fully understand what's going on, but I'll always be here for you, Adam. I'll try my best to do everything you asked. And wherever you're going or whatever you're doing...I'll hope for the best for you." He spoke in a tone of devastating finality.
Adam knew he could count on Charlie. The two best friends sat in silence, knowing that this moment would be burned forever in both of their memories.
"...Scooter really likes it over at Minnesota. He's excited that you're going to be joining him next year. Scooter says he has a spot waiting for you in his fraternity." Julie visibly enjoyed talking about her boyfriend, who began his college career as a walk-on and now excelled as starting goalie of the University of Minnesota's Division I hockey team.
Julie gave him a mock look of concern. "You two aren't going to get in too much trouble, are you?"
Julie was slated to play hockey at Dartmouth University and Adam knew that while she was nervous about returning to the all-female game, Julie would really like it at Dartmouth.
As Julie pulled her hair back into her customary braid, Adam studied her with interest. She really blossomed over the years into a golden beauty and one of his best friends. If Adam didn't care about Thomasin so much, he could have seen himself falling in love with Julie eventually. As it was, Adam would miss her. He surprised even himself as he placed a kiss on Julie's cheek. She gave him a look of confusion. "Good luck with everything, Julie."
Connie and Guy held hands as they talked to Adam about their plans for next year. They would both be playing at the University of Minnesota in Duluth in the fall. The two of them would excel hockey-wise, and Adam hoped that they would make it through all the trials and temptations of college. That was one thing that could make Adam believe in life again.
"You're going to kick ass, Connie. I know it." Adam meant it. Connie held a beautiful grace and loveliness on the ice and always worked to get better. She gave Adam a sweet smile that was adorable and pure.
Adam turned his gaze to Guy. Guy was an extremely consistent player with a fantastic array of skills, and Adam understood that sometimes he felt overshadowed and underappreciated. Adam placed a hand on Guy's arm. Being his roommate for the past two years was filled with moments of unadulterated laughter and fun, and Adam would always remember those times. "There are going to be some great opportunities for you at Duluth. It's going to take some patience and hard work, but you're going to be one of the top defensemen that they have, Guy."
Guy gave him a look that said that he understood. He slapped Adam's arm and said, "Thanks, Adam, but what's up with all the sappiness?"
Adam suddenly felt a little weary. "I've always meant to say these things... But no moment seemed right until now."
Ever since their conversation on the park bench, Adam saw Portman in a different light. "Portman, I just want to thank you for setting me straight. I've been acting like a spoiled preppy lately and I'm glad that someone had the guts to tell me how it is."
Portman grunted an affirmative, but Adam knew that there was more to Portman than met the eye. "I also just wanted to tell you that...I'm proud of you."
It seemed like such a ridiculous thing to say, but at the moment, that's how Adam felt. Portman had gone through things in the past that Adam could not even begin to imagine. Nonetheless, Portman would be attending college in Michigan next fall. Whether or not he'd be playing hockey, Portman didn't know. The point was that Portman had made it when no one ever thought he would.
Adam really wished that he could speak to Jesse Hall right now. When the two of them first met, Jesse was distrustful of working with a former Hawk and "Cake-Eater." But eventually, the two of them became connected through a genuine love of hockey.
Jesse was now playing varsity hockey at a tough public high school in Minneapolis. He had a hard time over there sometimes, because his high school hockey program was always in danger of being eliminated through budget cuts and many of the players had difficulty keeping their grades up.
One time Adam asked Jesse why he refused to attend Eden Hall with the rest of the Ducks. Jesse stared at into the distance before he answered. "I don't know...Maybe because I can make a difference there. I try to be a role model, keeping my grades up and eventually going to college. I teach hockey at the YMCA, and I see kids everyday with dreams—dreams that they think will never come true. I know it sounds dumb...But I just want to show them that it's possible. We don't all take the easy road, but I want them to know that we can all make it, no matter which road we take." Adam held the utmost respect for Jesse, and now Adam wished he could tell Jesse exactly that.
Adam spoke to everyone on his team. He talked to Kenny Wu, who was going to the qualifiers in the summer for next year's major skating competitions. It was going to be a tough, almost impossible road for Kenny. Ice Skating remained as Kenny's first love, and no one could begrudge Kenny his dream. Adam could only wish to have as much courage as Kenny was showing in the last hours of his life.
Adam's conversation with Russ Tyler was light-hearted. Russ cracked a couple of jokes and called him a 'cake eater.'
Fulton was taking a year off of school next year, and Adam wished him luck in everything he did.
Adam let Averman inform him extensively on his latest exploits in Final Fantasy 18—or whatever number they were on now.
Goldberg was going to go back to Philadelphia—to attend a junior college and help his parents out at the deli. He spoke excitedly about the new brands of lunch meats Goldberg's Delicatessen was going to offer in a couple of months.
Luis was going to pursue collegiate track at Ohio State. In the last couple of years Luis had become very much a ladies man and Adam had a difficult time relating to him sometimes. However, he could only wish Luis the best.
Dwayne was going to attend school at New York University—and it made Adam both smile and worry about the same time for him. Adam thought that the change of environment would do Dwayne a lot of good. However, his naiveté in life in general worried Adam. New York was a tough place with people ready to take advantage of someone lacking in street smarts like Dwayne. As Dwayne spoke to him about going home for the summer, roping hogs and raising chickens, Adam really hoped for the best. Adam had to believe in the power of the human spirit, for it existed all around him in this locker room.
Adam sat down on the bench in front of Charlie's locker. He wanted to save his best friend for last. Charlie leaned forward, propped up by his elbows. He had been watching Adam make his rounds.
"Adam, what's going on?" Adam didn't know how to answer Charlie's question. He didn't want to lie to his best friend, but Adam also remembered the warning words of the pale, ethereal woman.
"What aren't you telling us? I don't know...But I have the feeling that you're leaving us unexpectedly. Is it problems with your dad?"
Adam looked at Charlie's face—Charlie looked back at him with an expression of well-meaning concern. He decided at that moment that Charlie should know the truth, at least at some small scale.
Adam let out a sigh. "You're going to have to trust me when I say that I can't tell you everything. I just want to thank you for always being there for me. Through all the craziness with college scouts, my dad, school, Tamsin, you've always given me an ear to talk to and I've never doubted that you've had my back. But soon, there will be a time when I'm not around anymore. Again, I can't tell you when. As my best friend, I just want to ask you to help the Ducks understand in some way. Take care of Tamsin for me. Let my parents know that I love them."
Adam fought hard to keep tears from falling down his face. Now that the time was quickly approaching, he was having trouble leaving it all behind.
Charlie nodded. "I don't fully understand what's going on, but I'll always be here for you, Adam. I'll try my best to do everything you asked. And wherever you're going or whatever you're doing...I'll hope for the best for you." He spoke in a tone of devastating finality.
Adam knew he could count on Charlie. The two best friends sat in silence, knowing that this moment would be burned forever in both of their memories.