The next day at practice Herb had the boys scrimmaging against each other. I was sitting on the bench next to Doc. He was checking Steve Christoff's knee. I was closely watching the boys on the ice. As usual my eyes strayed to Rizzo out on the ice.

"Pass it …" Herb was yelling as Rizzo skated across the ice with a puck. Rizzo got checked and went down on the ice. Herb blew his whistle. "NO NO NO! Get it to a point."

Rizzo started to get to his feet looking a bit dejected as Herb continued to yell. "You're quarterback in this play." Herb pointed at Rizzo. "Come on Rizzo, I got you running this play. I'll tell you what you're gonna run right now is the bench. Mac get out here."

Rizzo skated over to the bench as McClanahan took out on the ice. I hated to see Rizzo struggling, especially the way that Herb was always reminding the boys that six of them were going to be cut. I watched Rizzo climb over the wall and take a seat on the bench. I stared at the ground to fight the urge to go over to him and wrap my arms around him.

Later that day practice finished up with Herb drawing some plays on the glass, which the boys did not understand. And when he was finished the boys all stood around trying to figure out just what he was talking about.

"Rizzo, how are you doing?" I asked as we walked off the ice.

"Okay, I just need to bring my game up a little I guess." Rizzo said.

"You'll get it together soon." Buzz said. "Herb is just tough on all of us."

"What is with these drawings on the glass?" Bah asked me.

"I never know exactly what Herb is doing. Half the time it's me, dad and Doc wondering what Herb is trying to." I said.

When we got by the locker room Rizzo let the team walk in and stayed behind. "Chev, can I talk to you for a second?"

"I always have time for you. What do you need?" I asked him.

"We leave for Norway, next week and start our pre-Olympic tour." Rizzo said.

"I know. I am really excited and nervous. Everyone has been practicing together for two and a half months, but now we're actually going to play another team." I said.

"Is there a night before we leave for Norway that your dad will be out of the apartment for the evening?" Rizzo asked.

"That's an odd question. Why?" I asked not sure what he was trying to get at.

"I have my reasons for asking. Is there?" Rizzo asked.

"Well Friday night, dad and Herb have to meet with some Olympic Committee to get ready for the trip to Norway. He was griping last night that those meetings will probably last till midnight." I told him.

"Great, I want to take you out Friday night then." Rizzo said, smiling for the first time since Herb benched him.

"What does you taking me out have to do with dad having meetings?" I asked, hoping that Rizzo wasn't wanting to try anything I wasn't ready for.

"You'll see, I have something special planned." Rizzo said. "I got to go shower. I'll see you later." Rizzo turned to walk into the locker room. "Chev, wear a dress Friday night."

I watched the door shut behind him, wondering what he was planning.