September, 1979 Oslo Norway
The flight to Norway had been uneventful. I sat with Rizzo and Silk most of the trip. The hotel in Oslo was beautiful. I had never been to Europe and I was so excited. We were allowed three hours during the afternoon to explore the city. Rizzo and I had plans to tour the city together. OC, Cox and Silk were going o go with us. That was great because they knew about me and Rizzo so we could act like a couple.
"Come on you guys. I want to get going. We have to be at the arena in four hours. I would like to see something before that time." I yelled into Rizzo and OC's room.
"Rizzo, tell your girlfriend to stop being so noisy." OC said as he and Rizzo walked out into the hall with me.
"OC wants you to stop being so noisy." Rizzo said and kissed me.
"Get a room!" Coxie called from down the hall.
"You're just jealous, Coxie." I said with a wink. "Now let's go."
We walked out of the hotel and through the city. We stuck close together because few people in the city spoke English.
"Silky did you ever see so many beautiful women in one place?" OC said. "And they're blondes most of them."
"I know. What do you think Rizzo?" Silk asked.
I cleared my throat. "Oh, I think dark blondes are very sexy. Especially American dark blonde women, that wears their hair like Ferrah!" Rizzo said with a wink.
"Oh yes, dark blondes with Ferrah's hair from America are the sexiest around. Especially when they like hockey!" OC said dramatically and winked at me.
I laughed with the guys as we walked towards a fountain that had benches around it. Rizzo and I sat on one of the benches as the others went to look at some sculptures near the fountain.
"Eruzione of Boston University rounds the boards…" Rizzo started, he had been calling a game in his mind off and on most of the plane trip.
"Whoa, Rizzo. You don't play for Boston University anymore." I told him. He looked over at me.
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
"You play for the United States now. You should be calling that game saying 'Eruzione out of Boston University for team USA'." I told him.
"You're right. We all keep saying our college teams, but we're USA's team now." Rizzo said.
"Do you really like dark blondes that wear their hair like Ferrah?" I asked and Rizzo laughed.
"I wouldn't trade you for ten of those girls OC and Silky were looking at." Rizzo said.
"Good answer." I said and leaned over and kissed him.
"Get a room!" OC called out to us. We broke apart and saw him walking towards us.
"Chev, what are you wearing?" Buzz asked me as we sat on the bench at the beginning of the game against Norway. I was so excited that the boys were playing their first game.
"I am wearing a gray sweatshirt and jeans." I told him.
"I can see that, but what is up with the gloves and scarf?" Buzz asked me.
"I always bundle up when I am on ice level. You've seen me in my jackets and stuff at practice. But during games, I think scarves and gloves look neater."
"It's not that cold, Chevon." Silk said.
"Easy for you to say, you're wearing all that padding and stuff. And you're a man. Women are more cold-blooded." I told him.
I stood behind the bench watching the game against Norway beside dad, Doc and Herb. The game was tied but the boys seemed to not be playing as well as I knew they could. Herb seemed to pace like a panther and was very frustrated. I watched as Rizzo took a hard check to the ice that made me shudder. I had found that every time Rizzo took a hit, I had this urge to run to him and see if he was okay. I walked back down the bench.
"Oh wow, dynamite." I heard Bah say to Buzz then turn to Verchota. I leaned against the glass. "Look over here Philly, section two about fours rows up. Two girls blonde."
"Man their gorgeous." Verchota answered. I rolled my eyes and caught that Herb was also eavesdropping on their girl watching.
"Twins about seventh row up." Verchota and Silk told Bah.
"Lovely blonde girls." Bah said to Buzz.
I couldn't believe that in the middle of a game, these guys were looking at girls like a bunch of 7th grade boys who had just discovered the anatomy section of their science book. I jumped a bit as the buzzer sounded marking the end of the game. I walked over to my dad.
"Get a whistle." Herb told my dad.
I watched as the boys shook hands with the Norway team and then I followed my dad out onto the ice. "Hold up, hold up hold up." Dad said to the boys as the reach the edge of the ice. "Get back out on the ice. Let's go"
"What for?" Bah asked.
"We'll find out soon enough. Let's go, back on the ice. Come on boys." Dad told them.
"What for?" Mac asked this time.
"We'll find out in a minute won't we? Let's go. Come on." Dad said and walked out onto the ice with them.
I stayed with Doc and watched as the boys skated to the center of the ice to meet with Herb.
Herb looked over the boys, "You guys don't want to work during the game. No problem, we'll work now. Goal line, That one." Herb said and pointed across the ice.
The boys moaned and slammed sticks as the lined up on the line to begin skating drills. Herb walked across the ice and stood near the wall opposite of where Doc and I were standing behind my dad who was on the ice. I looked up and saw the fans were leaving the arena, many of them giving us funny looks for still being on the ice.
Herb nodded and dad blew the whistle. The boys all took off skating. "Hustle!" Herb yelled at Jim Craig and Steve Janaszak who were skating in full goalie gear. Everyone reach the line and lined up again.
"You think you can win on talent alone…gentlemen you don't have enough talent to win on talent alone!" Herb told them. "Again."
Dad blew the whistle and the team took off skating again.
"You think you can come in here and play the Norwegian National team and tie em, and then go to the Olympics and win! You got another thing coming!" Herb said and nodded at my dad. Dad blew the whistle and the boys started skating another drills.
I watched the boys skate up and down the ice several times. I could see they were getting tired.
"You better think about something else, each and every one of you." Herb told them. "When you pull on that jersey, you represent yourself and your teammates. And the name on the front is a hell of a lot more important than the one on the back. GET THAT THROUGH YOUR HEAD! Again!"
Dad blew the whistle and the team took off up and down the ice.
"Win, lose or tie, you're going to play like champions. Again!" Herb yelled. Dad blew the whistle and the boys started skating again. I knew that Herb was trying to make a point, but I felt he was getting carried away.
"Kick it in the ass, Verchota. You want to go home early. You want to go home, Suter. All the way to the line and all the way back. It's not that difficult! AGAIN!" Herb yelled. Dad blew the whistle.
Herb kept the boys out there skating drills several more minutes. I had no idea when this was going to end and I was beginning to worry about the boys. The rink manager approached Doc and I. He explained to us that he wanted to finish up at the arena and go home for the night. Doc said he would tell Herb.
"Herb!" Doc called out, walking across the ice. "The rink manager, he wants to clean the ice and then go home."
"Tell him to leave me the keys, I'll lock up. Again" Herb said. I couldn't believe what I was hearing! We were a guest in this arena and Herb was being rude…in another country no less! My dad hesitated to blow the whistle. "Again!" Herb called.
Dad blew the whistle and the boys took off skating as Doc made his way back across the ice. The rink manager was annoyed as Doc and I both profusely apologized.
"You keep playing this way and you won't beat anybody who's even good let alone great." Herb yelled at the boys as the skated back to the line. "YOU WANT TO MAKE THIS TEAM, YOU BETTER START PLAYING AT A LEVEL THAT IS GOING TO FORCE ME TO KEEP YOU HERE!!! Again!"
Before dad could blow the whistle, the arena went dark. I knew that the rink manager must have shut down all the lights hoping to get rid of Herb and the boys off the ice. We all kind of looked at each other and around the arena that was now dark. A few of the boys started to skate away from the line. We all thought that Herb would now end these drills that had been going on for nearly 30 minutes.
"Hey, where you going?" Herb asked them. "Back on the line."
Dad, Doc and I all looked at each other. "Again!" Herb called out. Dad hesitated, knowing that this was going too far. "Send them." Herb called and dad blew the whistle. I wondered exactly what Herb was doing. I knew he was unorthodox but this…this was unheard of, even for Herb Brooks.
The boys skated many more drills in the dark. They were getting so tired, many were having trouble standing. A few looked ready to vomit, all were breathing hard. I looked at Rizzo. He looked ready to collapse. I had to look away to keep from crying.
"How about it Silky, you gonna be the first one to quit on me?" Herb yelled as the boys made to back to the line. A few of them falling on their knees. "How about you OC, you ready to go down? I think I got my money on you Verchota. Course you got a hot date in about an hour, but you're not looking to good for that right about now, now are you? Send them."
Dad shook his head. "Again." Herb called and dad blew the whistle.
I watched as the boys skated several more drills up and down the ice. I was scared one of them was going to get hurt, they already looked sick. My dad was shaking his head.
"Doc, you know this is madness right?" Dad said to Doc. Doc nodded in agreement.
I sat down on the bench and rested my head in my hands. I was frustrated and upset. I was about to cry and I wanted nothing more than to run to Rizzo, but I couldn't look at him because he was in so much pain. I heard the boys gagging and coughing.
"This cannot be a team of common men, because common men go nowhere." Herb said. "You have to be uncommon. Again!"
"Herb, this has gone on long enough!" Doc called out to Herb.
"Everybody on that line!" Herb told the team.
"Somebody's going to get hurt!" Doc yelled.
I could hear more coughing and gagging from the boys.
"Everybody get on that line!" Herb said. I heard the boys struggling to get to their feet and line up. Now Herb was really going too far. He was ignoring his own staff. "Again."
I looked up and saw my dad was torn about what to do. And I knew my dad did not agree with what Herb was doing. Dad looked down and shook his head.
"Again." Herb said.
"Herb…" My dad started but couldn't quite find words.
"Come on Craig, blow the whistle. Again!" Herb said.
I watched my dad shake his head and slowly started to lift the whistle to his mouth.
"MIKE ERUZIONE!"
I heard Rizzo's voice yelling his own name out. I stood up and looked over to where Rizzo was bent down in agony. Silky was clinging onto the net trying to stand up. Others were holding onto each other. I saw Rizzo trying to breathe.
"WINTHROP, MASSACHUSSETTS!" Rizzo yelled out.
"Who do you play for?" Herb asked him.
Rizzo struggled and stood up. "I PLAY FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!"
I smiled at Rizzo's answer.
"That's all gentlemen." Herb said and started walking off the ice. I stood for a moment not knowing what to think.
I watched as the boys collapsed onto the ice. Herb stalked across the ice while Doc and I looked at each other. When Herb left the ice, Doc, dad and I went out onto the ice to check on the boys. Dad had an unreadable expression on his face. Doc went to the boys and started helping them up. I rushed across the ice to where Rizzo had collapsed on the ice.
"Rizzo, are you okay?" I asked reaching down to hug him. He was breathing hard. "Stupid question. Can you stand?"
He tried to talk and couldn't, I knelt down on the ice and held to his arm. I wanted to be comforting and helpful. I saw Doc was helping Mac up off the ice. "Are you going to throw up?" I asked Rizzo. He shook his head no. "Come on, I will help you to the locker room."
I stood up and helped pull Rizzo to his feet. I put my arm around him and we slowly made our way off the ice. I held tight to him, knowing that no one would think we were together since several players were helping each other off the ice.
"Chev….I am….so tired." Rizzo said.
"I know. Listen, go shower up and catch your breath." I told him as we stepped off the ice. "When we get back to the hotel, I will give you a massage to help you relax."
We stopped in front of the locker room. Rizzo turned and looked at me. "You're…the best." Rizzo said and still breathing hard. "I can't…wait."
I watched Rizzo walk in the locker room, and then I rushed back to the ice to help some others. I saw Silky lying on the ice near the net. I rushed over to help him. I pulled him up and helped him to the locker room. "Damn Silky, seems I am always supporting your ass and carrying you somewhere!" I joked.
"Chev…you're a good woman." Silk said before collapsing to his knees.
"Come on Silky, we need to get you showered and at least back to the hotel." I said pulling him back to his feet.
I stood outside the locker room and waited for Rizzo to come out. I noticed it was taking the boys a very long time to shower and get dressed. I nodded to some of the boys when they walked by. Finally Rizzo walked out with OC. I ran into Rizzo's arms and held him tight.
"Easy, easy. I'm sore." Rizzo said.
"Oh I am so sorry. It's just when you were out on the ice doing those drills, I just wanted to run to you and hold you." I said, and then stopped before I could say too much. I noticed OC raising his eyebrows. "I just didn't want you to get hurt."
"I'll be sore for a day or so, but I am okay." Rizzo said and kissed my hand. Seemed considering what we had been through that night we had let our guard down about getting caught. "Can I still get that massage?"
"Hey, Rizzo gets a massage, I get one too!" OC said as we started walking towards the arena exit to board the bus.
"Says who?" I asked.
"Room mate policy!" OC said with a wink and I started laughing.
"I am not sharing my girlfriend OC." Rizzo said good naturedly.
"You're going to get a nice massage and leave me in pain?" OC joked.
"I never said you couldn't go see Doc!" I told him. OC laughed as we exited the building.
The team bus was waiting for us in front of the arena. We climbed aboard the bus. I sat down with Rizzo and OC took a seat behind us. Dad and Herb were in the front of the bus talking. Doc was still in the locker room as many of the boys needed him to check pulled muscles and such.
One at a time, the boys filed out of the arena and boarded the bus. Most of them moving slowly and looking exhausted. I put my leg against Rizzo's and he smiled at me. I couldn't wait to get back to the hotel so I could just hold him. I realized that it would be rough on me to watch him play and take hits, but as long as I could comfort him later, I would be okay.
When we arrived at the hotel, I told dad I was going to see Jimmy Craig for awhile. Dad kissed me goodnight and said he was going straight to bed. I went to Rizzo and OC's room.
I knocked on the door, "Are you descent?" I called. OC opened the door for me.
"Define descent." OC said and grinned. I smiled at him and walked into the room. It looked as if OC and Rizzo had been changing for bed.
I walked over to Rizzo and pulled him down to me for a long kiss.
"What was that for?" Rizzo asked.
"Because I haven't gotten to kiss you since before the game." I told him.
"This scene of mushiness is making me ill." OC called as he started to crawl into bed.
"Don't mind OC," Rizzo said pulling me into a hug. "He is just jealous because I got a gorgeous woman and all he has is hopes to dream of a gorgeous woman!" Both OC and Rizzo laughed.
"You want that massage now?" I asked Rizzo as OC turned off the lamp next to his bed.
"Yes." Rizzo said.
"Alright sit down on the bed and relax." I told him.
Rizzo sat on the bed and I positioned myself behind him. I started rubbing his shoulders, feeling how tense he was. Slowly as I worked the knots out, he began to relax. I was glad to see him relaxing and calming down. I knew this would help him to sleep.
"You feel any better?" I asked him.
"Much better, I am so glad I have a girlfriend who gives great massages." He said and turned his head to kiss me.
"I should be getting back to my room. I am dead tired but I wanted to take care of you first." I told him and started to stand up.
Rizzo grabbed my arm, "Don't go. Can you stay here with me tonight?"
I looked at him and raised my eyebrows, "Rizzo OC is right there, we're both physically exhausted and…"
"I just want to hold you, you know feel you by me while I sleep." Rizzo said. For some reason this comment choked me up.
"That sounds wonderful, but I couldn't impose on OC." I said.
"Sleep with your boyfriend and shut up so I can sleep." OC called from his bed. "As long as I don't hear you moaning Rizzo's name, I don't care if you stay with him."
I rolled my eyes but smiled, "I don't have anything to sleep in."
"Sleep naked." Rizzo said and raised his eyebrows. I giggled because I knew he was kidding. "I got an extra t-shirt and some sweats you can wear. They'll be big on you but it'll do. They're in my suitcase."
I looked at the suitcase and then back at Rizzo. Dad would think I had fallen asleep in Jimmy's room. I wanted to be close to Rizzo but at the same time was afraid he would start moving faster than I wanted.
"You'll just hold me? Nothing else?" I asked.
Rizzo nodded. "That's it. I am really too tired to even try anything else." He said and I had to laugh.
"Okay, I'll stay, let me get changed." I said and went to Rizzo's suitcase.
I dug out the clothes he told me to and went to the bathroom to change. I realized that every day I was getting more and more attached to Rizzo. 'Is this what falling in love feels like?' I wondered. 'Or am I just getting too attached to a guy who will probably leave me when he is cut from the team or the Olympics are over, whichever comes first?'
I squashed that thought and walked out of the bathroom. Rizzo had crawled into his bed.
"Which side do you want?" he asked me.
"It doesn't matter, as long as you hold me." I said and Rizzo smiled.
I crawled in bed and Rizzo turned out the lights. I waited for my eyes to adjust to the darkness.
"Are you going to stay over there all night? I thought you wanted to be held?" Rizzo said.
I scooted over and found his arms open. I gladly went into them and pulled him close to me. This felt so right and I was so content. I leaned up and kissed him, he started to pull back but I put my hand behind his neck and held him in place. Rizzo then deepened the kiss and pulled me tight against him. I knew I should stop before he started to think I wanted more, but being in his arms kissing him just felt so right. I reluctantly pulled back.
"Chev, what is up with you? Don't get me wrong, I don't mind. I love kissing you and holding you, but your just so…" I placed a finger over his lips.
"Consider it a post-game celebration." I joked and heard him chuckle. I gave him a quick kiss. "Goodnight Rizzo."
Rizzo lay on his back and pulled me close to him. I laid my head on his shoulder. I felt him kiss my temple. Feeling the most content I had in a long time, I fell asleep.
Thanks to everyone who has been reviewing my story. I get so excited to see reviews waiting for me! I've recently learned a great lesson in shameless asvertising. (LOL) So please tell your friends about my story! I welcome more reader/reviewers! Keep reading and enjoy! Thanks again for all the support!
meadow567- Thanks again for the review, glad you got my message. Rizzo does have a fault that will be coming in a few chapters. (But with his game struggles, I didn't want to flaw him too much! LOL)
PrincessBethy- Thanks for all the compliments! I never knew Rizzo had so many fans! Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Mrs. Rizzo- Thanks, I try to update often. I am just glad that it's still interesting!