December 27, 1979 Minneapolis

OC met me at the corner to walk me to the dorms. Rizzo and I had plans to spend the evening together. They boys had practice today after having a few days off for the holidays.

"Did you enjoy your Christmas at the McClanahan's?" I asked as we walked in the cold.

"You should have seen Mac's folks' faces when he introduced me. I guess they knew about the old rivalry." OC said and we both snickered. "Did you have a good Christmas?"

"Yeah, I love the teddy bear Rizzo gave me." I said.

"He loves those cookies you baked for him. He has been eating them for the past two days." OC said.

"And we all know how Rizzo can eat!" I joked and we both laughed as we entered the dorm building.

I followed OC up the stairs and he opened the door to his room and allowed me to walk in. I could hear the shower running. Rizzo must have been in the shower as he was no where in the room. I sat down on the couch. The TV was blaring but I paid little attention.

"Hey, OC where are you going?" I asked noticing he was leaving.

"Coxie and Silky challenged me and Jimmy Craig to a game of Euchre." OC said.

"Have fun. Tell them I said 'hi'." I said as he nodded and walked out the door.

I sat back to wait on Rizzo to get out of the shower. I noticed a letter Rizzo was writing to his mother lying on the couch and picked it up to read what he had written.

Dear Mom,

How are things at home? Herb has been working us hard. I stay busy. When I am not at practice I am usually hanging out with the team and Chevon. I missed all of you at Christmas, but we went to Doc's house and had a great dinner. Chevon loved the teddy bear. She made me a bunch of my favorite cookies. Mom, I really love her. I am so glad that you and dad like her. But I worry about what will happen to 'us' when I get cut from the team. Chev tells me not to say things like that. She always says that she believes in me. I know she does, I just wish I believed in me.

The letter left off there. I smiled-Rizzo was writing home about me. The TV went to a news update about the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan. I looked up at the screen.

"…Soviets executed Hafizullah Amin today. Amin was the president of Afghanistan but was captured when the Soviets invaded the country three days ago. Soviets stated that Amin did not take their advice and could not be trusted. Soviets commented on further distrust of Amin because he wanted US support and support from Pakistan. Many supporters of Amin were also executed. Soviets have announced Babrak Karmal as the new Afghani president…"

This was just too much. Invasions, executions, hostages…it was so much to take in at once. And I was fearful for our safety. I started crying.

"Chevon, what's wrong?" Rizzo said emerging from the bathroom. He was wearing just a pair of sweatpants.

"The Soviets have executed the Afghani president and replaced him with one of their own!" I said.

Rizzo sat down and pulled me into his arms. "It'll be okay. I am sure. You know president Carter is calling for sanctions against the Soviets."

"Mike will we be safe at Lake Placid?" I asked looking right at him.

"What?" Rizzo asked.

I stood up and walked over to the window. "Mike, there is so much turmoil right now and tensions are so high. The US is at odds with the Soviets and Iran…and I just keeping thinking about those Israeli athletes that were murdered at the Munich Olympics. And what if that happens at Lake Placid. I am so scared…how safe will we be?"

"Hey, hey Chev." Rizzo said walking over to me. "We'll be safe. I mean your dad would never let you go somewhere that you're not safe. And if I thought for one second that we would be in any kind of danger at Lake Placid, I would put you and my parents on a plane back to Massachusetts."

"I couldn't stand it if someone hurt you, or one of the team or daddy." I said.

"We'll be safe. I promise. I would never let anything happen to you!" Rizzo said and I leaned against him. He wrapped his arms around me.

Klinoa- The Christmas scene is a good scene. So is the shower scene! LOL

Mrs. Rizzo- Thanks for the review. I hope you like the way I portray Craig. I have a vision of him as a father in my head and hope it reflects in my writing.

Nikkd03- You smiled while reading, I smiled while writing! I am really pleased with your review because it helped me see that one of my 'mini-plots' is showing through little by little.

meadow567- Got your email. I know what you mean about getting ideas. Thanks for the advice as well.

Emador- Deep breath, in and back out! I adore your enthusiasm and I am happy that you liked the Christmas chapter so much. Also, I put the World Events in the story to help show the glum nature of the USA prior to the Olympics.