February 1980, Minneapolis
Herb had made his final decision on whom to cut from the team. With a heavy heart and my eyes tearing up I followed my dad to the locker room. Dad patted my shoulder, knowing I was upset and went in the locker room to tell the cut player, Herb wanted to talk to him. The entire team had been dreading this moment and now it was here. As the door closed behind dad, I stayed in the hall and burst into tears.
I heard the locker room grow eerily quiet; the team knew the final person was being cut. Someone from the family was going home, and I could hardly bear it. I heard the door open and Ralph Cox stood there. The look on his face told me that he knew already. I tried to speak but couldn't.
"Hey Chev," Cox said trying to smile. "Your dad said Herb wanted to see me."
"Oh Coxie, I'm so sorry!" I finally blubbered and ran to hug him.
I just stood there crying and hugging him. I didn't want him to go home. Cox had been one of my best friends through all of training.
I pulled back and looked at him, "Ralph, you've been such a great friend to me and Rizzo…" I broke off crying. "I am going to miss you so much. And thank you for everything. These past several months wouldn't have been the same without you."
"We've had some good times." Cox said.
I hugged him again. Crying, not wanting to let go. Cox opened the locker room door behind him and motioned with his hand. The next thing I knew I was being passed from Cox to Rizzo. Rizzo wrapped an arm around me, and then shook hands with Cox. The door was closed and Rizzo walked me over to the bench by his locker and sat me down.
"Chev, don't cry. We knew someone was going to be cut." Rizzo said kneeling in front of me holding my hands.
The locker room was still quiet. OC handed me a few tissues and put an arm around me. I leaned into his embrace.
"I know. But it doesn't make it any easier. Coxie was one of my closest friends." I said.
"He was a friend of everyone. Coxie was a great guy. We will all miss him!" OC said.
"But Chev, you have to get past this. The Olympics start in four days. We have to start concentrating on that." Rizzo said.
"The Olympics?" I asked not comprehending.
"The Olympics, we got to start packing for Lake Placid." Silk said.
"The Olympics, we're finally going to the Olympics. Lake Placid…" I said realization finally hitting me. I looked at Rizzo on the floor, kneeling in front of me. "You made the team!"
I leaped off the bench into his arms. I had been so wrapped up in Cox leaving that it didn't dawn on me that Rizzo had made the team.
"I am so proud of you!" I said taking his face in both my hands. "I knew you could do it!"
He leaned in and kissed me. I hugged him tight. I was so proud of Rizzo. He was going to Lake Placid with us.
"I better go before dad or Herb walks in here." I said standing up. "I'll see you later tonight!"
I walked out into the hallway and headed for the exit, but I heard Herb calling after me.
"Chevon wait up." Herb said, he was coming down the hall behind me. "We got to get packing we're leaving for New York City in just a few hours."
"But I thought the Soviets were boycotting us?" I asked.
"I just got a call. The Kremlin says they're going to beat us on our own ice. They're all going to play; Soviets, Czechs etc. We have to get to NYC in a hurry." Herb said and went into the locker room.
I sighed, wondering why Herb wanted to play the greatest team in the world 3 days before the Opening Ceremonies. In my opinion the team needed to be resting and concentrating on facing Sweden. Sweden was the first team that we faced in the qualifying round. Shaking my head, I walked out of the building to get ready to leave for New York City and the Olympics.
Rizzo and I were sitting on the plane to NYC. Dad had fallen asleep up front so I was cuddling with Rizzo.
"I can't believe the Kremlin is letting their teams play." Rizzo said.
"They want to embarrass us is the only reason." I said. "Do you still think we will all be safe?"
"I wouldn't have let you on the plane if I didn't." Rizzo said. "My parents are leaving for Lake Placid tomorrow."
"They must have been so happy when you told them you made the final cut." I said.
"Mom actually cried. And she said she couldn't wait to see you!" he said. "I still can't believe it. I am on my way to the Olympics."
"I told you to believe in yourself!" I said.
"And I packed your Boston jersey for you to sleep in while we are in Lake Placid." Rizzo said. Then leaned in and whispered, "Because you look so hott in it."
I smiled for a lot of reasons. The biggest being that I was on my way to NY for a game and then onto the Olympics. Onto the Olympics with my father who had always wanted to be there. And my boyfriend who had worked so hard to get there. And I smiled at the promise of what Rizzo's last comment held.
Mrs. Rizzo- Could we clone the whole team? LOL
Emador- Glad you liked last chapter. Enjoy the "brown eyed boys"! LOL
Meadow567- After, sorry about that, the site wouldn't let me space it like I hoped to. Rizzo thanks you for your compliment.
Klinoa- We all want one! LOL Loved your comments about OC, they made me laugh and I totally agree.
Nikkd03- I agree, I would have liked to seen those introductions!