Lake Placid, NY February 11, 1980

XIIIth Olympic Winter Games

As we rode the bus through Lake Placid on our way to the Olympic Ice Arena, Rizzo and I were both peering out the windows. The city was decorated beautifully and everywhere there were signs welcoming athletes from all over the world. We were on our way to register the team and check on OC. I was just in awe of everything. I couldn't believe I was here.

When the bus stopped we all started filing out, anxious to get started. Herb said he was going to check on OC; dad told the rest of the team to stay with him. We all walked inside, where it was a madhouse. People from all over the world were there, registering, talking in other languages, getting ID badges. I saw Doc with OC across the room. Herb walked towards them; OC was on crutches.

I couldn't hear what they were saying, but after a few seconds OC came over to stand with us.

"OC, how is the knee?" Jimmy Craig asked him.

"X-rays showed it was just a stretched ligament. I don't need surgery. Doc wouldn't say much to me though." OC said.

I left him standing with the team and walked over to where Doc, Herb and Walter from the USOC were talking. I wanted to hear what they were saying. (Nosy I know but OC was like a brother to me!)

"Forget about the medal round," Walter was saying. "You keep O'Callahan and you lose one more skater. You're gonna have a tough time putting a decent hockey team on the ice. It's that simple Herb."

Herb looked from Walter to Doc, then over at the boys. I could tell he wasn't sure what to do. Herb mumbled something under his breath.

I walked back over to the team as we all started registering. We were given ID badges. The boys' badges were different than mine; theirs was marked 'USA Ice Hockey Athlete' mine was marked 'USA Ice Hockey Staff'. I didn't say anything but noticed that OC registered with the rest of the team.

As well all went to board the bus to go get settled at our hotel, I noticed OC standing alone on the ice. I couldn't imagine what was going through his mind. I followed Rizzo out to the bus. Jimmy Craig was right behind me.

"I get to start tomorrow against Sweden." He said. I hugged him.

"Jimmy that is great!" I said. I wished so much his mother could be here.

"My parents want to have dinner with us this evening." Rizzo said. "Mom said she has something for you."

"OC'S PLAYING BABY!" we heard OC yelling from inside the arena.

I squeezed Rizzo's hand. Herb had decided to stand by OC and keep him despite his injury and whatever may happen!

That evening many of the boys were having dinner with their families who had come in to watch their sons play in the Olympics. I went to dinner with Rizzo to see his parents. Surprisingly dad knew I was with them. Since a lot of the boys and their families were eating at the same restaurant, I told dad I was going to meet with some of the families. I was eating with the Eruzione's, but right across from us were the O'Callahan's with OC and behind us was Jimmy and his dad Donald.

"So Chevon, can you believe that you are finally at the Olympics?" Rizzo's dad asked me.

"I am excited. And so proud of the entire team." I said.

"Well, Mikey told us that you wear a scarf and gloves during the games because you get cold down on the ice level." Mrs. Eruzione said.

"You told your parents about what I get picked on about?" I asked him sarcastically.

"But it's so cute!" Rizzo said and took my hand.

"Anyway Chevon, since this is the Olympics, I brought you a little something." His mom said and handed me a package.

"Oh, you didn't have to get me anything." I said.

"Don't be silly. You're practically family. I feel like I know you so well because Mikey talks about you so much!" Mr. Eruzione said.

I opened the box and inside was a multi-colored scarf and a pair of black gloves.

"They are beautiful." I said. "Thank you so much."

"I made the scarf for you. I made it multi-colored so it would match whatever you wore to the games. The gloves I bought in neutral black." Mrs. Eruzione. "I thought you might like something special to wear for the Olympics."

I thought I would cry. "Thank you so much. I can't tell you how special this is."

"Who knows, they might bring the team good luck." Mr. Eruzione said.

"Hey Chev, how was dinner with the families?" dad asked when I walked into the hotel room.

"Great." I said. "Seems like our team all comes from nice families."

"What's in the box?" dad asked.

"Would you believe that the Eruzione family heard about the boys picking on me for my scarf and gloves?" I said and dad chuckled.

"As much as you hang out with Jimmy Craig I am not surprised." He smiled. I had to smile inwardly, that was not the reason that they knew the story. Ha-ha!

"Well anyway, Mrs. Eruzione made me a multi-colored scarf and bought me a pair of gloves to wear at the Olympic Games." I said.

"That was nice of her." Dad said.

"You know dad, even though we have been away from home for eight months training for the Olympics, I still can't believe we are here." I said sitting next to him. "I love this team so much and I am so proud of all of them."

"You have really enjoyed these past several months." Dad said. "I am glad. At first I felt a little guilty about dragging you along. Then I realized I wasn't dragging you anywhere, that you loved every minute."

"You know I was looking around the Olympic Ice Arena and it was unreal. I can't believe that tomorrow we play our first game in the Olympics. Seems like just yesterday you were telling me Herb wanted you to be his assistant coach." I told dad.

"I have something for you." Dad said and opened the drawer in the desk beside the couch we were sitting on. He pulled out a small box.

"What is it dad?" I asked.

"When you were born, your mom hounded me the entire week she was in the hospital to go buy a locket for you. I kept asking her why, because you were just a baby. But I finally bought the locket. When I showed it to your mom at the hospital, she said she was going to give it to you on your wedding day. But watching you these past few months…" dad broke off, choked up with tears.

I reached over and hugged him as he continued. "I see that this will be the biggest time in your life. And if your mother was here, she would be so proud of you. You've become such a beautiful young woman. And you work so hard and you have given your all to this team. I want you to have this locket now."

Dad handed me the box. I teared up as I opened the box, inside was a heart shaped hold locket. "Daddy, it's beautiful. Would you help me put it on?"

Dad nodded and helped me with the necklace. I looked at it and started to cry. "I miss her so much."

"Me too. But you are so much like her." Dad said brushing the hair off my shoulders. "Your smile, your laugh, your infamous hair, that temper." We both laughed.

"I got a lot of great things from you too. My love of hockey, my compassion, my sense of humor." I told him and took his hands in both of mine. "Thank you, for letting me be apart of these Olympics. Whether we make it to the medal round or finish 6th, it's been a wonderful journey to get here."

I love all the reviews, they are part of the fun of writing! Keep them coming! Thanks to everyone who is actually reading this!

Nikkd03- Glad you liked it! Hope you enjoyed this chapter as well.

Emador- You sound like a 1986 commercial for Dinty Moore stew! LOL (Sorry, but that is what I immediately thought of when I read your review. He he)

Klinoa- Once I start writing, I can't stop! I'm as obsessive as Herb! (GASP)

Meadow567- FINGER CRAMP!!! J/K Both scenarios seem good, flip a coin to decide if all else fails!

Mrs. Rizzo- Thanks! Yes, Rizzo is humble. (Which is rare for a man! LOL)