Chapter 15 - Surprises

"How are practices going?" Mr. Harris asked Silk.

Silk responded, "Good. Coach brought in another guy, Tim Harrer. We really don't understand why he did that."

"Marie mentioned that on Thanksgiving. When it went down, I guess everybody was in shock," Josh told him.

Marie tucked a piece of her blonde hair behind her ear. "I just don't get it. Why would he do that?"

Mr. Harris suggested, "He could be doing it to… show that… maybe you guys need to pick up the pace a little."

Silk nodded. "We just wish we knew what he's thinking. He's a difficult man to understand. Mac has said that he was different when he coached the Gophers."

"I think I read that he got cut from the 1960 Olympic team," Josh said. "But he did play for the 1964 and 1968 team."

"Jimmy… Craig… told us the story that day. He thinks he'll do anything to get it," Silk told them. "If that's the case, than we gotta talk to him. Understand why he's doing it."

Marie agreed. "Bring it up to the guys when you get back."

Silk nodded. "We'll see what happens in the next few days. Maybe it's nothing."

"Talk to the guys," Marie insisted. "Don't wait to see what happens."

Josh put his arm around his sister's shoulders. "It's good advice. Trust me on it."

Silk smiled and nodded. "I've learned that about her."

Mrs. Harris had been standing on the side watching the interaction between the group the entire time. When Marie brought home the boyfriends, they never interacted with the family. Will and Justin weren't interested in getting to know the family, and when Marie told her what happened, she figured out why. She had gotten to talk to Silk earlier and found him to be a really great catch. He was sweet, nice, and adorable according to her. She had watched Marie and him interact and was hoping that sooner or later they'd figure out that they'd be good for one another. She would be thrilled if they got together.

vvv

"Hey Rammer, what did you think you'd be doing on your 20th birthday?" Marie asked him. It was December 3rd and it was of course, Mike Ramsey's birthday. Since he wasn't of legal age to go to the bar to drink, they decided to bring the bar to him at the dorm. Some of the guy's had decided to bring their own dates or girlfriends, so the party was huge.

"Not celebrating like this," he replied. "Twenty years. I thought I'd never see the day."

Marie nodded. "I know. When you're little it seems so far away. It seemed so old. In two years I'm going to be 25! Now that's mid-twenties almost thirty!"

Silk laughed at her expression on her face. "A little melodramatic don't you think?"

Marie gave him a look, but smiled a few seconds later. "Seven years!"

Jack laughed. "Wait… just wait 'til you're 35."

"Don't tell me that!"

The guys laughed and changed the subject. Connie had come over and was wondering what happened to Regan. "Rizzo went to show her something in his room," Rammer mentioned.

Marie raised an eyebrow as she smiled. "Oh really? Let's go." She grabbed Connie's hand and they headed down the hall to Rizzo's room. When they opened the door, they let out a little shriek. They weren't expecting to see Rizzo to be on top of Regan, practically swallowing her whole. Their mouths were open wide and to the ground. "Oh my God!" Marie cried out when she found her voice again.

"No way," Connie choked out.

Rizzo and Regan couldn't move. They were scared out of their wits. "Um…"

"When did this happen?" Marie asked.

"The beginning of last month," Regan replied as she sat up. She combed her fingers through her hair. "We didn't say anything because we didn't want to rub it on your face."

"Dude…" Jack said when he came in. "Way to go, Rizzo."

Marie looked at Jack. "Jack… go back to the party."

"Ok… whatever," Jack said. "I can't believe it."

Rizzo shook his head. "Sorry."

"Why are you apologizing? I think it's great," Marie told them. "I'm just a little sad that you didn't say anything."

"I think Jack just blabbed," Connie stated hearing the cheers.

Rizzo laughed. "Doesn't surprise me."

"Well… we'll leave you two alone. We'll talk to you later," Marie started to push Connie out the door. When they got out into the hallways they started laughing. "Rizzo and Regan, I knew they'd make a cute couple."

Connie agreed. "Rizzo got himself a girl. Maybe his luck is about to change."

vvv

"Come on, Rizzo," Coach Brooks said annoyed at practice two days later.

"I know, Coach," he breathed out. "I know."

Rizzo was running another play. He and two other guys had been skating with the puck, passing it back and forth as they moved up the ice. Rizzo had gotten it back, shot it, but the shot completely went wide of the goal.

"You know. If you knew, then why did you do it again. You better start putting the puck in the net, Rizzo, or you're not going anywhere and don't think I won't do it!"

Marie sighed, "Yeah, his luck is changing all right."

"I hope he knows Coach is just trying to make him see the light," Regan said. "We talked about this and I believe Coach is trying to make him see that he can improve if he just believes in himself."

Marie smiled. "You two are so cute. What made you change your mind about him?"

Regan replied, "We started talking in September and eventually I realized he's a great guy. I told him in November how I felt and well… things have progressed since then."

Connie smiled at her. "That is so cool."

Marie looked back out on the ice and caught Silk's look. He turned to look at Rizzo and Marie understood. He was also worried about him. She hoped he'd say something to the guys talking to Herb.

vvv

Marie entered her lavish New York apartment and was surprised to see candles burning on her kitchen table, coffee table, and the TV set. Closing the door, she smiled as she watched Dave exit her bedroom looking handsome in a nice sweater and pants. "What's the occasion?" she asked as he handed her a rose.

"I can't surprise you?" he asked back. He went over to her stereo and turned on some really soft music. He took her in his arms when he went back to her and they started to sway to the music. "I love you."

Marie smiled against his cheek as they swayed close together. "I love you, too."

He leaned back to look at her and they got lost looking into each other's eyes. They leaned forward at the same time and the kiss was slow and passionate. Every time they kissed, she swore fireworks went off. After they parted, he smiled. "Marry me?"

"Yes," she whispered back after it finally sank in. He took out a ring from his pocket and she started to tear up. It was beautiful. She smiled at him and they started to dance again.

Marie woke up when the sun finally hit her face between the cracks of her curtain. She was having more of these dreams. She realized she was in love with Dave Silk. She doesn't know what to do because the whole thing scares her.

vvv

Marie, Regan, and Connie were sitting in the hotel waiting for the guys to come back. It was December 7, and they just played against the IHL players. The girls decided that they'd go considering the game was only in Wisconsin, but had they had to leave early the next day, considering finals started a few days later. Marie wasn't worried about failing because she knew the material well. She was passing both her classes.

"You look… tired," Regan said to Rizzo when the guys started to come in.

Rizzo shrugged. "I guess."

Marie saw the look on Rizzo's face. He looked worried and sad. "Riz… you look a little melancholy. Why are you worried?"

"Have you noticed how good Tim is?" he asked. "It seems to be now Coach's pet."

Marie turned to Silk and gave him a look. "Why did you wait? You should have talked to them."

Silk replied, "I haven't had the chance."

Marie sighed. "Now is a good time. Get all the guys together in a room, except for Tim. What we'll do is go and talk to him. Keep him busy."

Connie thought it was a stupid idea to just have all the guys. She voiced her opinion and they decided just a few of the guys so it wouldn't look suspicious. For about an hour, they talked about what they should do and it was decided that Rob, Jack, Mark, and Rizzo should voice everybody's opinion.