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Chapter 2: The Beginning
"How mad do you think your dad is?"
"Maybe we are being silly. He is my dad he just wants what is best for me. I'll just tell him that you're what is best for me. He has to understand that. I am an adult. I graduated college, I live on my own. He can't tell who can and can not see."
"So he is going to be really mad, huh?"
"Once I tell him that we are in love, I don't think he will be too angry. He is not going to like that I didn't tell him sooner. But even he knows he can be very overprotective of me. Its gonna be fine."
I grab Jack's hand and lead him out of his room and down the hall to my dad's. I don't think I have ever knocked on a door so slow in all of my life. When my dad answers I try to read his face. Ugh....it's so hard with him. He rarely lets his emotions show. He leads us into the room and points to the couch for us to sit on. Once we are all settled Dad speaks first.
"So do you two have something to tell me?"
I go to speak but Jack interrupts me.
"Coach. Somewhere in the middle of all this Tara and I fell in love. She wanted to tell you, but I asked her not too. I was scared you would cut me or work me harder if you knew. So don't be mad her, this is all my fault."
That's my Jack always there to take the blame.
"Dad that is not entirely true. Yes we fell in love, but we both thought it best to keep it from you until after the Olympics."
My dad is shaking his head. What does that mean? He looks up at both of us.
"Why don't one of you tell me how this all began."
Sounds easy enough right? Start from the top. Give the order of events that lead us to this point. It should be simple, but Jack and I have never been simple. But my dad wants our story from the beginning so that is what I am going to give him.
7 months earlier
Day one of practice. This should be interesting. From what my dad told me he picked a lot of players form Minnesota and Boston. I told him he was crazy. That the team would probably kill each other before they even played one game. Dad just said that this was the team that he wanted and that he knew what he was doing.
As I head into the arena I hear a familiar voice.
"Hey Tara."
"Hey Mac, what's up? You ready for practice?"
Ron McClanahan has been one of my best friends since I was young. I feel like I grew up with him and Buzzy Schneider. I was so excited when my dad told me he had chosen both of them.
"Yeah. Did you see the roster? This is going to be very interesting."
"I was thinking the same thing. But you know my dad; he does everything for a reason."
"We shall see. A bunch of us are going out tonight, want to come?"
"Yeah sure, sounds good. I'll talk to you later."
"Later."
Practice seemed to be going well. My dad was yelling commands at the guys and everyone seemed really talented. I was looking at the roster my dad had given to me, trying to get familiar with everyone's names and numbers and the next thing I know there is a fight on the ice. At first I couldn't tell who was fighting, but as I got closer to the ice I saw Mac and heard someone saying something stupid like "nice shot OC". OC? How do I know that name? OC? Boston. He played for Boston. This couldn't be about '76. Only a twelve year old would hold onto a grudge for that long. Now I hear my dad.
"Who do you play for?"
That's my dad never misses an opportunity. He needed this team to unite and he was starting from day one. The guys don't seem to understand what my dad is asking for. They keep saying they play for their college. I know that is the wrong answer. Dad doesn't say a word. I hope the boys get it soon or it's gonna be a long 7 months.
Mac picked me up at about 9 and we headed for the local bar. It was the first time I got to talk to him since the fight.
"So how's your face feeling?"
"Asshole. That guy has a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas. I hope he gets cut soon."
"Why did he hit you?"
"Something about a cheap shot in the '76 playoffs. I don't know. Honestly I don't care. He needs to get over himself."
"Seriously, that is so childish. Remind me to steer clear of him."
At the bar I got to meet a lot of the guys. Some I already knew, from their days playing for my dad at the U and others I was meeting for the first time. They all seemed really nice (even the ones from Boston). OC and one of the other guys, I think his name is Swift, steered clear of us most of the night. I don't take well to being ignored so the first chance I got I went right up to them.
"Hi, I'm Tara Brooks. I know that you are Jack and I think that you are Swift. I figured you guys were too shy to meet me so I figured I would make the first move."
I ended the sentence with my trademark smile. At first they looked a little confused. Jack was the first to speak.
"Oh honey, we weren't scared to meet you. We just don't agree with the company you keep."
He looked right at Mac when he said that last part. I can tell this guy is going to get on my nerves.
"Well you see I have always been told that I am an excellent judge of character. And judging from what I have seen from you. I think you are the one not worth keeping company with. So you can leave now. Bye."
I give a little wave and head back to the bar. Mac and Buzzy must have been watching the whole thing because they are laughing and shaking their heads.
"You are such a little brat. Do you want him to beat me up again tomorrow?"
"Oh Mac you are such a worry wart. He is not going to bother you anymore. He is too scared he is gonna get cut."
"Tara he doesn't look too scared to me."
I look back to where OC had been standing and there he is flirting with some girl, not a care in the world.
"Urghhhh! What a jerk. Mac are you ready to leave? I'm tired."
Mac looks confused but nods his head. We say our goodbyes and head home. I keep seeing OC with that girl. Who was she? What did he want with her? Why do I care? It's gonna be a long 7 months.