Who thinks I own them?
I know I said about three chapters ago that there would be about three more chapters....I lied....this saga will probably end up being around thirty chapters in total. I just can't seem to let go of it.
Thank you to everyone who is still reading and reviewing this story. I know I have said it before, but it is true....reviews keep me going!
Chapter 25: Revelations
"What do I think?!....WHAT DO I THINK?!"
Now he is grunting. I have never heard him grunt. He starts to pace. Jack, who already has his left arm wrapped protectively around my shoulder, grabs my hand. I look down at our hands and I realize that no matter what my dad says this is right. I am about to say something when my dad starts to form words again….
"I think that my daughter, who I have given every advantage too, has been lying to me for almost seven months. I thought your mother and I raised you better."
"Dad….I….we didn't want to lie….We just thought it would be best."
"How did lying ever become the best course of action?"
"We thought it would be a distraction….to the team…."
"Don't give me that….they all knew. You did this to protect him."
"He has a name Dad…."
"Jack."
Who just said that? It certainly was not my dad. In fact it wasn't a man. I look in the direction from which it came and there standing in the doorway is my mother. As surprised as I am to see her I am more surprised by the look on her face….she is smiling.
"Mom?"
As she heads over to where my dad is standing I can see that his face has relaxed. I am very confused. Jack leans over and whispers in my ear.
"What is going on?"
I shrug….I have no idea.
"Tara I really wish you hadn't lied to your father and I. It would have made these past few months much easier for you."
"Mom….I really thought it was best if you guys….specifically dad….didn't know."
"Oh honey….then you really need to work on your secret keeping."
Now I am even more confused.
"We knew….we figured it out….you left too many clues."
OH MY GOD! You have got to be kidding me! They knew. How long. When my mom starts to answer my last question I realize I was speaking out loud.
"It started out with small things….a look….a smile. I was the first to notice….your father has always been oblivious to these things. Do you know your face lights up every time Jack's name is mentioned? Even if your dad was complaining about him."
I can feel my cheeks begin to flush and I put my head down….I know full well the effect the mere mention of Jack's name has on me.
"See. Anyway, at first I thought that it was a crush….that you thought he was handsome….but as the weeks went on I noticed a change in you….you seemed happier….more content….more mature. I mentioned it to Herb. At the time he brushed it off…."
"But your mom had planted a seed in my head…."
I notice that my dad is now sitting on the edge of his bed next to my mom….he seems to have relaxed a bit.
"I started to notice things at practice….sometimes you seemed distracted…..your work didn't suffer….but I could tell you had other things on your mind. I would notice you watching OC skate at practice….you always sat with him when we traveled."
"Dad I have always sat with your players…."
"True….actually I thought you were dating Buzzy a few years back….but this was different….I just couldn't put my finger on it. Then at Christmas you got that set of jacks….Rizzo gave some stupid excuse….I new it was bull. I figured you got them because of Jack….you know jacks for Jack…."
I had never even thought of them that way. I wonder if the guys did?
"However, we still weren't sure."
"What made you finally figure it out?"
"Two things really….your mom and I noticed that you always called OC Jack….no one calls him that….not even his parents….I should know….I have spoken to them. Did you know you even would write Jack on all the paperwork?….You use everyone else's nicknames….but never OC."
"God, I never noticed that….I mean I know I call him Jack….but the writing stuff….wait you said there was two things….what was the other one?"
"OC's injury."
"Just because I went to the hospital…."
"It wasn't just the way you initially reacted….although that was a big part….it was the fear I saw in your eyes….I knew you cared for all the guys and didn't want to see any of them hurt….but this was more….it was deeper….even I could see it. Oh and don't think I didn't see how you looked at OC when I told him I was going to hold on to him. He looked and spoke right at you….that's when I knew."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"I wanted you to tell us. I figured you were keeping this a secret for a reason and would open up when you were ready."
"I wish I had. You have to believe me when I tell you that I hated lying….but I really thought you were going to freak out."
"Tara….why would you think that I would be upset if you told me you were in love?"
"Do you remember what you did to Matt back in college? Once you knew we were dating you worked him so hard he transferred."
"I didn't tell you this at the time because I thought it best but now….I worked Matt because he was lazy and because I knew he was using you….he thought I would take it easy on him because he was dating my daughter."
For half a second I feel a little embarrassed….but then I feel Jack stiffen….I think he wants to go find Matt and beat him up.
"Coach, please know that I love Tara very much and I would never do anything to intentionally hurt her."
"That's why I never did or said anything. I could see that whatever was going on between the two of you was real and it was good for both of you. Jack you became a better hockey player and Tara I have never seen you so happy."
"You should also know that you dad started to play a matchmaker of sorts."
"I don't understand."
"You didn't find it strange that your dad asked you to keep an eye on OC?"
"I just figured it was part of the job."
"With all do respect honey, I didn't ask you to join the team because of your excellent psychology credentials. I figured this way you wouldn't have to sneak around as much."
"Ok….I guess I deserved that one."
"You sent me to see Tara….when we were playing the Patrick could have….should have….told me….but you did….you came over to me and told me that Tara was alone in the supply closet and that I should go get my jersey from her….you sent me in there so that we could celebrate."
My dad simply smiles and nods. He looks a little proud of himself. Jack continues.
"I can't believe I didn't see it."
Now Jack is looking down and shaking his head.
"Neither one of us did. We were so stupid."
I look over at my parents. They are smiling at us.
"Mom….Dad….I am so sorry."
"Look, sweetie, your mom and I are not happy that you lied….but you are a grown women and in your mind it was the best thing. Just promise us that from now on you will tell us about major things in your life."
"I promise."
"And as for you OC….you hurt my daughter in any way you are going to wish that Russian at MSG had killed you."
My dad ends his sentence with just the right laugh….lite enough that you could tell it was a joke….but that there was also a grain of truth was behind it. Jack smiles.
"I have already received that warning from the team and don't worry coach from now on we will be more open about our relationship….we won't run off to Vegas or anything."
Again with the marriage hints. I look over at my mom….she noticed the hint too and looks at my left hand….I can tell she is relived that there is no ring there….not yet anyway. An awkward silence fills the room. Finally, my dad stands up.
"Well I'm glad that's cleared up. Don't you two have some where else you would rather be? I thought I overheard the boys talking about some celebration."
"Yeah….we are supposed to meet the guys in the village later. We told them we didn't know when….it kind of depended on how this went. Do you want to come coach?"
My dad looks at the two of us….he looks like he is considering it….then he looks at my mom.
"No, thank you. Your mom and I have some catching up to do."
There is a little voice inside my head screaming "eww!", but I am too happy right now to really hear it.
"You sure dad?"
He nods his head.
"Ok….then I guess we are going to leave….love you guys…."
"Sweetie, if you don't mind….can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure mom….what's up?"
"Can we go somewhere more private?"
"Yeah….um….my room is just next door."
I look at my mom and she nods. I turn my attention to Jack and he smiles (my knees get a little wobbly). I squeeze his hand and then follow my mom to the room.
"Come sit on the bed with me."
I sit next to my mom. She looks like she is searching for her words.
"Mom….what do you want to know?"
"It's just that….before….Jack mentioned Vegas….are you two….have you discussed. Are you engaged?"
I have to laugh at the way she blurts out the last line.
"What's so funny?"
"You….do you really think I would keep something like that from you?"
My mom gives me "the look"….you know the "can you blame me" look.
"Ok….so I guess I have been less than honest lately."
"You could say that again."
She sounds a little sad.
"Mom….you know it wasn't you right? I wasn't worried about telling you. I really wasn't even worried about telling dad….at least not now. I knew he would be happy for me….I was just worried that if he found out before all of this was over that he would treat Jack differently. I couldn't let that happen."
"I know. It is just that I have never seen you so happy and I feel bad that I wasn't in on it. My little girl fell in love and I missed it."
"First of all….I am not your little girl….that is Kelly….secondly…..you didn't miss out on the really big stuff."
"So there is going to be big stuff?"
Now I am blushing.
"If you mean a proposal….I'm not sure….I think so….Jack has been saying and doing some things lately…."
"Have you ever discussed it….the future….marriage?
"The future….yes. In fact Jack is moving to Wisconsin….he got a job offer there…."
"Does that mean you are moving too?"
I look my mom straight in her eyes.
"Yes."
"So then you have discussed marriage?"
"No….not really….We have said we are forever….we have made plans in that direction….but a wedding and all the stuff that goes with it….that has not been discussed."
"Still, that's a lot of stuff to happen in seven months."
There is a long pause before my mom starts to talk again.
"You love him?....What am I saying I can see it every time you look at him….actually I can see it every time he looks at you."
My face has to be cherry red. My mom continues to talk.
"You are very lucky. Only a few people ever get to experience that kind of love. Your father and I have it and I am so thrilled that you do to…..What….you look perplexed….what is the matter?"
"I don't know….I know you and dad love each other….it is just that….sometimes I feel like he takes you for granted…I know he never asked you about this….the Olympics….doesn't that bother you?"
"Of course it bothers me but that doesn't change how much I love him or how much he loves me. I knew what I was getting into when I married your father. I know that it seems like he has a tendency to get consumed by his work….but that is only at the surface….it is not his work it is his passion. He loves hockey….has for as long as I have known him….but he loves me and our family too. Do you know how many times he has dropped everything just because I asked him to?"
"No….but this was huge and he never asked you….how can you not be mad?"
"I can't sit here and tell you I wasn't angry….but I had to give him this….he has wanted this for so long. I would never have forgiven myself if I had made him choose. He would do the same for me. That what a relationship is….give and take. There have to be compromises. You and Jack have already started doing that."
"But usually when you compromise it feels like you are losing something. I never feel like that with Jack."
"That is because whatever you are 'losing' pales in comparison to what you are getting. Does that make sense?"
"Yeah….like how I thought I had to lie to you guys in order for Jack to play in the Olympics. I hated the lies but seeing Jack play….mom I can't even describe the feeling."
"I know exactly what you are talking about….I felt it too."
My mom and I share a knowing smile. I feel closer to her than I ever have in my entire life. Maybe it is because I am older….or maybe it is because we now have more in common….of course my mom know what I was feeling. Her husband won too.
"I love you mom."
"I love you to sweetheart. Promise me one thing.…"
"Sure."
"When….and I think it may be very soon….Jack proposes I will be the first person you tell."
"I wouldn't want it any other way."
I then literally lung towards my mother and give her a giant hug. We stay embraced until we hear a faint knock on the door. As we pull apart we both have to pat our eyes dry.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Jack."
"You can come in, the door is unlocked."
Jack walks in and seems slightly surprised at the sight of my mom and I crying.
"I'm sorry….do you guys need more time?'
I look at my mom to see if we are done.
"We are done….for now. Are you two going to meet up with the team now?"
"Yeah….Rizzo just came by to say they were going to some bar….I told him to go ahead and we would meet them there."
"Well then you two better get going. Have fun. Be careful."
"Thanks mom….I love you."
"I love you too."
"Good night Mrs. Brooks."
"Good night….but please call me Patti….Mrs. Brooks is my mother-in-law."
"Ok….goodnight Patti."
As we start to leave the room Jack grabs my hand and even though she is out of my sight range I can tell that my mom is smiling.
"What did your mom want to talk to you about?….if you don't mind me asking…."
"Love."
"Really?"
"Why do you seem so surprised?"
"Nothing….I just thought….maybe….I was worried….I was scared she was going to try to talk you out of seeing me."
"Just the opposite actually."
"Oh….good."
"I even told her we were moving to Wisconsin."
"What did she have to say about that?"
"Nothing really….she seemed a little sad….you know….that I was moving….but she was also really happy for me….us."
"I think your dad is too."
"I meant to ask you what went on with you two when I was talking to my mom."
"It was a little weird at first….but then we started to talk about the games and I think that made both of us more comfortable."
"So what makes you think he is happy for us?'
"He didn't make me do herbies!"
We both look at each other and burst out laughing.
"Could you imagine if he had? I think I would've killed him! Your knee may have been ok to play on, but herbies are a different animal."
"Don't I know it. But they work."
"That they do…..oh shit…."
"What?"
"With everything that was going on I forgot to tell my dad that the President wants to meet with you guys."
"The president of what?"
"The United States!"
"You spoke to the President of the United States?!"
"Yeah right, some one form his office called the USOC and then someone form that office called me."
"When?"
"When is the meeting or when did I get the phone call?"
"The meeting."
"Looks like some time next week."
"That is perfect."
"Perfect for what?"
Jack looks at me with a face that is screaming "did I just say that out loud?".
"Um….what?"
"You said next week would be perfect….why?"
"Well….um….you know….allot of the guys are going home….yeah….most of the team is going home next week….so it will be our last time all together."
I wasn't hundred percent sold on that story….but it sounded plausible….so I went along with it. I figure I will find out why it is so perfect eventually.