Disclaimer : I don't own a thing so there!
XSARAH : I'd so follow Adam. I mean how she can contemplate leaving him is beyond me, but ya know lol. Yeah, I couldn't let Connie and Guy be enemy's for long lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!
B : Yeah, I am too lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!
CAKEEATER : You're dead set on trying to turn me into a Connie/Guy aren't you? Sorry chick, ain't gonna work lol. You should just be pleased that they're friends lol. Yeah, I suppose Adam is pretty clever, but I think he just wanted to go to Wisconsin, who knows lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!
BLONDE-BRAIN : You're gonna have to read on to find out, aren't ya? Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!
Chapter 5
Even as the Reverend began the service, it felt as though it wasn't really me. All I could focus on, was the one part of my life that had stayed perfect – her…
She was really hitting the nail on the head there. I didn't want her to go all that way. I mean New York and Wisconsin weren't exactly a 5 minute journey. Up until now, I hadn't even thought that after the summer was over we would all and not just me and Connie, but all be going our separate ways. I knew our paths would continue crossing though, I mean more than half the ducks families lived in Minnesota, so we'd evidently see each other then. But what really bothered me was the fact that I had only just gotten close to Connie, and suddenly we were going to be ripped apart. And even if we did promise to stay faithful and work at the long distance relationship thing, I knew it wouldn't work. People grow and change, and often in very different directions when they aren't close to each other.
I could see it now, give us 6 months apart and it would be Adam who? I would turn up on her doorstep, to find she had replaced me with a new, better guy. He would have a plain name like Brian or Michael, be majoring in finance, able to offer a stable lifestyle. After college, they'd move into a cozy little apartment, get married then move to a house outside the city, complete with white picket fence and a dog, where they'd have kids together. Connie would become the loving house wife and mother, while he went out and earnt an honest bob. They'd have a simple life, watch their children grow up and start their own lives as they grew old and grey together.
Then, I heard her words, 'I could come to Wisconsin with you', Was she really prepared to give her dream up, to be with someone like me. It was then I realized, if she was willing to do that, then surely we could survive some time apart. I mean there was the October break, and the Christmas break. A break just about every 6/7 weeks. We could survive that long apart, right?
"Wisconsin isn't what you want". I answered her.
"Then you come to New York with me. I mean, they'll want you, every college seems to want you".
"New York's your dream Connie, not mine".
"Then what Adam? Cause I'm outta ideas"? She said, though I could hear her almost pleading tone.
"We can survive being apart". I told her simply. She looked at me questioningly.
"You really think that"? I sat next to her, and looked into her eyes. I could tell she was trying to read my thoughts.
"You were willing to give your dream up for Wisconsin, I'm pretty sure we can handle being apart term time".
She leant forward and kissed me softly. I melted in the kiss and soon returned it. My hand rested on her hip, as our lips danced gingerly over each other. Eventually, she pulled away a little, resting her forehead on mine, and gazing into my eyes, I saw a small smile creep onto her mouth.
"I wasn't willing to give up my dream for Wisconsin, I was willing to give it up for you. New York isn't my only dream you know". She whispered.
She wrapped her arms around my broad shoulders, holding me close into her. My arms circled around her tiny waist, never wanting to release her from my grip. I breathed in, smelling the soft scent of her orange and peach shampoo. It was fresh, just like her. Her hair tickled my face, running like silk over my skin.
8 years ago, I would never have thought of Connie in the delicate sense. To me, she was the hard hitting, rough tomboy, who gave as good as she got. I can remember going to watch her and the others play with Nick Larson and Mike McGill, back when I was a hawk. She had been the best skater in the group, but the other teams tended to pick on her more, because she was the girl. Guy hadn't particularly helped, treating her every bit the helpless whenever she fell or was knocked down. Though once I had joined them, and we came together as a team, she was almost an enforcer and her and Guy's roles had seemed to have changed. She proved her point when she shouted I'm no lady, I'm a duck', back in the Junior Goodwill Games. But the more I got to know her, the more I realized, there was more to her, than the bravado, she very often showed us. I had seen the hurt in her eyes, when everyone had congratulated Julie on the JV/Varsity game, because she had of course been the one to stop the goals going in. No-one had given Connie a second thought, even though she had taken twice as many falls and checks as the rest of us, as of course, the Varsity had been aiming for her, with her being a girl and all.
Over the last few weeks of school, and the summer, we got even closer. Spending nearly every day with each other, though on the odd one or two days, we spent time apart. With every day, I couldn't help but think how much closer we were getting to the end of summer, and before we knew it, it was the very last day we'd spend together. Connie would be catching a flight to New York the next day. The first to spread their wings and leave the flock, the one going the farthest. Me, Charlie, Guy, Ken, Luis, Dwayne and Julie were all going to Wisconsin, Fulton, Portman, Averman, Goldberg and Russ were all going to a Minnesota college.
Charlie's mom, had kindly offered to keep Mickey's dining car open after hours, so that we could have a sort of leaving party for Connie. Though we weren't allowed alcohol of any sort, we knew it would be a blast. We all arrived, and squashed up in our favorite booth. Eventually we all started getting louder and louder, trying to make ourselves be heard over each other.
"Um, Charlie, I was going through some of my things yesterday, and I found something you had given me years and years ago". Connie began revealing something from her bag.
"My Blanky"! Charlie yelled, grabbing for the old tatty blue child's blanket, that Connie had pulled from her bag.
"You had a blanky"? Julie giggled.
"So, I bet you had a favorite dolly". Charlie bit back, and Julie's face dropped.
"How did you know about Rosie"? She said, obviously without thinking, the whole room burst into laughter.
Things went on like that for another hour or so, until someone put the old jukebox on, and we began, dancing around. About 11pm, I looked around and noticed that Connie wasn't there. I silently crept out, not wanting to be noticed, much like Connie probably had. Once outside, my eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness, and I spotted her leant against Charlie's car. She was just looking up at the night sky, and didn't notice when I headed over to her.
"Hey, what you doing out here". I sat by her side.
"Just thinking". She replied, looking toward me a little, then just staring straight ahead.
"'bout"? I pursued.
"Nothing in particular. Just wondering whether the sky in New York is gonna look the same as here".
"Probably not, but it will be new more exciting sky, you'll see things in it, that you'd never known were there". I used her metaphor.
"But what if I like the old sky better"? It was weird way of describing her fears, but I decided to go with it.
"It's not going anywhere, it'll still be right here when you come back"? I told her. "And so will the ducks. And so will I". I clarified.
"I'm scared". She almost whispered, and I could see tears developing in her eyes.
I didn't know what to say to her, so instead, pulled her toward me, wrapping both my arms around her and resting my chin on her head. I wanted so much to reassure her, but truth be known, I had my own fears. I feared that we wouldn't be able to last the long distance relationship, that we would both crave each other too much and fall into the arms of someone else. That maybe, the experiences of college life would change us, and we would simply drift apart.
"Come on, I'll walk you home". I offered, somehow I knew she didn't really want to go back inside, and have the ducks make a big deal about how far she was going.
"I don't want to go home". She told me, I began thinking about what reasons she had for not wanting to go home. "I want to stay with you". She whispered, though she didn't look me in the eye.
"Sure". I whispered back, lifting her chin so I could see into her eyes, before leaning forward and brushing my lips against hers, before heading in the direction of home.
We walked in silence as we headed slowly, hand in hand through the park and down the various streets. We strolled along easily, neither of us in any rush to get back. In fact the quietness of our surroundings was somewhat relaxing. The slight breeze, brushed toward us, keeping the mugginess of the day from us. Every so often, I glanced up, and looked at her, but she didn't return the glance, just continued looking forwards, as though in deep thought.
"I remember the first time you walked into our changing rooms. You looked scared to death, as though we were going to stuff you into a locker and leave you there". She finally started talking.
"That's because I was. You guys were very intimidating". I laughed, at what was now a fond memory, but at the time had been a nightmare.
"Well if you hadn't have been so mean to us, it might have been a bit easier". She said lightly.
"If I had known I was going to end up a duck, I wouldn't have been so mean". I continued laughing.
"Do you regret joining us? I mean I know your dad gave you the choice to either play with us or not at all, but I mean",
"Never. Probably those first few games and practices, but looking back, being with you guys has been the best time of my life. I wouldn't change a thing". I told her, watching her nod along with me.
"What, not even when you were on Varsity, and we all treat you like arch enemy number 1"?
"I suppose so. But you know, that's all in the past now".
"I'm sorry we acted like jerks toward you". She apologized.
"Forget it, I did a long time ago". Of which was the truth.
"I'm still sorry. But in my defense, I was just following our fearless leader". We laughed a little.
We both fell silent for the rest of the trip, not really needing to talk. When we reached my house, all the lights were out, and the burglar alarm was on. I let us in, and turned the alarm off, before heading to the kitchen, to grab some snacks for us. There was a note on the fridge, from my dad, telling me that he and my mom had gone out, but probably wouldn't get back until late tomorrow morning, as they'd more than likely stay in a hotel overnight.
"You wanna watch a film"? I asked her, as I put the note in the trash.
"Sounds good". She replied, as she sat at the breakfast bar, and taking the can of soda I offered.
I started making some popcorn, grabbing a few bags of chips, and pocketing another few cans of soda. I wasn't planning on coming back downstairs for anything, after we had gone up. I know, pretty lazy, but once you got into a film, having to get up was a pain. After I thought we had everything, I lead the way upstairs, bounding into my room and bouncing on my bed. Connie followed, but more sedately. She sat beside me, placing the popcorn she was carrying down. I began leafing through all my videos and DVD's, giving her the choice. She chose Speed, and I settled back down next to her, my arm wrapping around her waist and the popcorn sat between us.
Half way through the movie, we had finished the popcorn, and had discarded the bowl onto the floor. I looked down at her, checking whether she'd fallen asleep or not. She hadn't but I kissed her forehead gently. She looked up at me, before leaning up and kissing me properly. Things heated up by the second, and I soon realized we had slid further down the bed. There were no words spoken between us, but there wasn't need for any. I could tell we both wanted the same thing. There was no hesitation between us, and definitely no nervousness. I had always been worried, that my first time would be a nightmare and I would be a bag of nerves and do everything wrong. The night couldn't have ended more perfect, and as we laid under the covers, holding each other close, I realized how much I loved her.
The following morning, I awoke, with Connie still by my side, but her torso was laid atop of mine, and her forehead resting on my cheek. My arms were wrapped around her protectively, keeping her close. I instinctively ran my index finger up her spine to the nape of her neck, and back down again. I continued doing so, until I heard her soft mumbling of what I could make out as morning. I said nothing but planted a kiss firmly on her lips, rolling her onto her back and leaning up on my elbow, before gazing down into her hazel eyes.
"How can you be so sweet this time in a morning"? She croaked, a small smile creeping onto her face.
"Well you see, I eat plenty of sugar before I go to sleep, so that every morning I wake up over flowing with sweetness". I told her, smiling like a Cheshire cat.
"Ever thought about becoming a stand up comedian"? She asked.
"No". I answered.
"Good because you'd suck at it". She giggled gently.
"And here I was thinking that you were only with me because I was going to become famous". I played along with her, feeling so happy that I could burst.
"I am, but not because you're going to be a famous stand up comedian, I'm after your hockey skills alone". She reached up and tousled my hair. "I mean how else am I gonna get to meet all the hockey greats". She laughed even more.
"Oh you're so funny". I said sarcastically, as I began tickling her a little, making her squirm around.
"I like to think so". She said between fits of laughter. "But there's only one hockey great, I'm interested in". She told me, after I had finished tickling her.
"And whose that"? I asked expecting her to say someone like Mike Modano, Wayne Gretzky or Basil McRae.
"You". She said, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
"I love you". It was the only thing that I could think of to say, but it somehow fitted the moment perfectly.
"I love you too". She kissed me quickly before just laying there and looking at me.
I knew anything I said after that, would ruin the moment, so I just remained silent. I was dreading, the moment, where we had to prize ourselves away from each other. Knowing that if I did let go of her, it would probably be the last time for quite a while, that we would spend time like this. Time was running out and I knew that any second either one of us, had to 'ruin' the moment, so I decided to take the bull by the horns and be the one.
"We'll be ok you know". A sudden urge washed over me to reassure myself and her.
"I know we are. We're gonna talk all the time, and see each other every holiday. It'll feel as though we're never apart". She seemed pretty confident about everything, which in turn put me at ease.
About half an hour later, I drove Connie home in my new car, that my parents had bought me for graduation. It was a quick goodbye, as I was the one taking her to the airport later on, as her mom was a pretty emotional person, and didn't think she'd be able to watch Connie go through the gate. I had the exact same feeling, though I kept it to myself.
A few hours after that, I had a few of the ducks squashed into my car, and the others were in other cars behind. Connie squeezed her suitcases into the truck and began saying goodbye to her parents. As predicted her mom, was blubbering like a baby, and her dad was giving a lecture, very much similar to the ones my dad gave me. After watching this for about 15 minutes, she finally got in the car, and we headed on our way. She hadn't started crying yet, but I knew it would only be a matter of time until she did. It was surprisingly, when saying her goodbyes to Charlie and Averman that got her started. Those 3 were the very first ducks, and had grown up together, so it was expected. She said goodbye to everyone, hugging and kissing them – including Guy, before stepping toward me. Everyone at this point, wandered away, giving us a little privacy.
"You know where I am if you need me". I told her, though I have no idea why, she nodded along. "I can be with you like a shot if you do". I continued.
"The same goes Cake-eater". She smiled. "I want regular updates on your practices and games".
"I'll never be off the phone".
"I love you". She whispered, but didn't give me a chance to answer, but pulled me in for a kiss, then, stepped away, tears in her eyes, and I knew she was actually leaving.
"Call me when you get there". I told her, she nodded, then started walking away, tears now rolling from her eyes.
And with that she was gone. I began thinking, whether we'd both be able to stay true to our words and be able to cope with a long distance relationship. Worried, that maybe, just maybe she hadn't just walked away for a few weeks/months, but had walked away for good?
So what do you think? PLEASE R&R!