Klinoa- So happy you are still here. I miss you when you don't review. I like those who review consistently because I take their reviews seriously and get ideas and such!

Meadow567- The Wild play the Red Wings tonight. (I am now in love with the Wild, lol.) I think I got a good bit of stuff we talked about worked out. Also, I've been looking for a pic for the title page. Hard to find a good one.

Emador- Warning- Janny antics ahead, lol. I didn't think taking a six pack to their room was that bad, lol.

Prettypinkcheer5- Yes, I live near Pittsburgh and hate the Steelers. If the whole franchise was disbanded I would cheer and run singing through the streets!

CandieBabie30- I love making people laugh. Hope you continue enjoying the story.

Lia06- Here is more. I hope you like this chapter, I had a hard time writing it and still aren't quite satisfied.

November, 1979

With Thanksgiving so rapidly approaching, I had decided to take a long lunch break and go groceries shopping. Craig and I had planned to spend the day together. The boys were all having dinner with various families of boys from the U. I think the Ramsey's and Schneider's were taking on most of the team.

I walked down to the ice to see the boys for a few minutes and tell Craig where I was going. The boys were skating out on the ice.

"Hey Kylah, how's your day going?" Craig asked when I reached him.

"Not bad. Nothing new on the hostages. And believe it or not stupid people in Philadelphia actually set bail for Ira Einhorn. Einhorn will jump bail. What kind of morons gives a murder suspect bail?" I said.

"Who?" Craig looked confused.

"Oh nothing. Big murder case in Philadelphia. I have been following it." I said. "I am going to take a long lunch and pick up some stuff for Thanksgiving. You need anything?"

"No thanks. I'll see you after practice." Craig said. A boy I didn't recognize skated by.

"Craig, who is that?" I asked.

"Tim Harrer." Craig said.

"The kid that having a huge year with the Gophers? What's he doing here?" I asked.

"That's him. Herb brought him in to join the team." Craig said.

"He WHAT?" What is he thinking? And furthermore, why wasn't I informed of this move? I am the media representative. I need to know what goes on immediately so I can handle it." I shrieked.

"Calm down. Herb said he'd have Harrer's information sent to your office by the end of practice "Craig said.

"But why is he bringing in another player now? We're just about 10 weeks from opening ceremonies!" I protested.

"It was Herb's decision." Craig said.

I didn't know what to think, but was not happy about this situation. Harrer had no business on this team. Where had he been for the past several months? I walked away from the ice, still pondering everything.

XXXXXxxxxxxXXXXXxxxxx

"Herb, we need to talk!" I stormed into his office.

"Kylah, I'm…"

"Going to listen to me." I said and threw Harrer's files on his desk.

"You're out of line." Herb snapped.

"I don't answer to you. You can't cut me from the team or make me skate drills." I snapped back.

"Whatever you're problem is…"

"My problem is that with 10 weeks until opening ceremonies you've brought in another player to take the spot of someone who actually worked and earned a spot on this team! It's not right!" I snapped.

"Who are you to decide what's right for the team? I am the coach, you're the PR…"

I interrupted. "And as the PR agent do you have any idea what the media is going to say about this? The public is not going to think it's fair that Harrer trains for a few weeks with the team and gets a spot when the other boys have been here for months!"

"I don't worry about the media. I am doing what I think is best for this team. Tim Harrer is a hell of a player." Herb said.

"Don't give me that. Yeah Harrer is a great player, but he doesn't belong on this team! These boys have been together since June, they have chemistry and camaraderie. Harrer is not part of that!" I insisted.

"I think Harrer will be a great addition to the team." Herb said.

"Fine, but don't expect me to be happy about it. And I'll remain professional but will not defend this move. I say it was your decision and nothing more." I said and started to walk out. I stopped and looked back. "And this will affect the team. I might not be a coach, but I know those boys, and this will affect them!"

I walked back down to my office and slammed the door.

XXXXxxxxxXXXXXX

Craig knocked on the door to my apartment. I was putting away the groceries I had bought during my lunch break.

"Come on in Craig." I yelled. I knew it was him, he had a distinctive knock.

The door opened and Craig walked in, almost smirking.

"Well, go ahead and say it." I told him.

"I heard you gave Herb what for today about Tim Harrer." Craig said.

"I couldn't help it. That kid has no place on this team, and I am tired of trying to defend Herb's odd methods. He had no right to bring in another player now no matter how good they are or what they could do for the team. We have our team and still have to send one of them home, that's bad enough." I said.

Craig sighed. "I agree with you there, but it's Herb's decision. He's the head coach."

"I know, which is why I told him what I thought and left you out of it." I said.

"Kylah, I can't tell you what to do, but is it wise to feud with Herb?" Craig asked.

"I am not feuding with anybody except my hips with the holidays coming up!" I winked. "I told Herb I would remain professional. But somebody had to say something. I knew you wouldn't, and the boys can't, so I did."

"But you still have to work with Herb!" Craig protested.

"Yes, and it's not always easy dealing with him. Do you know how many in the press think he's nuts? If he hadn't won championships with Minnesota, things would be worse. But people can see that he is able to win games; but the world knows how good eastern block teams are too." I said.

"I know you've had some reporters really grill you about Herb." Craig sighed. "But it's his team and he really thinks he's doing what's best."

I sighed. "Craig, members of the press are supposed to stay objective…I haven't quite done that this time because I am so attached to every one of those boys. It was bad enough knowing that I was going to have to let one of them go. And in my heart I knew it was most likely going to be Rizzo. Mike is struggling and Herb is a man possessed; doesn't take a rocket scientist. Who else is going home now? Because there is no doubt that Harrer will get a roster spot."

"I know how you feel. I don't really agree with bringing Harrer in now either." Craig said and smiled. "I wish I could be a PR agent so I could tell Herb how I feel. That took guts. I've never known of anyone to stand up to Herb like that."

"Is he mad?" I asked.

"Not really, he's used to people not agreeing with him." Craig said.

"I can imagine." I said. "Well I am not sorry, it needed said."

"You're something else, you know that." Craig smiled and hugged me.

"What makes you say that?" I asked.

"You just are. Everyday I find out new things about you and there all amazing." Craig said.

"You're not so bad yourself." I said and rested against him.

"Did you get lots of good food for Thanksgiving?" Craig asked.

"Of course. I got a turkey, stuff for dressing, taters, makings for gravy, and makings for pumpkin pie and all that good stuff." I said.

"I think I've gained weight since we started dating." Craig smiled.

"I haven't noticed, besides southern cooking is good for the soul." I giggled.

"You want to watch TV tonight. Jimmy Craig has mentioned a lot about the Twilight Zone lately." Craig said.

"Sounds good, but I think you just wanna get me on the couch." I joked.

"You have no idea how right you are." Craig said. I couldn't tell how serious he was.

"I'll make us some dinner." I said. "Then we can watch TV. How long is Herb giving the boys off for Thanksgiving?"

"Half a day Wednesday and all day Thursday and Friday. He wants them back on the ice getting ready for the game against the EHL." Craig said.

"Great…I am going to have to get a press release out before Thanksgiving about Harrer." I sighed.

"It's going to be okay Kylah." Craig said and kissed my forehead.

"I hope so. Right now I just stressed." I said.

"I got a great stress reliever." Craig winked.

"A shoulder rub?"

"Sure that works too. Come on, let's go sit down." Craig said and led me to the couch.

"So what do you want to do on Thanksgiving?" I asked.

"Now that's a loaded question." Craig chuckled and started rubbing my shoulders.

"What is with you this evening…..you're acting very Verchota-ish." I said.

"Sorry, just the mood I am in you could say." Craig said.

"You okay?" I asked.

"I'm fine." Craig said.

"Well about Thanksgiving, I'll probably get up early and start cooking. And of course the Macy's parade. And your Lions will be playing so we'll have a good day." I said.

"You going shopping on Friday?" Craig asked.

"I doubt it, but will probably decorate on Friday. I have been getting decorations for Christmas together." I said.

"Wow, the holidays are here already. I can't believe it. Seems like just yesterday I was flying out to Colorado Springs. Now I am getting ready to eat turkey and see Santa." Craig said.

I leaned back against Craig. "It's going to be my first Christmas away from home. First Thanksgiving away too."

"What are your parents going to do with you gone?" Craig asked.

"They're still not sure about Christmas. But for Thanksgiving they're going to my aunt and uncle's." I said.

Smokey came into the room. I smiled as he started scratching at Craig's leg. The phone rang.

"Hello?" I answered it.

"Kylah, I heard you yelled at Herb today." Janny was on the other end of the line.

"We had a discussion." I said, wanting to downplay the whole thing.

"You stood up to Herb Brooks. Do you realize you've got balls bigger than Rammer's?" Janny sounded wound up.

"Of all the things I've ever wanted to hear. I thought Ramsey was the virgin and how do you know about…oh never mind." I sighed.

"Hey, I've shared a locker room with him for years; I was bound to notice and just because he has them don't mean he uses them…outside of the bathroom." Janny snickered.

"But…Janaszak are you drunk?" I asked.

"Nah, but the guys from Minnesota that have dealt with Herb through college can't believe it." Janny sounded excited.

"Well I am glad you're all happy about that at least." I sighed. "Are we done now?"

"Yeah…we're all heading over to OC and Rizzo's." Janny said and hung up.

"Is Janny okay?" Craig asked.

"He's fine, just goofy as can be." I said.