The next day, Charlie was still at the hospital. Gordon had spent the night there, worrying about him and the attitude he had given his friends. If Charlie kept this up, he would hurt all the ones who cared about him. Adam, Russ, Averman, Ken, Julie, and Connie walked into the hospital looking for Gordon. The six were the only ones that didn't go visit Charlie the night before and didn't face his wrath. Adam gently shook Gordon awake. ''Hey guys, I'm surprised you're all here.'' he said sitting up. ''Well maybe Charlie is in a better mood.'' Connie said hopefully. The rest nodded. ''So who is going first?'' Gordon asked.

11 year old Charlie is laying on his bed and looking at the clock every five seconds. He finally hears the door open and quietly sneaks into the living room. His mom enters, a guy right behind her. ''Well I had a fun time, James.'' Casey said, kissing the guy on the cheek. ''Me too Casey. You know, this ngith doesn't have to end right away. I don't have to be at work until 11 tomorrow.'' James said tugging on her hand, bringing her closer. ''I can't James, you know about Charlie. What would I tell him?'' Casey asked. ''Casey, don't get me wrong, I love that kid but we have been dating for a couple of years now, he should be used to me by now.'' James said. ''I love you James, but I can't. Please understand.'' Casey said. James nodded his head and kissed her goodnight.

I awoke to find Ken standing in my door. ''Hi Charlie, hope you slept well.'' he said. I just starred at him, not saying anything. ''So anything new?'' he asked, trying to lighten the mood. Apparently he didn't get the idea. ''How are you feeling?'' he asked. ''Ken, if you haven'y noticed, I was ignoring you for a reason. GET OUT!'' I yelled at him. He hurried from the room. Passing the ducks, he shrugged and left.

12 year old Charlie was dressed in his finest suit, which happened to be rented, sitting in a church. Today was his mom's wedding to James Carter, her three year boyfriend. James had proposed a few months ago and his mom had gladly said yes. Charlie liked James, he really did, but how he wished it was Coach that was stading at the alter instead. The music started and Charie watched his mom walk down the aisle in a beautiful wedding gown. She reached James and the ceremony began. ''You may kiss the bride.'' the minister said, ending the ceremony. James leaned down to kiss her and they ran down the aisle together to the cheers of the auidence, even the half-hearted ones of Charlie.

I awoke once again to the sound of a door opening. Coming into the room was Les Averman a very old friend of mine. I wanted him to leave. ''Hey Charlie, what's going on?'' he asked me. ''We miss you during practice.'' he said. Hockey, I thought closing my eyes, that was another reminder of mom. I leaned back into my pillow with my eyes still closed, hoping he got the idea. He did, for he left the room, the door closing behind him. Averman walked to the other ducks. ''He pretty much ignored me.'' he said deciding to leave.

12 year old Charlie was sitting in his room listening to the music blasting out of his cd player. He heard a faint noise that sounded vagly like a duck. He stopped listening. It came again and he went to the window. Looking down he spotted his old Coach. Gordon waved him down and Charlie grabbed his skates, slipped them on and bolted from the apartment. ''Hey Coach.'' he said hugging the man. ''Boy Charlie, you sure have grown.'' Coach said. ''So are you ready to round up some ducks?'' he asked, handing Charlie and duck call. Charlie nodded and skated off.

The opened and I woke up just as Julie walked into the room. ''Hi Charlie.'' she said. I nodded to her. She beamed obviously pleased. ''So what are you doing?'' she asked. ''I'm walking the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, what do you think I'm doing. I'm laying hospitol bed trying to sleep, but can't since you guys can't seem to stop interupting me.'' I said. Julie turned and left. Passing the ducks she shook her head and took a seat next to Russ. ''I'm not leaving.'' she declared.

12 year old Charlie Conway skated around the empty arena soaking it all in. They were team USA in the Junior Goodwill Games. He couldn't believe it. Charlie heard the door open and looked up to see Coach enter. ''Looks like we had the same idea.'' he joked skating over to me. ''Yeah I guess.'' I said. ''So Charlie, how is your mom?'' he asked. ''She's ok. She got remarried.'' Charlie told him. ''Yeah I heard. Do you like the guy?'' he asked. ''He's ok.'' Charlie said, resuming the skate. He got uncomfortable with the questions. Gordon nodded and skated too.

Russ entered my room and got right to the point. ''Look Charlie, I know you've been acting like a total jerk. But you'd better not act that way around me.'' he said. ''You can't tell me what to do. I can act anyway I want. Now get the hell out of my room!'' I yelled at him. ''Screw you Conway!'' he yelled back, storming out the room. He walked to the ducks. ''Well we had a shouting match. I agree with Julie, I'm not leaving.'' he said sitting down.

14 year old Charlie Conway was sitting in the living room watching TV. He heard the mail drop through the slot and went to get it. ''Bills, bills, junk mail, junk mail, bills.'' Charlie said flipping through the stack. He came to a letter adressed to him and opened it. Inside was a piece of paper. It read:

Dear Mr. Conway,

Due to your talents in hockey, Eden Hall Acadamy has chosen you to recieve a full paid scholarship. Please send your answer via letter. We will be pleased if you attend.

Charlie was shocked, he had never recieved a letter like this. His mom entered the apartment and saw the letter in his hand. ''What's that sweetie?'' she asked. He handed her the letter and she read it. ''Charlie, I'm so proud of you!'' she said, hugging in close. Charlie smilied knowing this was a lot for his mom. They had had a pretty crummy year. Her and James had gotten divorced after he had been caught cheating on her. He hugged his mom closer.

Adam walked into my room and said nothing. We sat in silence for a few mintues. ''Well aren't you going to say anything?'' I asked. He shook his head. ''Fine then you can go.'' I said. ''I feel sorry for you Charlie. After all this, you're going to need your friends but we arn't going to be here since you chased us all away.'' he finally said, leaving my room. Adam took his seat next to Connie. ''It's your turn. Are you ready?'' he asked her. ''As ready as I'll ever be.'' Connie said.

14 year old Charlie Conway skated around the ice cheering. They had won the final game, they had beaten varsity! He spotted his mom at the door to the ice and skated over to her. ''We did it mom, we won!'' He screamed hugging her. Looking into his eyes she said, ''I'm proud of you Charlie.'' ''I love you mom.'' Charlie said. ''You go have fun.'' she told him and he nooded his head. Looking into the crowd, he caught Gordon's eye and he nodded at him. Charlie nodded back. Coach turned his head toward the score board. Looking over, Charlie saw a huge banner with the ducks logo drap over the score. He smilied and looked back at his old Coach, nodding his head once more before joining the ducks.

The door opened again and I watched as Connie entered the room. ''Hi Charlie.'' she said, sitting on the chair next to the bed. For some reason, I felt no anger towards her. In fact, I was happy she was here. ''Hey Cons.'' I said back, offering her a weak smile. ''How are you feeling?'' she asked me. ''Ok, I guess. Do you know anything about this shrink I'm supposed to be meeting?'' I asked her. ''No, sorry Charlie.'' she said. ''They hate me, don't they?'' I asked. ''No, they're just really angry and you can't blame them Charlie, you did act like a total jerk to all of them.'' she said. ''You think they will forgive me?'' I asked. I knew I had been a jerk to them, but what Adam had said stuck. I needed them, as horrible to them as I was, I still needed them. ''I'm sure they will, Spazway.'' she said smiling at me. I smilied back, suddenly feeling a lot better. I had no clue weather or not it was because of the chance of the ducks forgiving me or if it was Connie's smile.

A nurse entered the room and told Connie I needed my sleep. ''Ok then I'll see you later Spazway.'' she said, leaning down to kiss my cheek. She left and I fell into a deep sleep. This time, however, I didn't dream about my mom. I dreamt about Connie. Connie walked into the waiting room with a smile on her face a mile wide. ''He wasn't jerk to me. We actually talked.'' she said. Lying down on the couch, she soon fell asleep, her dreams starring a certain Captain Duck.