I am really running late. Tessa gave me the time off for the game, and is letting me work a double tomorrow to make up the pay, but I missed my connecting transfer. The asshole bus driver saw me but didn't stop. Dick!
So I've been walking for 20 minutes now to get home and pick up Lizzy for the hockey game. I called Miss Sally and she'll have Lizzy ready when I get there. I won't have time to change or wash up so my black yoga pants, black tee shirt and no make-up is going to have to do.
I walk in the door 30 minutes late so I grab the diaper bag, we're still working on potty training, and Lizzy then we're out the door. She insisted on bringing her 'pengun' with her. It's so cute. She chatters all the way to the arena. Neither of us knows what to expect and I didn't tell her about Iceberg being there at the game. I should have known that my smart little girl would recognize where we just were a few days ago as we walk up to the arena.
"Pengun, pengun, pengun!" Lizzy shouts out and jumps up and down in her pink shoes.
"Mommy, mommy, pengun!" She shouts and points to the arena. My smart girl remembers when were last here and she's definitely excited in anticipation of seeing Iceberg.
"Yes sweetie, this is where we saw the penguin. We'll see if we can find him again tonight."
I'm worried that she won't get to touch or hug him and I really don't want her to be disappointed. I guess I can't change that and that's the hardest thing about being a parent. I want to always make her happy and prevent any potential pain or disappointment. It's easier to do when they're babies but, now, it's getting harder. Lizzy is so smart and she is very curious. I dread the day when she asks me about her daddy. I wish I could protect her from that pain.
We go to the main entrance and a woman in a Penguins polo shirt approaches us.
"Are you Catherine?" she asks me.
"Yes I am" I answer.
The woman turns to Lizzy and says "and you must be Lizzy."
Lizzy smiles, holds up her Iceberg and says "pengun!"
The woman chuckles and says "yes, you're going to see a lot of penguins today." She turns to me and says "I'm Jennifer and I'll show you to your box. Will you follow me?"
I nod and take Lizzy's hand. We follow Jennifer through a hallway to an elevator and then travel up. When the doors open, Jennifer leads us down another hall and then through a door. When we enter the room, I stop in my tracks. The entire arena appears in front of us. It's huge and filling with fans. Music is playing. I look around the room and see other kids and parents. Everyone is laughing and having fun. Jennifer turns to us.
"Sidney has a few gifts for you." She opens a bag. "Here is a Crosby jersey for you." When Lizzy looks at it and doesn't move, I take it from Jennifer.
"Would you like to put this on Lizzy?" I ask her and she nods shyly. After the jersey is on, Lizzy looks down at her new shirt. It's hanging down to her knees and she looks so cute. She looks up at me with a big grin and points to her chest.
"Pengun mommy."
I chuckle and reply "yes sweetie, there's a penguin on your shirt."
Lizzy turns around to look at room and I notice that Sid has signed the shirt. That is so nice of him to do. It's probably worth a lot of money. I hope that people don't sell it. I know that we'll cherish ours.
"Cat" Jennifer says and I turn back to her. "There are some additional items here for Lizzy. Sid made a special request that Iceberg sign something for her so we have a poster. Sid also asked us to find a larger stuff Iceberg which we'll have for you after the game."
Wow, I'm really touched that Sid took such care in making sure that Lizzy was taken care of; it is very sweet.
"Thank you Jennifer. We'll wait here after the game for you."
She nods and leaves the room. I look back to Lizzy and she's standing at the edge of the room where the stands begin staring at the arena. I walk to her and look down at her face. Her eyes are huge saucers and dart around trying to take everything in. When I look out, I'm just as overwhelmed as she is with the view. We are way up high and have a great view of the arena. It's already filling with fans. The clock is counting down, I guess to game time. There is energy in the place that's infectious and I feel myself getting excited. When Lizzy leans into me, I can feel her excitement as well. Looking at her sight line, I don't think she can see the ice and the full arena so I take her hand and lead her down to the stands. It seems that every box has seats in front of it so that you can sit in the stands too. I pull Lizzy onto my lap as I sit.
"What do you think Lizzy?" I ask her but she doesn't respond. She's leaning forward and her head swivels back and forth trying to take everything in. I thought she might be bored but she's enthralled, for now at least.
"Excuse me" I hear and turn to see an attendant. "You might want to bring Lizzy back up. Mr. Crosby has arranged a special surprise."
I nod and pick Lizzy up in my arms. I notice that all of the parents and kids have been gathered in one area of the box and all seem to be waiting.
The attendant looks at her phone and then goes to the door. When she opens it, the room goes crazy; it's Iceberg. Lizzy almost jumps out of my arms and it's only my quick reflexes that keep her from falling on her face. When she's down, she goes running to the mascot and throws her arms around his leg. The other kids, all boys, are excited but not nearly as much as my daughter.
"Pengun, pengun, pengun" Lizzy shouts as she squeezes the mascot and jumps up and down.
"Lizzy, careful" I tell her. I'm afraid Iceberg will fall over with her enthusiasm.
"She's ok" the attendant says and Iceberg nods.
Iceberg then bends down so that he's at Lizzy's level and throws out his arms, or I guess they're wings, and Lizzy hugs him. I pull out my phone to take pictures. It is just such a sweet scene. I feel my eyes tear up. I'm always worried about Lizzie missing out on things because we don't have much money or she doesn't have a father. I'm so grateful to the Penguins and Sidney for doing this for my little girl.
Iceberg stands up and moves to the other kids. I can tell that Lizzie is about to react to losing her 'pengun' so I quickly intervene.
"Lizzie, let's get something to eat. You can visit with the penguin more." As this comes out of my mouth, I am hoping that it's the truth and that she'll get to see Iceberg again or else it's going to be a difficult afternoon. As I watch Lizzy make up her mind about a meltdown or food, a cheer goes up from the crowd and Lizzy turns to the arena. We both move toward the stands at the same time. I help Lizzy down the stairs so that we can watch the players come onto the ice. I find myself looking for Sidney to come out. He finally does and the crowd cheers even louder. Lizzy starts clapping and jumping up and down.
During the game, Lizzy stays focused on the players and, occasionally, Iceberg. At one point, Sid's face is shown in close up on the jumbotron. Lizzy notices and begins jumping up and down again.
Pointing at Sid's face, she turns to me and shouts "Sidwee, mommy, Sidwee."
"Yes sweetheart, it's Sidney."
She smiles widely, clasps her hand and stares back at the ice. I'm watching her more than the game. I never thought that she would sit this long. Of course, when I'm watching the game, my eyes are drawn to Sid. He moves so fast and the fans cheers every time he has the puck. I don't know hockey but I can tell that Sid is very special. Looking at Lizzy again, I know that he's special both on and off the ice. He's made my daughter so very happy today and he doesn't even know how much it means to us. I hope I get the chance to thank him.
The game ends in a tie and they play overtime. No one wins during overtime so they go into a short out. It's very exciting and we both cheer loudly when the Penguins win. Everyone in the box packs up and heads out after the game but we hang back and wait as the attendant asked us to do. Lizzy starts getting restless because it's been a long afternoon for her and a very exciting one too. I hold her in my arms and she drifts off for a little while until the attendant comes for us.
"Hi there, how was the game?" she asks us.
"Lizzy loved it. You can see that she's tuckered out. It was wonderful and we're both so grateful. Thank you" I reply.
"We have one last surprise for you. I'll need you both to wear these."
She holds out lanyards with a pass on them that has the Penguins' logo. I put one on Lizzy who wakes up and begins to inspect it. We then leave the box and follow the attendant. She takes us down a few hallways and then an elevator. Lizzy is completely awake now and curious about her surroundings. When we get off the elevator, there are another couple of hallways until it opens into a large room. It looks like a lounge with comfy chairs, a foosball table, air hockey table and a kitchenette. There are Penguin logos everywhere and a few people milling around. The attendant asks us to wait by the chairs and then leaves the room. We sit down to wait.
"Cat?" I hear behind me. When I turn around, it's one of the guys from the diner. He looks like he just had a shower. Marc? No. Oh yeah ...
"Hi Pascal. Congratulations on the win. It was a great game."
Pascal sits down beside us.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it" he says and then turns to Lizzy. "And you must be Lizzy. Did you enjoy the game?"
Lizzy nods but is a little shy. I don't think she's ever met this many new people at once. She's also a little shy around men.
"Did you get to see Iceberg?" Pascal asks her. She doesn't understand him so I mouth 'penguin' to Pascal and he understands. "Did you get to see the penguin Lizzy?" he asks her.
This has her nodding and smiling and Pascal chuckles at her enthusiasm. I notice that he looks over my shoulder then says "I think we have another surprise for you."
When both Lizzy and I look behind us, we see that Iceberg is there. He opens his arms wide and Lizzy is off my lap and running for a penguin hug immediately. I may have to ask Iceberg to come home with us.
"I guess she's enjoying herself" I hear behind me. It isn't Pascal and, when I turn around, I confirm that it's Sidney Crosby.
He also looks fresh from a shower but is wearing a suit. His shoulders look impossibly wide, his waist narrow and those lips, wow, are smiling broadly at me. Oh boy!
When I walked into the lounge, the first thing I noticed was the adorable pixie Lizzy giving Iceberg a huge hug. She looks so cute and happy that I feel the smile on my face instantly break out. I then notice Cat in front of me. She is wearing exactly what I saw her in at work; form fitting black yoga pants and a black shirt. I hear a giggle and my attention is drawn back to Lizzy.
"I guess she's enjoying herself" I find myself saying and Cat turns around to look at me. I feel my smile get wider as Cat gives me one of her own.
"She is. We both are Sid. Thank you so much for, well, everything. It is very kind of you and will be a lifelong memory for her" Cat replies.
I hate it when people thank me. I know it's polite, and nice of them, as well as heart felt; but, it makes me very, very uncomfortable. There's not really much that I do except spend a few minutes, dollars and ask the Pens staff to make arrangements.
"You're welcome Cat. I'm so glad that she's enjoying herself. Iceberg is a big hit."
Cat turns to look at her daughter and then back at me. She bites her lip and suddenly looks uncomfortable.
"Um, Sid, she's three years old. She doesn't really understand hockey or that you're the captain of the team. She doesn't realize how fortunate we are that you've done this for us." Cat looks at me apologetically now and I finally get it.
"Cat, I hope that you don't think I'm looking for accolades or anything. I know that she's three years old and that Iceberg is the big draw for her. In fact, I think it's adorable and a good idea. Any given game, we can win or lose but Iceberg always wins. I'd idolize him too." That makes her chuckle and I'm rewarded with a smile again.
"Sidwee!" I look up just as Lizzy launches herself at me and I catch her. She gives me a hug and clings to my neck. I'm taken completely by surprise by the hug. I'm even more surprised by how right it feels when I hug her back. It feels natural to have this blond hair, blue eyed pixie in my arms. "Sidwee" she says again and then leans back so that she can look at me. Each of her small hands takes one of my cheeks so that she can look directly at me.
"Hi Lizzy" I say. She smiles again then lays her cheek on my shoulder and cuddles in.
"I can take her" Cat says.
To my surprise, I answer "if you don't mind, I'm ok holding her."
Cat smiles at my words and nods; I find myself staring at the full grown version of the pixie in my arms. What is it about them that draws me in? It's different than most fans. It could be because they aren't fans; at least of mine.
Iceberg comes over and gives Lizzy a kiss with his 'bill' and then waves goodbye as the attendant leads him out. He doesn't usually do extra stuff like this so I'll remember to thank him later.
"Looks like someone is tired" Cat says and I look down to see that Lizzy is yawning and, after resting her head on my shoulder again, closes her eyes.
"I can take her" Cat continues.
"It's ok. Why don't I walk you to your car?" I reply.
"Actually, we took the bus so I only have to go to the corner to catch it." Cat tells me.
I don't know which of us is more surprised when I say "I can give you a drive home." Where did that come from?
Cat looks surprised and then uncomfortable and I feel like an ass. A single woman, with a child, would naturally be uncomfortable if a man she's only met a few times offers to drive her home. She probably thinks I'm after some 'repayment' for the tickets and stuff.
"I'm sorry Cat. That was inappropriate. It's probably late for her so let me arrange a cab for you. The Pens will take care of it." I know it will be me and not the Pens but I don't want her to feel any weirder about it.
I can see Cat's thoughts clearly on her face. She looks from me to Lizzy and then back to me again. I can tell that she doesn't want to accept the help but Lizzy is clearly asleep in my arms now.
"I'd appreciate that Sid. Thank you." She says this with a shy smile. Interesting. Although I haven't known her long, she's always been incredibly confident and this shyness is very interesting.
I gesture for her to follow me while I look for someone from the office staff. Jennifer is down the hall and comes directly to us.
"Hi Sid. Hi Cat. Looks like Lizzy is tuckered out, huh?" Jennifer says.
"Yeah Jen. Can you arrange for a cab to take them home please?" I ask her.
I can tell that she understands me and knows we're paying for it.
"Sure I can Sid. Cat, why don't you follow me and we'll get that cab for you?" Jennifer asks Cat.
They both look at me and I'm confused for a moment. Then it occurs to me that I'm still holding Lizzy. I smile and transfer the little girl to Cat's arms. Lizzy doesn't wake up. Hmm, I feel odd watching Cat and Lizzy leaving with Jennifer. It's like I miss them and they aren't even gone.
Cat turns around and says "thank you so much Sid. This has been an incredible experience for us both."
"You're welcome Cat. I hope I'll see you again soon" I tell her. Where the fuck did that come from and how will she react?
Again she looks shy, bites her bottom lip, then says "I'd like that Sid" before she quickly turns to follow Jennifer down the hall.
I'm left staring after her. She'd like to see me again? That's as unexpected as my saying it to her first.
I head back to the lounge and find Pascal leaving the locker room.
"Sid, you're right. That kid is cute" he tells me.
I also hear the unspoken question that he's wondering about my interest in her mom; but, I don't know how to respond so I ignore it.
"Yeah, she's cute" I reply and we walk together in silence to the car park, where we part.
I pause on the drive out to sign a few autographs and then continue home. I still haven't completed the renovation but I have moved in to my new house. This will be the first full season that I've lived away from the Lemieux's. It's odd but I like having my own space and it was time. They were incredible to me but it really is good to be on my own.
As I drive home, I call my dad as I usually do. He answers on the third ring.
"Congratulations son. It was a great game" dad tells me.
"Thanks dad. We got away from good D in the second which is when they tied it. Granato's going to have a lot to say about that at practice tomorrow I'm sure. We won the game in the shoot-out but that's not the way we want to win of course."
"Yeah I know" dad tells me.
We talk further about the game until I arrive home.
"Tell mom I say hi. I'm pulling up at home now. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Ok, good night Sid."
"Nite dad" I say back as I pull into my garage.
I go directly to my bedroom to change out of my suit. There are a few games on tonight that I want to watch so I said no when a few guys asked if I wanted to grab something to eat after the game.
As I settle onto the sofa and turn on the TV, I think back over our game and am still pissed that it went to a shoot-out. We should have won that one in regular time. My mind drifts to Lizzy and Cat. It was great to see how much Lizzy enjoyed the game and so cute to see her in my jersey. Shit! I forgot to give her the large stuffed Iceberg. I didn't want to have it waiting in the box for her since the other kids weren't getting one and then I completely forgot after the game. Hmm, maybe I'll have to go by the diner and drop it off to Cat.