Anna
"I don't like it."
Sid has been arguing with me for the last ten minutes. My parents arrive tomorrow and I know it's best if I meet with them first and then Sid joins us for dinner. If my mother is going to be obnoxious then I want it to be aimed at me first. I also know that there will be things that she won't say in front of Sid and I'm going to have to hear them at some time so we might as well get it all over at once.
"Sid, I know you don't like it but I know them and this is the best way" I try to reason with him, again. "I'll visit with them first and we can catch up since I haven't seen them in a while. You can join us after that for dinner and they can get to know you."
I slide onto his lap hoping that I can convince him if we're face to face, lip to lip. We're on the sofa at his house watching TV after dinner. Sid was flipping between two games until I received an email from my father's scheduler confirming that they will be here tomorrow. Thankfully they chose from one of the dates I gave them so there is no game tomorrow.
I straddle Sid's lap and grasp his face in both of my hands before kissing him once then twice. Sid sighs deeply.
"I want to be with you Anna. You shouldn't have to face them alone since it about us."
"I don't disagree with you and I would love to have you with me. The problem is that I know it will go over better with my parents if I meet with them first. They'll think it's disrespectful if I argue with them in front of anyone. Hell, my mother won't like it either way but this way they will only hold it against me and not both of us."
"I don't like it but ok" he says. "You know them better."
I kiss him and say "thank you."
He grabs my pony tail and pulls my head back.
"But you need to remember that I am here for you and I'm only giving you an hour with them before I join you." I try to protest but he stops me. "I'm serious Anna. I'll respect what you want but only to a point. You will not be alone."
I feel my eyes fill.
"I guess I have a lot to learn about relationships" I tell him.
"Then I'm glad that I'm a good captain. I'll lead us."
"That was so corny" I tell him and roll my eyes. "But lovely."
We kiss softly, sweetly. Our lips sip at each other, sliding easily, exploring and testing. Sid's hand on my pony tail pulls the elastic out so that he can bury his fingers in my hair. He changes the direction to give us better access to each other. I moan when his tongue traces my bottom lip which gives him access to enter.
"Mmmm" I moan again when Sid's tongue slides over mine.
My hips begin to rock against his, rotating slowly, pushing to create friction. I can feel the seam of his jeans, as well as what's beneath that seam, pushing up against me through my yoga pants. Sid's free hand slides under my sweatshirt and up my back. I shiver at the feeling of skin on skin.
"No bra babe" he whispers against my lips. "I definitely like that."
I chuckle against his lips but then all laughter leaves me when I feel his hand slide to my side and his thumb flicks over my nipple. I moan when he does it again and push my hips harder into his.
What began as a sweet kiss quickly becomes a hot make out session. When we finally pull apart, we're both breathing heavily and trying to control ourselves.
"We said we were going to get a good night's sleep" I tell him.
"I know we were" Sid replies.
"I can't seem to care."
"Neither can I" he says and kisses me again.
When we pull away this time, I place a hand on his chest to hold him back from me and try to gather my thoughts.
"Seriously, we need to go to bed" I tell him. "Tomorrow is going to be a brutal day for both of us. We need sleep."
"I need you first" he tells me and stands with me still in his arms.
I wrap my legs around his waist and hold on tight to his shoulders. He watches where he's taking us carefully as he walks up the stairs and I take advantage to taste his skin a this neck. I kiss, lick and bite his neck.
"Stop that or I may drop you" he says in a low voice that's almost a growl.
"It would be worth it" I tell him and bite down on his clavicle that's showing now that his shirt is askew.
With every step, I feel more and more desperate for him. It's this desperation that has me biting, hard, at Sid's neck.
"Fuck" Sid yells and he stops at the stair's landing.
He pushes me down to the floor and holds me there covering my body with his own. I open my legs so that he can slide between them and I push at his jeans finally using my feet to push them off all the way. Sid lifts long enough to strip off my yoga pants.
"Shit" he says.
Sid stands suddenly, pulling me with him by my hand and then drags me to the bedroom. I jump on the bed and watch as Sid pulls a condom out of the side table. He strips off his shirt, I do the same, and he quickly puts on the condom. When he's finished, I'm more than ready for him and Sid knows it. In one smooth and quick motion, he's on the bed, on me, and thrusts into me.
"Ah" I cry out.
"Ok?" Sid stops.
"Yes, no, don't stop. Please Sid, I need you."
He pulls out and then thrusts hard again. I raise my hips to meet him and we find a fast, frantic rhythm, desperate for each other. Over and over, Sid thrusts in and out while I hold on tight and meet each one.
It's quick, really quick, when I feel the coiling in my stomach and my skin is electric. My orgasm rips through me and Sid follows. He lands on top of me and I hold him close while we each ride out the last of our pleasure.
"Still lots of time for sleep" he tells me and chuckles in my ear.
"That was unexpected" I tell him. "Although I guess that I should expect the unexpected with you."
Sid rolls to his side and takes me with him so that we're facing each other and brushes my hair back from my face. It's a beautiful, sweet and loving gesture. It makes me feel cherished.
"It's never been like that before" he tells me. "I've never experienced such a desperate need or such a strong reaction to any other girl in my life."
The tone is his voice is reverent and I know my eyes fill in response.
"I love you so much Sidney" is all I can manage in response.
We kiss softly.
"Ok, you were right before, we need sleep" he tells me and pulls be up with him.
Sid goes to the bathroom first and I pick up and pull on his tee shirt. I love to sleep in his tee shirts. After picking up all of our clothes, I glance up as Sid comes back into the bedroom. He goes directly to and into the bed. I don't know how he can sleep naked but he does regularly.
I go into the bathroom and clean up. Once my bedtime routines are completed, I join Sid and stop at the end of the bed. Sid is sprawled on his stomach and snoring softly. He's so cute.
I climb in next to him and quickly join him in sleep.
Sidney
"Sid, I will be fine, I promise" Anna tries to reassure me. "I've known them my whole life you know."
Instinctively I know that she'll be ok but I really want to support her in talking with her parents and I don't like that I won't be with her first.
"Ok fine" I say as I watch her put her make-up on. "I just want to be there for you."
"I know you do and I love you for it. Honestly, my mother in particular will like this approach much better. You're an outsider to her." She looks at me and quickly says "Not to me of course."
"I get it" I reassure her.
This is going to be a very stressful day for Anna and I wish that there was something more that I could do for her to make it easier.
When she's finished her hair and make-up, I follow her to the bedroom and lie on the bed to watch her dress. She carefully takes out the clothes she brought with her to my house: a skirt, blouse, jacket, shoes. It looks like she is going all out. I haven't seen her dress up like this since the beginning of the season. As she dresses, she reviews the day's schedule again. It's really cute how she keeps reminding me like I'm Geno and she's planning my day of press and activities.
"Are you listening?" she asks impatiently.
This is the first crack in her otherwise calm exterior. Finally she's giving me an in to talk about how nervous she is and I'm definitely going to take advantage of it.
I stand and walk over to her standing in her bra and panties. I keep my hands to myself because we'll never get out of her if I touch her now.
"I've heard it every time you've explained it babe" I tell her. "It's going to be fine. I know where I'm going and when I need to be there and I'll be on time, I promise."
"I'm being annoying aren't I?"
I decide to chance it and pull her into my arms.
"You're being adorable" I kiss her temple. "It will all go well. You're worrying too much."
A small itch in the back of my brain wonders if I really believe that after everything I've heard and seen about her mother in particular. I've met the Governor once or twice at Mario's home but really don't remember either time much. Who knew that it could be so helpful years later?
"Ok" she pulls back and kisses my lips lightly. "Let me get dressed and then I'm ready to go."
"Breakfast?" I ask.
"I'll get something at Consol."
"Ok" I tell her and leave her so that I can dress too.
I'll have time to come home after practice, before I meet Anna and her parents for dinner, for which I'm grateful because I don't want to explain why I'm in a suit on a non-game day to the guys. I'll get enough chirping afterward.
As I walk out of my closet after dressing, I see that she's dressed but sitting on the bed staring down at the shoes in her hands.
I kneel in front of her, take the shoes and replace them with my hands holding hers.
"Baby, it's going to be ok" I tell her. "I promise that we'll get through it and everything will be fine."
"I know it will" she tells me but her eyes are wet.
I cup her cheek and wipe away a tear that has escaped down her cheek.
"Then why the tears?" I ask.
"I knew that we'd have to deal with them but I hoped, prayed even, that they wouldn't care as much since I was far away from them. Or maybe they wouldn't care because this is an internship and it will end."
"You mean that we'll end?" I ask.
"No Sid, definitely no. Not for me at least but maybe my mother would think that way." She pauses and then gives me a watery smiles "it was wishful thinking for sure."
"I believe in wishes" I tell her and kiss her softly.
"Thank you" she says. "Ok, let's get going."
I stand and bring her with me holding one hand while she puts on her shoes. Hand in hand we walk to our cars.
"Remember, just text or call me if you want to talk, ok?" I tell her and she nods. "Everything is going to be fine."
She nods and I kiss her again hoping that I'm right and everything will be fine.
Anna
I take a couple of deep breaths before the elevator doors open and try to calm myself. I've been nauseous since I heard they had arrived. My mother is going to be difficult and that's an understatement. The doors open and I know that there is no turning back.
The security give me nods and a door opens at the end of the hall.
"Anna!" I hear.
"Matthew!" I'm pleasantly surprised to see him.
I guess I should have known he would be here and it's good to see him. We hug and greet each other.
"It's so good to see you" I tell him.
"It's great to see you too. You look beautiful" he tells me.
I know that I blush when I reply "thank you. And thank you so much for your help with Evgeni Malkin's brother."
"Please stop thanking me" he tells me. "I didn't do that much."
We stand smiling at each other. It really is good to see him and have someone friendly here.
"Is she in a good mood?" I ask him.
I would never speak negatively of my mother to anyone but I'm comfortable enough with Matthew to ask this much.
"She's been very polite all day" he tells me with a wry smile.
We both know what that means: she's in the most horrible of moods. The more polite she is, the worst her mood is because she's trying to cover it up.
"Ok, let's go" I tell him.
Matthew opens the door and holds it for me to enter. The room is buzzing with people huddled in three or four and talking in hushed tones. I see a sitting area near the window of the large suite where my mother and father are currently sitting. When I'm noticed, the room hushes and my mother looks my way.
"Annabelle!" my mother says excitedly, stands and walks quickly my way while I try not to cringe at the full use of my name.
"Mother" I reply and meet her half way across the room.
We embrace then mom pulls back and holds me arm's length away while she looks me up and down. She must be ok with my appearance because she doesn't comment.
"Come say hello to your father" she tells me and pulls me further into the room.
I notice all of the staff leave the room quietly until the three of us are alone. My mother doesn't even need to tell them what to do because they've been part of my father's staff for years and know 'their place.'
"Darling, our Annabelle is here" she tells my father when he doesn't look up from his phone.
Dad puts down his phone, takes off his glasses and stands to greet me. He hugs me close for a few moments and I feel nostalgia for days when there wasn't staff and scheduling required just to talk to each other.
"Sit Annabelle and tell us all about your little job" Mom tells me.
She and my father sit together on one sofa and I sit on one opposite them. Let the grilling begin.
My mother pours us sweet tea while I tell them about my internship. I focus on my responsibilities with Geno and the role that most interns never get.
"Well they know a smart and talented girl when they see one" dad says.
"Thank you dad" I reply with my inbred good manners.
"Now tell us about this Sidney you've been seeing" mother tells me.
Of course it's not a question or a request, that's not her style. Instead, it is a demand to 'tell us' and the expectation that I will obey. Of course I will.
"His name is Sidney Crosby. He's from a small town in eastern Canada where most of his extended family live" I begin. I want to get what mother calls 'lineage' out of the way. I'm sure she knows everything I'm telling her but it's expected that I give a complete accounting. "The coaches knew when he was very young that he had an extraordinary talent for hockey. His father was drafted by a prominent Canadian team."
They don't need to know he didn't even play a game. I take a sip of my tea before continuing.
"Hockey has a different structure than football. Those that are the most talented don't play at schools generally but play in junior leagues until they are eighteen and can join the professional teams. Sid was always the best on his team and in the league. He's the best in the world right now" I tell them.
Mother looks annoyed. She's had enough of the background and wants to know how we met and what's going on with her daughter and this man she doesn't know.
"Anyway, I got to know Sid as I was working with Geno. They often do things together because they're the best players on the team. As I got to know Sid, I really liked him and we started spending time together, quietly, so that no one knew."
"You snuck around with this boy" mother says with emphasis on 'this boy'. "What kind of young man is ashamed to be seen with a girl he's dating?"
"It's not quite like that mother" I disagree and try to do so as softly as possible since this is going to reflect on Sid when he gets here. "Everyone in Pittsburgh knows Sid and he would be recognized everywhere which means our picture would be taken and posted. I also didn't want anything to be weird at work so we didn't tell anyone that we were seeing each other."
"Clearly that wasn't the right strategy" she tells me. "What is the rule you're supposed to follow when you have new 'friends'?"
"I talk to you so that we can evaluate the public relations implications" I recite from memory.
"That's right. We do that so there are no frantic calls and clearing schedules for last minute trips to Pittsburgh. Luckily, your father is able to make a few appearances and have meetings while we're here but the staff had to work very hard to make that happen. You should know by now Annabelle. This isn't just your life that you impact. You need to be much more considerate of your father, his position and the effect of others around you. Instead you again demonstrate how selfish you are" she finishes and smooths out invisible wrinkles in her skirt. "You wanted to have this little job and, against my better judgement, your father and I agreed but now it is impacting this family and it must end."
I feel my blood run cold. This is my worst fear realized, one that I kept trying to push out of my mind when I was considering this visit. What if my parents demand that I quit my job?
"Mother, please, it's only a few more months" I beg her. "The internship ends at the end of the season. Please let me stay and finish it out. I made a commitment" I tell her.
If she won't agree to do it for me then maybe she'll do it for the optics of the commitment I've made to the team. It wouldn't look, good now that it's public knowledge that I'm here, if I leave suddenly.
"Then you'll need to break it" she tells me.
"Mother, it's in the media now. I know that it's not ideal but this is the situation that we're in and it does have an end date."
She's silent now and I know that she's considering the implications of what I've said. She glances at my father and he nods.
"Ok Annabelle, you can finish out this internship. At the end of it, you'll come home and join the campaign. You can pick up your work with that little charity too" she tells me.
"You mean the National Children's Literacy Foundation?" I ask.
"Oh, yes, that one. It will work very well with your father's education platform."
"Ok" I respond.
Right now I'd agree to anything if they let me stay for the rest of the season. I'll deal with what comes after that later. Besides, Sid may already have left me by then.
"When we were in New York, we saw the Petersons" she tells me.
I don't understand this sudden change in topic but as long as we aren't discussing me then I'll play along.
"And how are they?" I ask.
"They are doing very well. We caught up on their travels and their family. Their son has graduated from Harvard Law, passed the bar and is working for the top law firm in New York. Apparently he is doing very well too" she tells me.
"That's nice" I reply suspecting exactly where she's going.
"Yes, he will make a very good match" she tells me.
"Match for what?"
"Why for you of course Annabelle. He's of a marrying age and you will be done with this job soon so the timing is perfect. The only thing we'll need to decide is if the wedding is before the election or if we have a White House wedding."
This isn't the first time she's tried to introduce me to a man of a 'suitable' pedigree who is ready for marriage; but, it is the first time that she's talked about it like it's decided and I don't have a choice.
"Mother, I'm with Sid now" I remind her.
"Oh please" she waves her hand. "That's one of those short term romances that you need to have before you marry the right man. Remember, you said that everything will end at the end of the season."
"Not everything mother."
"Of course everything" she dismisses me. "Speaking of which, shouldn't Sidney be here soon?"
As if her question summons him, there is a knock at the door, so I jump up to answer it.
As I walk to the door, I take deep breaths, try to calm down and act like my mother isn't marrying me off like I'm chattel.
Sidney
I immediately smile when I see that it's Anna who has opened the door for me. That smile is quickly replaced with concern when I see that she's pale and her smile doesn't reach her eyes.
"What's wrong?" I whisper.
"Sid, please come in" she says in a loud voice.
Whatever is going on, she clearly doesn't want to discuss it and doesn't want me to ask further about it.
As I walk in, Anna briefly takes my hand and squeezes it. That one move gives me some comfort that she's ok regardless of what just happened.
I watch Anna's parents stand as I approach the sitting area. Her mother is short, can't be more than five feet tall with heels, and has blond hair and green eyes. The eyes are the only thing that I see Anna inherited from her.
I hold out my hand to her.
"Mrs. Stanton, it's great to meet you" I tell her and hand the flowers I brought to her.
"These are lovely Sidney. Thank you. It is wonderful to meet you" she says as she shakes my hand.
"Governor" I say as I turn to him and hold out my hand.
"Crosby" he takes my hand in his and shakes it, hard.
Ok, I get it. He's a powerful Governor and I'm dating his daughter.
"Please sit Sidney" Mrs. Stanton gestures to the sofa.
I sit and Anna joins me. The Governor sits opposite us and Mrs. Stanton hands the flowers to a server who has magically appeared.
"Would you care for some wine Sidney? We have a lovely chardonnay from Napa" she tells me.
"Yes, thank you" I answer.
Mrs. Stanton simply glances to the server who leaves quickly.
"Tells us about yourself Crosby" the Governor says.
It's actually more of a command then a question. I wonder specifically what he wants to know but instinctively know that I shouldn't ask. Ok, I guess he's going to get a Crosby history.
"I'm from eastern Canada, a small town called Cole Harbour. Most of my family is in that area, aunts, uncles, cousins. My parents still live in the same house I grew up in although they spend time in Pittsburgh too" I tell them.
"The same house?" Mrs. Stanton asks.
"I keep offering to buy or build one for them but they want to stay where they are. They've let me renovated it at least."
"And where do you live?" she asks.
"I have a house just outside of Cole Harbour, on a lake, where I spend some of my summer. I also have a home here in Pittsburgh."
The server comes back and hands us each a glass of wine. Mrs. Stanton dismisses her with a glance when she's finished.
"When did you start playing hockey?" the Governor asks.
I feel like I'm watching tennis match. The Governor asks me a question so I look at him, then Mrs. Stanton asks me a question so I 'volley' my glance over to her. I look back and forth and back and forth while they ask questions and I answer.
"I first put skates on when I was three years old. My parents say that I loved it right away" I can't remember details of first playing but I remember the feeling of fun and freedom on the ice. "I started playing in a league when I was five and I've played ever since."
"Why did you continue playing? Did you want to or was it your parent's influence?" Mrs. Stanton asks me.
"I think I started because my dad put me on the ice and I loved skating with him; but, I kept playing because I had fun, a lot of fun, and I quickly became competitive and loved to win too. So I played in the system through elementary school and into high school. I always played with kids older than myself, usually two or three years, but when you get to a certain point, they won't let you play with teams outside of your age group. Anyway, I went to Shattuck St. Mary for a year until I could go to the Major Junior league and went to Quebec."
"What about school?" the Governor asks.
"Actually, school was the most important thing to my parents. I wasn't allowed to play hockey if I wasn't doing well in school. Homework had to be finished before I could play street hockey with my friends and I needed to have good grades or else I couldn't play in games. They always made the point that if I didn't play then I would be letting down my team mates and coaches."
I look at Mrs. Stanton and she smiles at me.
"Did you go to college?" she asks.
The question 'ball' volley's back to her.
"No" I answer. "I played in the Quebec Major Junior League until I was drafted into the NHL when I was eighteen and I've played there ever since."
"With Pittsburgh" the Governor says.
"Yes with Pittsburgh."
"It's a good city" he says. "Great hard working people. It might not still be 'steel town' but it still holds a firm, deeply held belief that hard work is the best way."
"The people here have always been welcoming to me and to the entire Pens organization" I agree with him. "You can see it when new players come to the team. The city immediately welcomes them and makes them feel at home here. Every player or coach who has ever been with the team have all commented about the great people of this city."
"That's what Mario says" Mrs. Stanton says. "Nathalie too."
"What about your parents Crosby? What does your father do?" the Governor asks.
"My dad played hockey too. He was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens but retired before playing for them though because he blew out his knee. When I was born, my parents did whatever they could to afford equipment so that I could play. I remember that my mother had two jobs once. Hockey is a very expensive sport, especially the equipment and the skates, and my family didn't have a lot of money so they often had to work long hours." I tell him.
"And now?" Mrs. Stanton asks.
"Now my mother doesn't have to work. My father doesn't either but he's like my business manager. It's comforting to know that I have dad watching over my money and the details of my career so that I can focus on my game. I have an agent of course and he and his team do a lot of the day to day and administrative work; but, my dad oversees things and makes sure that I'm involved in the right decisions."
"Family is essential no matter if it's personal or professional. You know that you can count of your family to support you and do the right thing by you every time" Mrs. Stanton says and glances at Anna.
I can feel the undercurrents flowing around the room especially between mother and daughter. I'm desperate to ask about it but Anna would be upset that I brought it up in front of her parents so I remain silent.
There's a knock on the door and the server returns.
"Are you ready for dinner Mrs. Stanton?"
"Yes" she says to the server and then back to us "shall we move to the dining room?"
We all stand and follow Mrs. Stanton to the dining room table. How big is this suite? Anna's hand brushes mine briefly before she walks ahead of me. I pull out her chair when we get to the table and notice an approving look from her mother. Good thing I anticipated that this meal would include a 'manners' test with dinner.
I sit at the place across from Anna as her parents sit at each head of the table. The moment we're seated, the servers place our appetizers in front of us and the sommelier pours us more wine. It's all very surreal feeling. Since I got here, Anna hasn't said a word, not one word about anything. Her parents have been asking me questions and I've been answering them. It's time to change the conversation.
"I was reading about your education plan" I say to the Governor. "They're saying that it's going to revolutionize public education."
He smiles and responds "I don't know about revolutionizing anything but we're hopeful that it's going to educate more children. Education is the silver bullet to reducing government programs like welfare. If people can work to sustain themselves then they don't need government money."
"It is a revolutionary idea dear" Mrs. Stanton says to the Governor. "A republican has never used education as a means of making government smaller and saving money."
The Governor smiles and begins talking about his new program. This must have been the right topic to bring up because he's animated as he describes the details. It's interesting to watch him. I can actually see some of Anna as he passionately discusses his education program. Anna speaks that passionately when she talks about her work with Geno and especially when he does something new with the media.
"It's radical for a Republican to want to spend money now for savings in the future but we're slowly winning others over" Mrs. Stanton says.
This is a different side of Anna's mother. She's looking at the Governor with love and admiration. I've only thought of her as the woman who makes Anna cry and self-loathing. It's a reminder that no one is all good or all bad.
My mind wanders a bit as the Governor continues to explain his program and the Bill that supports it. I can tell that he's already thinking about taking it national if he becomes the President. The plans are easily scalable and he's talking about how to replicate and sustain it beyond the next term. It's fascinating to watch.
Since the Governor is enthralled with talk about his program and Mrs. Stanton is watching him, I spare a glance across the table at Anna. Currently, she's watching her plate as she pushes the food around on it. She is still pale and unusually quiet. I'm worried about her but there doesn't seem to be anything that I can do about it right now. What happened before I got here that has made her this way now?
The servers clear our appetizer dishes and I realize that I've eaten everything on it but don't know what was even there. This is very weird. My focus is divided between wanting to impress the Stanton's so that they like me and are ok with Anna and I being together, worrying about Anna and what might have happened before I got here and wanting to leave immediately, with Anna, and never come back.
"I hope that you like Chasseur Chicken Sidney. The chef at this hotel is famous for it and makes it every time we come to this hotel" Mrs. Stanton says.
"It looks delicious" I answer as a server places a dish in front of me.
It does look delicious, what there is of it of course. I guess this hotel isn't used to having hockey players eat here because I could eat four of these plates and still want more. When we all have our dinner, the servers leave as quietly as they arrived. It's eerie. I've been to dinners with politicians before and it's never been this weird.
There is a knock on the door and a man in a suit walks in.
"Governor, Mrs. Stanton, I'm sorry for interrupting" the man says.
"Come in Matthew" the Governor says.
"Thank you sir" Matthew says and walks further into the room. "The White House Chief of Staff's office is on the phone for you Governor."
"Thank you, I'll be there directly" the Governor replies and Matthew leaves. "My apologies Crosby, ladies, I will be back as soon as I'm able."
"Ok dear" Mrs. Stanton tells the Governor as he walks out of the room.
"Sidney, we are so sorry that we could not come when you were playing. It would have been wonderful to see a game. We'll have to come back this way when you are playing" Mrs. Stanton tells me.
"That would have been nice but we're happy that you could come so soon" I reply and gesture to Anna.
She offers a small smile and nods.
"Maybe when we're able to come back, we can bring Anna's sister with us" Mrs. Stanton continues. "She is so busy right now. She leads a Washington charity that preserves our countries most valuable antiquities and artifacts. They are working on a home right now in Virginia where Betsy Ross was raised."
Mrs. Stanton speaks with incredible pride in her voice when she talks about Anna's sister and yet I've never heard her say a word about Anna's accomplishments.
"That's great" I reply. "She's found something that she loves to do. When you're back here for a game then you'll get to see Anna in action. The press can be relentless and she handles them masterfully."
I smile at Anna and see, for the first time, a genuine smile touch her lips. There's my girl.
"I know what you speak of in regard to the press" Mrs. Stanton agrees with me. "The liberal media, no matter what the Governor does, seem to aim at some invisible target on his back. They keep trying to find things that simply don't exist. We could do so much more important things with the time and resources that we spend on the media."
It must be a gift. How does this woman manage to completely ignore the good things that I've said about Anna and focus on the insignificant point about the media? What could Anna have possibly done for her mother to be so unbelievably indifferent to her? I glance at Anna and she must know exactly what I'm thinking and what I want to do; give her mother a good piece of my mind. Anna shakes her head slightly as her mother goes on and on about the liberal media. I metaphorically bite my tongue to respect Anna's wishes but it is very hard to stay silent.
As we finish up our dinners, the Governor comes back into the room.
"My apologies. That took much longer than anticipated" he says as he sits.
"Your dinner is cold dear. Let me get something new for you" Mrs. Stanton says.
"It's ok" he replies. "I'm not really very hungry since we had such a large lunch. I'm not going to get my run in today anyway so I shouldn't eat too much." The Governor turns to me. "Crosby, why don't we go into the other room and have a brandy?"
Is he serious? This is like the 'men folk' are retiring to the study while the 'women folk' do, well, whatever they do. It's so old fashioned. It's more than that; this is like Gone with the Wind or something.
"Of course" I tell him and stand. "Excuse me" I say to Anna and Mrs. Stanton remembering my formal manners.
I follow the Governor down the hall and turn into, holy shit, there is actually a wood paneled office or study in the hotel suite. This is beyond weird. This is surreal. Seriously surreal.
"Would you like a cigar Crosby?" he asks me.
"Yes, sir" I reply.
I allow myself a few of these a year and I bet that the Governor is going to have really great cigars.
Once our cigars are lit and we each have a brandy in hand, the Governor gestures to me to sit in one of the high back chairs. He sits in the one opposite me. I stay silent and wait for the Governor to speak. He must have something he wants to discuss.
"Tell me Crosby" he begins and takes a sip from his glass. "What are you doing with my daughter?"
I knew this was coming but I didn't think that he would be this direct. I thought he would be more like a politician and skirt the issue a bit. I was prepared for that but, this question, I have no idea what to say.
"What do you mean sir?" I ask and pray he doesn't go off on me for this question.
"Is this just a fling to you Crosby?
Wow. The Governor can be blunt and direct.
"No sir. Anna doesn't deserve that" I tell him equally direct.
"On that we can agree Crosby" he tells me and takes a puff of his cigar.
I follow suit and enjoy. I was right that the Governor likes good cigars. I remain silent and wait for the Governor to speak again because this is his game so to speak. I'm just a visiting player trying to keep up with the conversation and walk the precarious line between honesty and maintaining confidences.
"If that's the case then tell me what you are doing with my daughter?"
That's a more difficult question to answer and I don't think that Anna would appreciate me being completely forthright with her father. I opt for the truth although not completely forthright.
"We're dating sir" I begin. "I care a lot about your daughter and we are getting to know each other."
"I trust my girls to know their own mind and to know right from wrong" the Governor says. Where the fuck is he going with this? "It's my job to make sure that anyone they associate with treat them as they deserve to be treated. Do you understand me Crosby?"
This feels like a bad movie where the girl's father threatens the boyfriend if he doesn't treat his daughter right. One look at the Governor tells me that he's completely serious and I need to take his question just as seriously.
"I understand you sir" I tell him and maintain eye contact.
The Governor stares at me as if he can see right inside of me and find the truth. Fortunately I've stared down tougher guys in the faceoff dot; although, the Governor is a very close second.
Finally he says "ok then. So, tell me how the team doing this year. You won't hear me admit it anywhere else but the Pens have a distinct advantage over the Flyers this year."
I grab onto the new and more comfortable topic and we talk hockey while we finish our cigars and brandy.
"Would you like more?" the Governor points to my empty glass.
I look at my watch and its 8pm. I should probably rescue Anna from her mother and I really want to talk to her to make sure she's ok.
"No thank you sir. We have a game tomorrow so I should really get going" I tell him.
We both stand and I follow him out of the room then to the living room where Anna is sitting with her mother. She smiles but I can see that she is clearly distressed. It is definitely time to leave.
"Are you gentlemen finished?" Mrs. Stanton asks when she notices us.
"The boy has a game tomorrow" the Governor says. "I guess that means that you need to move along too Annabelle."
"Yes, game days can be very long" Anna says.
We all walk to the door and Anna embraces both of her parents. I shake Mrs. Stanton's hand and then the Governor's.
"Thank you for inviting me to dinner" I say to them both. "I enjoyed seeing you both."
"It was lovely to have you here Sidney" Mrs. Stanton says.
"Good luck tomorrow Sid" the Governor tells me.
It's interesting that I've been 'Crosby' the whole time but, since our chat in the office, I'm now Sid to the Governor.
Anna and I leave and they shut the door behind us. As we walk down the hall, I glance at Anna and she shakes her head slightly. I guess she wants to wait to talk. I watch two men in suits leave one room, nod to Anna and then go into a different room. I guess the Governor has staff here so Anna doesn't want anyone to over hear us speaking.
When we're in the elevator, alone, and the doors close, I immediately turn to Anna and pull her into my arms.
"Are you ok?" I ask and kiss her hair.
"I am now" she says and burrows further into my neck and chest.
"I think it went ok" I try to reassure her.
Anna pulls back and looks up at me.
"You were incredible" she tells me.
"I hope I did ok" I reply.
"More than ok" she says and pulls back as the elevator reaches the lobby.
I take her valet ticket from her as we walk to the front door and hand both hers and mind to the valet.
"Your place is closer" I tell her.
We haven't talked about what we're doing after dinner but I assumed we'd spend the night together. I brought a gym bag in case we go to her apartment so that I don't have to stay in this suit.
"I think I just want to go home and go to sleep" Anna tells me but continues to look off into the street.
"I'm tired too" I tell her because it's true. "So, you're place?"
Her eyes fly to mine and I can see that she's confused. I lean in so that no one passing by can me.
"We don't have to have sex but I'm not leaving you alone tonight. You're clearly upset" I tell her.
"Ok" she replies and sighs. "I'll meet you at my place."
Her car comes up first so I tip the valet and hold the door open for Anna.
"I'll be right behind you" I tell her and kiss her cheek.
She smiles as I close the door and drives off. The valet asks if he can take a picture with me and one soon turns into five more with others but I'm finally able to get into my car and drive off. As I'm parking at her apartment, I receive a text telling me that the door is unlocked.
When I enter I call out "Anna?"
"Just getting changed" I hear from the bedroom.
I follow her voice wanting to get out of this suit. I may have to wear them a lot but that doesn't mean that I like it.
"I'm going to get changed too" I tell her as I walk into the bedroom.
Anna is sitting on the bed blowing her nose with a tissue. It's clear that she's been crying and she looks miserable. Was she this upset when we left her parents? I drop my bag by the door, walk directly to her, drop to my knees and look up.
"Baby, what's wrong?" I ask her.
She wipes a tear away but doesn't answer me. More tears slip down her cheeks so I reach up and wipe them away myself this time.
"It's not going to work" she whispers very softly.
"What isn't?" I ask.
"Us, we're not going to work."
"Why not? Dinner went great. The conversation I had with your dad couldn't have gone better. Parents love me" I try to joke.
"It's not going to work" is all she repeats.
"You need to tell me more Anna. Why isn't this going to work?"
Her wet eyes find mine and she cups my cheek.
"I love you Sidney."
I feel a chill go down my back because it feels like she's saying goodbye.
"I love you" I tell her.
She looks so sad. What the hell is going on now?
Author's Note: I'm sorry that this one took so long. I had the chapter almost finished, fourteen pages, and the file got corrupted and I lost everything. It took me a while to rewrite and I wanted the 'parent's visit' to be in one chapter so it's a longer one. I'd love to know your thoughts about it. Thanks for reading.