Chapter 19—Good News for Gunnar's Birthday
January 14th, 2000
Adam's POV
The alarm clock went off in our dorm room at 4:45 in the morning. I quickly rolled over to my table where the alarm was sitting and turned it off. Today was a special day. Today was Gunnar's 18th birthday. Today Gunnar would be officially a man and more importantly an adult. I rolled back over to see Gunnar's eyelids flutter open.
"Happy Birthday," I said and then I kissed him on the forehead.
Gunnar groaned before he said, "Some birthday this is going to be."
"Now, you don't know that. It's going to be a great day, you are turning eighteen," I said.
"Yeah, says you, you don't have an appointment with Dr. Kell at 8:30 and Dr. Harvey at 10:15," Gunnar said.
"Look, I know it sucks but you need to get clearance to play," I said.
"I know," Gunnar said.
"Think of it this way, you get cake tonight," I said.
"I know, look let's get this day over since it's going to be fairly depressing," Gunnar said.
We quickly got dressed in our sweats and headed down to run laps on the indoor track, with Bella, Julie, Portman, Fulton, and Goldberg. The rest of the ducks decided to sleep in. I could not blame them since it was only 2 degrees above zero with a wind chill of about negative eight. Needless to say, it was a long cold walk between Black Hall and the Gym.
We all ran out our ten miles, with the exception of Gunnar who was still walking slash half running, he was only able to gut out about four miles running before he had to slow down to walk two miles. Then he was able to run the last two miles. We finished with the workout by 6:45 in the morning and met the rest of the Ducks in the cafeteria for breakfast. Gunnar didn't have anything, he said that he didn't think he could stomach anything because he was so nervous about his appointments today.
Gunnar's POV
I was fairly nervous about my doctors' appointments today. The only good thing about today was that I was going to be gone for English, Calculus, and part if not all of French class, that was the upside. The downside was I had a Calculus test today that I had to take during seventh period Study Hall, in Dr. Anderson's room. Since it was his planning period, he would more than likely be grading the tests. Julie said she would give me notes from English and French class, I loved Julie's notes. She definitely took her time with those notes. Ken said that he would do the same with Advanced Biology. I knew I would be back by fifth period, which was weightlifting. Not that I could do too much since I was still limited with Dr. Kell's orders.
At 7:45 Coach Bombay walked into the cafeteria.
"Good morning Gunnar and Happy Birthday," Coach said.
"Thanks Coach," I said.
"Today's your birthday? I didn't know that," Jesse said.
"Yeah he's a man now, he's 18," Charlie said.
I looked at Adam's watch before I said, "Not yet Charlie. I am not eighteen until 7:42 pm Reykjavík time."
"What time would that be here?" Dwayne asked.
"1:42 pm," Julie said.
"Yeah but turning 18 is a special day, a day filled to be all day," Charlie said.
"Yeah sure," I said.
"Well Happy Birthday anyway," Jesse said.
"Thanks Jesse," I said.
"And with that we better be getting to Dr. Kell's office, Gunnar," Coach said.
"Right," I said.
"Hey, it's going to be fine, I promise," Adam said and then he kissed me on the cheek.
"I hope so," I said.
When Coach and I arrived at Dr. Kell's office, I was pulled back into the exam room immediately. That was the bright side of going in early I guess because that meant the faster I was going to get out of there, I thought.
"Good Morning Gunnar and Happy Birthday," Dr. Kell said as he walked through the exam door.
"Thank you," I said.
"Well let's see you are 10 weeks post-surgery how are you feeling?" Dr. Kell asked.
"Anxious, I am ready to get back on the ice," I said.
"I see that, well let's check your scar,' Dr. Kell said. I took off my shirt and laid back and Dr. Kell started to look for it. 'Gunnar it's hard to find, oh wait here it is, Yeah its looking good, nice, and white. I am going to give the go ahead for you to play hockey again."
"Really?" I asked.
"Yeah, but it also is going to depend on what Dr. Harvey says too, but from my standpoint you can play," Dr. Kell said.
"That's great news Gunnar," Coach said.
"Yeah," I said.
We were out of Dr. Kell's office by 8:55 and on our way to my appointment with Dr. Harvey at 10:15 am. We got up to the hospital before 9:30 way too early to be checking into Dr. Harvey's office.
"Hey Coach, can we see Kelly?" I asked.
"Sure, for a little bit," Coach said.
We walked down into Kelly's room. In NICU level 3, where she had been since December 31, 1999. She was seventeen inches long and a little over four pounds.
"So how is Kelly doing this morning?" Coach asked one of the nurses when we walked into her room.
"She is doing fine Gordon, much more active and alert. Weighed in at four pounds eight ounces this morning. She had a big breakfast and slammed down five ounces of Michele's milk this morning," the nurse said.
"Wow, mommy is going to be so proud of you," Coach cooed to Kelly.
Kelly just looked at Coach.
"So how much longer will she be here?" I asked.
"Well typically NICU babies are on level 3 until they are 34-week gestation. Then she will be moved to NICU level 2 for 2 weeks and then the Well baby nursery," The nurse said.
"And then home?" I asked.
"Yep, so maybe another month and she will be home," the nurse said.
"Cool,' I said. Once the nurse left I turned to Kelly, 'Hey Kelly so today's my birthday and you know what would really be nice. If you keep getting nice and strong so that you can come home soon. So, you need to keep working on getting well to come home. Can you do that Kelly?' Kelly blinked. 'I am going to take that as a yes."
We visited Kelly for a few more minutes and then Coach said, "Alright Kelly, Gunnar and I have to go to his appointment, I will see you later and mommy will be by later, love you."
We got to my appointment with Dr. Harvey and was taken back within several minutes and placed in an exam room. "Hello Gunnar," Dr. Harvey said once he walked into the room.
"Hello Dr. Harvey," I said.
"So, you are here to see if you can participate in hockey huh?" Dr. Harvey asked.
"Yes," I said.
"Have you noticed anything different about your stamina?" Dr. Harvey asked.
"No not really, I haven't been able to run ten miles like my teammates, I only had enough hustle to gut out about four miles on this morning's run. Then I walked two miles and then ran two more miles," I said.
"Well, I am not surprised, your body is not adjusted for you to run ten miles. But from a cardiology standpoint, I don't see any reason why you can't play. You will need to go slow, but you should be fine," Dr. Harvey said.
"You have no idea how happy that makes me," I said.
"I will bet, do you have any more questions," Dr. Harvey asked.
"No," I said.
"Alrighty well at this point I don't see any reason to keep you on as a patient but if you have problems. Do not hesitate to give the office a call," Dr. Harvey said as he filled out a piece of paper for the athletic department of Eden Hall.
"Okay, Thanks," I said.
With that Dr. Harvey was gone. "And you were worried," Coach said.
"Yeah, when can I get on the ice?" I asked.
"Well let's go and find out from Ted," Coach said.
We had gotten back to Eden Hall at just a hair before 11 and we found Coach Orion in the film room looking at game footage from Bloomington Kennedy High School whom we were going to their ice on Monday night.
"Hey Coach," I said.
"Oh Gunnar, Gordon come in. What did the doctors say?" Coach Orion said as he put the game he was watching on pause.
"They said, I could play. So can I play on Monday?" I asked.
"Paperwork?" Coach Orion asked.
"Right here," I said as I handed him the paper from the doctors' offices.
"Well let's see here, the game is on Monday and today is Friday, I think that it's too close between now and game time to get you ready for the game. It's best to let you get your feet back under you," Coach Orion said.
"But...," I started.
"No Gunnar no buts," Coach Bombay said.
"However, you can start practicing with the team this afternoon. I want a few practices before we throw you into the first game, fourth line. You have to start from the bottom. I will evaluate you after school to see how much you have lost with your two-month absence. Then we will see when you can play again. But go ahead and start getting into playing shape," Coach Orion said.
"Okay, I guess it's better than nothing," I said.
"Yeah it is," Coach Bombay said.
"Alright go get checked in and get to class, Advanced Biology right?" Coach Orion said.
"Yeah," I said.
I quickly got to the administration building to get myself checked back into school. When I was finished Dean Buckley came out of his office.
"Hey Gunnar, so I hope that you have good news for us," Dean Buckley said.
"Yeah, I can play again. Coach Orion wants me to have a few practices before I get back into the game," I said.
"Good we could use you; we have several big games coming up and without you, we won't be going to state," Dean Buckley said.
Dean Buckley was right; we dropped the last three games. With ten games to go we were 8-5-1. We could not afford to drop too many more games.
"Yeah, well I hope to be back on the ice next Friday," I said as I was handed my pink slip to get me into Advance Biology class.
"Alright well get to class, Gunnar," Dean Buckley said.
I had gotten to class and took the notes that needed to be taken. I only missed about 15 minutes of class. Once the bell rang I met Adam coming out of his Honors Chemistry Class across the hall.
"Well?" Adam asked.
"Yeah, I can play," I said.
"See I told you it was going to be a good birthday," Adam said as he was giving me a hug.
When we had changed for weightlifting, I was called into Coach Bill Wolford's office who taught the Boys PE for 9th Grade and my weightlifting class. He also was the Athletic Director and Coached Boys Wrestling in the winter. He was the biggest supporter, especially for the girls who seemed like the weakest links in the class. He was tall and athletic, and I heard he was Native American. I really didn't know what that meant.
"Close the door Gunnar," Coach Wolford said.
I did and as I sat down I said, "What do you need Coach?"
"So, I heard from Coach Orion that you have been cleared to participate in Hockey again," Coach Wolford said.
"Yeah, so?" I asked.
"So, you know that you were not able to do the Presidential Fitness Exam on the last day of last semester," Coach Wolford said.
"Yeah so?" I asked.
"So, you need to do the exam so that we can complete your semester from last year," Coach Wolford said.
"Oh, okay," I said.
"Alright get changed and I will see you out there," Coach Wolford said.
I quickly got changed and headed out to the floor to start stretching. It was all thirteen of us male ducks and the senior wrestlers on the wrestling team in the same class together. Soon we heard a whistle blow and Coach Wolford said, "Boys 5 laps then hit the weightroom, Portman you get to be in charge of the room today. Stahl I need you to hang back for a minute while the boys are getting started."
Adam and I hit the steps first to go to the upper deck of the Gymnasium before he said, "You have to do your Presidential Fitness Exam don't you?"
"Yeah," I said.
Once the boys started their laps, I was told that I had to run nineteen and ¾ laps around the track to get a mile. The majority of the group was halfway through their first lap when I was allowed to start running. I was almost finished with the testing when the guys were walking down the steps from the weightroom at 12:15. I got into the locker room 5 minutes later, Adam was already in the shower, we passed each other between the shower and the lockers.
"Hey hurry up," Adam said.
"Yeah just save me a spot," I said.
"Okay," Adam said.
Since I was the last one in the locker room, I was the last one in the shower, I was the last one to change and I was the last one into the lunchroom. I finally joined the line at 12:35 with a bunch of Juniors. Eden Hall has four separate Lunch Bells, Lunch A dismissed from class at 12:25, Lunch B dismissed from class at 12:29, Lunch C dismissed from class at 12:33 and finally Lunch D dismissed from class at 12:37. All of the grades from ninth grade to 12th grade rotated lunch dismissal times every week. This week the seniors dismissed, on the Lunch B bell. I was stuck between a bunch of Juniors. As much as I wanted pizza and fries today. I had to go with a salad, two oranges, some cottage cheese and water. Luckily, Adam saved me a spot right next to him. Bella was on the opposite side of the table and Charlie was right beside her.
"That's a light lunch Gunnar," Bella said.
"Yeah, I have to get back into game shape, so no more fattening foods, like what Charlie is currently eating," I said.
"Hey, I have been a good boy all week and besides I took the pepperoni off my pizza," Charlie said.
"And then I and Connie stole them," Bella said.
"Yeah that makes sense," I said as I dug into my salad.
At the 5-minute warning bell for lunch both Charlie and Bella got up to take their trays to the dish room, when they returned a minute later they had a cupcake with a candle in it.
"Happy Birthday to you quack, quack; Happy Birthday to you quack, quack; Happy Birthday to Gunnar, quack, quack; Happy Birthday to you QUACK, QUACK, QUACK, QUACK, QUACK!" The Ducks all sang, even a few of the students and teachers sang as well.
I blew out the candle.
"So, what did you wish for?" Goldberg asked.
"Goldberg," Charlie, Adam and Connie groaned.
I chuckled and shook my head.
"What?" Goldberg said.
"That cupcake looks delicious," I said.
"Yeah, it's too bad you can't have it, because you're in training," Adam said.
"I know," I said.
"I'll eat it,' Portman said and the next thing I knew it was gone, 'Mm that was good."
I was on the ice at practice that afternoon since the JV had a game that night. It felt great to be back on the ice again. After practice we had dinner at the house and my parents called to wish me a happy birthday. I did get to eat a slice of the Angel food cake that Mrs. Lebrie made for me. A week later I was back on the ice on the fourth line against the Mount View Mustangs, I put in the winning goal. It was great to be back on the ice.
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