Mid Summer 1979
Claire Marie Brooks found herself holed up in her room, purposefully avoiding the lively costume party unfolding downstairs. Fresh out of college with a degree in nursing science from the University, she had returned to her parents' home for the time being, before she started her rounds and took another exam for her registered nurse license.
Despite her inherently social nature and enchanting aura Claire had little interest in mingling with her parents' friends for an entire evening. The thought of pretending to have an interest in the adults' repetitive conversations about current world events held no appeal to her whatsoever.
Her mother hadn't been pleased, but that was nothing new. In the end, Clarie did manage to make a brief appearance in the costume her mother had provided. Transforming into Glenda the Good Witch from The Wizard of Oz, Clarie was nothing short of breathtaking.
Her cascading blonde locks flowed in gentle waves, framing a face adorned with deep, oceanic blue eyes that shimmered with a captivating allure. Despite her slender petite frame frame, her curves exuded a timeless femininity,and moved with an effortless grace, radiating an ethereal charm that seemed to enchant all who beheld her.
In her appearance, Clarie embodied the epitome of beauty, charm, and allure, inheriting her mother's striking appearance and her father's enduring strength. Her father's words of caution echoed in her mind, reminding her to be discerning about whom to trust, knowing that her magnetic presence could draw both admirers and opportunists alike.
Clarie's mother couldn't conceal her joy at seeing her daughter make an appearance, " Oh Honey you look like a model."
Claire successfully charmed her parents' friends for a brief moment or two, engaging in polite conversation before discreetly slipping away to her room. There, she found solace for the remainder of the evening, preferring the quiet sanctuary of her own space over the lively chatter of the party downstairs.
Claire heard the creak of her door opening and glanced up from her book, bracing herself for what she assumed would be a lecture from her mother. To her surprise, it was her father standing in the doorway.
"I got the job," Herb announced, his expression expectant as he looked at her.
In an instant, Claire leaped off the bed and enveloped him in a tight hug. "Oh my God, Dad!"
Words failed her as she struggled to convey the overwhelming rush of emotions. He had done it. Her father was going to be coaching the Olympic hockey team!
"So, how do you feel about spending the next several months running around after a hockey team?" Herb inquired casually.
A wide grin spread across Claire's face. "Seriously? What about my clinicals and nursing exam?"
Claire had recently graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. While she still needed to complete her clinical training and take the exam to become a fully registered nurse, the prospect of a break from her studies had been weighing heavily on her mind.
"You mentioned wanting a break from school," her father reminded her, his tone gentle but firm. "This way, you'll get to spend time with me doing something we both love. I've spoken with Charles, who oversees the clinical training, and he agreed that Doc could mentor you. Those hours would still count toward your training. And let's not forget, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Pausing for emphasis, her dad prepared to make his final point to solidify Claire's decision.
"And you know more about hockey than most of the boys who'll be on the team, and you're young. That's precisely why I need you. I need your help to fill in the gaps and guide the boys into becoming a cohesive team, just like you did at the U. You know me; I won't be able to be their friend. That's where you come in."
Claire made a face, anticipating her mother's disapproval. "Mom's not going to like it," she pointed out.
The sentiment was rather an understatement. Patti harbored strong disapproval regarding Clarie's deep-seated enthusiasm for hockey, along with various other aspects of her life that revolved around sports. Patti perceived Clarie as being more closely aligned with her father's interests rather than her own.
In Patti's eyes, Clarie appeared to be a quintessential Daddy's girl, showing a remarkable affinity for her father's hobbies and pursuits, while seemingly less inclined towards the maternal influences in her life. This disconnect between Patti's preferences and Clarie's interests created tension in their relationship, as Patti struggled to relate to her daughter's fervor for the world of sports
There were additional dynamics at play between the two. Clarie held the distinct honor of being the couple's firstborn, a fact that led Patti to hold certain expectations of having an adorable daughter to dress up and proudly display, Clarie was a girls girl but with an edge, which Patti never managed to break.
Herb and Patti's journey into matrimony was prompted by the revelation of Patti's pregnancy, which occurred just before her father's brief stint in pursuit of an Olympic Gold medal.
As a result, Clarie's arrival solidified her status as Daddy's Girl. Having Clarie to mentor and fawn over only soothed Herb's soul of not playing in the Olympic games, he introduced her to every conceivable sport and game, and to his surprise she was natural at everything she did.
Throughout her entire life, Patti remained steadfast in her support of Clarie, even when their interests diverged. Patti, the one who attended every recital and school play, tended to scraped knees, and baked batches of cookies, was always there. Claire cherished her mother deeply, but an intangible barrier persisted between them, a sense of mutual misunderstanding.
Patti harbored a strong dislike for hockey and only tolerated it due to her husband's unwavering passion. She never concealed her disapproval of Clarie's shared enthusiasm for the sport. From a young age, Clarie found solace in simply watching from the bleachers, a preference that endured as she grew older.
The only time Patti showed support for Claire on the ice was when Claire took up figure skating, a sport at which Claire excelled. Her body moved with grace and poise on the ice, with her elegant routines. However, despite her natural talent for figure skating, Claire's heart still belonged to her father's world of hockey.
"I'll speak to your mother about it," Herb reassured her. "She recognizes the incredible opportunity this presents for you, Clarie."
"I can't wait," Clarie said eagerly. Her father was right this was an opportunity that only came around once in a lifetime!