A/N: Happy Memorial Day weekend for the US readers. Otherwise, Happy weekend. I tried to get all of the names italicized. If I miss one I apologize. And as always please leave a review! Happy Reading!
Chapter 3—Acceptance letters are here!
November 30th, 1999
Charlie's POV
A letter came for me today. A letter from Wisconsin. This was it; this was the letter that was going to determine my entire future. A letter came for Jesse as well from the University of Minnesota at Duluth. I quickly grabbed the mail and went down to the Study table.
"Hey Charlie, what is that?" Goldberg asked.
"A letter from Wisconsin," I said as I sat down next to Bella.
"Oh, open it up read it," Connie said.
"I am too nervous to do it, Bella can you do it?" I asked.
"Sure Charlie," Bella said I then handed her the letter.
Bella opened the letter and said, "Mr. Charles Conway Care of Eden Hall Academy."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah just shut up and read it," I said.
"We regret to inform you, that...," Bella said. I hung my head. I could not believe it yet at the same time I could.
"Oh, Charlie I am so sorry," Connie said as she reached across the table to pat my hand.
"That You got IN!" Bella said.
"WHAT?" I asked as I snatched the letter and began to read it myself.
"You did it Charlie, you're going to WISCONSIN!" Bella said.
"I am, I am going to Wisconsin!" I said as I smiled.
"Congratulations you are going to be a Badger," Adam said.
"Vhat's a Vadger?" Gunnar said.
"No, a Badger Gunnar. It is basically a giant rodent," Averman said.
"Oh," Gunnar said.
"Bella I wonder if you got your letter," Julie said.
"I am going to find out," Bella said.
Bella's POV
I ran all the way to the mailboxes in the Girls dormitory, it was stuffed full. There was a big brown envelope for Connie, a letter from Wisconsin for me and a letter from Harvard and Boston University for Julie. I again ran back down to the library. At that point Fulton, Adam, Dwayne, Russ, and Goldberg were gone.
"Where are the guys?" I asked.
"They all went to go and get the mail," Guy said.
Adam was the first one back and he said, "Gunnar there are two from the U."
"I am vo nervous, Adam, I don't vhink I can open it," Gunnar said.
"All right, one at a time let's wait until the guys come back," Charlie said.
I handed Connie and Julie theirs. Once the guys had returned Charlie said, "Ladies you first."
"Come on Bella open yours," Connie said.
I opened my envelope from Wisconsin and read it aloud:
"Dear Ms. Bombay
Congratulations! I am delighted to inform you that you have been accepted as a student at the University of Wisconsin Madison for the fall term of 2000-2001. Your application for admission was one of the brightest that I have ever seen. That is exactly the kind of student that Wisconsin is looking for. Naturally, your leadership on and off the ice and the difficulties that you have experienced makes us believe that you will be an excellent student here in Madison.
Please be aware that the submission for your decision is no later than March 15, 2000. Should you accept this offer to enroll at Wisconsin, you must come for a freshman orientation during the summer, where you will finish all of your paperwork for your enrollment.
I look forward to hearing of your decision and hope that you will become a Badger!
Congratulations again!
Sincerely,
Marissa A Tomack
Dean of Admissions
University of Wisconsin at Madison."
"I can't believe it, going together," Charlie said as he grabbed my hand.
"Just the way it always should be," I said and then I kissed him.
"Oh, CUT THE PDA YOU ARE MAKING ME SICK," Adam groaned.
"All right Connie let's see if you got into Mankato," Guy said.
"What if I didn't," Connie said.
"Oh, Connie give me a break, it's a big brown envelope you got in," Guy said as he rolled his eyes.
Connie took a big deep breath, "All right here we go.' After two or three minutes of endless waiting, 'I'm going to Mankato. Open yours up Guy."
Guy started to open his and then Russ said, "I think Julie should go first, since she applied to Harvard."
"Come on Julie," Portman said.
"That's the dream right?" Fulton said.
Julie nodded her head and then said, "Harvard undergrad. John Hopkins Medical School."
"Well?" Goldberg said about a minute after Julie opened the envelope.
"I'm waitlisted," Julie said.
"Well, they didn't say Yes, and they didn't say No, so you still have a shot," Adam said.
"I know, but all is not lost there is one from Boston University," Julie said. She then opened the envelope, and the biggest smile came out of her.
"Good news?" Connie asked.
"I am in Boston University. All right Guy let's see it," Julie said.
Guy opened his envelope and said, "Hey Connie guess who is joining you at Mankato?"
"Uh Leonardo DiCaprio?" Connie asked and had the biggest smile on her face.
"Very funny, Connie!" Guy said.
"I'm kidding Congratulations Guy," Connie said.
"I think the Captain should go next," Russ said.
"Yeah," Dwayne, Gunnar, Luis, and Jesse all chimed in.
Adam took a big deep breath, opened the envelope, and then said, "I am going to be a Golden Gopher. Open yours up Gunnar let's see if you are going to join me."
"All vight," Gunnar said then took a huge breath and opened his envelope.
We all waited with bated breath as Gunnar read the letter, then he said, "OH VOW!"
"Good news?" Adam asked.
"Veah, I'm in. I get to stay here in Ameríku," Gunnar said.
"That's great, Congratulations Gunnar!" Charlie said.
"I so happy, I could dance," Gunnar said.
The ducks all laughed except for Adam, who said, "Gunnar it's I'm so happy I could cry."
"Oh," Gunnar said.
"All right I'm next, Y'all," Dwayne said.
"Go ahead Dwayne," Charlie said.
"Alright here we go University of Texas at Austin," Dwayne said as he opened the envelope.
"But they don't have a hockey team," Charlie said.
"I know that," Dwayne said.
"I am surprised I thought that you would want to play in college," Adam said.
"No, I think that I am done, but it's been a good run, Y'all," Dwayne said as he smiled.
"You're not the only one Dwayne. I and Goldberg are out too next year," Averman said.
"WHAT?" Charlie nearly yelled.
"Quiet Charlie, you want us to get kicked out of here?" Julie asked.
Averman rolled his eyes before he said, "Oh come on Charlie I spent two years on the JV squad and Goldberg was three, I am never on the second line even for practice. Neither of us have it in our hearts anymore. In fact, if it weren't for this scholarship, I would have quite four years ago."
"I am shocked with that," Charlie said.
"Yeah well it's time to hang up the skates," Goldberg said.
"YEE HAW! Guess who is going to be a Longhorn," Dwayne said.
"Congratulations Dwayne," Connie and I said together.
"Well hook 'em Horns," Julie said as she gave the sign for the University of Texas at Austin.
"What about you Ken? Where are you going?" Julie asked.
"I'm uh taking the year off, and maybe the next year too," Ken said.
"Why?" Adam asked.
"Because I want to go back to the Olympics and I am going to need to train for figure skating," Ken said.
"Wow, that's great Ken. You have decided to follow your heart," Connie said.
"You knew about this?" Guy asked.
"Yeah, you are not the only guy that I talk to," Connie said.
"Yeah and then well we will see, but I need a break from school," Ken said.
"Yeah me too, I am taking the year off," Russ said.
"What are you going to do Russ?" Adam said.
"I don't know, but I know that Stacy said that paying back student loans is a bitch, if you don't know what you want to do for the rest of your life. I don't have a clue; I think that I want to teach but I am not sure. I thought that if I took a Gap year and maybe by the end of it. I will know what I want to do," Russ said.
"That's admirable," Julie said.
"Who is Stacy?" Charlie asked.
"Uh James's older sister, you remember him from the boys?" Russ said.
"So, are you going to travel during the Gap year?" Adam asked
"How would you know that Adam?" Charlie asked.
Adam looked at him like he was stupid, "Ok I get it, from cake eater ville," Charlie said.
"I don't know yet, I am still researching yet," Russ said.
"What about you Goldberg, you going to work at your parents' deli next year," Guy said.
"Hell no, with emphasis on the Hell," Goldberg said.
"So where are you off too?" Dwayne asked.
"Hollywood, I think. Going to spend the year with Cousin Sly," Goldberg said.
All of us started to laugh, we knew he was lying. There is no way that he was related to Sly Stallone.
"I wish you guys would stop giving me crap about this. I have told you a hundred times I am related to him," Goldberg said.
"Goldie we have told you before, it's too wild of a story to believe," Charlie said.
"I am telling you he is going to come and visit me, when he is done with his filming," Goldberg said.
"Yeah right. You live in a fantasy world, I mean Averman you don't believe the amount of bullshit Goldberg is spewing," Portman said.
"Maybe I do and maybe I don't," Averman said.
"He knows something," Fulton said.
"I don't know anything. But unlike you. I do tend to believe my best friend," Averman said.
"Right, whatever. Let's move on, Luis what about you?" Charlie asked.
"I am, Uh going to try out for juniors both the US and Canada," Luis said.
"Wow," I said.
"Yeah, I am not sure what I want to major in either when I get to college and I thought that if I spent a couple of years maybe by the time I am 21, I will figure it out," Luis said.
"I completely understand," Julie said.
"Alright, I am next University of Minnesota, twin cities," Averman said.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait. You want to go to the U, but not play hockey?" Adam said.
"Yes, Adam. I told you I am done and besides after the first day of practice we knew that there was going to be five not playing next year," Averman said.
"But we are only up to four," Dwayne said.
"Yes because I am going to be the fifth one," Fulton said.
Charlies POV
"Yes because I am going to be the fifth one," Fulton said.
I immediately had a flashback.
{October 14th, 1996}
"Sure beats school, huh?," I asked as we turned the corner in an alleyway near Fulton's apartment.
I and Fulton had been hanging out all day today, skipping school. We spent most of the day in the amusement park at the Mall of America. Riding the coasters, pigging out, playing games, and throwing up. Which we got kicked out by mall security for throwing up in the wastepaper only trash can. Hey, it was the closest trash can, we could find after getting off The Screaming Yellow Eagle. They definitely needed more trash cans at that park. By the time we got kicked out it was almost time for Eden to let out for the day.
"Hey, Listen, tomorrow will be more fun," I said.
"Yeah but after that, I mean, what? We can't do this forever," Fulton said as he was following behind me in the alleyway, I sat down on the stairs.
"Yeah, I know. See, the way I got it figured, we go to public school for a couple years, then we just go play Juniors in Canada. You only gotta be seventeen," I said.
"Man, Charlie, I don't even know if I could make Juniors," Fulton said.
"Are you kidding me? With your shot? Come on," I said.
"I mean, I don't know if I want to play hockey for the rest of my life. Sorry," Fulton said. I was stunned when he dropped that bombshell on me.
"You're going back," I said.
"We can deal, man. The Ducks are there," Fulton said. My stunned reaction quickly turned to anger.
"Dude. Fine. Just get outta here then. I don't care. I don't need you. GO!" I yelled at him.
Fulton looked at me wondering if I was serious for a second, and then he walked away. He looked back for a second like a lost little puppy. I was so pissed at him, I could not believe it, my heart was breaking too. I had lost my friends: first Bombay, then Portman, then Adam and Bella, the ducks and finally Fulton. But I was in for one more surprise that night. I was so angry that I screamed and then I cried. Finally, after about an hour or so of doing that I walked home. Where I was met with a note on the refrigerator.
"Charlie,
Your mother is looking for you, again. Please go and see her at Mickey's. I have to work late tonight. When you two come home, the three of us need to have a man and woman to man talk about your attitude lately. Don't roll your eyes at me!
Love you,
Fred"
By the time I got to Mickey's it was 8:30, I walked into the door and mom was sitting there with a cup of tea.
"Mom," I said as I hung on the door. Mom looked at me and she looked sad. Something was wrong I knew it, was it Bombay or one of the ducks from school? I didn't know and then she hit me with the news like a Mac truck.
I walked over to her, and she stood up and said, "I've been trying to reach you.' Mom said as she closed the outer shirt I was wearing; I knew she was trying to stay strong for me. 'Hans… passed away."
"What?" I asked.
She sniffled and then hugged me as she said, "It was his time to go."
I was so stunned and saddened with the news that I didn't return to school that week at all. Fred and I had the long talk on Wednesday and by Saturday it was the funeral. Connie, Julie, and Bella each cried a bucket full of tears, with Adam pulling in a close fourth. Coach Bombay showed up just as we were getting ready to bury Hans. I was so mad at him. If he hadn't left Hans might have still been around. I felt like he abandoned us, all of us. I was so mad and upset after he presented Han's jersey and said, "Every time you touch the ice, remember it was Hans who taught us to fly." That I had to walk away, before I did something stupid. The next day Coach straightened me up with my attitude towards Coach Orion, the ducks and himself followed by straightening my behavior, that the first one I apologized to after the ducks was mom and then Fred.
{End of Flashback}
"You Fulton? Why?" Bella asked.
"Because I didn't know if I wanted to play hockey for the rest of my life when I was a freshman and I have decided in the last three years that this year was going to be my final season," Fulton said. Portman smiled sadly at him.
"Didn't you try to stop him, Portman?" Adam said.
"I tried but his mind was made up. I don't even know if I am going to be playing next year, anyway," Portman said.
"What?" All of us said at once.
"Well, I mean I haven't gotten one college to come and look at me, yet. Besides, I don't know if I have the grades to get into a university, I might have to go to a junior college in Chicago, before I transfer to a four-year school," Portman said.
"Excuse me, we were talking about me," Averman said.
"Sorry Averman," All of us said at once.
"So did you get in, are you going to be a Gopher?" Adam asked.
"Yep I am in," Averman said.
"Vou better come to our games," Gunnar said.
We all laughed.
"Vhat? Did I screw up again?" Gunnar asked.
"No, and I will be there with bells on. Just like I will be there to cheer on the girls when their teams come to town," Averman said.
"Well not so fast, Averman. Boston University is a club sport, so I won't be coming back to Minnesota, unless the NCAA elevates their hockey program from club to NCAA," Julie said.
"Oh, JULIE, NO!" the guys except for Gunnar all said together.
"Vhat's a club sport?" Gunnar asked.
"It's a sport where only local teams are involved, that is why I am praying to get into Harvard or University of Providence or University of New Hampshire," Julie said.
"What about Maine?" Guy asked.
"Pre-med is a minor at University of Maine," Julie said.
"That sucks," Fulton and Portman said together.
"Hey, we still have a couple of letters yet to open and Fulton hasn't told us what he is planning on doing," Jesse said.
"Oh, he's enlisting in the Army," Portman said.
"Portman!" Fulton hissed.
"The ARMY?" The girls said at once.
"Yeah I would have been on my own in financing my education since mom can't help me out. I figured that the Army would be my best bet. That way I get my college education financed if I spend 4 years doing military service. I leave for basic at Fort Benning at the end of July. Basic starts the first full week of August," Fulton said.
"Oh God, August in Georgia,' Jesse said as he rolled his eyes. We all looked at him like he had three heads, 'what my cousin was there 4 years ago?"
"Vot?" Gunnar asked.
"Humid," Jesse and Luis said together.
"Oh," Gunnar said.
"Come on let's move on, who wants to be next?" I asked.
"Go ahead Jesse," Portman said.
"All right, University of Minnesota at Duluth," Jesse said as he opened the envelope.
"And?" Guy asked.
"Well, I am in," Jesse said as he smiled.
"So, are you going to play next year?" Adam asked.
"I hope so, I might have to walk on, next year. I've heard rumors that Mike Sertich is retiring at the end of the year. But we will see. I am hoping a coach will come and see me when we play Virginia on the 10th," Jesse said.
"Alright last but not least Portman, Portman, Portman, Portman, Portman," I chanted.
"Portman, Portman, Portman, Portman, Portman, Portman," we all chanted.
"Michigan State University," Portman said as he opened the envelope.
"Portman, Portman, Portman, Portman," We all chanted.
"SON OF A BITCH!" Portman screamed out loud, he then slammed the letter down and started to pick up a Chair.
"What happened?" Guy asked.
Julie picked up the letter, read it and then said, "I'm sorry Dean."
Portman thought about it for a minute before letting go of the chair. He sat the chair down and said, "I need to take a walk."
Once he was gone Fulton asked, "He didn't get in did he?"
"Nope," Julie said quietly.
So, What do you think? Please take 5 minutes and leave a review! Thanks in advance!