Hockey Player for Life by Howard Shapiro

Author:Howard Shapiro [Shapiro, Howard]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780595620319
Publisher: iUniverse
Published: 2008-08-20T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11 Regarding

(my departure and my socalled NHL dream, Part 2)

“So…” my dad said as we drove on the QEW headed home. We had been on the road for about an hour and I had not said one word since getting in the car. Dad had tried a few times to engage in some conversation but I couldn’t even look at him. I was just staring out the window.

“Well…it was a good experience…you know, it was fun,” he mumbled. “Tom, are you going to be silent the whole way home?”

“What do you want me to say, dad?” I snapped. “That I’m disappointed? That I’m very sad? That I feel stupid? Well, then, yes to all of the above…I simply don’t know how a few bad games and one practice can get someone dropped. How is that even possible? It’s not fair.”

“Life’s not fair, Tom.” he said sternly. “Look, if getting cut by the Red Raiders is the worst thing that happens to you, then you should consider yourself pretty lucky. You know there are kids starving all around the world, kids living on the streets––”

“Please don’t give me the ‘kids starving in Africa’ story,” I said as I quickly turned towards him. “I know that one already and this isn’t tragic by any means but still… I couldn’t cut the mustard up here with these guys and the other guys on the Magic Rats will know I messed up,” I said.

“Yeah and so what,” dad said. “You did your best and you were asked to play up here. You have to be a pretty special player just to be asked to play in these tournaments. You have nothing to be ashamed of!”

“Sounds good, dad,” I said sharply. “Now, go tell Billy Horton that I played in two tournaments and that I was asked to leave. See how fast he starts laughing, go tell Coach Brantford and see how fast he says ‘I told you so.’ Oh, I give that about ten seconds.”

“Doesn’t matter,” dad said convincingly.

He started staring at me as a red pickup truck drove by us going about ninety miles an hour.

“What are you trying to say?” I asked.

“It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks. All that matters is what you think about yourself. This isn’t the end, you just have to listen to what Coach Gilmour said and work on some parts of your game and you’ll be right back up here next year.”

“There’s not going to be a next year,” I said sadly.

“What do you mean, there’s not going to be a next year?” dad asked.

“I don’t know if I want to play next year,” I said, my voice trailing off at the end.

“Why, Tom? You heard what the coach said. You know, last week you were dreaming of going to the NHL and now you don’t even want to play with your friends back home? It’s just a minor setback Tom, you have all the talent––” dad said before I cut in.

Hockey Player For Life

“You keep talking about my talent and my dream.

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