Epilogue
EPILOGUE
A nnie
Cade came in at fifty-five in the draft. He landed in North Carolina. It was only a couple hours flight from Michigan. The preseason games started in September, so he was gone when I went back to school. After spending so much time together over the spring and summer, it was hard to say goodbye to him, but somehow that time together solidified how good we are together. Cade came to love the farm as much as I did. When Daddy sold the cows and I spent a few days straight crying, Cade held me in his arms. But with less cows came less stress. Daddy focused on manufacturing a cheese and he found some backers who were willing to put money up front. It was an organic goat cheese and Daddy was marketing to the fancier restaurants across mainland USA, where there was a burgeoning market for the product. It had been an idea Daddy and I came up with together. Daddy was excited about the new possibilities. I didn’t feel so bad heading back to Riverside.
This year I’d be living in an apartment building off campus where a lot of graduate students lived. I’d also be living by myself. Ruby was living with Macklin in the hockey house.
Cade called me every day, but our conversations were short and he was always busy. He was bonding with a new team. As a rookie, he had to prove he was worth the offer they made him, which was very handsome. I was feeling lonely at school, but at least I had the time to bury myself in schoolwork. I loved veterinary school, so at least I knew I made the right decision. There were also fears and anxieties that kept creeping up on me. Like maybe this was the end of the road for Cade and me. He was a famous NHL player. I had been speaking with Charlie, who was in a similar boat as me. She was training for the Olympics and Finn was in Pennsylvania, but they seemed to make it work.
I am at my desk in my apartment, reviewing material when Cade calls. “Hi, baby.”
“Hi,” I reply.
“Oh oh, I know that tone. What’s wrong?” he asks. I think I’m getting my period and feeling hormonal.
“Nothing, I’m getting my period soon,” I tell him.
“I’ll send you a box of chocolates.”
“That isn’t necessary.”
“It is if I think it is,” he insists. There is noise in the background.
“Where are you?” I ask.
“At a bar grabbing a bite to eat with some of the guys from the team,” he answers.
“Are there girls there?” I hate asking that question.
“What’s going on, Annie?” he asks sounding concerned.
“I don’t know. I think we need to take a break for you to really see if you want a different life. You know, the life of a single hockey player on the road.”
“Hell no. I don’t agree to that,” he refuses. I don’t like the idea either, but how will we know it’s what he really wants if he doesn’t have the opportunity to explore?
“You don’t have to agree. I think it’s for the best,” I tell him and I hiccup, holding back tears. Getting my period makes me feel hormonal, but this month I feel borderline crazy. Maybe I am missing Cade so much and I’m so lonely I’ve gone a little mad.
“I’m in this relationship too. I know what’s good for me. I also know what I want and I do not want some puck bunny on the road. You know me, baby. It’s not my thing. You’re the only girl I’ve ever loved and will ever love.”
“You can’t know that, Cade.”
“I can. I have a two-day break coming up next week. Don’t give up on us. I’ll see you soon.”
“Okay.” My voice cracks.
“I love you, Annie Caufield. If it were up to me, we would be married by now.”
“I love you too, Cade.”
For the next week Cade has flowers and chocolates sent to me every day. I have more flowers and chocolate than my apartment can hold. I also don’t get my period and so I head to the campus clinic and see a doctor.