2. Bryce
Bryce
“Watch out, Uncle Bryce! I’m gonna score.” Matti, my nephew, and I are squared off on the back patio of my mom’s house in Arkansas playing with the hockey set I sent him for Christmas last year.
“If you say so, kid,” I tease. My back is going to hurt tomorrow from being hunched over trying to hold a plastic hockey stick meant for people who are three feet tall.
Matti barrels across the pavement, slapping the little plastic puck back and forth gently as he looks for an opening.
I step slightly to the side, giving him the shot while making it look like I’m practicing some footwork.
He lines up and shoots, aiming top shelf.
It's high and hits the bar. Matti scrambles to recover while I move to intercept, and he body-checks me as hard as his little five-year-old self can muster.
I fall down, groaning as I go. Hey, the kid has to feel like he earned it. He recovers the puck and slaps it into the net. “Told you, Uncle Bryce,” he says, grinning from ear to ear. “That’s game. I win!” He pumps his little arms in the air and does a celebration dance.
“Okay there, mini Macklin Celebrini, time to wash up for dinner,” Lacey, my sister, says from the open patio doors. “Grandma made your favorite.”
He spins to his mom, dropping the plastic stick like it’s on fire. “She made fancy sketti?”
Lacey nods. “She did. If you want some, you better go wash your hands and face.”
He takes off at a sprint, barreling toward the door. “Slow down, Matti!” I call after him “You’re going to burn a hole in the ground moving that fast.”
Lacey slides out of the way just as he rushes past her into the house. “That was sweet of you,” she says, nodding toward the hockey gear I’m cleaning up. “He’ll be talking about that for days.”
I carry his hockey gear to the corner and drag Mom’s patio furniture back into place. “He’s a good kid. I had fun.”
Matti’s been through more than most kids in his short life. He was adopted by his uncle, my brother-in-law, when he was just a baby after both of his parents passed away in a car accident. You’d think he would carry around some trauma from that, but so far he’s pretty well adjusted.
“Still,” she says. “Come get cleaned up so we can eat and talk about your trip to DC.” She turns and goes back inside, leaving the door open behind her.
“Coming,” I mutter. Nothing like getting bossed around by your baby sister to make you feel at home.
Twenty minutes later, we’re all seated around the table.
Matti is next to me, wiggling in his seat while he tells Mom all about how he beat the professional hockey player.
I take a sip of my sweet tea to hide the grin that’s plastered on my face.
Sadie, Lacey and Knox’s ten-month-old daughter, squeals with delight and kicks her feet when my sister puts a dish of chopped-up spaghetti in front of her.
This is chaos, pure and simple, and I am so glad I got to come home and spend a few days with the people I love the most.
I play professional hockey in Denver. I miss my family like crazy when I’m in Colorado and traveling to all the away games, so I try to make it home as often as I can. Especially now that Lacey’s got kids. I don’t want to miss out on being in their lives.
“Well,” Dad says, grinning at me. “That’s some game play, Matti. Who knows, you may just be the next pro hockey player in the family.” Dad winks and reaches for Mom’s hand. I watch as a blush stains her cheeks.
It’s weird, this relationship we’re building.
For most of my life, Dad wasn’t in the picture.
He and Mom split when I was really young.
When his parents passed away, he reached out to try to open the door.
For a while, I saw him here and there on my own.
Then, he and Mom decided to rekindle their relationship.
So, seeing him at the table like this, laughing and talking with the family, holding hands with Mom… It’s strange.
“Who knows,” I agree, reaching over to ruffle Matti’s hair. “You definitely have talent.”
Matti beams and takes another forkful of ‘fancy spaghetti’ which is really just bow tie pasta with meat sauce and shredded parmesan cheese on top. “This is the best day ever,” he says between bites.
Knox chuckles and hands him a napkin. “Don’t forget to breathe while you’re eating, kiddo.”
Matti giggles and wipes his face.
“Sadie, no!” I hear my sister gasp and look over just in time to see Sadie throw her half-filled bowl of spaghetti at the wall.
I can’t help it. I burst into laughter. Big belly laughs that cause me to lose my breath and tears to prick the corners of my eyes. “Looks like she might need some pitching lessons,” I manage to choke out after I finally get myself under control. “That girl’s got an arm on her.”
My sister glares at me from the floor where she’s picking up tiny bits of noodles. “Make yourself useful and grab a towel before this stains Mom’s wall,” she says.
I push back from the table and give her a little salute. “You got it, boss.” I head to the kitchen and grab a dishtowel, wetting it at the sink. I really love coming home.
“Here,” I say, tossing Lacey the wet towel.
I lean down and grab the bowl that now contains food bits from the wall and floor.
“I’ll take care of this.” I pause in front of the high chair and hold up a hand for a high-five.
“Good job, squirt.” Sadie giggles and kicks her feet, but totally leaves me hanging.
I ruffle her hair and move off into the kitchen to put the bowl in the sink.
“You know Lacey and I are disappointed we can’t make it out to DC for the games, right?” Knox asks, as he brings the now-stained towel to the sink. “With the baby and my shifts at the hospital, it’s hard to get away.” He turns to face me and leans his hip against the counter.
I didn’t imagine my sister marrying… Well, ever, honestly. Our family doesn’t have the best track record with that kind of thing, but when she told me she was marrying a doctor… Let’s just say, I was shocked.
“Yeah, I get it, man. No worries. I’m just glad I get to spend some time with you guys before I head out.
” Truth be told, I’m nervous. I’ve been playing for Denver for a while now, and that’s brought enough fame for me.
This is a whole new level. Coach said people will be tuning in that aren’t even hockey fans.
I’d scoffed. As if there is such a thing.
“Well, I just wanted to let you know we’re proud of you. Who knows, this could be the opportunity that makes your contract negotiations next year even more exciting.” Knox grins. “You know, playing on an all star team is a big deal.”
I chuckle and swallow the lump of nerves lodged in my throat. “It’s not the Olympics or anything,” I say, trying to deflect. That would be intense. The world would be watching. Not just the USA. Three of my teammates played in the games this year. They’re full-fledged celebrities now.
“Still,” he says. “It’s a big deal, and we’re proud of you. Lacey already has the schedule pinned to the fridge so she can watch all the games live.” He grins. “She’s so excited. I think she’s told everyone she knows that her brother is playing in the Stars and Stripes tournament.”
“I have,” Lacey says, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “I’ve also scheduled a lot of patriotic and hockey-themed fun crafts and games for the education center during those two weeks.
Pretty sure I heard Ms. Daisy is bringing in a TV to the diner to broadcast the games.
Everyone in Piney Brook will be rooting for you. ”
I rub my hand over the back of my head and down my neck, squeezing the muscles as I go. No pressure…
“Why are we all standing in the kitchen?” Dad asks, joining us with a stack of dinner plates.
“I came in to see what was taking these two so long,” Lacey says, pointing from Knox to me and back again. “Turns out they were having a heart-to-heart.” She bats her eyes and giggles.
“Run,” I tell her, before taking off after her through the house. “I’m going to tickle you until you pee your pants, Lacey,” I call after her.
“You’ll have to catch me first,” she says, looking over her shoulder and grinning. She pulls open the front door, and races out into the yard.
“Lacey and Bryce, stop that!” Mom shouts as I jump down the front porch stairs and lunge toward Lacey. “You’re grown adults!”
“But we’re still kids at heart!” Lacey retorts as she hits the lawn and darts left.
“I’ll stop when she takes it back,” I call, grinning. I’ve missed this. Home. Chasing my sister around and being surrounded by people who care about me for me. Not just my hockey stats or my money.
“Never,” she calls, jumping out of the way at the last minute. “It’s not my fault you have feeeelllliiiinnnnnggggssss,” she pants, dragging the word out to annoy me.
“Gross,” I call. “You know I don’t have those.”
“What’s wrong with feelings?” Dad asks, looking to Mom for some kind of explanation about why his two adult children are currently chasing each other around the front yard.
“Run, Mom!” Matti yells, jumping up and down, clapping his hands together. Knox joins everyone else on the front porch, Sadie freshly cleaned and perched on his hip.
Just as I almost catch her, Lacey drops to the ground and bear-crawls past me. “Cheater,” I mumble. She races back to the porch, and grabs Matti up in her arms like a human shield. Yeah, definitely a cheater.
“Truce,” she calls, trying to catch her breath. “It’s time for dessert anyway.”
Mom shakes her head and wags her finger at me. “Bryce Chambers, I thought you outgrew that nonsense.” She tries to keep a stern face, but then cracks up laughing. “You two are a menace to my front yard.” She motions for everyone to head back inside.
Dad watches as one by one we file back into the house, a bewildered expression on his face. “Is this normal?” he asks, taking his seat at the table again.
I shrug. “It’s always been normal to us,” I say, making sure to muss up Lacey’s hair on the way into the kitchen.
He wasn’t around when we were kids, and times like these remind me of all the time we lost. “I’ll grab the dessert,” I say, needing something to do before those pesky feelings take root again. Gross.
When I make it back into the dining room with the cherry-covered cheesecake, the tension from before is gone, and I’m more in control of my emotions. “Here we are,” I say, setting the plate in the center of the table. “Dessert is served.”
The clatter of plates and forks fills the silence as everyone takes a slice of cheesecake.
“Are you all packed?” Mom asks, pointing her fork in my direction.
I nod and finish chewing my bite. “Yeah, all I have to do when I get home tomorrow is check in with Coach and toss some last minute stuff in my suitcase. We have a team meeting tomorrow afternoon, and then I fly out to DC on Friday.”
“Oh,” Lacey says, catching my eye. “I thought you had to report on Sunday.”
I shrug. “I decided to fly in on Friday and get settled, maybe walk around downtown some before things get too crazy.”
She nods. “That’s a good plan. Get the lay of the land so to speak. Are any of your teammates flying in on Friday?”
That’s a good question. “I haven’t asked,” I say sheepishly.
Most of the guys I know are probably trying to stay home until the last minute.
If they are flying in early, I’m sure they’ll be looking for things to do as a family since they have girlfriends or wives and kids.
I don’t want to be a third wheel, or make them feel like they have to invite me to tag along. That would be weird.
“Well, hopefully you can find someone to spend some time with so you’re not wandering around DC alone,” Mom says.
“I’ll be fine. I’m a grown man,” I remind her.
She sighs. “I know. I just worry about you.”
My heart squeezes in my chest. “You don’t need to worry about me, Ma.
I’m good.” When we were growing up, Mom worked two or three jobs just to make sure we were taken care of.
If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t even be a hockey player.
We didn’t have much, but she always made sure that I had ice time, decent equipment, and training.
I spent my youth trying to ease her stress and prove to her that everything she sacrificed was worth it.
The last thing I want is for her to be worried about me being lonely.
After I help wash dishes, I help Knox and Lacey get Matti and Sadie packed up and into the car. “You’re going to be great,” Lacey says, giving me a hug.
“Thanks sis,” I say, holding on a little longer. “I appreciate that.” She steps back and climbs into the SUV.
“Bye, Uncle Bryce,” Matti yells from his booster seat in the back. “Have fun, and send me a soupaneer.”
A what now? I look at Lacey for an explanation.
“I’m sure Uncle Bryce will bring you back a great souvenir,” she says, pronouncing the word slowly.
Matti grins and lays his head back on the seat. “Good. I can’t wait to take it to school and show my friends.”
“I’ve got you, little buddy.” I don’t know what I’ll get, but I’m going to make sure it’s the talk of the first grade. “You guys be safe. I’ll see you soon.” I shut Lacey’s door and stand in the driveway watching as Knox pulls out onto the road toward their house.
“Well, I’m going to get going, too,” Dad says, swinging his keys around his finger. “It was good seeing you, Bryce. Be careful and have fun. That’s the most important thing.” He pats my shoulder a second before deciding to wrap his arm around me and pull me in for a side hug.
I nod and pat his back. “Thanks, Dad.”
He holds my eyes for a minute before looking away, his jaw working back and forth. “I know I wasn’t around when you were a kid, and I’m sorry about that, but I want you to know I’m proud of you, son. Real proud. And I plan to be around for the rest of your life, if you’ll let me.”
And here come those pesky feelings again. “Yeah, Dad. I know.” We stand there for a minute, both lost in our thoughts before he finally steps away and opens his car door. “See you in a few weeks,” he says, sliding inside and closing the door.
I don’t stay outside to watch him leave. I’ve had enough of goodbyes already, and I still have one more to go when Mom drops me off at the airport tomorrow. You’d think goodbye would be easier since I’ve been doing it for years now, but every time I leave it gets a little bit harder.
Maybe Knox is right; after this tournament, I might be able to negotiate a contract closer to home. If I play well enough.