Chapter 43
Jabari
“In a miraculous turn of events, Jabari ‘Crank’ Hall has regained his vision and will be playing in tonight’s game.
” Paul Axel, a former center turned reporter, turns to me.
“Crank, some people are doubting your story. They think your loss and restoration of vision is a publicity ploy. What do you say to that?”
“Well, Paul, there will always be those who are skeptical. I’d like to have them consider why a hockey player would ever want to be put on the injured reserve list. No player who loves the game as much as I do finds joy in being sidelined.”
Paul chuckles. “It’s like putting a kid in time-out. Absolute torture.”
“Exactly.”
“Then what do you attribute this miraculous recovery to? There are rumors, but I’d like to hear it from you.”
Ever since Coach removed me from the IR list, my phone has been blowing up.
The conspiracy theorists were the first to claim my injury had been a publicity stunt.
The PR office wanted me to claim the lesion healed, and that’s why I regained my sight, but I know differently.
No one can convince me not to give praise where it belongs.
“I gave my life to Christ, and in a matter of days, I woke up and could see. It’s straight from the lines of ‘Amazing Grace.’” I swallow against the lump in my throat.
I still can’t believe God blessed me with a miracle, but I’ll do everything in my power not to waste it.
Including interviews ad nauseam if it’ll reach just one hurting person who needs hope.
“Well, you heard it here first. Jabari Hall was blind but now he sees.” Paul claps a hand on my shoulder. “Welcome back to the game.”
“Thank you so much.”
The cameraman stops the live feed, and I remove the microphone they clipped to me.
“Is that true?” Paul asks.
“It is. Got saved at Javier Sanchez’s church.”
Paul studies me as if he’s a human lie detector test. “What time is service?”
“Ten.” I grin. “Will I see you there?”
“Maybe,” he says slowly.
“I’ll be there,” the cameraman quips.
This is my prayer for everyone who sees the interview. “I look forward to seeing you then.” I leave them with the church card. They had them at the welcome center. Looks like a business card but with the offer to “Try Jesus” and the church’s contact information.
I wave, then walk back to the locker room. Someone’s got “Warriors” by Imagine Dragons playing through a Bluetooth speaker, and I smile. It’s game day, and each guy is getting in the zone before we skate out on the ice and listen to a local sing the national anthem.
Focusing on each task on game days helps me release stress.
So I deliberately hook my hoodie onto the locker rung.
Next come on my pads, and my mind clears with each task.
I’m able to block out the guys who are talking quietly and ignore those wearing headphones and listening to their own playlists. Everyone has their game-day rituals.
Finally, Coach has us line up. As we do, the equipment managers hand us our sticks, then we’re out on the ice.
The crowd roars as the announcer introduces us as the Washington Warriors.
I sail by the home bench, scanning the seating area for Val.
When I spot her, she’s totally engrossed in whatever story Fran’s telling her, but I don’t care.
My girl is here to watch me play. The last time I played and she watched, she witnessed me getting the concussion that changed everything.
I come to a stop on the center red line, and Javier halts beside me.
“You ready to bring it?” he asks.
“I got this.”
He and the rest of the line have run me ragged this week, but every day I skated longer, played harder, and didn’t die from exertion. Granted, the ice bath became my friend, but it’s totally worth it to stand here now.
A dream I thought was dead has been resurrected.
I’m beginning to realize how much that’s a God thing.
There was absolutely nothing I could do back in January when they told me I couldn’t play for a month.
But once they realized my eyesight wasn’t returning to normal, the helplessness was at peak levels.
Thank You for getting me back on the ice, back in the game. My gaze flits to Val. And thank You for the greatest gift ever. I’d leave hockey in a moment as long as Val’s by my side. But I’m glad I get to celebrate my return with her to cheer me on. Thank You, God.
My prayer is over just as the local singer begins the national anthem.
When she sings about the rockets’ red glare, the fans shout red along with her.
I grin at the tradition that happens at every DC sporting event.
I’m not even sure how it started, not being a native, but it doesn’t matter.
It energizes me and lets my mind know the best fans are ready to cheer us on.
The crowd goes wild when the singer holds the final note longer than any famous singer I’ve ever heard.
When it’s over, I throw a gloved fist in the air and skate to position.
My line is first, and I’m ready to bring my A game.
I hunch over the face-off spot, and as soon as the ref gives the signal, my stick swings.
Unfortunately, the opponent wins the face-off.
The first period is intense as we battle to score. Though our side says zero, so does the other team’s. A whistle sounds, and Coach motions for our line to come back. My skates cut through the ice, then slow to take the step to the long bench. I sit, glad for a breather.
The assistant coach, Liam, walks up to me. “How you doing, Crank? Good?”
I nod as I squirt water into my mouth. We’ve been playing hard, but I’m not exhausted.
The great thing about practice, you play almost nonstop.
The beauty of game days, you get a break every couple of minutes or so, depending on the plays the coaches come up with.
This time, I’ll be out for two minutes before I have to go back in.
It’s enough to get my heart rate back down and calm my body from the beating I’ve taken against the boards.
When the change up comes, I’m ready and hop over the siding and skate into position.
Before I make it toward the puck, the other teams’ defenseman slashes his stick, hitting me in the shoulder.
The ref calls the penalty, and our opponent goes in the penalty box.
The Warriors now have a power play where we’ve got six guys on the ice and the Tornadoes have five.
“Spear!” I shout to Javier.
It’s our power play offense, and he immediately moves to the right. Pascal slaps the puck to me, and I pass to Javier, who dribbles the biscuit left, then right with his stick. Just as Tae gets in position to block one of the Tornadoes, Javier slaps the puck into the net.
The horn sounds, and I throw my hands in the air. That’s an assist for me and Pascal, but more importantly, points on the board.
After that, we’re on fire. We make two more goals before the first period ends and intermission begins. When we’re back from our rest—which is really the coaches giving us tips while we all try to keep the aches from catching up—we play even better.
At the end of the third period, we’ve won six to nothing. A complete shutout. Coach slaps me on the back. “Way to give it your all, Crank. Almost couldn’t tell you were rusty.”
I huff out a laugh. I only played twelve minutes because I couldn’t hang the whole fifteen, but I played.
Better than that, I made a goal and witnessed Val cheering me on in the stands.
Thank goodness my body can rest a little until we have to do this again on Monday.
It’s a feel-good hurt versus one centered around regret.
“Crank, you and your girl coming to celebrate?” Trevor asks.
“Nah. We’re going to her dad’s place for dinner.”
“Oh, meet-the-folks time?”
More like a redo, but he doesn’t need to know that, so I simply nod.
Trevor daps my fist. “Good luck, man.”
I honestly don’t think I’ll need it. Yeah, I want Don Elliott to respect me, maybe even like me, but all that matters is that Jackie is no longer giving Val grief over our relationship.
Val’s happiness is what matters. If getting Don to respect me will make her pleased, I’ll try my best. But I also know that Val won’t dump me just because her family’s hesitant.
We’ve already crossed that bridge and haven’t looked back.
I quickly shower, then change back into my game-day suit. When I walk into the family waiting room, Val and Fran stand off to the side, talking animatedly. I come up behind Val and wrap my arms around her waist, kissing her soundly on her cheek.
She squeezes my hands, then turns so she’s facing me. “You were amazing,” she says breathlessly.
“Had my good-luck charm watching over me.”
“You two are starting to get a bit mushy.” Fran gazes at us pointedly.
Val blushes.
“You know I’m your favorite hockey player, Fran. Don’t pretend like you’re not happy about us.”
Fran looks away, a swallow visible. “Maybe I’m happy.”
“Aw, Fran, do you want me to get you your own hockey player?”
The scowl on her face has me doubling over.
“Not on your life,” she grits through her teeth.
As we walk out of the room, Val whispers to me. “Her baby’s father is a hockey player. I don’t think she’ll look twice at them again.”
Crap. I feel like a heel now. “Who?”
“Derrick Slade.”
Ugh, that guy’s a smarmfest. I’ve never liked him, and now this gives me a reason to make sure I slam him into the boards the next time we play.
I glance at Fran. “Do I need to have a talk with him?” I murmur.
“That’ll just cause problems.” Val squeezes my hand. “But thanks for wanting to help.”
Of course I want to help. Because one day, Fran will officially be a little sister to me.
“Let me know if you ever change your mind.”
Val snorts. “Please, I know you’re already planning on roughing him up the next time you see him.”
“What gave it away?” I grin mischievously.
She rolls her eyes. “Hockey players are all the same.”
We laugh and I shrug. She might be right, but I won’t confirm that.
The ride to her dad’s house is like watching a hockey recap on ESPN.
Both Val and Fran have much to say on my performance as well as the rest of the Warriors’.
It’s nice to have a girlfriend who knows the talk and can even offer pointers.
I have a feeling my game will only improve before I decide to actually retire.
When I park the car, I stare at the front door. All of a sudden my stomach is in knots.
“You coming?” Val asks.
I hesitate. Why am I freezing up? As calm as I was earlier, I’m now realizing how huge this is. Our first meeting was pretty disastrous. I don’t want to do that to Val again.
“Jabari?” she whispers.
“I’m worried.” I pause, searching for the words. “I know how important this is to you. I don’t want to cause trouble.”
Val cups my face. “Do you love me?”
“With all my heart.”
“That’s what matters. Yes, I want my family to love you, but that’s because I do. If they don’t, it’s not the end of the world. We’ve been through worse.”
I scoff. “Understatement.”
“Come on. They’re not scary. I’ve told them all to be on their best behavior.” Val winks.
I fall in love all over again. I lean across the console and kiss her. “Thanks for having my back.”
“Always, and I know you’ve got mine.”
I get out of the car this time, and we trudge up the front steps, hand in hand, and I know she’s right. Whatever happens at dinner, we’ll be fine. Val walked through the valley with me, and I’ll gladly walk uphill for her.