The month of April has finished and spring semester is coming to a close. I can't say I have a colossal pile of work to be done, but if I carry on as I am now, I'll dig myself into a hole I'll not be able to pull myself out of. I did not feel inclined to catch some zzz's Thursday night, opting to watch an episode of Lost instead. My body apparently felt the same to my vast displeasure as I awoke an hour and a half early Friday morning. Gratefully, my weekdays are not hectic; the only out of routine task that day was to visit an ears, nose and throat doctor at 9 am for a precursory check up before my procedure later in the month. I'll spell out what the operation is for as it draws near.
I dreamt once again Friday morning. In my dream I stepped in to help the UNH women's hockey team during practice due to being a player short. Two people from my past were present as I played; Lucas G, who I was friends with from elementary school to high school and Rick, who I believe I knew up to junior high. Ludicrously, I played without a hockey stick and helmet to offset being a male. I skated slowly, succeeding in snatching the puck away from the girls, even managing to score one goal; Lucas G complimented how skilled I was. When I was out played Rick called out in disappointment, which I detested having not played the sport since I was twelve years old. I apologize to all women for this sexist undertone. I do not genuinely think women hockey players are so inferior to men that this is feasible. The fact is, I can't even ice skate.
Being the person I am, until I left my house that morning I expanded the dream further into a feature length film. The movie starts with a middle school hockey game in a small arena. The clock shows five minutes left in the third period, with the score 3-2 in favor of the Millieville Moose. The parents cheer from the stands, clapping and calling out their children's names. Even after playing a full game, none of the players show any signs of fatigue, displayed the rigor of youth. The coach claps and cheers for the children as well, patting them on the back as they take their seat on the bench. The game intensifies as a player on the opposing team is tripped by number 6 of the Moose, resulting in a penalty. As the player stands up, he mumbles “Fag”, instigating number 13 on the Moose who retaliates by pushing him onto the ice and is immediately put in the penalty box. With three minutes left, both players in the penalty box for two minutes for a five-on-three in favor of the Ithua Muskrats. After winning the face off at center ice the Musktats pull their goalie, making it six-on-three. The Muskrats stand on the outskirts of the Moose zone, passing the puck to each other in an attempt to take the defense off guard to shoot the puck at the goal. Number 42 of the Moose positions himself in front of his other teammates. He keeps his eyes on the puck, sliding back and forth to block any opportunity to shoot. After some time passes, an opposing player becomes impatient and when he pulls back to shoot, number 42 reaches out for it and knocks it to the other side of the rink. As his two teammates and the opposing team skate to retrieve it number 42 while catching his breathing stares off into the crowd as if he is looking for someone. Suddenly, his coach hollers “James, pay attention!” Number 42 turns his head frontward to see three Muskrats players skating toward him in a horizontal line passing the puck the puck back and forth to each other. With little time to react, James slides forward to block a shot that bounces off his right knee. With a grunt he pushes himself to remaining standing but in unable and has to rest against the wall. The three players reclaim the puck, set up a two timer to score a goal. As James slowly moves toward his team's bench, his coach in a concerned tone asks if he's okay. James replies that he's fine and takes a seat. James watches as the Moose hold on until the power play ends, still with his hand on his right knee. The clock continues to count down with one minute left to go. James returns to the ice, joining his teammates on the Muskrat's zone. As the children fight for the puck in a corner of the rink, a Muskrat achieves in taking the puck. He passes it to a teammate, who forwards it to another teammate gliding toward the Moose zone. James, the only person in his way, skates backward into his zone. James keeps up with the player until a jolt of pain runs through his leg, knocking him off balance enough to fall backward onto the ice. The opposing player skates around him, shooting the puck into the net just as time runs out. James lies on the ice with his eyes closed, hearing the announcer proclaim the victory for the Ithua Muskrats, the new regional champions. He opens his eyes and pulls himself up. The goalie on his team skates up behind him, asking if he's okay; he replies yes heavyhearted. His teammates put their heads down, except for number 7 and 13, who glare at James. James takes off his helmet and peers into the crowd, noticing the disappointment of his teammates' parents. He carefully takes notice of who is in the crowd and then stares down at the ice, with tears rolling down his face.
The scene changes to James standing outside the ice rink against a wall in winter clothing watching parents walk out of the arena. All his teammates except the goalie scowl at him as they pass by. When nearly everyone is gone, his coach looming from behind, asks if he needs a ride home. James looks at him, shakes his head no and returns to looking at the ground. The coach stares at him briefly, pats him on the back and walks away. With everyone gone, James pulls his head up, peering at the stars above. The scene then moves to a small house surrounded by trees in a neighborhood. James walks from the street into the driveway and up the stairs to the door. When he tries to open the door it is locked, so he lifts one of his feet off the mat he is standing on and pulls out a key below it. As he walks into the house he hears yelling in the kitchen up ahead. He prepares himself to block out the altercation and precedes forward.. As he walks into the kitchen he notices a beer bottle in his father's hand and an assortment papers on the table. He walks pass them undetected into the living room where more items are displaced. James to no surprise finds the couch loaded with an assortment of items, including a wired phone that looks as if someone explored the internal workings. He pushes the items over enough to sit down and takes off his shoes, placing them in front of the fire place. As he enters his room, he still hearing his parents fighting in the distance. He sits down at his desk, puts his head between his arms and begins to cry softly.
The story will continue in the next blog post along with the customary update of events.
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