Icing (13 page)

“No, it’s a last minute thing.  Just some of the guys getting together.”

They had just hit the ice when Con and Coach showed up at the boards.  It was odd because coach was not supposed to be around and Con didn’t even have his skates on.

“Hey guys what’s up?”

“Kyle your Dad called Con because you phone was off.  Round up your stuff because you’re heading home.  It’s your Mother.”

“What Coach.  Is she o.k.?”

Kyle was trembling and his eyes filled with tears.  Con held him up.

“Your Mom passed this morning.  Your Father was with her.  She’s gone.  Con will drive you to Hartford.  You fly out from there.  One of the boys will drive your car up in a couple of days.  We don’t want you driving.”

“My mom.  Holy shit.  I just saw her at Christmas.”

Con walked Kyle to his car.  Not a word was spoken.  Back at the apartment Con and Stewie packed his things.

“We have everything set on this end.  I’m so sorry man.  I don’t know what to say I’m just so sorry.  We will get you to the airport.  Coach has everything taken care of.  With no games for a couple of weeks we will get your car to you.  No worries there.  I called your roommate Truman in Needham.  He’s gonna take care of your room and any administrative shit that comes up.  You can take a few minutes to catch your breath.”

Kyle was unbalanced.  He phoned his Dad but neither would remember what was said.  It was a blustery day and they drove to Hartford to catch a four O’clock flight.  Kyle didn’t know if he needed to go home or just run away.  He showed up at the Buffalo airport wearing a pair of jeans and his UMass sweatshirt on backwards.  It was the one he bought on line with his Mom’s credit card.  He wondered what happened to you credit cards when you died.

“Hi Kyle.  This is bad.  I’m sorry and please know that the family is here for you.  My Mom had spoken to Gayle before she - shit man, you know.  Don’t sweat the details.  Your family needs your strength.”

Kyle arrived at the house on Admiral Road.  He held his dad for a long time.  Bree was sitting with Keith who brought along Sharon.  Juliet was trying to cram plates of food into the refrigerator.  A mass was scheduled for Wednesday at ten.  They had Tuesday to make sense of it all and steel themselves for the service.  Mrs. Gorski was the unofficial spokes-woman for the family.  She had arranged for a place to gather after the service on the church property.

The church was standing room only.  Coach and most of the team were present.  He also noticed Dr. Albertson and a crew from Canisius, Jackie, Mark and the guys, Truman and his Mom and many people who cared for Mrs. Caldwell and he didn’t even know.

They headed home to be together and they ate for hours to fill the void created in the past few days.  The indomitable Gayle Caldwell would be laid to rest at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in a private service.

Kyle took that spring semester off and began his internship in June.

Kyle never returned to UMass.  He changed a great deal after his Mother’s death and he had a renewed sense of urgency to accomplish his goal of playing in the NHL.  He was working at the advertising agency in New York and living with some folks he did not know in the Bronx.  He spoke with Truman often and Coach was constantly nagging him to keep hockey and returning to college in mind.  There was a spot waiting for him should he decide to come back.  Mark was going to be a junior at Alleghany and he made the time to visit a couple of times.

“Hello, this is Kyle Caldwell.”  He did not recognize the number on the display.

“Hello Kyle this is Jefferson with the Connecticut Whale.  Your coach at UMass has been talking you up around here and we have seen you play and we have looked at some tape.”

“Oh, yes….”

“Would you be interested in coming to skate around with the team? We are holding tryouts for folks referred our way and it will be open to walk-ons as well.  We can send you details and directions if you’re interested.”

“Yes sir.  I am very familiar with the Whale.  I went to a couple of games when I was in your neighborhood.”

Kyle was in Hartford the following week.  His workout was long and intense.  He found it to be very different than college hockey.  He was smaller but made up for it in quickness.”

That night Kyle dreamed of his Mother – his angel.  She knew he could succeed when he doubted himself.  She was there while he was a young kid waking up at 5am for practice and she was with him now.

Kyle Caldwell was picked up by the Connecticut Whale and wore number 12 proudly.  He celebrated in Mark’s basement with a beer.  He stopped off and picked up a dozen bagels.  He always loved bagels.

Taryn performed the role of Velma in the musical Chicago.  They extended the run for two weeks to rave reviews.

She stayed in the Apartment on Main Street for a couple of months while singing at a Northampton club.  Wendy was often there to see her perform a folk routine and play piano.  Taryn was well received and with Devon’s help she got a full-time gig on South Street in Philadelphia.  Devon handled it professionally.  He was embarrassed having treated her as an instrument.  He was involved with a woman of an appropriate age at Blaine.  He and Taryn remained friends and she was pleased to have a confidant in Philadelphia.

She moved into a nice walk up not far from the club.  She was not alone.  Fonda made the trip too.  Taryn was quickly making connections as she strived to perfect her craft.  She imagined herself singing to a larger audience some day while dozing on her couch.  The apartment was located above a bagel shop.  She always loved bagels.

“Hi Taryn” Her agent strolled into the club with an envelope.

“Michael, hello.  Are you here to catch my show?  We have been getting a good crowd.  It’s super to see you.  It is also unexpected.  What’s up?

“Taryn they want to you perform the National Anthem.  At the Garden.”

“Whose garden?”

“The fucking New York Rangers Garden!”

“When?”

“Pack your bags girl.  They want you Friday night.”

"This will take some time to sink in.  I guess I don’t have time.  How did this happen?”

“Some lady from New Jersey caught your show on a recommendation from her son.  Her other son is some talent guy looking for a fresh voice to sing at the game.  Son’s name was Tim I think.”

“Here are the details.  They included a note from the brother of the talent guy.  He was adamant that I deliver it.”  She was quivering as she opened the envelope.  She knew it was from her old pal.”

             
I knew you could do it.  See you in New York!

             
              Love,

             
                            Your friend Tim

Kyle was lacing up his skates when Jefferson walked in.

“Hey dude.  Don’t get too comfortable here.”

“Shit man, finally I had something to smile about and now this.”

“This indeed.  New York wants you up this Friday.”

“Friday, this is very good news I don’t know who to call first Jeff.  Thanks”

Kyle called his Father and shared the news.  Mr. Caldwell smiled.  He thought he had forgotten how.  They didn’t bring it up but this was for Mom.

Taryn rushed to her jacket and grabbed her phone. To call home.

“Hi Dad it’s me.  Can you put Mom on?”

He knew it was something good and he smiled as he handed the phone to his wife.  They had found that elusive common ground.

Kyle was nervous when he arrived in the locker- room.  He had a crowd out there.  Truman, Con and Stewie made it from school.  Mark, Jackie and Nelson were there from Buffalo and his family of course.  Uncle Ray even made it out of seclusion to attend.

Mom was there too.  She had a bird’s eye view from the top and he could feel her.

The next thing he knew he was standing with his hand on his heart for the singing of the National Anthem.

Taryn was nervous in a black sleeveless dress with a string of pearls given to her by her Mom.  She looked polished and beautiful.  Her bright eyes were never more turquoise.  She had her entire family present including Josh who was now in college.  Jen, Beth and Brett came from Concord.  Tim was there from school with a bunch of mates from freshman year. 

She walked onto the carpet and stood before the crowd at Madison Square Garden.  She sang.

Kyle was in disbelief.  It was beautiful Taryn from Amherst.  She was stunning and sounded magical.

Out of the corner of her eye Taryn saw Kyle’s familiar face.  He was there. A New York Ranger.

Taryn greeted her well- wishers after her performance which was pitch perfect.  She grabbed her Mom.  She thought of the advice Devon had given her.  She was glad she wasn’t too late to get to know the fabulous June Wright.  She was giddy but she was thinking of handsome Kyle.  Her library crush.  She had to see him play.

She grabbed a spot where she could see the action close up – she could feel it just like she had always wanted.  It was a rough game and she spied Kyle.  He was on a power play.  He scored.

Both Kyle and Taryn had a levitating feeling of excitement.  She was not thinking of her performance and he was not thinking of being an NHL player.

In the basement of the Garden fans lined up to get a glimpse as the players excited the ice.  There was media and a throng of fans both young and old. Kyle knew what he wanted.  He ran for Taryn and they shared an embrace.

“I don’t know what to say.  You were great.  You’re beautiful and I guess that feeling really exists.”

Kyle kissed Taryn and everyone else faded away.  She nestled her head into his neck and felt safe.

“I would agree but I’m numb so I can’t feel anything.”

“Wait here while I shower and change.  We need to go walk.  I have to know you.”

Kyle was whisked away to the locker room.  In all the commotion he lost Taryn.  She waited and he never returned.  Taryn eventually walked off.  Kyle came later and Taryn had left.

Was it a dream?

Neither Taryn nor Kyle slept that night.  She drove less than two hours back to Philadelphia and he stayed in a hotel suite the team had arranged.

Days passed.  Kyle worked out with the team as Taryn planned to pick up where she left off at the club. 

Taryn walked to the bagel shop below the apartment where she had become a regular.

“I found my true north”

“Kyle”

This is a work of fiction and is the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to any individual, place, organization or event, whether dead or living, is entirely coincidental and unintentional.

This e-book is the property of the author and any publication, in part or as a whole requires permission from the author. This includes mechanical and electronic as well as recording, photocopying and xerography.

Copyright © 2013
Ashley Stanton