Page 194 of Slap Shot
“You sure will, Bombshell.” With a wink, she dives into her breakfast. “I’m already counting down the minutes.”
I didn’t thinkI’d be more nervous to stand in front of a bunch of first graders than our playoff game tonight, but here we are.
I’m pacing up and down the hallway, anxiously waiting for Madeline to slip out of the classroom and welcome me in.
I’m even more nervous I’m not going to be able to answer the kids’ questions in the ways that I want. Madeline told me there will be plenty of help with interpretation, but it feels like it’s my job to show up prepared, and I feelreallyfucking unprepared.
Before a fresh wave of panic can set in, the classroom door swings open. Madeline grins at me from the entryway, and I instantly relax.
“Hey.” She beckons me forward, and seeing her helps me take a deep breath. I match her grin with one of my own. “Sorry to keep you waiting. We were getting the snacks set up for after show and tell. There was a graham cracker incident, but all is well now.”
I laugh and adjust my bag of gear on my shoulder. “Is it safe to come in?”
“Yeah. The kids are so excited to meet you.”
“The pressure is on, isn’t it?”
Madeline touches my hand, smiling again. “You’re going to be great.”
“Thinking about playing in front of twenty thousand fans in a few hours doesn’t have me stressed out. But this does. I’m sweating through my shirt.” I touch my Stars T-shirt and grimace. “Disgusting.”
“They’re six, Hudson.”
“You know how ruthless kids are.” I step into the classroom, and twenty heads turn and look at me. I wipe my hands on my jeans and clear my throat.Hi, everyone,I sign.
I’ve been working with another student at Gallaudet in anticipation of today. They’ve helped me learn all the phrases I’llneed to know for the questions the kids might ask, but it feels like everything has gone out of my head.
All of the kids wave back. Lucy jumps to her feet and runs toward me, throwing her arms around my legs. I drop my bag and lift her up, holding her against my hip.
Hi.
Hiya, Luce. Is this your classroom?
That’s my chair over there. Do you see my drawings on the walls?
I glance around at the dozens of pieces of artwork plastered on every available surface. I spot one that looks like it might be hers, complete with three stick figure people and two dogs.
My goddamn heart smiles.
They are perfect. I set her down. Lucy’s teacher smiles at me, and Madeline pats the stool in front of the classroom.
Come on over, Hudson, she signs, and I’m doing my best to not shit a brick.
With a nod, I take a seat on the plastic stool. I unzip my bag and set a puck on my lap.Does anyone know what sport I play?I ask, and a dozen hands fly in the air. I point to a girl in the second row, and she gives me a toothless grin.
Ballet!
Madeline holds back her laugh next to me, and I can’t help but chuckle.
Almost.I hold up the puck and show it off before handing it to Madeline to pass around.I play hockey.
The kids ooh and aah over the puck, and someone else raises their hand.
“Will you help me?” I ask Madeline out of the corner of my mouth, and she puts a hand on my shoulder.
“Of course I will.” She smiles at the boy, and he starts to sign. I can only pick up a few words.Hockey.Defense.Champion. When he puts his hands back in his lap and looks at meexpectantly, Madeline slips into SimCom. “Jesse wants to know if you’ve always liked playing hockey, what position you would play if you didn’t play defense, and if you go to Disney after winning the championship.”
Good question, I sign slowly.I love hockey. I’ve been playing since I was a kid. If not defense, I’d be in goal.I like blocking shots. I take a second to try and process the translation between the two languages. No one rushes me, and I’m grateful for the chance to get this right.I did not go to Disney.That would’ve been fun.
