Fern nearly speed-skated to her group and waved her hand in the air as the adults circled around her. While I knew I should’ve check in with the kids, I had to see how this was going to go down as competitive Fern was clapping as others in her group stared at her.
“Okay, everyone. I’m your girl.” She waved her hands. “We can pretend someone else can do it, but I think we all know I can bring it home.”
The dude she beat crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t know.”
“Did you see me just win out of all of you?” I could see her trying to control herself. “I mean, you all were amazing out there in the race, and I’m sure many could win this challenge, but only one of us can represent.” She looked around. “There’s a prize on the line. Is it hockey tickets or a Chick-fil-A gift card? Who the hell knows, but I can get this for all of us.”
A woman in her twenties, wearing a Tweedy Bird sweatshirt that was a little weird in itself, raised her hand. “I’m good with whoever.”
“There you go.” She looked at the guy she beat. “She picked me.”
The guy shook his head. “She didn’t pick you.”
“Okay, I’ll let you all in on a secret, and no matter how I say this, I’m afraid it may sound harsh.”
Another woman in her thirties laughed. “You? Harsh?”
“Well, here’s the deal. I’m just genetically superior when it comes to adults and sports.” She pointed to Dave. “I’m Dave Novotny’s sister. I grew up playing hockey with him so if anyone has a shot here, it would be me.” She nodded her head. “Shall we take a vote?”
She started at center ice, her face stone cold serious, as she assessed her path to victory. (Yes, in my head, it was a sports announcer’s voice)
I stood near the goal and loved her expression as she started to skate and shot a glare at Dave who laughed. “Bring it!”
Her face broke into a grin as she skated toward the goal. Dave stretched his legs as wide as he could, ready to block what was coming his way. She took a little path to the right, toward the very edge of the goal while Dave’s hands flew up, but at the last second, she flipped the puck lightly allowing it to sail high and over Dave’s leg, yet under his arm. Score.
The grown-up group rushed the ice and surrounded victorious Fern Novotny as they whooped and hollered. (Again, announcer’s voice)
I put the mic to my lips. “And we have a champion! We also have a hockey ticket for the charity hockey game in a few weeks from tonight for everyone who came out today!”
The place erupted into applause as Fern came into sight. I wanted to grab her competitive ass and take her to the locker room.
Dave gave her a hug, and I felt a pull of guilt at the secret I was keeping from him.
I wanted more than two weeks with her. Much more. But I couldn’t tell him until I made sure Fern wanted it too. I already freaked her out at the cabin. The last thing I wanted to do was bring up the future too quickly. Yeah, I’d likely see a Fern-sized hole in the wall at that.
Once the crowd settled down, I motioned for Dave, Dan, Ed, and Andrew to join me on the center of the ice. “Now that you all have crushed hockey tonight, please join us in the banquet room upstairs for a little dinner to celebrate the mentoring program and all of you.”
Forty-five minutes later, families sat at tables talking and laughing. I sat next to Novots, Fern, Sharon and the guys, not being able to keep my gaze from Fern. Her eyes sparkled as she laughed and visited with everyone. I was so enthralled with her I almost forgot I had to say a few more words.
I walked to the podium at the front of the room and after a moment let out a sharp whistle, and everyone quieted.
“I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight. I started this organization because an event similar to this one changed my life. I was a kid who spent several years in the foster care system, and I was blessed with some wonderful families who cared for me.”
I tried to look at as many of the children as I could because I wanted them to feel my words.
“I was an angry kid and pushed away the people who were there for me. I got in some trouble, and my attitude was bad. Instead of focusing on the people who wanted to help and be there for me, I was not a nice person. But then I ended up in the foster home of Kim Wolkowski. A single mother who loved me, disciplined me when I deserved it, and told me where you come from has nothing to do with where you’re going. She made me realize that my family wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be; it was her. She adopted me, held me accountable for my choices, and got me into hockey. I had amazing coaches and teammates who were there for me and showed me that every one of us chooses the kind of person we want to become. Their past does not.”
I paused, screaming at the lump in my throat to exit, as I took a breath. “So wherever you came from, whatever stuff you’ve done, whatever choices you’ve made, are behind you. Tonight, we start over. Embrace the people who are caring and loving you each day. You have a great future ahead of you. I want you to give school everything you have as an education will get you where you want to go. You work your tail off and know that hard work will get you everything. Remember, champions don’t show up and get everything they want. They show up and give everything they have.”
My eyes found Fern as she gave me a nod. I didn’t share a lot about my past except with the kids at my events. The verbal abuse and neglect from my bio mom. Her addiction that made her choose drugs over me every time. I knew I was about as far from a perfect man as there was, but I also knew God put me in foster care so I could play a role in the lives of others. I knew I had hockey talent because I was expected to use it for others.
I walked into the parking lot when my mom grabbed my hand.
“What a magnificent evening. That is a man who’s used his star to light up the sky for others.”
I giggled. “You’re such a poet.”
“Did you see the smiles in there?”
