I worked hard to keep bills paid and food on the table. I spent the last three years in school working as hard as I possibly could to get my education and to succeed in all my classes. And for the first time in a long time, my effort is being noticed; I’m being seen.
I lock my phone and get back to the task at hand—dinner. I strain the noodles and add them to the pan, mixing it in with the zucchini and sauce. I plate it in our sturdy black plastic bowls that I got from Target.
I call out to my boys, “Dinner’s ready!”
Jack’s pitter-patter gets louder, and he barrels into the kitchen, straight to the dining table. “Thanks, Mom!”
Alec walks in behind him, and I just stop. I stop thinking about all the negatives in my life, and I focus on this, taking a mental screenshot.
Alec walking into my kitchen to sit down and have dinner with our son and me is almost surreal.
It feels like after all these years, he’s finally come home.
17
“Jack! Alec! Hurry up!” I shout.
Jack has his first official practice today. They don’t do tryouts or cuts or anything. They don’t want to deter kids from playing, so they just have open sign-ups. Then, you pay the registration fee and all the equipment costs.
Jack is on the Rhinos team, and their colors are gray and black. We are supposed to be at the rink in ten minutes, which is no biggie, except that the rink is fifteen minutes from the house and Jack and Alec are still upstairs in Jack’s room, getting ready.
I hear Jack’s pitter-patter right before he screams, “Ready!”
Alec and Jack come zooming down the stairs. Jack’s eyes are dead set on the garage door, and Alec can’t take his eyes off of Jack. I grab my keys off the counter and follow them out, ready to speed a little to get there on time.
The drive there is fairly quick. Every light seems to magically turn green, and we make it there with a minute to spare.
We practically run inside, trying to get to his rink.
Alec yanks the door open to the building and we find a spot in the back just before one of the coaches begins speaking.
The coach is wearing a suit and has his hands clasped behind his back. “I want to welcome all of you to the very first practice. Make sure you always have a water bottle and all your gear before walking into this rink. Without them, you will be sent home for the day.”
I bump Alec’s shoulder. “He knows these kids are five and six, right?”
Alec stifles a laugh. “Yes, Lu, he knows. Hockey takes a lot of dedication and time. If this is really something Jack wants to do, he is going to have to work for it. But I’m hoping he got some of his dad’s skills.” He winks at me before turning back to the coach.
“All right, parents, we are going to be getting fitted for skates today.” He waves over a slew of people from the sidelines. “These guys are going to get your kids in the proper skates. My assistant will be running the rest of practice tonight. It will just be focusing on skating techniques. I will see you all tomorrow. Good night.”
With that, he waves his hand and starts walking in our direction near exit. When he’s about ten feet away, he looks up and stops walking, eyes locked on Alec.
A smile forms on his face. Hmm, I didn’t know he could do that.
He approaches us with his hand extended toward Alec. “Alec Kostelecky?”
Alec takes his hand, giving a firm shake. “Yes, sir.”
I swear the coach is totally fangirling over Alec right now.
“To what do I owe the honor?” he asks, completely flabbergasted.
Alec turns, smiling to me, and then lovingly looks down to Jack. “My son just joined your team.” Alec slides his arm around my shoulders. “This is my girlfriend, Laura, and our son, Jack.”
The coach’s eyes widen as he realizes the famous Alec Kostelecky’s son will be on his team.
The coach bends down to Jack’s level. “Well, we are so excited to have you here, Jack.” He stands back up and reaches his hand out to me. “Great to meet you, Laura.” He shakes my hand and then reaches for Alec’s once more before he walks off.
Jack spins around, looking at Alec, smile beaming ear to ear. “My dad’s famous?”
