Chapter 7
Kirk skates over and pulls me into a tight hug, a wide smile on his face, "Welcome to Hockeytown, Andy," he tells me as my other teammates come over to congratulate me.
I scored a goal. I haven't even played a full game as a Red Wing, and I've scored a goal already. The crowd, a sellout as always, is everything I expected and the roar of cheers around me is reverberating through my chest. Detached, as if I'm not really a part of it, I absorb everything.
As I skate back to the bench, the rest of my team congratulates me, and I realize that I never felt this comfortable in Pittsburgh. I've always heard that a team is like a family--now I understand that. After only a few hours, I feel more a part of the 'family' than I ever did as a Penguin.
The first period ends, and as we're walking to the locker room, Curtis pulls up his mask to smile at me. "Showoff," he teases, tapping my helmet as he passes me. His eyes are twinkling, and I find myself almost giddy from the backhanded compliment.
The rest of the game is a blur. We end up winning 4-2, and I pick up an assist on Brett's empty net goal at the end. I finish the night with a plus-three rating.
It's the opposite of the New Jersey game.
Maybe things will be different here.
I dress quickly, the nervous energy filling me with adrenaline and leaving my hands shaking and heart racing. "Anxious, Ference?" Kirk asks, laughing.
I shrug, "I haven't had a game this good since Juniors. And I've never experienced an atmosphere like this before. I mean...this city lives and breathes for you guys."
Kirk arches an eyebrow, "Hey, you're a part of this now, too."
Curtis chimes in, "I understand what you mean, Andy. It takes a while to get used to playing in a city where people are as passionate about hockey as they are in Detroit. Once you do, though, you'll love it," he ruffles my hair, and I look away so he doesn't see the blush creeping along my cheeks. "And if you keep playing like you did tonight, and the entire city is going to love you."
If I play like I did tonight.
My heart sinks, despite the smile I keep on my face. Tonight wasn't me. Tonight was all about dumb luck. What happens when I mess up? What happens when my play starts to suffer from the lack of reminders?
I need Johan here. I can't keep this up without him.
"Want to go get a beer?" Kirk asks as he tightens his tie.
"Sure," I respond, determined to not let this feeling that I belong, that these people actually want me here, fade. I can pretend to be comfortable, confident.
At least for a little while, until I can go back to get the rest of my stuff. Maybe once I'm there, I can convince Johan to help me. If he'll even talk to me. He still thinks that I asked for the trade. But I need the punishment. Maybe not after a game like tonight, sure. But when I start to forget, when I start going back to my old habits...
But I can wait until I get back to Pittsburgh. I can fake this until then.
