Hockey Is My Boyfriend: Part Three (35 page)

H
aving decided
I had been kicked around enough, the universe started to turn in my favour.

It began with me enjoying life again. Being back in Vancouver was reviving. I breathed in the freshness of the ocean air and saluted the snow-capped North Shore Mountains each morning. Whenever the rain let up, I ran outside along False Creek. I loved this city.

Ben got me onto his friend’s hockey team in a spring hockey league at Eight Rinks. They were desperate enough for women players that his buddy even agreed to drive me to games. Getting out on the ice again made me so happy. I could lose myself in the game for a couple of hours.

Then, I got a call from Betty Harrison telling me that I had gotten the television internship job, and it would start at the beginning of May. This was stellar, headline, phone-my-parents-in-Japan news. I worried that I hadn’t been energetic enough in the interview, but maybe my high marks and Ruby’s recommendation had tipped the scales in my favour.

To celebrate, I went apartment hunting with April. We managed to find the only place that I could afford on my limited intern’s salary. It was in the basement of a house in the Commercial Drive area. I could have done better in a shared house, but I really wanted to be on my own. I had spent enough time trying to fit into Jimmy’s life, and now I could relax and do whatever I wanted. Being messy and eating salads and popcorn for dinner were high on my list.

I realized I was being immature—like a teenager rebelling against her parents—by doing the opposite of what Jimmy had decreed. But it was my chance to figure out what I wanted, something I’d never had a chance to do.

I didn’t have that much stuff, but I did need to furnish the new place. I went to my parent’s storage locker and got out my bike, my old bed, and other useful odds and ends. April worked her magic, helping me to clean and paint the place before I moved in.

“Thank you so much. I can’t believe you’re doing all this for me when you’re getting married in two weeks.”

“Your apartment is the size of a normal bedroom, so it’s not that much work. Anyway, it’s better than starting our marriage with a gloomy zombie living in the guest room.”

“I haven’t been that bad.”

April raised both eyebrows. “Ben said it’s like living with a ghost. He hardly sees you and, when he does, you’re so quiet. You don’t even want to talk hockey. That does not sound like the Kelly Tanaka I know. Besides, didn’t the Canucks just vacuum up some team?”

“They
swept
the Blues. That was the first round. But now they’re playing the Blackhawks.”

“Oh.” April gave me a searching look. “So, he’s in town?”

I nodded. It was totally creepy to think that we might run into each other. However, Vancouver was a big place, and I knew exactly which areas to avoid: the clubs, the big restaurants, and the nice hotels. To be safe, I was avoiding all of downtown. Maddy had e-mailed me to get together while she was in Vancouver, but I told her I wasn’t up to it yet. If she said anything at all about Jimmy, I might break into little pieces. Irrationally, I still worried about him and how he was doing.

“Has he called you?”

“No, he won’t. And he can’t, since I have a new number.” And a new address. It was like the witness protection program; I even looked different now since I had shed the false eyelashes and lipstick.

April sniffed. “I’ll have to carry a baseball bat around in case I run into him.”

Since the city was overcome with playoff fever, it was hard to miss seeing Jimmy’s face on big screen televisions everywhere. In addition, I started work on Monday, and a sports station wasn’t exactly the best place to avoid the hockey playoffs.

“
W
elcome
to Coast 2 Coast Sports, Kelly.” Betty smiled brightly at me. “Did you want a coffee?”

“I’m good, I just finished a tea,” I told her.

“Let’s get started then.” She pulled out a file folder with schedules and lists in it. “I’ve prepared a training program for you. I was a little surprised to find out that there wasn’t a formal internship program before. Throwing new people into the fire is hardly a guarantee for success.”

I nodded. That made total sense, but working on the radio side had taught me that not everything was done logically around here.

“I prefer to work in an atmosphere of open communications. If you have major problems or issues, I’d like you to bring them to me. Minor issues, you should learn to resolve yourself. We work as a team and good relationships are key to functioning well during broadcasts.”

She leaned forward. “To be honest, we did have candidates with better broadcast experience, but Ruby Leitner assured me that you’re passionate and hard-working, and I really liked your hockey background. Not only because you’re used to teamwork, but also because it breaks the traditional paradigm. On air, it’s usually the guys who bring the hockey experience while the women bring the pretty. I’d really like to subvert those expectations.”

She winked at me. “But don’t tell anyone else my plans for global domination. Just work hard and show us what you’ve got. Interns can go on to any number of jobs here, but I think you might be a good candidate for an on-air position.”

Man, she was so smart that I had to concentrate fully whenever she spoke to me. Betty was so charismatic that I already felt like I’d walk through fire for her. It couldn’t have been easy getting to be an executive in the sexist sports universe. I was going to learn a ton from her.

“I’m going to cycle you through the technical areas first. In every area you work in, they will assign you work. Of course, most of it will be menial, but you’ll be learning by observation. Since it’s a brand new program, a lot of areas won’t know what to do with you. Just roll up your sleeves and offer to pitch in wherever you see a need.”

I nodded. That was my
modus operandi
when I was the receptionist, and it worked out well.

“I’m going to give you projects as well. Mainly research, but they will be areas I’m legitimately interested in and not make-work stuff. And, remember, relationships are key,” she repeated. I think she meant that a budding reporter’s career could get derailed pretty fast if she pissed off the crew. Well, I might not have any broadcast experience, but I was good at getting along with people.

“Thank you so much for this opportunity.”

She smiled and nodded. “Everyone needs one break. Then it’s up to you what you make out of it.”

G
lorious sunshine lit
up April and Ben’s big day. April looked completely amazing—having said yes to a dress that combined fairy princess with touch of sexiness. It was truly the high point of her styling career. Instead of ugly bridesmaid’s outfits, both her sister and I were decked out in glamourous black dresses.

When I walked up the aisle, I got to see Phil for the first time in six months. I was shocked to see he looked awful. The rented tux hung loosely on him, and he seemed to lack his usual energy. Was he sick or something? Phil had missed the rehearsal dinner last night, but Ben hadn’t mentioned any problems.

Ben was beaming. He looked so happy to finally get the woman of his dreams. And April looked radiant too. If you were romantic at all, their obvious happiness would have brought tears to your eyes. Luckily I wasn’t, but for today I kept my cynicism to myself.

The wedding party packed into the limo to get photos done in Stanley Park before the reception. I was sitting beside Phil, so I asked what I thought was the obvious question: “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” He looked out the window. In his tuxedo, he looked like the villain of a James Bond movie—all sharp cheekbones, scowls, and deep thought. The trouble was that he used to look more like James Bond and less like Le Chiffre.

I tried to make a little more polite conversation, but he basically brushed me off. I assumed he was still pissed off at me from the summer. But I also wondered why he had bothered to send me that nice note and the mix tape.

I stopped talking to Phil altogether and turned to Jenny, April’s sister, to ask her how college was going.

As soon as we got to the park, the photographer began with some group shots and then dismissed the rest of us while he took pictures of April and Ben.

Phil was sitting on a bench looking out at the ocean. I decided to make one more effort and sat down beside him.

“The view is amazing here, isn’t it? I love the ocean.”

He turned and looked at me like he was seeing me for the first time. “Why did you come back?”

I had assumed that he heard everything from Ben. I grudgingly explained, “I broke up with Jimmy. So, here I am. Feel free to say I told you so.”

“I wouldn’t do that. Would you like to tell me why you broke up?”

I hesitated, but the truth popped out. “He cheated on me.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Kelly.” He spoke so formally. I could not get over the strange vibe between us—like we hadn’t seen each other in years and there was nothing between us. It was like any spark of attraction or affection was completely extinguished.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Phil? Is work going okay? You’re acting really strangely.”

He stretched his neck and looked out at the ocean again. Then he began to speak without looking at me. “I’ve been meaning to call you ever since you got back. My family is dealing with some health issues.” He paused for a long minute. “My mom’s got cancer.”

There was a long silence while I tried to figure out what to say. I felt so bad. Poor Phil, this was why he looked so awful. Why hadn’t anyone mentioned anything to me before?

“I’m so sorry, Phil, I had no idea. April didn’t tell me anything.”

“Nobody knows. I had to tell you, because—” he stopped, deep in thought. I didn’t know what to say, so leaned over and hugged him. He kept stiff and straight for a moment, then wrapped his arms around me. Finally he let go, but I stayed right next to him.

“Kel, I wanted to tell you because it’s strange, but my mom has mentioned you a few times. I think that maybe—”

“She wants me to visit her? Of course, where is she?”

“She’ll be at Vancouver General tomorrow, her operation is Monday.”

“I’ll go right away.”

“Thanks, Kelly. I don’t even know if it will make a difference, but I like to do anything that I can for her.”

“How long have you known? What kind of cancer is it?”

“She has colon cancer. We’ve only known her diagnosis for two weeks. She was sick before, but we didn’t know what it was.”

He still looked so sad. I held both his hands. “I’m so, so sorry, Phil. Your mom is one of a kind. I will definitely visit her, and if I can do anything else, let me know.”

“Kelly, my mom is kind of private. Would you please not mention this to anyone, not even April?”

“Promise.” We got up and walked along the paved path.

“Phil, how are you doing?”

He stared out at the ships in Burrard Inlet. “It’s hard to see my dad so unhappy and to see my mom trying to act normal, like everything will be okay.” His eyes looked so haunted. “I don’t get why things have to be like this. It’s not fair. She’s only 57.”

“I’m sure she’ll be okay. Lots of people survive cancer these days, don’t they?”

“Yeah, I hope so. She’s stage III though. We won’t know until after her surgery next week.” He sighed. “It’s funny, I always saw my parents arguing and I hated it, but now that they’re only being nice to each other, I long to hear them fighting again. Turns out that was how they expressed their love.” He gave a half-laugh.

I noticed that April motioning us to come. We got up and walked back to the limo and headed to the Shangri-La for the reception.

April and I went straight to her hotel room, to make sure she looked perfect for the reception. My only role was to hold up her train while she used the bathroom.

“How did the photos go?” I asked.

“Great, except for the bug-eyed expression on my face when I saw you and Phil making out in the park. What’s up with that?”

“We weren’t making out. Phil has some personal issues, so I gave him a hug. It’s totally non-sexual.”

“Personal issues? Phil doesn’t look right, what’s wrong with him? He’s lost weight and he looks kind of… haunted.”

“Hey, I just moved back. Doesn’t Ben know?”

“Yeah, Ben thinks that Phil is doing too much overtime. But that doesn’t seem to explain it all.”

“So—he’s still going out with Emily?” It wasn’t that I was interested, but I was trying to get a handle on Phil’s life before I got involved in it.

April frowned. “I have no clue. I haven’t seen her since our Christmas party. But he plus-oned his invite.”

When we got to the reception, I saw Emily and Phil getting a drink near the bar. She looked sleek, confident, and beautifully groomed. She gave me a friendly nod, and then the two of them went off to the ballroom together. That answered my questions about Phil’s dating status.

After dinner, I left the head table and headed out to mingle. All our high school friends were at one table. Charmaine and her boyfriend were there. Will was a fellow researcher from U.B.C., and they’d been dating for a while now. Karen was there, with her new boyfriend, Thomas. Phil came over with Emily, who chose to sit in the empty chair next to me and chat.

“So Kelly, you’re visiting from Chicago?”

“Actually, no. I moved back here at the end of March.”

“I thought your boyfriend lived there—the hockey player?”

“He does. But we’re not together anymore.”

“Oh, really?” Emily searched my face for clues as to whether I was unhappy about this. I guess she found plenty, because she added, “Well, I’m sure you’re enjoying being back in Vancouver.”

“How is everything going with you?” I wondered. I didn’t really know anything about her except she was a lawyer for the province. What did you ask Crown Prosecutors? If they’d put any bad guys in jail lately?

“Everything’s fine in my life,” she began, and then lowered her voice. “But I’m worried about Phil. He’s got so much stress in his life, and he really doesn’t need any more.”

She gave me a piercing look, and I flushed a little. If I were a criminal, I’d pretty much confess everything when she looked at me like that. Her remark felt more like a warning than an observation. I offered some lame agreement. Luckily, Will interrupted to ask me if he could get either of us a drink, and I got up to go to the bar with him.

Later, I watched Emily coax Phil onto the dance floor. In fact, everyone at the table was dancing, except me. Momentarily, I felt like a loser, until I remembered that Jimmy was such a crappy dancer that even if he were here, I wouldn’t be dancing. And besides, I now had a cool job that didn’t involve lifting boxes.

Thank God for hockey. April threw the bouquet right at me, but I deked and it landed in Charmaine’s arms, much to her boyfriend’s consternation.