Page 52 of Testing the Goalie

TWO WEEKS LATER

My house is too empty and quiet as I lay on the couch, moping and watching Christmas movies.

It’s Thanksgiving, and I really wanted to spend it with Ben, but he has an away game this weekend and is traveling.

I probably wouldn’t feel this blue if it wasn’t my first major holiday away from my family. We’ve always been the type to celebrate everything together, and I don’t get to do that this year. If Ben were here, it would ease the ache a little, but unfortunately, that couldn’t happen.

I’m barely paying attention to the movie when my phone rings and a big smile spreads across my face when I see that Dad is calling.

“Hey, old man, how’s it going?” I answer.

He laughs, and the sound envelops me like a warm hug. Man, I miss my family.

“I’m all right for a dinosaur,” he replies, and I chuckle. “How are you doing?”

“Honestly?”

“Well, I didn’t raise you to be a liar so an honest answer would be appreciated,” he tells me like he’s always done.

I sigh. “I miss you guys.”

“You don’t have anyone to spend the holiday with?” he inquires.

I haven’t told my parents about Ben yet because two months isn’t very long for a relationship. But I’m positive we aren’t breaking up any time soon, so I guess now would be a good time to fill them in.

“I would have, but he’s busy today, which is why I’ve been moping around and watching movies I’ve seen a hundred times,” I explain.

“You’re dating someone?” Dad asks, most likely double-checking he heard what I said correctly.

“I am,” I reply, smiling so wide I bet it would be comical if someone saw it. “His name is Ben, and he’s a hockey player. At least he will be until the end of the season. He’s a student at GSU pursuing a career in sports medicine,” I explain.

“A student?” he repeats. “Is that allowed?”

“Since he’s not one of my students, it is. We just had to fill out some paperwork to inform the university of our relationship.”

“Oh, that makes sense. So, he’s quite a bit younger than you, I take it?” he questions.

“He’s ten years younger, but neither of us is concerned with the age gap. He’s a great guy, Dad. I know you’ll love him when you meet him.”

“Does that mean you’re bringing him home for Christmas?” Dad asks.

“I haven’t asked him yet. I was actually planning on doing something different this year,” I fill him in. “Ben doesn’t have parents, but he has an important person in his life, and from the sounds of it, he doesn’t have the chance to see him often. I’m going to try to figure out a way to bring the two of them together over the holiday. I haven’t spent a Christmas away from you guys, but Ben deserves something special. Is that okay with you?”

“Would it be okay with me if my son spends Christmas with the man he loves?” my dad asks, making my heart race. Ben and I haven’t said the four-letter L word yet, but clearly Dad is picking up on how much Ben means to me simply by how I’m talking about him. “We’ll miss you, but we have plenty more holidays to celebrate. You spend this one with Ben.”

Dad’s blessing makes me happy and eases some of the worry I was harboring around the hairbrained idea I’ve been conjuring up the last week.

“If something happens and the plan falls through, I’ll let you know,” I tell Dad.

“Sounds good,” he replies. “Anyway, I should let you go. I just wanted to call and say that we love you, and we’re here if you need us.”

“Thanks, Dad. I love you too. Tell that to Pops, Mom, and MoMo, please.”

“Will do, son,” he assures me.

Once I’m off the call, I do a little digging on the internet, hoping I’ll be able to find Coach Appleton in Los Angeles.

Surprisingly, it doesn’t take long to find a guy that fits the profile of what Ben told me. I send him a message over social media, explaining who I am and what I’d like to do for Ben, then exit the app since I’m not expecting a reply right away. I turn my focus back to the movie that is now almost over and pray I found the right guy.

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