Page 15 of Redeeming Heart

I saw each smile of the team as they watched him give up.

“Don’t turn your back on them,” I told Jonah when he reached me and was ready to get off the ice.

“I am done with this bullshit.” He grumbled, throwing his stick to the ground and sitting down to kick off his skates.

Everyone was staring at this point, including every single parent who was here for their kid.

“Jonah, if this is what you love don’t let anyone decide for you.” I tried to get him to go back out there and make a point.

“Like people decided for you?!” He snapped roughly taking me by surprise. “I don’t see you going out there chasing your dreams.” He continued- ripping off his gear and throwing them on the floor.

“I am not one to judge but you are such a hypocrite.” With his last words, he walked away leaving me behind with his gear.

I ignored all of the looks we were receiving and bent down to pick up Jonah’s gear and shoved it into his bags.

I raised my head when I caught sight of his coach making his way over to me. “Are you a family member of Jonah?” He asked, stepping off the ice and bending down to assist me.

“His mother is dating my father.” I couldn’t even admit the truth out loud.

“Oh,” He seemed speechless for a few seconds as he tried to wrap his mind around it.

I stood up after collecting all Jonah’s belongings. “Jonah is one of the few players on my team who has real talent.” He started. “He is just very shy and withdrawn. He has what it takes out there but not giving his all.”

“Withdrawn? How can he be anything else when he gets trampled on by his teammates?” I questioned feeling annoyed for Jonah’s sake.

I used to fight off bullies when I was his age and I had no problem standing up for myself but I guess that part of me died with my mother.

“I want him on my team and hope you can maybe convince him to return to practice tomorrow?”

“I am not his mother and I most certainly don’t make up his mind for him. If you want him to return so badly, why not ask him yourself, coach?” I excused myself and headed towards the door where Jonah stormed out a few minutes ago.

He stood outside waiting for me with arms crossed in front of his chest. “I know I am supposed to watch out for you but I am not your maid,” I said, handing his belongings over to him.

I ignored his grumble and went to stand next to him. “I spoke to your coach,” I noted gazing up at the sky. “He doesn’t want you to quit,” I informed him.

“If he feels like that why isn’t he here to say it himself,” Jonah grumbled.

“One thing I’ve learned over time is that don’t expect people to come running after you and beg for you to stay.” I lowered my head and caught him looking up at me.

“Do you regret quitting hockey?” He asked me.

A small part of me wanted to chase the silly dream that I once would have given everything to be a part of but something was blocking my way from running towards my chances.

I know what my mother would have wanted of me- she made it pretty clear every single day before she passed away but there’s a small piece inside of me that is hanging back, clinging to the dark corner and refusing to come out.

I had no words to answer his question and maybe I was a hypocrite but my biggest regret was not being able to live the life my mom wanted me to, and I had no idea how to start that life.

I felt my phone vibrating in my pants pocket and pulled it out to see it was a text message from Meredith telling me that she can’t pick us up. She was stuck at work.

“Come on, we have to walk home,” I said, reaching for my skateboard and gesturing for Jonah to follow me.

“Isn’t my mom coming over to pick us up?” He asked mopping that he had to walk.

For a thirteen-year-old kid who is supposed to be active, he complains a lot.

“She’s held up at work,” I replied and urged him on to walk faster. I still had to get to work and I wasn’t in the mood to get yelled at for breaking my father’s rules.

“Hey, there is Brandon.” Jonah suddenly quipped and wanted to rush over to where Brandon was talking to his friend or teammates, I grabbed Jonah by his shoulder stopping him from heading over.

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