Page 34 of Puck Me

“Ah, I’ll teach you patience yet. You just wait and see.”

“I’m a hockey player. It’s a fast-paced game. Patience isn’t exactly in the job description.”

It takes a moment for me to realize what I’ve said. When I do, it’s only another moment before my mood takes a nosedive.

“Hey.” Storm’s arms tighten around me. “It’s okay. I know that you’re busy redefining who you are. It’ll take time to fall out of old habits.”

“I don’t want to redefine who I am! I want the old me back!”

“I know, Chester. What happened to you wasn’t fair.”

“No, it wasn’t.”

“If I could fix things for you, I would, but the reality is that there’s nothing either of us can do except move on as best we can. Find a new meaning in your life. Have you considered working at an animal shelter? I know you said you used to volunteer. I don’t think they pay very well, but you did mention that money isn’t an issue.”

“It’s about the only thing that isn’t an issue. I was one of the top in my field, and I got paid well for it. I saved and invested well. Financially, I’m set for life… if I even want that life.”

Storm just strokes my arm comfortingly.

“Crap, Storm, I’m so sorry. You just have me the best sex of my life, and here I am, making it all depressing.”

“You have depression, Chester. I’d never ask you to pretend otherwise. Besides, I think we should agree to try a few more times before you rule it as the best sex of your life. You hadn’t come in months, after all. Let’s get to a time when you’re not so desperate and then let you make the call.”

I know I’m not going to change my mind on this, but I’m also certainly not going to turn down a good reason to have more sex with Storm.

“Sounds like a plan.”

My eyelids are drooping. Not only the orgasm but the activity of the evening has taken it out of me. I’m not used to going out and being among normal people anymore.

“You should sleep,” Storm tells me, ever perceptive.

“Will you stay?”

“Of course, sweetheart. I’ll always be here when you need me. And even when you don’t, I’ll still be here.”

10

Storm

My phone is ringing, but I ignore it. I’m too engrossed in the email I’m reading. It stops ringing and rings again. I force myself to look at it. It could be Chester. No, it’s not him. It looks like a spam number. I don’t know how these idiots keep getting my number, but I wish they would just fuck off.

I go back to my email. It’s from one of the medical papers I’ve newly subscribed to, ever since Chester and I started dating.

I smile as I think back to the last three weeks. They’ve been… Well, they’ve been incredible, to be honest. Sure, Chester has had bad days, but he’s also had many good days. It seems that the therapy and medication are finally starting to make a dent in his depression.

I like to think that I’m partially responsible for his improvement, though I’m not arrogant enough to claim the majority share of the credit.

Dr. George has been doing excellent work with him. She doesn’t specialize in patients with chronic illnesses or injuries, but she has researched and consulted with me extensively, and is quickly becoming quite knowledgeable on the subject.

Chester was less than enthused to be seeing her at first, but he’s slowly coming around. He’s getting more energetic every day and his physical therapist even says he may be able to come off the crutches soon. He’ll still walk with a heavy limp for now, but I know how much Chester hates those crutches. Coming off them will be a huge plus, even if it’s not all the progress he hopes for.

I read the article again, just to be sure I’m reading what I think I’m reading. This… This could be amazing. It could be the answer to everything. I truly do believe that therapy and medicine can bring Chester out of his depression, but what if all of that isn’t necessary? What if his leg could be healed to the extent that he’s able to play ice hockey at a professional level again?

I read through the article another time, just to be sure. The last thing I want is to give Chester false hope, but the hope this clinical trial is offering seems far from false. They’ve had excellent results on rats so far, and all evidence points to the possibility of them having equally good results on humans.

I start filling in the application for Chester. I’ll need him to sign it, but I can get the paperwork started for him. He’s coming over in half an hour or so.

I find myself smiling at the thought. Chester and I have been dating for five weeks now. It doesn’t feel like dating a woman ever has; it’s so, so much better. I feel like a curtain has been drawn from my eyes and I can finally see everything clearly.

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