Page 36 of Penalized Love

“Anytime, Mom. I’ll see you soon.”

After we hang up, I quickly throw a few essentials into a backpack and head out to my car. I check on a few things before I pull out of the parking spot in front of my house and start driving to Hill Haven.

The ride is quiet, and I get there in record time. As I pull up to my childhood home, Avery is already waiting on the front porch, her basketball bag at her feet. A grin appears on her face when she sees me. It takes a split second before she’s running down the steps as I exit my car.

“Asher! I didn’t know you were coming home today!” She flings her arms around me as soon as I close the car door.

I wrap my arms around her in return, lifting her off the ground before setting her back down. “Surprise. Thought I’d come to cheer you on at your game. Maybe show you a few pointers.”

Avery rolls her eyes, but she’s still smiling. “Please, I could probably beat you on the court these days.”

“Oh, is that so?” I raise an eyebrow. “Guess we’ll have to put that to the test sometime. Can’t have my favorite little sister beating me.”

“Whatever. I’m your only sister.”

We both laugh, and I give her another side hug. It feels so good to trade barbs with her in person versus via text message. Our relationship is pretty solid, given everything we’ve experienced. We have our arguments here and there, but for the most part, we get along well. I’ve watched her grow from a shy little kid into a confident teenager with aspirations bigger than I could ever dream.

I look up as Mom appears in the doorway then, looking tired but happy to see me. With a grin, I jog up the steps to give her a warm hug.

“Thanks for coming, Ash,” she says softly. “I really appreciate you taking Avery to her game today to give me a bit of a break.”

“I’m happy to do it.” I pull back to look at her, noticing the dark circles under her eyes makeup can’t quite hide. “You’re working too hard, Mom. I wish you’d let me help more.”

She pats my cheek, her eyes glistening a bit. “You’re already doing so much, sweetheart. And I want you to enjoy your college years.”

Her words are a much-needed reminder of how much is riding on my ability to turn hockey into a career. I need to take care of my family someday.

We chat for a few minutes, catching up, before I check the time and realize we need to get a move on it or else we’ll be late.

“Ready to go?” I ask, and Avery nods eagerly.

“Bye, Mom!” she calls out as we head for my car. “I’ll see you after the game!”

As I pull out of the driveway, I glance at her and ask, “So how’s school going?”

Avery nods, her ponytail bobbing. “Yeah, I’m doing pretty well. Math is still kicking my butt, but I’m getting extra help from a tutor after school.”

“That’s great, Avery. Education is so important.”

“I know, I know. You sound like Mom.”

She’s not wrong. “It’s where I got it from.” I chuckle, but my tone turns serious. “Seriously though, keep at it. I know it’s not always easy, but it’ll pay off in the long run.”

“I will because I want to make you and Mom proud.”

Moments like this are where I feel she should be able to include Dad, but things didn’t work out that way. Instead, Iglance at her before returning my attention to the road. “You already do, Aves. Every single day.”

15

ISLA

Today has been an exciting day, to say the least.

First, I got up late and almost didn’t arrive on time. Second, volunteers wearing matching t-shirts are hauling all types of materials to help with this project. Not that any of this is surprising, however.

Today is Sunday, an off day for hockey and Crestwood University’s Volunteer Day. The organizers told the hockey team they would assist in the construction of a house for a family in Crestwood. Because this is a big event all around, it means that I also need to be here to capture some shots of the team making their mark in the community. I’ve taken part in the past with Mom and Dad because of his job with the university, but this felt different.

So here I am. A little after the crack of dawn, listening to the sounds of power tools whizzing around me. Not to mention, it’s a very cool morning, and I’m left wishing I would have thought twice about wearing more than just a hoodie and jeans. But I’m here, taking photos of the guys doing their thing. On any other day, I would have been okay with being up this early, buteverything becomes a struggle when you get only a little sleep the night before.

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