Page 76 of Slap Shot Daddies

The idea of revealing the truth to them at work, in the midst of the buzzing rink where they glide with effortless grace and I linger in the background, tending to the birds, feels impossible. How could I expose my vulnerability there?

And…what if they react badly?

What if they're angry?

What if, for them, this…ourconnection…was merely a fleeting amusement?

The thought slices through me, leaving a dull ache in my chest. I clamp my lips together, determined to hold back the tears that threaten to spill over, stinging my eyes with their salty insistence.

As I approach the rink, uncertainty weighs heavily on me.

What will I do when I face them? Perhaps I can slip in and out unnoticed.

That's the plan: swiftly retrieve my files, check on the birds, and make a hasty exit before anyone has the chance to corner me for a conversation.

I release a slow breath, tasting the bitterness of bile and regret lingering on my tongue.

Just get through today, Kenz, I tell myself, willing my heart to steady.

My mind wanders back to the past few days, which I've spent in endless hours curled up on my couch.

I had clutched a pillow tightly against my abdomen for almost that entire time, as if it could somehow stabilize the whirlwind my life has become.

It amazes me how quickly everything shifted, how one moment could redefine everything I thought I knew.

In my mind’s eye, I see my mom’s face, her lips drawn into a tight, disapproving line, her eyes shadowed with disappointment.

She holds her Bible to her chest like a talisman, as if its weight could shield her from the scandal. Behind her stands my dad, a silent pillar of agreement, his presence a tacit endorsement of her every word.

I can almost hear the hushed, judgmental murmurs that will ripple through their church congregation.

Unmarried.

Pregnant.

It's a disgrace, they’ll say.

I know they’ll insist I return home, push me toward marrying someone, anyone, to erase the "shame" from our family name.

But I’ve already made my choice.

I lay my hand gently over my belly, spreading my fingers across the smooth skin. The subtle warmth beneath my palm offers a strange comfort, a reminder of the life growing within me.

It’s a decision that might seem naive or daunting, but it resonates within me, a certainty I can’t deny. This child is my destiny.

As tears threaten to spill over, I blink rapidly, refusing to let them fall.

The thought of telling my friends, let alone my family, fills me with dread, but that moment will come in due time.

Right now, I’m prepared to embrace the fight for this little life inside me, whatever it takes.

The Marauders arena parking lot sprawls before me, nearly deserted except for a handful of cars scattered across the asphalt and gravel. These belong to the early risers like Ally and a few members of the training staff who beat the sun to work.

I maneuver my car into a spot close to the entrance, the tires crunching softly over gravel. Glancing up at the massive macaw mascot painted above the doorway, I notice its vibrant feathers of blue, yellow, red, stand out strikingly against the dull, overcast sky.

The bird’s wide, cartoonish grin seems to mock me, as if whispering, "Cheer up, Kenz. Life’s not that bad."

I let out a quiet laugh, almost a sigh, and shake my head.

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