Page 43 of Off Side

Epilogue

DREW

It’s almost Christmas, and while Sam took down time and healed at home, I went out to finish working on the barn rink. The ice was now flooded, and we were good to go. We were having the team over for a Christmas party before they all went home to see their families for Christmas break. We wanted to pick a day everyone could attend, but Austin ended up making the World Junior team and was going to miss it. Austin was doing fine. Whatever Lawless had been hinting at never surfaced. He might have made the whole thing up as a way to get close to Sam for all we know.

When we got back from the London hospital stay, Sam had to step away from being behind the bench while she healed. She made Nixon the interim head coach and fired Michael. A lot of nasty things were revealed about Michael, and he may have inadvertently sent Jason to Sam’s room. He was definitely a toxic person to have in the locker room.

Mr. Burns gladly met with us when Sam felt up to it and signed off early on the will’s concessions. After hearing everything that happened to us, and what we had done in a few short months, he saw no reason to drag it out until the end of hockey season. I surprised myself and began loving the game and being in it again.

The best part of my world was Sam. I needed her like I needed air, and I was so damn happy she felt the same about me. She had morphed into an even more confident person, if that was even possible.

Sam went to the head of the NCAA officiating body and told them everything. She wasn’t reinstated to her former officiating status, but at least she no longer had it hanging over her. It was nice to have the closure.

It seemed everything was starting to come together. My new office build will start in the spring, right here off the barn like I envisioned it. I have returned to hockey and have a woman I love more than life itself.

I reached into my pocket and found the black velvet box still there. The next thing to do was to make sure she became my wife.

TOM

Dearest Sam,

If you are reading this, it means I’m already gone, and for that, I’m truly sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you by not telling you about the cancer. I just didn’t want you to worry about something out of your control. You are probably wondering what the hell I wanted by asking Mr. Burns to give you and Drew those crazy instructions. Absolutely nothing! HA! Chalk it up to me being a crazy old man.

I was leaving it all to you regardless, I just wanted to make you sweat because you always worked well under pressure. I’m willing to bet you’ve never been happier in your whole life, and you owe it to a certain young man I know.

Do me a favour. When you two have kids, name one after me. I’d get a kick out of that.

Oh, and if you haven’t found it yet, there’s some weed tea near the teapot you have to try. I guarantee it will brighten a bad day when you have them.

I’m proud of you. I love you. I miss you.

See you in the barn sometime, Sammy.

Love,

Grandpa

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