Page 50 of Cross Checks

I leaned over to put my face square in the middle of the video screen. “I’m here, Mom and Dad Hank,” I grinned.

“I…I don’t even know what to say,” Hank stammered out.

It was time for me to take some control of the situation. “I think you should say they’ll be living less than 40 minutes from where the Florida Panthers play hockey.”

Hank’s mom and dad looked at each other. I saw that they were confused.

I looked at Hank. “Is it okay for me to spill the beans?” I asked.

He still couldn’t find words, so he merely nodded in the affirmative.

“Okay, everybody, hang onto your hats or clutch your pearls,” I declared. I’ve been offered a spot on the Florida Panthers. They are an NHL team that plays in Sunrise…wait for it…Florida!”

I watched Hank’s mom’s mouth fall open in shock. She recovered quickly. “That’s amazing. Who would think something so fortunate could happen? We can come to Chase’s home games.”

“We’re going to Florida!” I exclaimed and jumped up and down. I couldn’t contain myself any longer and pulled Hank into a kiss right there in front of Mom and Dad.

They didn’t mind at all. They clapped and cheered for us.

“Congratulations to both of you,” his dad said.

Hank reached up and wiped a tear from the corner of his right eye. He spoke in a soft voice. “I was worried we’d have to move away from the two of you. I’m so happy.”

The call ended a short time later. With the exciting news still ringing in our ears, we rushed through making dinner. The lasagna wasn’t fully cooked, and we found cold spots in it. On any other day, it would have been disturbing, but we barely noticed.

While we ate, I looked out at the falling snow. It had been coming down harder as the afternoon progressed, and it looked like we had at least six inches on the ground. I couldn’t wait to get outside and play in it.

“Come on, slowpoke,” I teased Hank, bouncing on the balls of my feet. When dinner was over and we’d bundled up, he insisted I wear heavier boots. He found an old pair, and our sizes were close enough that they fit me reasonably well.

“Okay, Chase, relax a little, and we’ll make some memories in the snow before our lives are all palm trees and sandy beaches.”

“Hand-in-hand, we ventured outside. The air was cold, but there was very little wind. I stuck my tongue out to try and catch a few snowflakes as they fell around us.”

“Think about all the new adventures we’ll have in Florida,” I mused as my breath formed a frosty cloud in the air. “Sunshine, warm weather, and being close to your parents—it will be incredible.”

“Let’s make the most of the winter weather tonight,” I suggested. “It might be the last real storm before we leave.”

“Look at that moon, Chase.” Hank pointed up at the sky between the front yard trees. “It’s a perfect crescent, and it’s so bright, like something out of a fairytale.”

“Itisamazing,” I agreed. Suddenly, I flopped onto the ground in one of the deeper patches of snow and started sweeping my arms and legs to create a snow angel. “Join me,” I insisted.

Hank gingerly began to sit, and I pulled on his hand until he tumbled onto the ground next to me. He lay down beside me with a hearty laugh. We moved our limbs in sync to carve out two celestial arms.

Hank pointed up at the sky. “There’s Orion’s belt.”

“That’s awesome.”

“Life is so full of surprises,” he mused. “Who would have thought we’d be moving to Florida soon?”

“Speaking of surprises, who would have thought you’d be such a romantic, making snow angels with me.”

“Hey, now,” he grumbled. “I’m a complicated man.”

“Indeed,” I agreed and slowly climbed to my feet.

When Hank stood next to me, I couldn’t resist and leaned in, hoping to share a passionate kiss. My eyelids fluttered in anticipation, but the moment before our lips would have met, Hank laughed and shoved a handful of snow down my coat.

“Yow!” I yelped. “That’s not fair.”

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