Page 4 of Dreams
His grip was strong, but he released Josh after a moment. “Josh…”
“Walker,” Josh clarified.
“Oh, yes. I’ve seen you play. I’ve been watching tapes of the team.” He stared at him like he was sizing him up. “You’re a smart player. Not always positionally sound, but that will come with age. It’s the smarts that are important. You’re either born with a hockey sense or not, and you were. You just weren’t born with the natural ability to always do what your brain is telling you.”
Josh rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly nervous under the critical eye of his new assistant coach.
“You don’t have the best of hands. But you’re fast, deceptively so. And you work hard. It shows in your game. I respect that. How has training gone this summer?”
“I train with a few guys in New York. It’s been good. I’m heading to Columbus in a couple of days.”
“I’ll see you in training camp then.”
Josh felt like he was being dismissed, so he said his goodbyes and made his exit with Sarah close on his heels.
“That was intense,” Josh said, finally able to breathe again.
“That’s just Coach,” Sarah laughed. “He can be a hard-ass, but he’s a fantastic coach and a pretty good dude. He’s probably a little off his game today. Their family hasn’t completely moved past Danny’s death.”
“Danny was a favorite, huh?”
“Well, Coach got here about the same time Danny did. It was the season you made Columbus. He was the kind of guy everyone liked, and he fell completely in love with the coach’s daughter. I had to listen to him go on and on about her. Finally, I convinced her to give him a chance. They were still together when he died. It destroyed her. She’s my best friend, but it’s like I lost her too.”
Josh put an arm around his old friend’s shoulders and squeezed her to his side. “I’m sorry.”
“Me too,” she sighed. “Getting out of Portland is probably the best thing for her, even though I’ll miss her.” Sarah turned to look at him, the light back in her eyes. “Maybe you could be friends with her! You’re perfect.”
“Sarah, I can’t just get a stranger through their grief. I don’t have superpowers or something.”
“Of course you do, Joshy. You are the best listener I’ve ever known. She needs someone to be there for her while I’m stuck here in this stupid city.”
“I don’t even know her. Maybe she won’t even like me.”
“Everyone likes you.” She levelled him with a stare. “I’m not asking you to work miracles. Just watch out for her. She’s so broken right now. You have no idea how bad the last year has been for her.”
Josh sighed at the desperation in her voice. He never could say no to Sarah.
“Fine, I’ll at least introduce myself.”
“Good, I saw her go out back a few minutes ago.”
“You want me to do this now?” He ran a hand through his hair. “Why do I feel like you’re pimping out my friend services?”
“Because I am.” She pushed him towards the back of the house. “Now go.”
“Yes, mother.”
Josh said hi to a few more people as he headed towards the back. There were a lot of people there who were trying to put on their smiles in spirit of Danny’s memory, but it only made for a strange mood. It was a relief for Josh when he pushed open the back door, letting the fresh air bathe his face.
The moon provided the only light, causing him to almost trip over a pair of sandals in the dark. The pool stood in the center of the yard, surrounded by a concrete skirt. The water rippled out from where someone had recently submerged themselves. Josh considered walking closer to check on whoever it was and then thought better of it. Instead, he leaned back against the house.
Sarah wanted him to be friends with this girl, but he wasn’t promising anything. This was going to be an important season for him, the last of his entry-level contract. If this girl was as troubled as Sarah said, he didn’t need the distraction. But, who was he kidding? Josh knew he was too damn nice for his own good. If he could do something to help her, he knew he would.
The water surged seconds before a head broke the surface, sucking in air.
She didn’t notice her audience as she kicked slowly around the pool. Finally, she stopped and looked up towards the house, her eyes finding him.
“Who is that?” her low voice called out.
