Page 42 of In My Hockey Era
She doesn’t wake up.
Not every day has the excitement of atick, tick, boomadrenaline rush… some days, death is quiet.Hovering in the background.Lingering there until someone, like Marta—age eight-six—just slips away.
At home after my shift, I run myself a bubble bath, dumping in copious amounts of lavender-scented mineral salt which promises relaxation.Which I need—badly.
I’ve always loved my job, love helping people, but lately it’s been a grind.
I’m worn out.Exhausted.
After stripping down, I test the water with my big toe—too hot—but I force myself into the water anyway, sinking in slowly.
I inhale the scent of lavender and try to clear my head.Once the tub is full, I turn off the faucet with my foot.The hot water soothes my aching shoulders and I close my eyes.My head has been a mess lately.Too little sleep, too much trauma.
For the first time, possibly ever, I wonder if I’m cut out for this long term, or if my time in emergency medicine has an expiration date.I always rejected the commonly held knowledge that a medic’s career has a short lifespan.A few years usually.I’ve been at it for seven.
Max noses his way through the door and plops down beside me.He rests his head on the edge of the tub and gazes at me with what can only be described as puppy dog eyes.He’s extremely perceptive—he’s always been able to read my moods.If I’m happy, his tail is wagging and he’s filled with joy, times like this, he seems toalmost mope around.
“It’s okay, Maxie boy.I’m alright—just torn out.”
His tail gives a half-hearted thump at my words.
My phone pings with a notification, and I reach for it on the edge of the tub.
It’s an email from Vivian Carter with the subject line: All-Star Weekend Invitation – Exclusive Event Coverage Opportunity
I stare at my inbox, blinking at the subject line.My heart picks up speed as I click it open, and start scanning the contents.
Lucy,
We’d love for you to attend this year’s All-Star Weekend as part of the exclusive coverage team.A special charity game is being hosted, featuring a mix of players from around the league.We’d like you to co-cover this event alongside Bennett Wilder—details to follow.Let me know if you’re in!
–Viv
I reread it.Then reread it again, my stomach doing this weird little flip.
Cover an event with Bennett.
Spend an entire weekend in the middle of All-Star chaos with him, at a charity game featuring some of the biggest names in hockey.
I’d read about the All-Star game, actually talked about it on my podcast.It was the league’s response to a mid-season slump.It was being held in Nashville, Tennesseethis year and eachplayer selected represented a charity that’s important to them.Everything from pediatric cancer funding to Alzheimer’s research to animal rescue.The winning team will receive extra money toward their chosen causes.
I rise from the now tepid bathwater and wrap myself in a towel.Pulling on my fluffy pink bathrobe, I go through the motions of spreading serum on my face and neck—a girl approaching thirty can never be too careful about her skincare—and pretend I’m carefully considering my options instead of already picturing it.Sideline access, the buzz of the arena, Bennett cracking some joke while I roll my eyes.Some much needed time off from work.
I like the idea.
Way more than I probably should.
A weekend away might be exactly what I need.
And before I can overthink it, I grab my phone and type out a response.
Viv,
Count me in.
–Lucy
I hit send, and a second later, my phone buzzes with a new text.
