Page 122 of Two Guys One Puck
“Is Mother with you?” I take the stairs and walk outside to find somewhere private to speak to him.
“Yes. She wasn’t happy about it because she was already at the bakery, but she came.”
I exhale slowly and breathe for the first time since I saw his name calling on Telegram. I still have nightmares of those sirens, and I’m sure it’s worse for him. I don’t think Andriyremembers a time when we weren’t at war. This has been his whole life.
“Have things been getting worse there?” I read the news, but no one reports on it anymore. It’s like the rest of the world left Ukraine behind.
“Yes. There’ve been a lot more drone strikes.”
I go to the stairway and sit.
We talk, and he calms down. He tells me about school and hockey.
“Can you go to the village with Grandma?” I ask. Our grandparents live a few hours outside of the city. It’s so much safer there.
“There are no jobs there.”
“I know. She won’t need to work soon.”
We finish the call, and I hit the wall over and over and over until my fists are bloody. But even then, I don’t stop. Not until my hands and arms are numb. I barely realize a hand is grabbing me to pull me back.
I turn to hit whoever it is that fucking interrupted me, only stopping a millimeter from Seaborn’s face. “What are you doing here?”
“I was walking. I didn’t mean to…” Seaborn shrugs.
“Is nothing. Go to bed.” I drop my fists, closing my eyes.
“It doesn’t look like nothing.” He grabs my wrist, and I try to pull it back, but my arms barely work.
I grind my teeth, hating myself for wanting to sink into his comfort. “I’m fine.”
“You’re going to be lucky if you don’t have broken fucking knuckles.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ve played worse.”
He searches my face, but I don’t look at him. “What happened?”
“Nothing,” I snap.
“You don’t have to tell me, but if you don’t, I’m getting Happy, or your coach. I’m not leaving you alone.” He releases my hand, and I miss the touch.
“No.”
“Then spill.”
I sink to a seat on the top step. “They are bombing my city.”
“Is your family okay?” He puts his hand on my shoulder, and I wince. He frowns and pulls back.
“They are in a bomb shelter. Fine for now.”
“What can I do?”
“Nothing. There is nothing to be done until I can make more money, and maybe my mother will leave the city and go somewhere safer.”
“Will she?”
“Who knows.”
