Page 103 of O Goalie Night
“Hi, Uncle Foster!” Amelia’s squeal rises above all the other noise as she barrels towards us. Foster’s lightning fast reflexes come in handy as he intercepts her before she collides with him. Completely undeterred, she jets off again. “Thanks, Uncle Foster!” she calls over her shoulder.
Foster shakes his head with a smile as his older brother follows hot on her trail. “You gotta teach her to stop, Cody.”
He grins at him as he passes us. “She says she wants you to teach her.”
I watch Foster swallow hard as his family skates away, and I squeeze his hand.
“This has been the best day ever,” I tell him.
Those green eyes twinkle as he says, “It’s not over yet.”
A moment later the music cuts out on the loudspeaker with a record scratch. After a few seconds of quiet, it starts to blast the bass-heavy techno beats of 2 Unlimited. Right after the singer asks “Y’all ready for this?” Otto the Otter himself takes the ice in a Santa hat. The kids lose their minds, screaming as they skate towards him to join him in his dance routine.
I gape at Foster who grins back. “I told you I’d introduce you.”
As we watch a seven-foot-tall otter do the floss, we’re joined by Will, Austin, and Ben.
Austin is the only one who appears unimpressed. “Stupid Otto. He gets all the attention.”
Will laughs as he drapes a huge arm over his shoulder. “Awww. Are you jealous of our mascot, Crawford? Did your mom not hold you enough when you were a baby or something?”
Austin scowls at him. “Probably not. But it’s okay. Your mom’s more than making up for it now.”
Everyone laughs, Will loudest of all.
I turn to Foster. “Any more surprises I should know about?”
His expression becomes serious as he looks at the ice. Taking my hand, he skates backwards a few feet, pulling me with him out of earshot of the others. “No, but thereis something I’d like to talk to you about. Later, at home.”
Worry builds in my stomach at his words. Things have been good. Better than good. I’m not sure what could be causing him to look so uneasy.
Maybe he thinks we’re moving too fast? No. He wouldn’t tell me he loved me and spend his day off putting together this winter carnival for me just to turn around and ask to slow things down.
“Of course,” I say with a lightness I don’t feel. Forcing a smile, I add, “Race you to the hot chocolate?”
He grins down at me. “You’re on.”
By the timeI pull into Foster’s driveway, I’m beyond exhausted. The field trip was an indisputable success. There were a few falls and a couple of squabbles, but no major injuries or incidents. Principal LeBlanc himself said it was the best Skate Day ever.
We got back to school shortly after one in the afternoon and spent the rest of the day watchingHow The Grinch Stole Christmas. Saying goodbye to the kids was hard and I wasn’t lying when I told them how much I was looking forward to seeing them in the New Year.
I make my way to the house, juggling several gift bags filled with candles, chocolates, and gift cards from my students.
As I’m approaching the front door, it swings open to reveal Foster. His hair looks damp from a shower and he’s dressed in what I swear are the only jeans he owns and an old sweatshirt.
In other words, he looks perfect.
He smirks when he sees all the gifts I’m carrying.
“My students spoiled me,” I tell him as I enter the house.
He frowns. “That’s my job.”
Setting all the presents down, I wince as I slip my sore feet out of my boots. I look around for my slipper socks, but they aren’t where I left them this morning.
Foster notices my confusion and says, “Be right back,” before jogging off down the hall.
He returns a minute later as I’m hanging up my coat, and without saying a word, he drops down to one knee in front of me.
