Page 51 of The Cutting Edge
“You’re welcome to have a seat,” I offer, gesturing to the chair next to my bed.
He nods his appreciation, as he sits, “I understand you know our center, Logan Rivers.”
“Oh, yeah, I definitely know him. His slapshot is the reason I’m in the hospital.“
“I’m so sorry about the accident,” he says, “how are you feeling?“
“I’m feeling significantly better, and I’m hoping that I will be able to go home in the next few days. It seems like the dizzy spells have stopped, so that is a huge relief. and I haven’t had a headache in a couple of days. My doctor tells me that these are both really good signs and that I should be getting out soon.”
“That’s excellent news, I’m so glad to hear that you’re recovering.
“Thank you so much. I’m very sorry, I don’t think I caught your name.”
“Apologies. I’m Rocco, I’m the shooting coach for the St. Pete Slashers.”
“I really do appreciate the visit. Is there something I can help you with?“ I am completely and absolutely perplexed as to why this man would be sitting in my hospital room. Other than the connection to Logan, I can’t fathom a single reason why he might want to talk to me.
“What I’m proposing might seem strange, “he says, “but I have a conundrum, and I believe you do as well, and I think I might be able to help both of us.”
“What do you mean?“
“Well, Logan shared with me your somewhat unique reputation as a good luck charm last week when I asked him why he was playing so well all of a sudden after he had a humdinger of a slump. He told me that he had recently met a good luck charm. Now, initially, I thought he was kidding around. But I did a little research, and it turns out there’s something to it— as you probably know.“
“I am pretty sure that me being a good luck charm, which is just something a coach made up and a bunch of other figure skaters glommed onto has nothing at all to do with how Logan is playing.“
“I wouldn’t be so sure – you may have noticed that we are down three games in the playoff series against Philly. If we lose tomorrow’s game, we are out for the season.“
“I watched the game last night, it was a rough one,” I say. “I’m just not sure I can help.”
“I’m not either, but with the playoffs on the line, I’m willing to give almost anything a shot if you are.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Your boss Marissa mentioned to me that you can’t train or teach until you’ve been cleared through the concussion protocol by the US Figure Skating doctor.”
“That’s true, but I’m hoping it won’t take more than another week or so.“ I still can’t figure out what he’s getting at.
“Marissa also shared that you pay all of your training expenses on your own and that it’s been a real hardship that you’re not able to work or train right now.“ I’m feeling a bit defensive because I don’t really like my personal business shared with any random stranger. But I’ve known Marissa forever, and so I’m pretty sure she had a good reason for sharing something so private.”
“Be that as it may, I’m still not clear on why you’re here.”
“You need a job, and I need a win. I just figured maybe we could help each other out.“
“Are you offering me a job? What exactly would I be doing? Selling beer and popcorn in the stands? Jockstrap inventory? I wouldn’t mind driving the Zamboni, but it might get a little challenging if I have to hurl myself into the driver’s seat with a catapult because USFS forbids me from taking the ice – and unless Marv is retiring soon, that job is already filled.”
“Yes, I am offering you a job.” He smiles at me warmly, “You’re correct that the Zamboni job is filled and Marv doesn’t have any vacation days scheduled during the playoffs, so you’re out of luck there. But I do have something that might be a better fit for your particular talents... I would like you to be Logan Rivers’ lucky charm.” He keeps talking as though what he just said was not completely insane.Oh yeah, I’d like to offer you a job as a lucky charm. And if you play your cards right, in three to five years you’ll be promoted to head fairy godmother.Rocco continues, “You’ll hang out with him at practice, do whatever it was you were doing before when he was playing great and winning – and as long as we stay in the playoffs, you will continue to have a position with the team.”
I’ve never been a professional lucky charm before. “How much does a job like that pay? “
“I can pay you $2500 a week as long as we continue to advance to the Stanley Cup finals. As long asweare still in the game, so areyou.“
Holy death drop, that amount of money would solve a whole lot of problems for me.
He continues, “There are about six or seven weeks left in the playoffs and the finals, which would mean that if we make it all the way to the Stanley Cup, you would come away with just over $15,000. We’ll also cover your hospital stay. It’s the least we can do.”
My head is spinning – I can get myself back out of debt, pay for my Nationals competition costume, and even have a little left over if the Slashers make it all the way to the Stanley Cup.
This could solve everything… there’s only one problem.
