Two days later
I ran out of the terminal and took a taxi cab to the Rent-a-Car. I paid the driver, rented a cheap red car, and put the pedal to the floor for the two and a half hour drive to Sidney’s.
I got there at 10 AM, and no one was home. . A million thoughts whirled inside my mind, most of them involving Sidney at a girl’s house. I felt about to vomit. I was too late.
Sidney’s point of view
I got back from my daily run, when my trainer Andy O’Brien said, “You’ve got a visitor!”
I whirled around to where he was pointing, and saw a figure sitting on my deck.
Not really in the mood to deal with a crazed fan, I groaned.
“Want me to stick around?” Andy offered. He’d witnessed nutty fans many times before.
“Nah, I’ll take care of it,” I said, “see you later.”
“Later dude.”
He sauntered off, and I started the walk towards the deck.
As I got closer, the figure stood up and started running to me. My breath hitched as I realized who it was.
Anna’s point of view
There he was. My heart started to pound. This was it. I felt nervous, but at the same time, I knew nothing was more right than this moment. I was meant to be here. And walking towards me now, was the man that I loved more than anyone else in the world, and the man who got to me like no other.
I got up and started to run. I couldn’t wait to be near him. As soon as he got closer, I flung myself into his arms and kissed him.
I kissed him. Fire consumed my whole body. I had never had a kiss like this before. I had never felt this way about a man before, maybe that was why. Anyway, our mouths melded together perfectly. I kissed Sidney Crosby right there in his backyard with every fiber of my being, our tongues tangling in the language that could be confused for nothing other than love.
When we broke apart, I entwined my fingers with his, still catching my breath.
“Sid, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I –” He cut me off, placing a finger on my lips.
“All that matters is you’re here now. But please, say it. I want to hear you say it.”
I smiled. I kissed every one of his fingers, and then looked up to meet his eyes, “Sidney Crosby, I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you.” The joy evident in his grin matched my own. My heart was pounding. He kissed me again, leaving me breathless, smiling, “My Pete. I love you.”
“How could I have been so stupid?” I whispered, my gaze not leaving his.
“How could WE have been so stupid?” He responded.
I shrugged, “Totally out of the ordinary for you.”
We both started to laugh, and he kissed me on the lips.
“I cannot believe you are here now,” he said, “You’re never allowed to leave. You better not want to leave.”
“Not me. I’m not going anywhere.”
Friday, September 18, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Three days later- June 2008
He left. I stayed up all night and cried in Erica’s arms this time. Why was my life such a mess? I was so annoyed by myself now and the disarray I had caused. Danny called twice, and we let it go to voicemail
“He’s not even showing up, Anna. That proves how much he’s willing to fight for you.”
“He’s giving me time,” I reasoned.
“No, sweetie, he’s not. Stop defending him. If he really cared, really wanted you back, he’d be here. You know that. If the situations were reversed, Sidney would be sleeping on your doorstep.”
The realization hit me like a ton of bricks: Sidney would fight for me. What was I doing, giving a loser like Danny a second chance who didn’t think I was worth fighting for? The only guy who thought I was worth the battle had left the country. And I had let him.
I gasped. Erica then said, “Sweetie, I’ve never seen you shine brighter than you do around El Siddo.”
I jumped up, “Shit, Erica. What am I doing here?”
“Go get him, girlfriend.”
I ran out the door, threw my keys into the ignition and sped out onto the open road. I was fifteen minutes to the airport when the car started making funny noises and the emergency light came on. I had just pulled over, with the hazards on, when smoke started emitting from the car. I smiled when I thought of when Sidney had first met my car. He would be amused to hear this story. I had to get to him.
I called Amy.
“Listen, I’m on Route 100, about 6 miles before the exit. Can you get Jake’s old car that he doesn’t use? And drive it here?” Bless Amy, she asked no questions. I called Triple A and waited. When Amy and Jake arrived in separate cars, she threw me a bag with deodorant, a toothbrush and a change of clothes. “Girl’s intuition,” she said with a wink.
“Boy I’m glad you’re coming into my family,” I told her.
Jake gave me the keys, and the two of them waited for Triple A, while I sped off.
I’d been driving for ten minutes before the doubt started to creep in. What the hell was I doing??? Was I sure? Did I even love Sidney?
Did I love Sidney? I hadn’t thought about it. All I’d thought was that I’d let him run off in hurt and anger. The fact that he was hurt, hurt me, and that was what lead to my sporadic, manic road trip. I felt my eyes well with tears. I was so mixed up. I was beginning to reconsider this whole trip. I had had a fleeting thought back at Erica’s, and that was all. This didn’t make sense. How could I be in love with Sidney? The boy was completely nuts. His little pre-game traditions drove me up the wall. The fact that he flicked through the channels like he was in a race irked me, because he never took notice of what was on each channel. The fact that he separated all his green gummy bears from the rest because he hated them so pissed me off. The fact that he clumped so much gel in his hair drove me nuts. That he mixed his patterns when he put on suits made my head hurt. That he had such a devotion to Crocs made me sick. That he was so precise and calculated on camera angered me. No one ever got to see his silly side, the side that I knew.
Oh my God, Anna, I said to myself, clutching the steering wheel.
I don’t love Sidney. I kept saying it to myself. Maybe if I kept repeating it, I’d believe it. I don’t love Sidney.
Then why was I still driving?
I pulled over. I put the car in park, reclined back in the seat and something caught my eye. I leaned back so I could examine it. My breath hitched as I realized what it was.
A Famous Amos wrapper.
I started to cry, as I clutched the wrapper to my chest. Now Amos was resting where he belonged, and where I always secretly knew he dwelt: my heart.
I was an idiot. I was so helplessly in love with Sidney Crosby. I was too far gone to even recognize it. I had always been. All those quirks were the cutest thing about him. It was adorable he didn’t know how to dress himself! God, I was an idiot: an idiot that was madly in love for a guy that was slipping away by the second.
What an idiot. I jammed the key in the ignition, and when I heard no screeching from the engine, I smiled. Peace, just like what was in my heart at this moment.
I sped down to the Airport, and even though I had to book two connecting flights to Halifax, I knew I would get there. I just hoped and prayed his heart was still open.
“He’s not even showing up, Anna. That proves how much he’s willing to fight for you.”
“He’s giving me time,” I reasoned.
“No, sweetie, he’s not. Stop defending him. If he really cared, really wanted you back, he’d be here. You know that. If the situations were reversed, Sidney would be sleeping on your doorstep.”
The realization hit me like a ton of bricks: Sidney would fight for me. What was I doing, giving a loser like Danny a second chance who didn’t think I was worth fighting for? The only guy who thought I was worth the battle had left the country. And I had let him.
I gasped. Erica then said, “Sweetie, I’ve never seen you shine brighter than you do around El Siddo.”
I jumped up, “Shit, Erica. What am I doing here?”
“Go get him, girlfriend.”
I ran out the door, threw my keys into the ignition and sped out onto the open road. I was fifteen minutes to the airport when the car started making funny noises and the emergency light came on. I had just pulled over, with the hazards on, when smoke started emitting from the car. I smiled when I thought of when Sidney had first met my car. He would be amused to hear this story. I had to get to him.
I called Amy.
“Listen, I’m on Route 100, about 6 miles before the exit. Can you get Jake’s old car that he doesn’t use? And drive it here?” Bless Amy, she asked no questions. I called Triple A and waited. When Amy and Jake arrived in separate cars, she threw me a bag with deodorant, a toothbrush and a change of clothes. “Girl’s intuition,” she said with a wink.
“Boy I’m glad you’re coming into my family,” I told her.
Jake gave me the keys, and the two of them waited for Triple A, while I sped off.
I’d been driving for ten minutes before the doubt started to creep in. What the hell was I doing??? Was I sure? Did I even love Sidney?
Did I love Sidney? I hadn’t thought about it. All I’d thought was that I’d let him run off in hurt and anger. The fact that he was hurt, hurt me, and that was what lead to my sporadic, manic road trip. I felt my eyes well with tears. I was so mixed up. I was beginning to reconsider this whole trip. I had had a fleeting thought back at Erica’s, and that was all. This didn’t make sense. How could I be in love with Sidney? The boy was completely nuts. His little pre-game traditions drove me up the wall. The fact that he flicked through the channels like he was in a race irked me, because he never took notice of what was on each channel. The fact that he separated all his green gummy bears from the rest because he hated them so pissed me off. The fact that he clumped so much gel in his hair drove me nuts. That he mixed his patterns when he put on suits made my head hurt. That he had such a devotion to Crocs made me sick. That he was so precise and calculated on camera angered me. No one ever got to see his silly side, the side that I knew.
Oh my God, Anna, I said to myself, clutching the steering wheel.
I don’t love Sidney. I kept saying it to myself. Maybe if I kept repeating it, I’d believe it. I don’t love Sidney.
Then why was I still driving?
I pulled over. I put the car in park, reclined back in the seat and something caught my eye. I leaned back so I could examine it. My breath hitched as I realized what it was.
A Famous Amos wrapper.
I started to cry, as I clutched the wrapper to my chest. Now Amos was resting where he belonged, and where I always secretly knew he dwelt: my heart.
I was an idiot. I was so helplessly in love with Sidney Crosby. I was too far gone to even recognize it. I had always been. All those quirks were the cutest thing about him. It was adorable he didn’t know how to dress himself! God, I was an idiot: an idiot that was madly in love for a guy that was slipping away by the second.
What an idiot. I jammed the key in the ignition, and when I heard no screeching from the engine, I smiled. Peace, just like what was in my heart at this moment.
I sped down to the Airport, and even though I had to book two connecting flights to Halifax, I knew I would get there. I just hoped and prayed his heart was still open.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
June 2008, cont.
June 2008, cont.
“I need to think about it.”
He rose, “I figured.” He gave me a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be waiting to hear from you. I love you, and I’m not going to stop you from being friends with Sidney Crosby. I know he’s your friend. I understand you need him now.”
I sat there for a while. He was sincere. That I didn’t doubt: he meant what he said. But did I want to believe that he was really different?
I wasn’t sure. I left the park and drove home in a daze. I went out to dinner with the family and went to my room. I sat cross-legged on my bed all night, thinking in the simplest terms. I had loved Dan, despite the fact that my family and Sidney didn’t. But Dan had hurt me so badly. He believed I cheated on him, and didn’t even give me a chance to explain. Was that how little he trusted me? How much did I trust him? Although my friends think I had turned a blind eye, I had noticed Danny flirting with other, younger girls. Whenever I questioned him, he would drop a kiss on my cheek and casually tell me, “They mean nothing, while you are everything. You have nothing to worry about, babe.” And Sidney….how did Sidney fit into this? Was Amy right? Could there be a relationship with him? I’d never thought about it, honestly. We got along tremendously, that much I knew. I shook my head. This was weird thinking about Sid in that light. I was going to see him tomorrow; he was leaving for the summer in Cole Harbour the day after tomorrow.
Six hours later, I still didn’t know what I was going to do. I met my best friends, Erica and Lindsay, for lunch at Shep’s. Lindsay’s advice was, “He seems so sincere and sweet. I liked him, Anna, and you fell hard for him. Give him a second chance,” while Erica blurted out, “You were different with him. What does Sidney think?”
What does Sidney think? My head started spinning. After all of last night, I’d come to the conclusion that I didn’t want another relationship to fall apart, like mine with Danny had. I couldn’t handle another broken relationship. Sidney and I were friends. But I did care about what he thought. I’d ask him for advice on Danny, just like I did with Erica and Lindsay.
I called Sidney and we agreed to meet at his place. It was the last time I would see him for a while. I wasn’t sure when I’d be able to get out and visit.
“Hey,” I said when I walked into his room, where his bags were packed. He was lying on his bed. I lay down next to him, putting a hand on his rock-hard abs. Facing him, I asked “How are you?”
He answered, “I’m fine, I’m sleeping now.”
“Oh, good. Dreaming about the game?”
He snickered, “You know me too well, Pete.” A shortening for Pita.
“It’s better than no sleep, Ames.”
He rolled over and looked at me, “It’s just brutal.”
“I know,” I said softly. I knew how much he was hurting over the loss.
We sat in silence for a while, thinking, before I spoke.
“Danny called.”
“Did you tell him to fuck off?”
“Not exactly.”
“Why not! Pete, he’s a douchebag. Don’t give him any more time than you already have. He’s not deserving.”
“He’s different, Sid.”
“No he’s not! They never are! Isn’t that what you always tell your friends?”
“Yeah…”
“So follow your own fucking advice. Don’t be a hypocrite.”
“Sid, he was so remorseful. He’s so different. He’s calm now.”
“So you’re going back to him? I can’t fucking believe this.”
“I love him!!!!!!”
“He broke your heart!!!!” Sid yelled, jumping off the bed and stomping away from me, “He was just spewing shit to get you back, Anna. He’s the same old dick we all knew and hated. He didn’t change.”
“That’s not fair. You hardly knew him. Sid, everyone deserves a second chance.”
“Yeah? Well when’s my chance, Anna? When?” He yelled.
What did he just say? I heard the gears shifting as everything in our relationship changed dramatically right at that precise moment.
“What?” I whispered.
Sid shoved his hand through his hair. He looked away, and then looked back at me. He started to speak, and then stopped himself. There was a moment of silence, and then he shook his head and then started back up, “I just fought the battle of my life and lost the Stanley Cup a week ago, I’ll be damned if I lose you too without putting up it all out there.” He then walked a step closer to me.
“Anna, I love you. The day you creeped me out at that party was the brightest day of my life, and I’ve been completely yours ever since. I believe ever since I sat next to you, my heart has been connected to yours, crawling along behind it at times, just waiting for you to notice. We’ve been through everything together, I’ve learned so much from you, with you, and there’s so much more out there. So much more I want to do with you. There’s so much world out there, and it can be ours, Anna I want to discover it with you. I want to be with you forever and beyond, on this crazy journey. But you go and be with all those guys, who just have no clue what a treasure they have. They break your heart, and I’m the one there to pick up the pieces. Anna, I would never break your heart. I would guard it with my life because after all this waiting, I realize how amazing you really are and how lucky I would be to have you.” He paused, his eyes were filled with tears now, and then turned, “But you won’t even give me a chance!!!!!!” he yelled. The frustration was so evident in his voice.
I didn’t know what to say, I just stared at him, tears falling down his my face.
“Sid…”
“No. You want to go back to him, go. But I just, I can’t do this anymore, Anna. I can’t only be your friend. It’s been torture the past few months. Every girl lately just falls by the wayside, because oh, her smile’s not as bright as Anna’s, she’s not as caring as Anna is, Anna would have done this, said that, known what I was going to order, known that I needed my space. You know me and that I can be a cocky son of a bitch and a little puss who needs a good hug sometimes. I know you and that can you be a total stubborn idiot who refuses to ask for help and a huge pain in my ass. But I love you for it. I love you for all that you are, and all that I don’t know you are yet. So, to spare myself anymore pain, I’m saying goodbye.”
“I need to think about it.”
He rose, “I figured.” He gave me a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be waiting to hear from you. I love you, and I’m not going to stop you from being friends with Sidney Crosby. I know he’s your friend. I understand you need him now.”
I sat there for a while. He was sincere. That I didn’t doubt: he meant what he said. But did I want to believe that he was really different?
I wasn’t sure. I left the park and drove home in a daze. I went out to dinner with the family and went to my room. I sat cross-legged on my bed all night, thinking in the simplest terms. I had loved Dan, despite the fact that my family and Sidney didn’t. But Dan had hurt me so badly. He believed I cheated on him, and didn’t even give me a chance to explain. Was that how little he trusted me? How much did I trust him? Although my friends think I had turned a blind eye, I had noticed Danny flirting with other, younger girls. Whenever I questioned him, he would drop a kiss on my cheek and casually tell me, “They mean nothing, while you are everything. You have nothing to worry about, babe.” And Sidney….how did Sidney fit into this? Was Amy right? Could there be a relationship with him? I’d never thought about it, honestly. We got along tremendously, that much I knew. I shook my head. This was weird thinking about Sid in that light. I was going to see him tomorrow; he was leaving for the summer in Cole Harbour the day after tomorrow.
Six hours later, I still didn’t know what I was going to do. I met my best friends, Erica and Lindsay, for lunch at Shep’s. Lindsay’s advice was, “He seems so sincere and sweet. I liked him, Anna, and you fell hard for him. Give him a second chance,” while Erica blurted out, “You were different with him. What does Sidney think?”
What does Sidney think? My head started spinning. After all of last night, I’d come to the conclusion that I didn’t want another relationship to fall apart, like mine with Danny had. I couldn’t handle another broken relationship. Sidney and I were friends. But I did care about what he thought. I’d ask him for advice on Danny, just like I did with Erica and Lindsay.
I called Sidney and we agreed to meet at his place. It was the last time I would see him for a while. I wasn’t sure when I’d be able to get out and visit.
“Hey,” I said when I walked into his room, where his bags were packed. He was lying on his bed. I lay down next to him, putting a hand on his rock-hard abs. Facing him, I asked “How are you?”
He answered, “I’m fine, I’m sleeping now.”
“Oh, good. Dreaming about the game?”
He snickered, “You know me too well, Pete.” A shortening for Pita.
“It’s better than no sleep, Ames.”
He rolled over and looked at me, “It’s just brutal.”
“I know,” I said softly. I knew how much he was hurting over the loss.
We sat in silence for a while, thinking, before I spoke.
“Danny called.”
“Did you tell him to fuck off?”
“Not exactly.”
“Why not! Pete, he’s a douchebag. Don’t give him any more time than you already have. He’s not deserving.”
“He’s different, Sid.”
“No he’s not! They never are! Isn’t that what you always tell your friends?”
“Yeah…”
“So follow your own fucking advice. Don’t be a hypocrite.”
“Sid, he was so remorseful. He’s so different. He’s calm now.”
“So you’re going back to him? I can’t fucking believe this.”
“I love him!!!!!!”
“He broke your heart!!!!” Sid yelled, jumping off the bed and stomping away from me, “He was just spewing shit to get you back, Anna. He’s the same old dick we all knew and hated. He didn’t change.”
“That’s not fair. You hardly knew him. Sid, everyone deserves a second chance.”
“Yeah? Well when’s my chance, Anna? When?” He yelled.
What did he just say? I heard the gears shifting as everything in our relationship changed dramatically right at that precise moment.
“What?” I whispered.
Sid shoved his hand through his hair. He looked away, and then looked back at me. He started to speak, and then stopped himself. There was a moment of silence, and then he shook his head and then started back up, “I just fought the battle of my life and lost the Stanley Cup a week ago, I’ll be damned if I lose you too without putting up it all out there.” He then walked a step closer to me.
“Anna, I love you. The day you creeped me out at that party was the brightest day of my life, and I’ve been completely yours ever since. I believe ever since I sat next to you, my heart has been connected to yours, crawling along behind it at times, just waiting for you to notice. We’ve been through everything together, I’ve learned so much from you, with you, and there’s so much more out there. So much more I want to do with you. There’s so much world out there, and it can be ours, Anna I want to discover it with you. I want to be with you forever and beyond, on this crazy journey. But you go and be with all those guys, who just have no clue what a treasure they have. They break your heart, and I’m the one there to pick up the pieces. Anna, I would never break your heart. I would guard it with my life because after all this waiting, I realize how amazing you really are and how lucky I would be to have you.” He paused, his eyes were filled with tears now, and then turned, “But you won’t even give me a chance!!!!!!” he yelled. The frustration was so evident in his voice.
I didn’t know what to say, I just stared at him, tears falling down his my face.
“Sid…”
“No. You want to go back to him, go. But I just, I can’t do this anymore, Anna. I can’t only be your friend. It’s been torture the past few months. Every girl lately just falls by the wayside, because oh, her smile’s not as bright as Anna’s, she’s not as caring as Anna is, Anna would have done this, said that, known what I was going to order, known that I needed my space. You know me and that I can be a cocky son of a bitch and a little puss who needs a good hug sometimes. I know you and that can you be a total stubborn idiot who refuses to ask for help and a huge pain in my ass. But I love you for it. I love you for all that you are, and all that I don’t know you are yet. So, to spare myself anymore pain, I’m saying goodbye.”
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
June 2008
June 2008
It was four days after the crushing loss to the Red Wings. Sidney was still not over it, and wouldn’t be for a while. It would be something that would motivate him throughout his career until he avenged it.
I’d spent a lot of time with him lately. He cried in my arms as he finished his interviews, and it seemed to me he held on longer than he would have normally. Something was different with him for the past few months, but I hadn’t put my finger on it. Crazy Amos.
I was driving back from Stacey’s, after an exhausting day of baby-sitting little Paige, who would soon become a big sister in November, when my phone rang. I looked at it, and my breath hitched.
By the time I hung up, I was home. I sank onto the couch and buried my face in my hands. Why had my heart raced when I heard that voice again?
Danny had called. He wanted to see me tomorrow and I had agreed. I wasn’t going for him, I was going for me. I had to finally tell him my side of the story, since he had refused to let me last time. If the same occurred this time, I was leaving.
The day of
I met Danny at the park. He was sitting on a bench with his head down.
“Hello.”
“Hey,” he said, rising to greet me. He kissed my cheek and I sat down beside him.
“I have a lot to apologize for.”
“And I have a lot to say that you didn’t let me say because your head was so far up your ass.”
He winced. “I’m sorry. That’s one of the things I have to apologize for.”
I nodded.
“Anna, I was such a fucking asshole. You don’t know how awful I’ve felt about it the past few months. I was so deliriously in love with you, so enraptured by you, that when I thought you were unfaithful, I just went crazy. The thought of you with anyone else broke me down completely. I couldn’t bear the thought. I guess what I’m saying is I’m selfish. Now that we’ve been apart, I’ve realized how amazing you are, how much I miss the person you are, and the person I was when I’m with you. I don’t want to share you. Anna, please. I need you back. I love you more than I’ve ever realized. I promise I will be better. I’ll change.”
His eyes glimmered with tears, and I felt my own well up as well, as I reached for him.
“Dan…..”
It was four days after the crushing loss to the Red Wings. Sidney was still not over it, and wouldn’t be for a while. It would be something that would motivate him throughout his career until he avenged it.
I’d spent a lot of time with him lately. He cried in my arms as he finished his interviews, and it seemed to me he held on longer than he would have normally. Something was different with him for the past few months, but I hadn’t put my finger on it. Crazy Amos.
I was driving back from Stacey’s, after an exhausting day of baby-sitting little Paige, who would soon become a big sister in November, when my phone rang. I looked at it, and my breath hitched.
By the time I hung up, I was home. I sank onto the couch and buried my face in my hands. Why had my heart raced when I heard that voice again?
Danny had called. He wanted to see me tomorrow and I had agreed. I wasn’t going for him, I was going for me. I had to finally tell him my side of the story, since he had refused to let me last time. If the same occurred this time, I was leaving.
The day of
I met Danny at the park. He was sitting on a bench with his head down.
“Hello.”
“Hey,” he said, rising to greet me. He kissed my cheek and I sat down beside him.
“I have a lot to apologize for.”
“And I have a lot to say that you didn’t let me say because your head was so far up your ass.”
He winced. “I’m sorry. That’s one of the things I have to apologize for.”
I nodded.
“Anna, I was such a fucking asshole. You don’t know how awful I’ve felt about it the past few months. I was so deliriously in love with you, so enraptured by you, that when I thought you were unfaithful, I just went crazy. The thought of you with anyone else broke me down completely. I couldn’t bear the thought. I guess what I’m saying is I’m selfish. Now that we’ve been apart, I’ve realized how amazing you are, how much I miss the person you are, and the person I was when I’m with you. I don’t want to share you. Anna, please. I need you back. I love you more than I’ve ever realized. I promise I will be better. I’ll change.”
His eyes glimmered with tears, and I felt my own well up as well, as I reached for him.
“Dan…..”
I left after an hour or so, just when Anna was feeling better and realizing she was better off without the jerk.
I punched in a few numbers.
“Army, hey.”
“Hey Creech, what’s up?”
“Danny broke up with Anna.”
“He was such a douche, but I imagine she’s pretty upset.”
“She is. But I realized something.”
“What is it? That you realized what a good guy you have in me as a roomie? Sorry buddy, I don’t swing that way.”
“I’m in love with her.”
“Welcome to two years ago, Siddo. We all knew it.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, dumbass. You wasted so much time.”
I hung up with Army a few minutes later. I drove home, and felt strangely at peace. Now all was right with the world.
The next morning, Anna texted me to let me know she was alive, and going away with her girlfriends for the weekend. She also thanked me: “You are the best – always there when I need you. Thanks for everything.”
I called Jake, who was at work, but agreed to meet me for lunch.
“Is this about Anna and Danny? I’m gathering a team to go beat the shit out of him. You want in?” Jake said, when I arrived at Shep’s.
“I better not. Injured and all. But I’ll be there in spirit- I hate that fucker.”
“You, me, and everyone else. But what’s up?”
“This is kind of awkward, because you’re her brother but –“
He cut me off. “You’re in love with my baby sister.”
“Yeah.”
“Guy, what has taken you so long? You two are idiots.”
“I know. We wasted a lot of time.”
“Nah. Sometimes it’s necessary to go a long distance out of the way in order to come back a short distance correctly.”
“Whoa. Philosopher Jacob.”
“My dad’s a philosopher, I pick a few things up.”
“So what you mean is…it’ll work out?”
“If it’s meant to, yeah buddy. It will.”
“Do you think she feels the same?”
“That, I have no idea. No idea at all. I know she adores you, but beyond that, I have no clue. You’ll just have to tell her how you feel. See what happens.”
“I’ll do it when she gets back this weekend.”
Jake shook his head, “No. I know my little sister. She needs more time. At least a month.”
“A month? Jake, you don’t understand. Now that I know what I know, now that I have realized it, I don’t want to waste any more time.”
“Oh Sid,” Jake said, signaling for the check, “I know how you feel, man. But she’s not going to be ready for anything for a while. She needs to work out her own feelings and how to get it over this bastard.”
I sighed, “You’re probably right.”
He grinned, “I am. I know women.”
“Oh really?” I said, chuckling.
“Yeah. I’m proposing to Amy soon.” Amy was his main squeeze for the past three and a half years.
“Oh shit! That’s awesome. Congratulations man. That’s terrific.” I shook his hand as we rose.
“Thanks. No one else knows but my dad and brothers, so keep quiet, Crosby!”
“Don’t worry.”
April 2008
Anna’s point of view
Ah. I’m so much better without Dan. I’m just enjoying my single girl time! I’m soaking up time with my best friends, family and focusing on school. That bastard deserves no more of my time. The idiot wouldn’t even listen to my side of the story. Who does that? What happened to innocent until proven guilty? And I was guilty of nothing. Sidney was my best friend. Nothing more. Danny had no reason to be jealous or worry about our relationship. But I don’t care anymore. I’m so much better off without his constant complaining. And the media says Sidney whines too much! Jeez!
I was driving out to have lunch with Amy, who was soon to be my new sister-in-law! Jake proposed!!!!
“Hey pretty girl!” I said, giving her a hug.
“Look at you. You look great!” Amy said.
We sat down, I gushed over her ring a few more times before we ordered slices of pie and coffee.
“I should be on a wedding diet,” Amy remarked.
“Oh please. You have over a year! You have a great figure, anyway. Bitch,” I said, teasing.
We talked about tentative wedding plans for a little, before Amy brought it up.
“So have you heard from Danny?”
“No, and it will be good if I never do again.”
“Good. I agree. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t calling him or anything.”
“Oh hell no.”
“So are you dating?”
“Nah, not really. Enjoying my single girlhood.”
“There you go. Have you talked to Sidney?”
Odd transition. “Yeah, but he’s right in the midst of the play-off race. He’s busy. I’ve been at games, that’s the only time I really see him.”
“Is there anything there with him? Anything romantic, Anna?”
I stared at her. “Sidney? No way. We’re good friends, that’s it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Amy, yes I’m sure. Sidney’s not my type.”
“Really? How do you know this, wise one?”
I shrugged, uncomfortable with the topic.
“Sidney is a really good guy, Anna. I don't want you to rule out anything. Sometimes, when you look at him, I notice....."
I jerked my head up, "Notice what?"
Amy blushed, "Nothing. Just don't rule anything out."
As I drove home, I thought about what she said. Sidney? I had never seen him in a romantic light. He was just Famous Amos, my buddy.
I punched in a few numbers.
“Army, hey.”
“Hey Creech, what’s up?”
“Danny broke up with Anna.”
“He was such a douche, but I imagine she’s pretty upset.”
“She is. But I realized something.”
“What is it? That you realized what a good guy you have in me as a roomie? Sorry buddy, I don’t swing that way.”
“I’m in love with her.”
“Welcome to two years ago, Siddo. We all knew it.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, dumbass. You wasted so much time.”
I hung up with Army a few minutes later. I drove home, and felt strangely at peace. Now all was right with the world.
The next morning, Anna texted me to let me know she was alive, and going away with her girlfriends for the weekend. She also thanked me: “You are the best – always there when I need you. Thanks for everything.”
I called Jake, who was at work, but agreed to meet me for lunch.
“Is this about Anna and Danny? I’m gathering a team to go beat the shit out of him. You want in?” Jake said, when I arrived at Shep’s.
“I better not. Injured and all. But I’ll be there in spirit- I hate that fucker.”
“You, me, and everyone else. But what’s up?”
“This is kind of awkward, because you’re her brother but –“
He cut me off. “You’re in love with my baby sister.”
“Yeah.”
“Guy, what has taken you so long? You two are idiots.”
“I know. We wasted a lot of time.”
“Nah. Sometimes it’s necessary to go a long distance out of the way in order to come back a short distance correctly.”
“Whoa. Philosopher Jacob.”
“My dad’s a philosopher, I pick a few things up.”
“So what you mean is…it’ll work out?”
“If it’s meant to, yeah buddy. It will.”
“Do you think she feels the same?”
“That, I have no idea. No idea at all. I know she adores you, but beyond that, I have no clue. You’ll just have to tell her how you feel. See what happens.”
“I’ll do it when she gets back this weekend.”
Jake shook his head, “No. I know my little sister. She needs more time. At least a month.”
“A month? Jake, you don’t understand. Now that I know what I know, now that I have realized it, I don’t want to waste any more time.”
“Oh Sid,” Jake said, signaling for the check, “I know how you feel, man. But she’s not going to be ready for anything for a while. She needs to work out her own feelings and how to get it over this bastard.”
I sighed, “You’re probably right.”
He grinned, “I am. I know women.”
“Oh really?” I said, chuckling.
“Yeah. I’m proposing to Amy soon.” Amy was his main squeeze for the past three and a half years.
“Oh shit! That’s awesome. Congratulations man. That’s terrific.” I shook his hand as we rose.
“Thanks. No one else knows but my dad and brothers, so keep quiet, Crosby!”
“Don’t worry.”
April 2008
Anna’s point of view
Ah. I’m so much better without Dan. I’m just enjoying my single girl time! I’m soaking up time with my best friends, family and focusing on school. That bastard deserves no more of my time. The idiot wouldn’t even listen to my side of the story. Who does that? What happened to innocent until proven guilty? And I was guilty of nothing. Sidney was my best friend. Nothing more. Danny had no reason to be jealous or worry about our relationship. But I don’t care anymore. I’m so much better off without his constant complaining. And the media says Sidney whines too much! Jeez!
I was driving out to have lunch with Amy, who was soon to be my new sister-in-law! Jake proposed!!!!
“Hey pretty girl!” I said, giving her a hug.
“Look at you. You look great!” Amy said.
We sat down, I gushed over her ring a few more times before we ordered slices of pie and coffee.
“I should be on a wedding diet,” Amy remarked.
“Oh please. You have over a year! You have a great figure, anyway. Bitch,” I said, teasing.
We talked about tentative wedding plans for a little, before Amy brought it up.
“So have you heard from Danny?”
“No, and it will be good if I never do again.”
“Good. I agree. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t calling him or anything.”
“Oh hell no.”
“So are you dating?”
“Nah, not really. Enjoying my single girlhood.”
“There you go. Have you talked to Sidney?”
Odd transition. “Yeah, but he’s right in the midst of the play-off race. He’s busy. I’ve been at games, that’s the only time I really see him.”
“Is there anything there with him? Anything romantic, Anna?”
I stared at her. “Sidney? No way. We’re good friends, that’s it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Amy, yes I’m sure. Sidney’s not my type.”
“Really? How do you know this, wise one?”
I shrugged, uncomfortable with the topic.
“Sidney is a really good guy, Anna. I don't want you to rule out anything. Sometimes, when you look at him, I notice....."
I jerked my head up, "Notice what?"
Amy blushed, "Nothing. Just don't rule anything out."
As I drove home, I thought about what she said. Sidney? I had never seen him in a romantic light. He was just Famous Amos, my buddy.
January 2008
January 2008
Sidney’s point of view
The day after Anna had driven me to my appointment, I was lounging, lifting weights while watching SportsCenter when my phone rang.
“What’s up, brat?” I said, when I saw who it was.
I heard heavy breathing and then a sob broke over the line. “Sid?”
“Anna? What’s wrong, baby?”
“Dan broke up with me.”
“I’m on my way.”
I raced down to the garage and sped off to her apartment. I found her there, curled on the couch.
My heart broke when I saw her, and I dropped onto the couch and collected her in my arms in a giant embrace.
“He didn’t know where I was yesterday, and flipped out when he found out I was with you. He doesn’t like you or trust you, so he thought I was sneaking off to be with you. He accused me of cheating,” she whispered.
“He’s a dickhead.” I said firmly.
“No, Sid, I loved him,” she wailed, she went on. “But he didn’t even listen to me! He didn’t listen to anything I had to say.”
“That’s not fair. You deserve better.”
“I didn’t do anything wrong!” She said, getting angry.
“I know. He’s an ass.”
She shook her head, silent, as tears fell again.
I looked down at her. She was so upset, yet so angry. It pained me to see her like this. Danny Boy was such an ass. How could he reject such a beautiful girl? Did he not see how lucky he was? What kind of dickhead would cause harm to such an incredible person who did not have a mean bone in her body? Who was the friendliest, smartest, funniest, goofiest, most magnetic, most selfless girl that I knew? Who could make me smile just by walking into the room? Who charmed even my stonecold dad, who distrusted most girls my age? I looked down at her, full of anger at Danny Dumb Dick, and something else. Full of…love.
My heart started pounding. Everything fell into place. It made sense now. Why I was so disinterested in other girls after the second date. Why Danny irked me so much, his recent antics aside.
I was in love with Anna.
I had been from the day I met her. I’d just been to blind to see it. Too stubborn. Too naive. And I knew now that I wouldn’t have to look any further than what was lying in my arms on this dirty couch.
“Sid, thanks for being here, but .. don’t leave just yet.”
“Not me, I’m not going anywhere.”
Ever.
Sidney’s point of view
The day after Anna had driven me to my appointment, I was lounging, lifting weights while watching SportsCenter when my phone rang.
“What’s up, brat?” I said, when I saw who it was.
I heard heavy breathing and then a sob broke over the line. “Sid?”
“Anna? What’s wrong, baby?”
“Dan broke up with me.”
“I’m on my way.”
I raced down to the garage and sped off to her apartment. I found her there, curled on the couch.
My heart broke when I saw her, and I dropped onto the couch and collected her in my arms in a giant embrace.
“He didn’t know where I was yesterday, and flipped out when he found out I was with you. He doesn’t like you or trust you, so he thought I was sneaking off to be with you. He accused me of cheating,” she whispered.
“He’s a dickhead.” I said firmly.
“No, Sid, I loved him,” she wailed, she went on. “But he didn’t even listen to me! He didn’t listen to anything I had to say.”
“That’s not fair. You deserve better.”
“I didn’t do anything wrong!” She said, getting angry.
“I know. He’s an ass.”
She shook her head, silent, as tears fell again.
I looked down at her. She was so upset, yet so angry. It pained me to see her like this. Danny Boy was such an ass. How could he reject such a beautiful girl? Did he not see how lucky he was? What kind of dickhead would cause harm to such an incredible person who did not have a mean bone in her body? Who was the friendliest, smartest, funniest, goofiest, most magnetic, most selfless girl that I knew? Who could make me smile just by walking into the room? Who charmed even my stonecold dad, who distrusted most girls my age? I looked down at her, full of anger at Danny Dumb Dick, and something else. Full of…love.
My heart started pounding. Everything fell into place. It made sense now. Why I was so disinterested in other girls after the second date. Why Danny irked me so much, his recent antics aside.
I was in love with Anna.
I had been from the day I met her. I’d just been to blind to see it. Too stubborn. Too naive. And I knew now that I wouldn’t have to look any further than what was lying in my arms on this dirty couch.
“Sid, thanks for being here, but .. don’t leave just yet.”
“Not me, I’m not going anywhere.”
Ever.
July 2007.
Sidney Crosby’s point-of-view- July 2007
I’m an aunt!!!! Paige Mackenzie was born at 2:13 AM, 8 lbs, 2 oz, 21 ½ inches of pure gorgeousness and sweetness! So very happy!!!!!!!
I read this text message and smiled and sent back a congratulatory reply to Anna. I then called a Pittsburgh florist and ordered a huge pink bouquet sent to Mike and Stacey’s hospital room. The whole Kirschner clan was probably over the moon.
“Who are you texting?” Chris Gaughran, my oldest buddy, said, as we plopped our stuff down on the deck to get ready for a day of fishing.
“Anna.”
“Am I ever going to meet this chick?”
“Why would you want to meet her?”
“Umm, because you always talk about her, talk to her, and she’s hot?’
“We’re just friends. Nothing too exciting, man.”
“Yeah, that’s what they all say, bro. You’re telling me you haven’t banged her?”
“That’s what I’m telling you.”
Chris shook his head, “Unreal.”
“Will it ever happen?”
“Nah. She’s got her own boy toy thing going on.”
“Really? You jealous?”
“No, but he sounds like such a prick. She can do so much better.”
“Awwwwww,” the mockery in Chris’ voice was evident, “You do care.”
“She’s a friend.”
“You wish it was you.”
“No.”
“You do, and listen to me. We’re 19. We’re at the prime of our life. Don’t let this girl consume you. Let her be with her prick. Don’t worry about it. There’s a lot more fish in the sea,” and with that, Chris picked up his fishing rod and threw it into the sea. I did the same.
Anna’s point of view- August 2007
I weaved my way through the terminal, so excited to be back on Pittsburgh soil with my new tan and a new love. I don’t even care how cheesy that sounds. I’d just gotten back from my dream California vacation with Danny. It was amazing. We were officially a couple. Beautiful sunsets, beautiful people, beautiful places. But it wasn’t Pittsburgh- which will always be my first love.
I was ecstatic when I saw my dad there to pick me up, and gave him a big hug. “I’m so glad you’re home, sweetheart.”
“Oh, I’m glad to be home.”
“I have so many new pictures of Paige to show you.”
I’d talked to Sidney a lot through the summer and had found a funky surfer’s necklace to give to him. He seemed skeptical of Danny, but he would get over it, I’m sure. Danny would win him over. How could he not?
January 2008
Things with Danny were great. He was so sweet. He told me he was in love with me, and he didn’t even care that I didn’t say it back to him for a while. We spent every waking minute together. My friends gushed over how attentive and loving he was, and how good we looked together.
He got along great with my friends. My brothers were hesitant about this new guy, my mom was ready to make him a son-in-law and Sidney was a pain in Danny’s ass.
“I just don’t trust him,” he said, while I pleaded that Sidney was one of my best friends, and I’d trust him with my life. But Sidney had just recently gotten injured with a high-ankle sprain, and I felt at this time he’d need me more than ever. I was driving him to his appointment tomorrow, but neglected to tell Danny this.
“Hey Amos,” I said. My dad had started to calling Sidney “Famous Amos”, and I adopted to shortening it in variations: ‘Amsley’ or ‘Amsley snickerdoodle’ was a favorite I liked to whip out, especially when he was with a girl. Like any good nickname, I didn’t know where in my brain I pulled it from.
“Hey Pita,” he responded, his own nickname for me which stood for ‘Pain In The Ass.’
I looked over at him, giggling, and he started laughing back.
“Go, James,” he instructed in a totally ridiculous accent.
“How’s it feeling today?”
“Fine. Let’s not talk about it.”
That was something I learned early on with Sidney, when he didn’t want to deal with it- we were not to talk about it.
We pulled into his physical therapist’ office and he said, “I’ll be seriously five minutes. I’m getting a boot. Don’t leave, James.”
“Not me. I’m not going anywhere.”
I’m an aunt!!!! Paige Mackenzie was born at 2:13 AM, 8 lbs, 2 oz, 21 ½ inches of pure gorgeousness and sweetness! So very happy!!!!!!!
I read this text message and smiled and sent back a congratulatory reply to Anna. I then called a Pittsburgh florist and ordered a huge pink bouquet sent to Mike and Stacey’s hospital room. The whole Kirschner clan was probably over the moon.
“Who are you texting?” Chris Gaughran, my oldest buddy, said, as we plopped our stuff down on the deck to get ready for a day of fishing.
“Anna.”
“Am I ever going to meet this chick?”
“Why would you want to meet her?”
“Umm, because you always talk about her, talk to her, and she’s hot?’
“We’re just friends. Nothing too exciting, man.”
“Yeah, that’s what they all say, bro. You’re telling me you haven’t banged her?”
“That’s what I’m telling you.”
Chris shook his head, “Unreal.”
“Will it ever happen?”
“Nah. She’s got her own boy toy thing going on.”
“Really? You jealous?”
“No, but he sounds like such a prick. She can do so much better.”
“Awwwwww,” the mockery in Chris’ voice was evident, “You do care.”
“She’s a friend.”
“You wish it was you.”
“No.”
“You do, and listen to me. We’re 19. We’re at the prime of our life. Don’t let this girl consume you. Let her be with her prick. Don’t worry about it. There’s a lot more fish in the sea,” and with that, Chris picked up his fishing rod and threw it into the sea. I did the same.
Anna’s point of view- August 2007
I weaved my way through the terminal, so excited to be back on Pittsburgh soil with my new tan and a new love. I don’t even care how cheesy that sounds. I’d just gotten back from my dream California vacation with Danny. It was amazing. We were officially a couple. Beautiful sunsets, beautiful people, beautiful places. But it wasn’t Pittsburgh- which will always be my first love.
I was ecstatic when I saw my dad there to pick me up, and gave him a big hug. “I’m so glad you’re home, sweetheart.”
“Oh, I’m glad to be home.”
“I have so many new pictures of Paige to show you.”
I’d talked to Sidney a lot through the summer and had found a funky surfer’s necklace to give to him. He seemed skeptical of Danny, but he would get over it, I’m sure. Danny would win him over. How could he not?
January 2008
Things with Danny were great. He was so sweet. He told me he was in love with me, and he didn’t even care that I didn’t say it back to him for a while. We spent every waking minute together. My friends gushed over how attentive and loving he was, and how good we looked together.
He got along great with my friends. My brothers were hesitant about this new guy, my mom was ready to make him a son-in-law and Sidney was a pain in Danny’s ass.
“I just don’t trust him,” he said, while I pleaded that Sidney was one of my best friends, and I’d trust him with my life. But Sidney had just recently gotten injured with a high-ankle sprain, and I felt at this time he’d need me more than ever. I was driving him to his appointment tomorrow, but neglected to tell Danny this.
“Hey Amos,” I said. My dad had started to calling Sidney “Famous Amos”, and I adopted to shortening it in variations: ‘Amsley’ or ‘Amsley snickerdoodle’ was a favorite I liked to whip out, especially when he was with a girl. Like any good nickname, I didn’t know where in my brain I pulled it from.
“Hey Pita,” he responded, his own nickname for me which stood for ‘Pain In The Ass.’
I looked over at him, giggling, and he started laughing back.
“Go, James,” he instructed in a totally ridiculous accent.
“How’s it feeling today?”
“Fine. Let’s not talk about it.”
That was something I learned early on with Sidney, when he didn’t want to deal with it- we were not to talk about it.
We pulled into his physical therapist’ office and he said, “I’ll be seriously five minutes. I’m getting a boot. Don’t leave, James.”
“Not me. I’m not going anywhere.”
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