Sequel: Science & Faith ›
Fairytales & Lullabies
I'm no prince charming,
“Because we’re a family!” Anne and I screamed at the same time. We both fell back onto the couch and focused our attention back on our favorite movie.
Growing up in Minnesota I was surrounded by hockey. After all, Minnesota is the state of hockey. My neighbors would build a rink in their yard every winter, putting it up right before the first snowfall and waiting to take it down until the last minute. Hockey games were a must on any given night, with the local university being an attraction. Our local high school team was decent, but they always gave the crowd a good game.
I had spent as much time as I possibly could at the local rink. I got a job there when I was 14 selling concessions at peewee and high school games. Eventually, I was able to help several hockey teams with their equipment. I became a pro at sharpening skates and quickly stitching holes in uniforms.
My passion for hockey followed me as I started my freshman year at the University of Minnesota. With a great recommendation from the high school coach, I was lucky enough to work with the men’s and women’s hockey teams as part of the equipment staff. I was also very fortunate to work only home games and games that didn’t require me to miss any class.
I got to know the guys and girls on the teams, but kept relatively to myself. The only person I was close to was my best friend Anne and my younger sister Emma. We did everything together in high school and Anne was my roommate in college. She studied psychology and I studied accounting. We were both lucky enough to graduate a year early. Although, she had gone right back to school to get her master’s, I was content with a bachelor’s degree. I was barely 21 and ready to take on the world.
It was no secret as to who our favorite hockey team was. Anne started following the Penguins ever since her parents introduced them to her. I had never followed any other team besides the ones in Minnesota, so I quickly became a Pens fan because of Anne. We spent several days a week watching the games online. The team was a large part of our lives.
So when I got a phone call from a strange number I had no idea it would change my life. I had been at Anne’s apartment for the last two hours, watching movies. It was mid July and I had to figure out what I was going to do for a job, and soon. Anne’s apartment was nice, but I didn’t want to over stay my welcome. If I didn’t find a job soon, my parent’s house was the next best thing. My phone rang during Herb Brooks’ infamous speech before the game against the Soviet Union. “Hello?”
“Is this Ms. Greta Peters?”
“This is she.” I gave Anne a confused look as we both abandoned our favorite movie. She moved next me on the coach and tried to listen to the caller with me.
“This is Dana Heinze, I’m the head equipment manager with the Pittsburgh Penguins. We’ve been looking for someone to fill our assistant equipment manager spot. I’ve called around to some of the top hockey programs and Coach Lucia brought up your name.”
“My name? I don’t understand…” I moved away from Anne and walked into her kitchen. She tried to follow me, but I gave her a stern look.
The man on the phone let out a laugh, “We want you to join our team. We’d like you to fly out to Pittsburgh next week, on us of course, and help us get a sense of your work ethic. If everything goes well, we’d hope you’d move out here and be a part of our team.”
I was completely shocked. Me? They want me? “Of course, I mean, this is something I’ve only dreamed about. I’d love to join the team!” It was a job I had only dreamed about. “I’m just a little confused. Why would I be up for this job? I’m sure plenty of others have applied.”
“Yes, we have received other applicants, but we like to bring people with talent. Coach Lucia has told me how well you can sharpen skates under pressure, which is a great asset for this job. The other applicants don’t have what it takes, but according to Coach Lucia, you’ve proven yourself at the colligate level. Like hockey players, I believe that coaches and the people behind the scenes deserve to go professional. So what do you say?”
“I’ll be there.” I smiled as I said this.
“Alright, it’s settled then. Let me just get your information and we’ll send your plane ticket and other information to you this week.”
When I hung up the phone, I looked at Anne with a large smile on my face. I threw my hands into the air, “I’m going to Pittsburgh!”
Growing up in Minnesota I was surrounded by hockey. After all, Minnesota is the state of hockey. My neighbors would build a rink in their yard every winter, putting it up right before the first snowfall and waiting to take it down until the last minute. Hockey games were a must on any given night, with the local university being an attraction. Our local high school team was decent, but they always gave the crowd a good game.
I had spent as much time as I possibly could at the local rink. I got a job there when I was 14 selling concessions at peewee and high school games. Eventually, I was able to help several hockey teams with their equipment. I became a pro at sharpening skates and quickly stitching holes in uniforms.
My passion for hockey followed me as I started my freshman year at the University of Minnesota. With a great recommendation from the high school coach, I was lucky enough to work with the men’s and women’s hockey teams as part of the equipment staff. I was also very fortunate to work only home games and games that didn’t require me to miss any class.
I got to know the guys and girls on the teams, but kept relatively to myself. The only person I was close to was my best friend Anne and my younger sister Emma. We did everything together in high school and Anne was my roommate in college. She studied psychology and I studied accounting. We were both lucky enough to graduate a year early. Although, she had gone right back to school to get her master’s, I was content with a bachelor’s degree. I was barely 21 and ready to take on the world.
It was no secret as to who our favorite hockey team was. Anne started following the Penguins ever since her parents introduced them to her. I had never followed any other team besides the ones in Minnesota, so I quickly became a Pens fan because of Anne. We spent several days a week watching the games online. The team was a large part of our lives.
So when I got a phone call from a strange number I had no idea it would change my life. I had been at Anne’s apartment for the last two hours, watching movies. It was mid July and I had to figure out what I was going to do for a job, and soon. Anne’s apartment was nice, but I didn’t want to over stay my welcome. If I didn’t find a job soon, my parent’s house was the next best thing. My phone rang during Herb Brooks’ infamous speech before the game against the Soviet Union. “Hello?”
“Is this Ms. Greta Peters?”
“This is she.” I gave Anne a confused look as we both abandoned our favorite movie. She moved next me on the coach and tried to listen to the caller with me.
“This is Dana Heinze, I’m the head equipment manager with the Pittsburgh Penguins. We’ve been looking for someone to fill our assistant equipment manager spot. I’ve called around to some of the top hockey programs and Coach Lucia brought up your name.”
“My name? I don’t understand…” I moved away from Anne and walked into her kitchen. She tried to follow me, but I gave her a stern look.
The man on the phone let out a laugh, “We want you to join our team. We’d like you to fly out to Pittsburgh next week, on us of course, and help us get a sense of your work ethic. If everything goes well, we’d hope you’d move out here and be a part of our team.”
I was completely shocked. Me? They want me? “Of course, I mean, this is something I’ve only dreamed about. I’d love to join the team!” It was a job I had only dreamed about. “I’m just a little confused. Why would I be up for this job? I’m sure plenty of others have applied.”
“Yes, we have received other applicants, but we like to bring people with talent. Coach Lucia has told me how well you can sharpen skates under pressure, which is a great asset for this job. The other applicants don’t have what it takes, but according to Coach Lucia, you’ve proven yourself at the colligate level. Like hockey players, I believe that coaches and the people behind the scenes deserve to go professional. So what do you say?”
“I’ll be there.” I smiled as I said this.
“Alright, it’s settled then. Let me just get your information and we’ll send your plane ticket and other information to you this week.”
When I hung up the phone, I looked at Anne with a large smile on my face. I threw my hands into the air, “I’m going to Pittsburgh!”
♠ ♠ ♠
It's just the beginning! I can't wait to get this entire story out! I have it all written and edited already, so there are now worries of it never finishing! Comments?