Fairytales & Lullabies

Morning skate went smoothly and everyone was excited for the first game of the season. I stayed behind at the arena with the rest of the equipment staff, while the players and coaches went back to the hotel to eat and have a nap.

I spent my time talking with Dana and Danny, the other equipment assistant and sharpening skates. We joked as we did our work until Dana told me that I needed to work on taping sticks. So, I left Danny with the rest of the skates and went to the bag of unused sticks.

I grabbed the first one I saw a worked on it. I worked meticulously, placing the tape on it to be perfect. I put it up against the wall to admire my work, and for Dana to see when he came by.

***

Dana never got to see my first taped stick. I had walked to an empty room to fit in a quick nap, and was woken up by Sid poking my side with it. I rolled over to face him, "What’s up?" My hands went straight to my eyes to rub the tiredness out of my body.

"Do you know who taped this stick?" He held it up.

"Yeah," I sat up with a yawn and stretched my arms out, "I did."

He sighed and looked frustrated. He ran his hand through his hair, "I know you're new, and I consider you a friend, but no one else tapes my sticks, alright?"

"I had no idea it was yours, I just grabbed one from the bag." I got up from my spot and started walking towards the locker room with Sid following behind me. "Why is it such a big deal?"

"I don't like anyone else touching them on game days. It's just a superstition I have."

I looked at him for a moment. "Play with that stick tonight," I told him pointing at the stick in his hand. He laughed at what he considered a joke. “No. I’m serious. Play with that exact stick tonight.”

"Why should I?" He looked at me confused.

"Maybe it'll give you a new superstition. One that involves me taping your sticks."

"I don't know Greta..." He took the stick in both hands and held it parallel to the ground, "I've had the same routine for years."

"Exactly! It’s time to change it up a bit. I'll have another stick for you that you taped ready in the tunnel during in case you want it." I opened the door to the locker room and shoved him in, "Good luck tonight!"

***

I kept my eyes on Sid at the start of the game. He had the stick I taped in his hands. He skated around, playing in defensive mode for the first bit of the game. He followed his player and seemed to know exactly what he was going to do.

Sid intercepted the pass and went down to the other end of the arena on a breakaway. The opponents couldn't catch up and Sid faked a forehand shot, but as soon as the goalie moved he moved to his backhand and shot. The buzzer went off and I celebrated with the rest of the equipment staff and trainers in the tunnel near the bench. Sid climbed over the boards to the end seat and turned to me, "It was a lucky shot."

"Or a perfectly taped stick," I smirked back at him. He rolled his eyes at me and turned his focus back to the game.

The game went on in a similar fashion for the Pens. They used every opportunity they were given. Kris was skating faster than any other player and shutting down the opponent’s offense. Sid capitalized with two assists in the second and another goal in the third with four minutes left. I didn't get to see him play after that.

Jordan got into a fight right after Sid's second goal. He was immediately given five minutes for it and headed straight back to the locker room. I immediately followed. Fighting was a part of hockey, I knew that. But I never wanted someone I cared about to take part in it. I had to make sure he was okay.

Jordan sat down in his stall with his head against the back of it. His eyes were closed. He didn't show any emotion. I coughed; he turned his head and opened one eye, "Everything okay?"

I took the seat next to him. He went back to his original position, "Yeah, just a little tired. Could you do me a favor?"

"Sure."

He held up his hands so I could see them. His knuckles were covered in blood, and not just his own. "Could you untie my skates for me? My hands hurt like a bitch."

I got down in front of him and untie his left one first, "Just promise me you'll talk to the trainer about your hands,” I sighed, “And leave the fighting for someone else?”

"Of course to the trainer, and I’ll think about that second part." I took his second skate off and placed the next to his feet. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." I looked at the game clock above the white board. "They’re all coming in soon. I better go."

I walked out in time to stand and give the team fist bumps as they walked to the locker room. Sid was the last one and stopped next to me. "So, I think I'll have you tape my stick every game; that cool?"

I gave him a fist bump, “That's my job." he smiled and I walked back to start packing what I could.