Live In Reality

Lenore leaned her head on Sidney’s shoulder as they sat in the stands watching the night’s speed skating program. He had taken her out that night to dinner and they had decided on an event to watch.

“Tired?” Sidney asked with a chuckle.

Lenore shrugged. “Just a bit. But I want to stay.”

He nodded and squeezed his wife’s hand. She had both rings on, putting Sidney on edge. It wasn’t that he didn’t like seeing them-he did. Sidney just didn’t want people finding out about their marriage through people on the sidewalk or in the stands.

Lenore couldn’t help but notice the way Sidney ran his fingers over the rings she now wore. It was like he didn’t want people seeing them. Was he regretting his decisions?

She shook her head to get the thoughts out. She shouldn’t be thinking like that, she was married now. But something kept nagging at her.

“Come on,” Sidney said into her ear. “You’re half asleep and I don’t know if I can carry you back to the hotel.”

“Are you saying I weigh too much?” Lenore feigned hurt. “Or maybe you’re not strong enough.”

They had made their way outside by then and Sidney turned to Lenore, dropping her hand.

“I’ll show you strong,” he smirked.

“Oh really?” Lenore stood back with her hands on her hips. “I dare you.”

Sidney bent and grabbed her by her knees, tossing her over his shoulder. Lenore yelped as he hitched her up over his arms.

“Not exactly what I meant, Crosby!” Lenore groaned as he began walking.

“You can’t use your own last name against yourself, you know,” he said as he playfully hit her butt.

“Hey now!” she giggled. “We’re in a public place!”

He laughed and set her down, only to pull her into his chest.

“What if I said I didn’t care?”

Lenore giggled into his chest before looking up at him. “Well, then, I’d have to say I didn’t really mind.”

“Good,” Sidney said as he brought his lips down to Lenore’s.

They shared a brief kiss before Lenore stood back and looked up at him with a smug expression.

“Weren’t you the one saying I was ‘exhausted’?” she asked arching an eyebrow.

Sidney rolled his eyes playfully before taking her hand-the left one, of course- and began leading her towards their hotel. It was getting late in the city of Vancouver and tomorrow was promising to be a big day. Team Canada had one game left to win before they had a shot at a gold medal and it would be a hard fight for the team.

*****

Sidney couldn’t help but notice how quiet Lenore had become on their way back to the hotel. When they had arrived back at the room, Lenore had gone directly in to shower without a word. Something was up and Sidney couldn’t help but worry that it was something he’d done.

As Lenore emerged from the bathroom in her pjs, she saw Sidney peering cautiously at her from the other side of the room.

“Can we talk?” he asked motioning for her to sit on the couch with him.

She nodded and adjusted the towel around her hair before sitting down next to him.

“What’s up?” she wondered as she fiddled with her fingers.

“You got all quiet and reserved on me,” Sidney said. “And when that happens, it usually means you’re upset. What’s on your mind, Len?”

Lenore took a deep breath and started talking, not stopping to breathe again until she had finished.

“Okay, first off,” Sidney said putting his hands on her shoulders. “Breathe. Second, I’m not going to lie to you. Seeing you wearing the rings out in public so much worries me a little. But before you go jumping to conclusions, let me explain.”

Trying to contain the worry and fear that was clouding her mind, Lenore nodded.

“I just don’t want people making assumptions about our relationship or finding out about what we did through a picture or word of mouth,” he said. “I want it to come from the two of us.”

“You say it like we did something scandalous, Sidney,” Lenore said quietly. “We got married, that’s not against the law.”

“No, wait,” Sidney was kicking himself for not thinking his words through more carefully. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?” Lenore was getting frustrated. She was having flashbacks to that night weeks ago when she walked out. Except this time, the consequences could be more severe.

“I meant that we did something behind a lot of people’s backs and they still don’t know,” he said carefully. “It’s still a ‘thing’, but I didn’t mean it in a bad way, I promise.”

“But why does it bother you that I wear my rings? You wear your wedding band and you’re Sidney Crosby. People are bound to notice it on you more than on me,” Lenore reasoned.

“I know, I know,” he said. “I just want it to come from us and not a tabloid somewhere. Don’t think for one minute that I regret what I did. I don’t.”

Lenore breathed a sigh of relief. Yet again she’d been worrying over nothing.

“Why was this so easy to overcome compared to last time?” she asked as Sidney pulled her close.

He chuckled. “Maybe because we actually talked through it right away?”

“Maybe,” she agreed. “That’s what we’ll have to start doing then, you know. We won’t be able to let things stay bottled up.”

“Yeah, because you’re a living time bomb,” Sidney joked tickling her side.

“You’re the one who plays fucking hockey for a living. Why you want to do something so dangerous is beyond me,” Lenore laughed.

“I’m in it for the money, you know that,” he laughed, continuing the joke.

“I’m glad that’s not true,” she sighed as she leaned against his shoulder to catch her breath.

“Aren’t we both?” he nodded.

“Yeah, we are,” Lenore smiled happily.

Things would work out, she knew it.