“No. That came after…or at least I think so.”

“So what happened?”

“Truth? It doesn’t matter. He and I aren’t meant to be together. I thought having Abby—our little mid-life surprise—might be the glue, but…I’m OK. Actually, I’m happier. Ricky’s a good dad and that’s all that’s important. Besides, it’s better the kids see us apart and happy than miserable together.”

Rick’s words resonated in James’s mind. They hadn’t been happy in a long time... Mary had focused so much energy on their father. He had to ask the question. “Mary, do you hold it against me that I left?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You were just a kid, and I left you to deal with dad...everything. Do you hold that against me? I mean you have every right. I was so selfish.”

“Yes, you were, but you were also hurting, and I knew that. To everyone around here you were a hero, but I saw what was going on.”

“How can I fix that?”

“You can’t. But it’s not important. What is important to me is that you’re here now and you find some peace.” She patted his arm in a comforting gesture that had a humbling effect.

She motioned for Abby, and he gently handed off his niece.

As he watched Mary carry Abby down the hallway, he thanked God for his family—whether his words were heard or not. There were still miles to go on the road to reconciliation with his father, but James literally had the most caring sister in the world. Mary was like their mother, nurturing, kind, and willing to set her needs aside to meet others until they figured it all out. She gave people the gift of time, while she continued being the woman God meant her to be. It was a humbling realization, the second moment of humbleness that James had felt this evening.

8

The crowd roared as Duane’s son, Carter, led the team down the ice. With seconds to go, Carter slapped in the winning goal. Cheers exploded both in and out of the hockey rink. James and his dad jumped up with the rest of the crowd, clapping and cheering like mad.

“He’s good!” his dad said.

“Real good. Better than I ever was.”

“Not that good!” His dad eyed him soberly for a moment then grinned and rejoined the cheering.

James almost staggered at his father’s moment of connection. A breakthrough, finally. Maybe they could salvage something after all.

Down on the ice, the team jumped all over Carter and exchanged high-fives as the crowd began to file from the risers.

As James and his dad headed out the door, Duane hailed James.

James looked back and Duane held up a hand.

“Uh, Dad, I’ll meet you back in the truck,” James said, patting his dad on the back. He turned and made his way upstream through the exiting crowd as Duane met him halfway.

Duane leaned in so he could be heard above the bustling crowd that surrounded them. “Listen, thought you might want to know; they’re gonna be moving Travis. I guess whatever’s gonna happen next is setting up to happen before the year’s out.”