The Assistant
Packing Up
Just as the man had said, Laura got a call from his secretary a few hours later that day. The woman had been brief but explained that Laura would be scheduled to arrive in Chicago next week. Her tickets were being mailed to her as they spoke, her trip would be fully paid for of course, and that someone would be waiting for her at the airport to welcome her. And thought the new seemed to be getting old now, it was only starting to stick in her mind that this was actually going to happen.
It seemed like it had only been a few days ago that Laura had gotten the news that she was headed out to Illinois. The Stanley Cup champions were giving her the chance to fly there, hang out, do some work, and see the city. What more could a girl ask for? Each day she checked off her calendar only made her more and more excited to head to Chicago. And finally, that day was almost here. It was the day before Laura was scheduled to depart from good old Van city and head south of the border. It was a strange thing, this whole scenario. She was a Canadian girl who was headed to Chicago to be an assistant for a rival team. “Can’t really call the Blackhawks a rival team. I do love them just as much as the Canucks,” she thought to herself. And it was completely true. No one ever said you could only support one team. In Laura’s case, she loved two teams that loved to hate each other. “Oh the irony,” Laura smiled laughing to herself.
She was in her room, tearing the place apart, trying to make sure she had packed everything she would need. “This used to be so much easier when Mom helped me,” Laura remarked, blowing a strand of her brunette hair out of her face. Mom. The thought occurred to her that she’d never told her family about this! She’d practically been watching hockey since birth. Were it not for her parents craze for the sport, she might not be obsessed with it herself. She picked up her cell phone off the floor and stood up. It felt as if this was becoming a new routine for her. Her phone was constantly pressed to her ear as more of her friends heard the news. It only made answering each phone call more of a task since it turned out Mai had slipped the secret to everyone that she had a little crush on one of the players. “Yeah, little.” Laura thought, eyeing the posters of Patrick Kane that lined her room walls. Not that it was a big deal or anything; she wasn’t headed out to marry the guy. As much as she liked that idea.
Stumbling over a pair of jeans, she headed over to her big bedroom window. “Apartments suck,” she complained. But she knew it was just the loneliness talking. Her Vancouver apartment was perfect. From her room window she had a great view of the massive city. Heck, she could even catch a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean from where she stood. The place was large and spacious. Much more than most people could ask for. But it just wasn’t the same without her loving parents and younger brother. “Correction, being homesick sucks,” she thought. Leaning against the glass of her window, she dialled the number for back home. Surprisingly enough, her Dad picked up. On the first ring.
“Hello?”His familiar voice spoke on the other end.
“Dad? It’s me, Laura.” She replied.
“Laura? Oh sweetie, it’s so good to hear from you! Whatever made you remember us old folks?” He joked.
“Dad, you’re not old. And I just wanted to talk to you guys. I have big news!” Which she did of course.
“Well kiddo, I’m all ears.” He replied coolly.
Laura drew in a breath. This might not be as easy as she thought it would be. Her Dad pretty much despised the Blackhawks. But it was hockey related none-the-less. Couldn’t hurt to tell him a little slowly?
“So I entered this draw a while back. And I won it.” She knew she sounded pathetic. He would know something was up in a matter of seconds.
“O-kay?” He responded.
“And the winner gets to be an assistant to an equipment monitor of an NHL team.” She was trying to drag this out slowly.
“Well, that’s great Laur.”
“And they have a team picked out already and everything....” She trailed off, hopefully he’d catch on. There was silence.
“It’s a team that I don’t like, isn’t it?” He asked. A little too calmly.
“Yeaaaaaah,” Laura answered sheepishly.
“Well, who is it?” He continued.
“Blackhawks.” Laura answered slowly. Her Dad didn’t reply. “Dad?” Laura asked when he still didn’t respond. “Are you mad? I won’t go if it makes you upset, I mean I love them but if it makes you unhappy – I’ll cancel completely, it’s no big deal, are you still there? Hello? Dad?”
She could hear a muffled chocking noise almost. Suddenly her Dad burst out laughing. At first it was a little scary. Was he so upset that he’d completely lost it? Over a free trip? But her worries were soon put to rest.
“Oh man, you still haven’t changed have you worry wart?” He managed to get out while trying to get a hold of himself.
Laura let out a sigh of relief. “So you’re not mad? I can go?”
“Of course you can go dear. Why would I be mad? This is the chance of a life time. Plus you’re old enough to make your decisions now aren’t you?” He did have a point.
“Yeah, but I’m still your little girl Dad,” she smiled.
“That will never change, no matter where you go. I’d talk to you longer but your brother here is itching to hear the news from you. I’m handing him the phone okay? Love you Laur.”
“Love you too Dad,” she replied.
“Hey Laur!” Laura smiled at her little brother’s voice. With her having moved away to go study art at University, and his own hockey career starting up – they never had time to hang out like they used to.
“Hey Adam, how goes it?” Laura asked.
“Ah, same old, same old. So what’s this I hear about the Blackhawks? You going out with one of them or something?” He had no filter. Not even after all these years.
“Oh my gosh, you idiot! Why would you ask me that? And no I’m not!” Laura was mortified. These weren’t the kind of things she wanted to bring up with her family. Especially if her parents were around. They could be – protective. “I won this contest thing and tomorrow I’m going to Chicago to help out as an assistant to the equipment monitor. Honestly I’m getting tired of repeating this.” She groaned.
“Wow. That’s an accomplishment.” He sassed.
“Hey, Mission’s only two hours away from here, better watch it squirt!” Laura threatened.
“Ooh, I’m soo scared!” He laughed.
“Same old, same old, huh? How’s it been going with hockey?” Laura asked, suddenly remembering her brother’s ambitions. At seventeen, he was quite the superstar.
“It’s really good! We’ve got a real good team this year.” Enthusiasm filled his voice. He was so happy when it came to talking about hockey.
“That’s great to hear! Is Mom around? I’ve got to talk to her too.” It felt like it had been ages since she’d last spoken to her Mom. Or maybe two weeks? Either way – they had a lot to catch up on.
“Yeah, here she is. It was nice to hear from you again Lo.”
“Nice talking to you too Adam. Good luck with hockey. I’ll have to come out to a game soon!”
“Ha-yeah, here’s Mom.”
He’d handed the phone to their mother. “My kittyyyyyyy!” A piercing squeal filled Laura’s ears as she squirmed. “Yep, there’s Mom for ya,” she thought smiling.
“Hey Mom! I hope Dad filled you in on everything cuz I really don’t want to repeat that story.”
“Yes, yes. I heard it all. Aren't you excited? This must be a dream come true for you!” Her Mom seemed more excited about this than she was herself.
“Oh man Mom. You have no idea.”
Laura talked to her Mom for what felt like an eternity. But she enjoyed every second of it. After giggling and catching up on the usual gossip of life, her Mother gave her an ear full about being careful and not accepting things from strangers, to watch her back as usual, and to call once she arrived in Chicago.
“Alright Mom, I’d better finish packing if I plan on going anywhere. I’ll call you after I land at the airport okay?”
“Alright Laur. Get some sleep now, okay? You have a big day ahead of you tomorrow.”
“Okay Mom, love you, goodnight.” Laura hung up and rubbed her ear. “No more phone calls until tomorrow,” she yawned.
It seemed like it had only been a few days ago that Laura had gotten the news that she was headed out to Illinois. The Stanley Cup champions were giving her the chance to fly there, hang out, do some work, and see the city. What more could a girl ask for? Each day she checked off her calendar only made her more and more excited to head to Chicago. And finally, that day was almost here. It was the day before Laura was scheduled to depart from good old Van city and head south of the border. It was a strange thing, this whole scenario. She was a Canadian girl who was headed to Chicago to be an assistant for a rival team. “Can’t really call the Blackhawks a rival team. I do love them just as much as the Canucks,” she thought to herself. And it was completely true. No one ever said you could only support one team. In Laura’s case, she loved two teams that loved to hate each other. “Oh the irony,” Laura smiled laughing to herself.
She was in her room, tearing the place apart, trying to make sure she had packed everything she would need. “This used to be so much easier when Mom helped me,” Laura remarked, blowing a strand of her brunette hair out of her face. Mom. The thought occurred to her that she’d never told her family about this! She’d practically been watching hockey since birth. Were it not for her parents craze for the sport, she might not be obsessed with it herself. She picked up her cell phone off the floor and stood up. It felt as if this was becoming a new routine for her. Her phone was constantly pressed to her ear as more of her friends heard the news. It only made answering each phone call more of a task since it turned out Mai had slipped the secret to everyone that she had a little crush on one of the players. “Yeah, little.” Laura thought, eyeing the posters of Patrick Kane that lined her room walls. Not that it was a big deal or anything; she wasn’t headed out to marry the guy. As much as she liked that idea.
Stumbling over a pair of jeans, she headed over to her big bedroom window. “Apartments suck,” she complained. But she knew it was just the loneliness talking. Her Vancouver apartment was perfect. From her room window she had a great view of the massive city. Heck, she could even catch a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean from where she stood. The place was large and spacious. Much more than most people could ask for. But it just wasn’t the same without her loving parents and younger brother. “Correction, being homesick sucks,” she thought. Leaning against the glass of her window, she dialled the number for back home. Surprisingly enough, her Dad picked up. On the first ring.
“Hello?”His familiar voice spoke on the other end.
“Dad? It’s me, Laura.” She replied.
“Laura? Oh sweetie, it’s so good to hear from you! Whatever made you remember us old folks?” He joked.
“Dad, you’re not old. And I just wanted to talk to you guys. I have big news!” Which she did of course.
“Well kiddo, I’m all ears.” He replied coolly.
Laura drew in a breath. This might not be as easy as she thought it would be. Her Dad pretty much despised the Blackhawks. But it was hockey related none-the-less. Couldn’t hurt to tell him a little slowly?
“So I entered this draw a while back. And I won it.” She knew she sounded pathetic. He would know something was up in a matter of seconds.
“O-kay?” He responded.
“And the winner gets to be an assistant to an equipment monitor of an NHL team.” She was trying to drag this out slowly.
“Well, that’s great Laur.”
“And they have a team picked out already and everything....” She trailed off, hopefully he’d catch on. There was silence.
“It’s a team that I don’t like, isn’t it?” He asked. A little too calmly.
“Yeaaaaaah,” Laura answered sheepishly.
“Well, who is it?” He continued.
“Blackhawks.” Laura answered slowly. Her Dad didn’t reply. “Dad?” Laura asked when he still didn’t respond. “Are you mad? I won’t go if it makes you upset, I mean I love them but if it makes you unhappy – I’ll cancel completely, it’s no big deal, are you still there? Hello? Dad?”
She could hear a muffled chocking noise almost. Suddenly her Dad burst out laughing. At first it was a little scary. Was he so upset that he’d completely lost it? Over a free trip? But her worries were soon put to rest.
“Oh man, you still haven’t changed have you worry wart?” He managed to get out while trying to get a hold of himself.
Laura let out a sigh of relief. “So you’re not mad? I can go?”
“Of course you can go dear. Why would I be mad? This is the chance of a life time. Plus you’re old enough to make your decisions now aren’t you?” He did have a point.
“Yeah, but I’m still your little girl Dad,” she smiled.
“That will never change, no matter where you go. I’d talk to you longer but your brother here is itching to hear the news from you. I’m handing him the phone okay? Love you Laur.”
“Love you too Dad,” she replied.
“Hey Laur!” Laura smiled at her little brother’s voice. With her having moved away to go study art at University, and his own hockey career starting up – they never had time to hang out like they used to.
“Hey Adam, how goes it?” Laura asked.
“Ah, same old, same old. So what’s this I hear about the Blackhawks? You going out with one of them or something?” He had no filter. Not even after all these years.
“Oh my gosh, you idiot! Why would you ask me that? And no I’m not!” Laura was mortified. These weren’t the kind of things she wanted to bring up with her family. Especially if her parents were around. They could be – protective. “I won this contest thing and tomorrow I’m going to Chicago to help out as an assistant to the equipment monitor. Honestly I’m getting tired of repeating this.” She groaned.
“Wow. That’s an accomplishment.” He sassed.
“Hey, Mission’s only two hours away from here, better watch it squirt!” Laura threatened.
“Ooh, I’m soo scared!” He laughed.
“Same old, same old, huh? How’s it been going with hockey?” Laura asked, suddenly remembering her brother’s ambitions. At seventeen, he was quite the superstar.
“It’s really good! We’ve got a real good team this year.” Enthusiasm filled his voice. He was so happy when it came to talking about hockey.
“That’s great to hear! Is Mom around? I’ve got to talk to her too.” It felt like it had been ages since she’d last spoken to her Mom. Or maybe two weeks? Either way – they had a lot to catch up on.
“Yeah, here she is. It was nice to hear from you again Lo.”
“Nice talking to you too Adam. Good luck with hockey. I’ll have to come out to a game soon!”
“Ha-yeah, here’s Mom.”
He’d handed the phone to their mother. “My kittyyyyyyy!” A piercing squeal filled Laura’s ears as she squirmed. “Yep, there’s Mom for ya,” she thought smiling.
“Hey Mom! I hope Dad filled you in on everything cuz I really don’t want to repeat that story.”
“Yes, yes. I heard it all. Aren't you excited? This must be a dream come true for you!” Her Mom seemed more excited about this than she was herself.
“Oh man Mom. You have no idea.”
Laura talked to her Mom for what felt like an eternity. But she enjoyed every second of it. After giggling and catching up on the usual gossip of life, her Mother gave her an ear full about being careful and not accepting things from strangers, to watch her back as usual, and to call once she arrived in Chicago.
“Alright Mom, I’d better finish packing if I plan on going anywhere. I’ll call you after I land at the airport okay?”
“Alright Laur. Get some sleep now, okay? You have a big day ahead of you tomorrow.”
“Okay Mom, love you, goodnight.” Laura hung up and rubbed her ear. “No more phone calls until tomorrow,” she yawned.
9/20/13