Daddy's Babygirl
Chapter 4
‘Ky is with me. Let me talk to her.’ Uncle Jared sent a text to my dad. ‘alright, thanks man’ he sent back. Uncle Jared took me to get ice cream. “so what was with the fighting?” I explained to him what I told my dad. “you know, your daddy loves you. That’s why he doesn’t want you playing. If you were my little girl, I wouldn’t want you playing either. But since you’re my niece, keep training. Do what you’ve been doing. Your dad will come around eventually. When I watch you, you remind me of him.” He smiled, tickling me as I giggled.
It was preseason time, and I was nervous for my dad. It didn’t help that mom and I couldn’t go to the game, as it was in New Jersey. The school day seemed to drag on and on. I couldn’t wait to get home. I had some homework and mom would only let me watch the game if I finished it before the game. So, yes I did do my homework right away even though I didn’t want to. I knew if I wanted to watch my dad on TV I’d need to do it. I rushed through dinner, and I put on my jersey that said Staal on the back. “mommy is it game time yet?” I asked, not wanting it to be too much longer. “In a few minutes baby.” I sat in front of the TV with my hockey stick.
I screamed really loud when my dad came on the screen. I was so happy he was back, and playing, although I was scared. I wasn’t sure how he would play, and we all knew if daddy played bad, he wouldn’t be happy. The game was going well. The first period, nothing major happened. In the second period, a lot of penalties were made, including my dad. He got an interference call. “seriously daddy?! What were you thinking?” I yelled at the tv, and cried. My dad hardly got penalties. “shh..its okay. Daddy got an interference call. It wasn’t like he fought or anything bad.” My mom tried to calm me down. “but daddy’s never bad.” Eventually I calmed down but I hated that daddy got a ‘time-out’ as we referred to it as long as I could remember. Overall the game went well, but ended in a loss for the Rangers.
The next night, the Rangers played again. Unfortunately my dad wasn’t playing, which bummed me out. “daddy, why aren’t you playing?” I asked him, when I called him after school. “because we need to give other guys a chance to show the coach what they can do.” I still didn’t understand. “but daddy, you need practice. It’s your first game back from getting hurt daddy” He chuckled. “I know babygirl. Maybe I’ll play the next game.” I sighed, not looking forward to that game. “okay daddy, I love you. here’s mommy” I handed the phone to her. I had to start my homework. I missed my dad being at home all of the time, but I was used to him being gone a lot due to hockey.
The guys were home, and some of them came over one night. That was so much fun. It was my dad, Ryan Callahan, Dan Girardi, and Brad Richards. We got to order takeout, which consisted of the usual pizza, when the guys came over. We even had a NHL14 tournament. It was Callahan’s idea to have one-on-one tournaments, or as I like to call him Captain Cally. I had beaten my dad, although I’m pretty sure he let me win, and it came down to Captain Cally and I. Of course they all played as the Rangers, while I played as the Hurricanes. “don’t you dare let me win Captain.” I glared at him. “wouldn’t dream of it sweetheart.” I grabbed my controller, and won the faceoff. Of course I had to have my dad set the lines I wanted for each game. In the end, Callahan won. At least I got to brag that I beat my dad, Girardi and Richards.
My dad had a few days off until he had to leave to go to Calgary. I was tempted to ask if I could go see Grandma and Grandpa but knew I couldn’t with school, especially since whenever the Rangers went to Carolina I would go with them to see my Uncle’s and cousins. “daddy do you have to leave?” I whined, it was the same thing every time he left for a roadtrip. “yes babygirl. I promise to call you everyday. You have to be a good girl for mommy. Here, you can wear this if you’re good but only if you’re good and listen to mommy.” He handed me one of his game worn jersey’s. I cried when he walked out the door, knowing I wouldn’t see him at bedtime or when I went to school and I couldn’t take pre-game naps with him this week.
Needless to say, I acted out. “you’re in trouble.” My mom said as she picked me up from school. “you have never done anything like this before.” I had fought a few kids. “I miss daddy already.” I sobbed. “I know baby, but you can’t act out and fight. Daddy’s gone most of the time. You know I have to tell daddy right?” she asked softly. I nodded, not wanting my dad to know. When we got home, I did my homework at the table and my dad called before his pregame nap. Needless to say, my mom told my dad about what happened at school and he wasn’t happy. “I’m disappointed in you Kyleigh. It’s partially my fault for being gone a lot, but you can’t be like that. I don’t care what people say or do.” I sighed, “but daddy they were talking bad about you.” I knew it was wrong but I had to fight for my dad.
I watched the game, that my dad was playing in. The Rangers were playing the Flames. Hank was in the goal, although he was having an off night. My dad batted a rebound out of midair as the puck was behind Hank. “What just happened mommy?” I asked her, completely unsure of what happened. “I’m not sure baby.” We were both shocked and so was my dad. All we knew is that he saved a goal. The Rangers were down 2-0 and my daddy scored the power play goal. I was so excited. “Yay daddy! Mommy! Daddy scored!” she laughed, “he sure did.” My dad played really good, and even though we lost, I was proud of him.
I couldn’t wait until I got home from school the next day. I knew my dad had an off day so I could talk to him for more than a minute. “I’m so proud of you daddy. You scored again.” I said proudly on the phone. “thanks babygirl. They were for you and mommy. Were you a good girl today?” he asked me. “yes daddy. I miss you a lot.” I sat on the couch and talked to him on the phone, until mommy told me I had to do homework. Honestly I hated that most of dad’s games were on school days. Mostly because daddy wasn’t here to teach me how to play.
The Rangers weren’t doing so well. I think it was because they needed to get used to playing together again. I had gone to bed after I spent some time with my dad. I woke up screaming and crying. “daddy! Daddy!” My mom came running in. “what happened? Are you okay sweetie?” I just cried. “I want daddy!” I ran past her and into their room. I turned on the light and jumped into bed. “daddy!!” I woke him up. He sat up and pulled me into his lap. “what’s wrong babygirl?” I hugged him and looked at his eye and face. “I had a bad dream.” I cried. “what was it about?” By this time I was curled up to my mom and dad. “you played your next game and you kept getting hit in face with sticks and pucks but kept playing. And and by the end of the game you were so hurt that you didn’t look like my daddy.” He hugged me tight. “baby that won’t happen. Daddy, Uncle Jordan and Uncle Eric all wear protective visors now. I promise. Now go back to bed.” I shook my head. There was no way I was going back to bed. “no daddy. I’m scared. I don’t want to leave you ever.” I latched onto him. “only for tonight.” He kissed my forehead as I nodded. Dad was kidding himself if he thought that I wasn’t going to leave him.
The next day, I woke up next to my mom and realized my dad was gone. “daddy!” I yelled, jumping out of bed, trying to find him. “sweetie…” my mom started to say, catching me. “where’s my daddy?” I cried. “honey, daddy had practice. He will be back after practice okay?” I pouted. “I wanted to go with him” As soon as dad came home, I clung to my dad like glue. My mom tried to get me to let go and give my dad some space but I knew he had to leave for a road trip.
I thought of a plan to hide on the plane. I just had to talk to Captain Cally, which was harder than I thought. I had managed to hide my clothes in dad’s suitcase. Now I had to stowaway in the car. Easier said than done; with my mom being home all the time. Thankfully Callahan convinced my dad to bring me to morning skate before they left for Washington DC. As far as he or my mom knew, I was going to stay the night with Mrs. Callahan and their kids.
The Captain walked me to the plane, where I hid in the bathroom. I was so bored waiting for him to get me so we could sit in the back. I was so lucky my dad was Alternate or I wouldn’t have gotten Callahan to help me. When everyone was seated, I got to my seat, put a blanket over me and I fell asleep. Once we landed, I thanked Mr. Callahan and snuck my hand into my dad’s. “hi Kyleigh.” He said absentmindedly. “Hi daddy.” I smiled. Dad did a double take. “Kyleigh Erica Staal! What are you doing here?” he was mad. We got to the hotel room, and he sat me down. Yes, my middle name is Erica, after Uncle Eric.
It was preseason time, and I was nervous for my dad. It didn’t help that mom and I couldn’t go to the game, as it was in New Jersey. The school day seemed to drag on and on. I couldn’t wait to get home. I had some homework and mom would only let me watch the game if I finished it before the game. So, yes I did do my homework right away even though I didn’t want to. I knew if I wanted to watch my dad on TV I’d need to do it. I rushed through dinner, and I put on my jersey that said Staal on the back. “mommy is it game time yet?” I asked, not wanting it to be too much longer. “In a few minutes baby.” I sat in front of the TV with my hockey stick.
I screamed really loud when my dad came on the screen. I was so happy he was back, and playing, although I was scared. I wasn’t sure how he would play, and we all knew if daddy played bad, he wouldn’t be happy. The game was going well. The first period, nothing major happened. In the second period, a lot of penalties were made, including my dad. He got an interference call. “seriously daddy?! What were you thinking?” I yelled at the tv, and cried. My dad hardly got penalties. “shh..its okay. Daddy got an interference call. It wasn’t like he fought or anything bad.” My mom tried to calm me down. “but daddy’s never bad.” Eventually I calmed down but I hated that daddy got a ‘time-out’ as we referred to it as long as I could remember. Overall the game went well, but ended in a loss for the Rangers.
The next night, the Rangers played again. Unfortunately my dad wasn’t playing, which bummed me out. “daddy, why aren’t you playing?” I asked him, when I called him after school. “because we need to give other guys a chance to show the coach what they can do.” I still didn’t understand. “but daddy, you need practice. It’s your first game back from getting hurt daddy” He chuckled. “I know babygirl. Maybe I’ll play the next game.” I sighed, not looking forward to that game. “okay daddy, I love you. here’s mommy” I handed the phone to her. I had to start my homework. I missed my dad being at home all of the time, but I was used to him being gone a lot due to hockey.
The guys were home, and some of them came over one night. That was so much fun. It was my dad, Ryan Callahan, Dan Girardi, and Brad Richards. We got to order takeout, which consisted of the usual pizza, when the guys came over. We even had a NHL14 tournament. It was Callahan’s idea to have one-on-one tournaments, or as I like to call him Captain Cally. I had beaten my dad, although I’m pretty sure he let me win, and it came down to Captain Cally and I. Of course they all played as the Rangers, while I played as the Hurricanes. “don’t you dare let me win Captain.” I glared at him. “wouldn’t dream of it sweetheart.” I grabbed my controller, and won the faceoff. Of course I had to have my dad set the lines I wanted for each game. In the end, Callahan won. At least I got to brag that I beat my dad, Girardi and Richards.
My dad had a few days off until he had to leave to go to Calgary. I was tempted to ask if I could go see Grandma and Grandpa but knew I couldn’t with school, especially since whenever the Rangers went to Carolina I would go with them to see my Uncle’s and cousins. “daddy do you have to leave?” I whined, it was the same thing every time he left for a roadtrip. “yes babygirl. I promise to call you everyday. You have to be a good girl for mommy. Here, you can wear this if you’re good but only if you’re good and listen to mommy.” He handed me one of his game worn jersey’s. I cried when he walked out the door, knowing I wouldn’t see him at bedtime or when I went to school and I couldn’t take pre-game naps with him this week.
Needless to say, I acted out. “you’re in trouble.” My mom said as she picked me up from school. “you have never done anything like this before.” I had fought a few kids. “I miss daddy already.” I sobbed. “I know baby, but you can’t act out and fight. Daddy’s gone most of the time. You know I have to tell daddy right?” she asked softly. I nodded, not wanting my dad to know. When we got home, I did my homework at the table and my dad called before his pregame nap. Needless to say, my mom told my dad about what happened at school and he wasn’t happy. “I’m disappointed in you Kyleigh. It’s partially my fault for being gone a lot, but you can’t be like that. I don’t care what people say or do.” I sighed, “but daddy they were talking bad about you.” I knew it was wrong but I had to fight for my dad.
I watched the game, that my dad was playing in. The Rangers were playing the Flames. Hank was in the goal, although he was having an off night. My dad batted a rebound out of midair as the puck was behind Hank. “What just happened mommy?” I asked her, completely unsure of what happened. “I’m not sure baby.” We were both shocked and so was my dad. All we knew is that he saved a goal. The Rangers were down 2-0 and my daddy scored the power play goal. I was so excited. “Yay daddy! Mommy! Daddy scored!” she laughed, “he sure did.” My dad played really good, and even though we lost, I was proud of him.
I couldn’t wait until I got home from school the next day. I knew my dad had an off day so I could talk to him for more than a minute. “I’m so proud of you daddy. You scored again.” I said proudly on the phone. “thanks babygirl. They were for you and mommy. Were you a good girl today?” he asked me. “yes daddy. I miss you a lot.” I sat on the couch and talked to him on the phone, until mommy told me I had to do homework. Honestly I hated that most of dad’s games were on school days. Mostly because daddy wasn’t here to teach me how to play.
The Rangers weren’t doing so well. I think it was because they needed to get used to playing together again. I had gone to bed after I spent some time with my dad. I woke up screaming and crying. “daddy! Daddy!” My mom came running in. “what happened? Are you okay sweetie?” I just cried. “I want daddy!” I ran past her and into their room. I turned on the light and jumped into bed. “daddy!!” I woke him up. He sat up and pulled me into his lap. “what’s wrong babygirl?” I hugged him and looked at his eye and face. “I had a bad dream.” I cried. “what was it about?” By this time I was curled up to my mom and dad. “you played your next game and you kept getting hit in face with sticks and pucks but kept playing. And and by the end of the game you were so hurt that you didn’t look like my daddy.” He hugged me tight. “baby that won’t happen. Daddy, Uncle Jordan and Uncle Eric all wear protective visors now. I promise. Now go back to bed.” I shook my head. There was no way I was going back to bed. “no daddy. I’m scared. I don’t want to leave you ever.” I latched onto him. “only for tonight.” He kissed my forehead as I nodded. Dad was kidding himself if he thought that I wasn’t going to leave him.
The next day, I woke up next to my mom and realized my dad was gone. “daddy!” I yelled, jumping out of bed, trying to find him. “sweetie…” my mom started to say, catching me. “where’s my daddy?” I cried. “honey, daddy had practice. He will be back after practice okay?” I pouted. “I wanted to go with him” As soon as dad came home, I clung to my dad like glue. My mom tried to get me to let go and give my dad some space but I knew he had to leave for a road trip.
I thought of a plan to hide on the plane. I just had to talk to Captain Cally, which was harder than I thought. I had managed to hide my clothes in dad’s suitcase. Now I had to stowaway in the car. Easier said than done; with my mom being home all the time. Thankfully Callahan convinced my dad to bring me to morning skate before they left for Washington DC. As far as he or my mom knew, I was going to stay the night with Mrs. Callahan and their kids.
The Captain walked me to the plane, where I hid in the bathroom. I was so bored waiting for him to get me so we could sit in the back. I was so lucky my dad was Alternate or I wouldn’t have gotten Callahan to help me. When everyone was seated, I got to my seat, put a blanket over me and I fell asleep. Once we landed, I thanked Mr. Callahan and snuck my hand into my dad’s. “hi Kyleigh.” He said absentmindedly. “Hi daddy.” I smiled. Dad did a double take. “Kyleigh Erica Staal! What are you doing here?” he was mad. We got to the hotel room, and he sat me down. Yes, my middle name is Erica, after Uncle Eric.
As far as I know, yes. I am still writing it. I only have a few prewritten chapters. It's mostly in her view of things.
10/16/13