The Time Is Now
Two
I'm drunk.
Not falling down out of control drunk. Nice drunk, feeling pretty good. Getting to T's early and being able to get to the bar right away certainly had its advantages.When Mary and I had gotten to the bar, there was barely anyone there. Now, only an hour later, it was packed.
After twisting and turning through people with a push here and there, I finally make my way up to the bar, "Ugh, all I want is a beer! That's it," I half laugh, half sigh out of frustration.
"You just want a beer, that's all you want? I'll get it for you" A male voice speaks up.
I turn to my right and recognize Chris, one of the Terriers forwards.
"Oh yeah, but, I mean you don't have to, I'll just-" I begin.
"No, I'm getting a bunch of stuff, I'll throw it on our tab. It's no big deal," he explains.
"Thanks, I appreciate it."
"Don't mention it," he smiles and signs the credit card receipt.
"At least let me help you bring some of them back to the table. I'm not taking no for an answer," I insist.
Chris and I manage to have a pretty decent conversation going on once we're back at the table, at least I think it's decent, judging by how difficult it is to hear one another over the drunk girl that's butchering the Ke$ha song she's supposed to be singing karaoke along to.
"So who's your favorite player?" Chris asks. I think I impressed him when he found I could carry on a conversation about hockey.
"Crosby." I answer matter-of-factly.
"Yeah, he's good. He's a nice guy too."
"You've met him?" I ask obviously a bit more intrigued now.
"Yeah, I played with him for a bit in high school. We both went to the same prep school for a while, Shattuck St. Mary's back in Minnesota."
"He seems nice. I mean, from what I hear and see on TV and stuff. It doesn't really seem like anyone ever has anything bad to say about him. It's too bad he got so hurt," I reason.
"Yeah, real nice guy. Good head on his shoulders. What you see is what you get with him. No one likes to see anyone get hour like that, it's rough. But he's actually going to be around here next semester for a while."
What?!
Somehow I manage to not spit my beer out all over the place when Chris drops that little bomb on me. So I put on my best 'oh, Sidney Crosby's coming to B.U. no big deal' face on.
"Really?"
"Yeah, me and him still keep in touch a little bit. Since he's out for the rest of the season his people are having him come out here so the doctors at B.U. Medical Center can keep an eye on him. He mentioned some stuff about trying to maybe audit some classes while he's here too, maybe he'll be able to start working out again too if he's lucky," Chris explains.
A moment later I feel a tap on my shoulder.
"Hey, I'm heading out, you want to head back with me or are you gonna stay for a bit?" Mary asks.
I glance down at my watch and it's already 1:38 am.
"Yeah, I'll head out with you. I didn't realize how late it was."
"I'll let you girls get going. It was nice meeting you Mariev," Chris says as I get up from my chair.
"Yeah, you too! See you around!"
