The Compromise

Sidney walked out of the conference room completely frustrated. The meeting between the owners association and the NHLPA did not go well, and Sid saw a potential lockout looming. He was worn out mentally and wanted to get back to Pittsburgh to Jess and their cozy little life in the suburbs. But they were only breaking for lunch and were expected back for another lengthy discussion over money, league rules, and a variety of other disagreements. The only silver lining was knowing that he was catching a plane to go home later that evening to his girlfriend and had plans for the upcoming weekend to skate at a local rink with his teammates.

As he walked to a nearby deli to get a sandwich with a few other players from the league he got distracted by a text from Jess. It was a picture she took of her desk at school where a large cookie bouquet sat and a text thanking him for wanting her to get fat. He didn't want to send her flowers, but wanted her to know he was thinking about her as the new school year began. So he thought of sending her a cookie bouquet because he learned quickly that given a sweets option she would go for a cookie over anything else. He quickly texted her back and felt his phone vibrate. Smiling he answered the call, "Hey baby."

"Lunch time for you too?" Jess asked through the phone. He smiled at the sound of her voice.

"Yeah, just a quick one with Steve and Kunitz." He held his phone away from his ear and quickly ordered a sandwich and potato salad.

"Well I'm not hungry. I ate several cookies this morning." He laughed and asked her to save a cookie for him. She agreed, wished him safe travels and hung up as students started filing into the classroom.

Sid sighed, sat down at the table his friends were at and enjoyed the little bit of freedom they had before returning to the hellish meeting that was inching them closer to the lockout.

**********
They were back in the conference room, listening to some arguments about players’ rights and what the owners were willing to give on when Sid felt his phone vibrating. He ignored it, knowing if it were important he could call the person calling him back on his way to the airport. Finished or not, he was leaving the hotel in an hour to make his flight. His phone vibrated again indicating a voicemail and then started to vibrate again. At the same time he noticed Mario, on the other side of the table reach for his own phone. He thought it was completely coincidence and let his phone continue to ring. He watched as Mario stepped out of the room to take his call and tuned out the conversation around him.

When Mario returned he interrupted the argument and asked to speak with Sidney alone. Sid was nervous and someone at the other end of the long table voiced his distrust in the private conversation. Sid didn't make a move, just stayed put.

"Sid, it's nothing to do on a professional level." Mario looked pleadingly at his star player and protégé. Alarmed, Sid moved to stand and follow Mario out of the room, but was met with several displeased looks. Mario sensed his hesitation and just blurted it out, "There has been an accident."

"What?" Sid asked, "I'm sorry gentlemen." He was frozen in his standing position

"An accident. Nat picked Austin and Jess up after school for dinner downtown I guess. They were hit on the passenger side by someone running a red light on Grant Street."

Sid grabbed his phone to see who had called, worry that it was Jess trying to tell him what happened. But the three missed calls all came from an unknown number. The only indicator that it might be someone related to Jess was the area code. Each call left a voicemail.

"Is everyone okay?" Sid feared the worst.

"I don't know. They were taken to Mercy. Jess was sitting up front Sid." Sid digested what was said and looked frantically around the table. He made his decision that he needed to leave.

"I'm sorry everyone. I have to go. I need to get to the airport." He hurried around the large conference table towards the doors that lead to the rest of the hotel. He quickly hit his voicemail and listened as Jess' brother came across the speaker. The first two messages were hang ups. The third message he actually heard from someone.

"Hey Sidney, this is Jason. I'm calling you to tell you that Jessica was in a car wreck, and they have her in surgery now. We don't know anything more. I know you are coming back tonight. I'm here at the hospital with Mrs. Lemieux and her son. My parents are on their way up too. We are at Mercy hospital. This is my cell number; please call to let me know you got this message."

Sid raced to the nearest elevator, caught one up to his room to grab his bag, and ran back out of his room. He felt his adrenaline pumping as all thoughts were on getting to Jess' side. He turned towards the elevator, running into Mario.

"I've arranged a private jet, we leave in an hour. That should be plenty of time to get to JFK." Sid nodded in understanding. "She is going to be okay Sid."

"I have to call her brother. He was in the city this afternoon for a meeting."

"Yes he's with Nat." Sid pulled out his phone to call Jason back. He answered on the third ring.

"Sid?"

"Yeah, hey Jason. Any news?"

"Shattered her shoulder and possibly brain bleed. The car hit her side head on. She is still in surgery, but is responding well to everything."

"Brain bleed?"

"She hit her head on impact. The doctor said that their biggest concern is swelling, but the neurosurgeon was controlling the bleed."

"That sounds horrific." Sid wanted to be sick. By this point he was in an SUV with Mario heading in the direction of the airport to catch the flight to get back.

"Luckily we are in a city with some of the best hospitals in the country. She will be fine."

"I'm on my way to the airport now. I'll be there in a couple hours. Please call if anything changes, please."

"I will Sid. Thanks for calling me back. Wasn't sure if you would since you didn't know the number."

"No absolutely. Thanks man." Sid hung up his phone and quickly stored Jason in his contacts. He then tried to focus on the passing street signs and not think about Jessica.

But his thoughts kept wandering back to her and he felt himself losing control. He didn't want to think the worst, but he did. Mario interrupted his thoughts.

"We will pay for whatever medical costs Jess acquires from all of this Sid."

"The asshole with no patience should cover the cost, not you." He hadn't even considered how much this was going to cost. He didn't care. He just wanted Jess to be okay.

"No matter, Jess will not have to worry about any of this. And we will be certain that she gets the best care and recovery as possible."

"Thanks Mario. I appreciate it." And he truly did but he could easily pay for Jess' medical bills. He wanted to. He wanted to be there taking care of her. Instead he was stuck in traffic in downtown New York City attempting to get back. He knew that his involvement in the settlement talks with the league was going to have to be placed on the back burner. His top priority was Jessica and he didn’t care what people thought.

And he began to think about how wonderful their summer was, how relaxed they were and carefree it had been. She loved everything about his hometown, and was easy to please while he trained. She would lounge on the back deck with a book or spend the entire day wandering around town with his sister and mom. And she seemed to fit in so well with his family. She had the opportunity to meet his extended family and after talking with his mom he knew Jess got the stamp of approval.

Their living together only solidified them even more as a couple. He was a bit apprehensive at first, but never expressed it to Jess for fear that she would be upset or change her mind. But after she got settled in and all her things found rightful places it became real. And he never regretted the move after that. He actually looked forward to going home to his big house because he knew Jess was there waiting for him. He was happy he never had to worry about her when he was gone. She was perfectly able to fend for herself and get along without him and when he would return from training somewhere or from awful league meetings she was there to make him forget all about everything.

He was impressed with how well she took the attention he would get when going out in public, and how well received she was by the fans that would approach them when out. But there wasn't much about Jess people wouldn't love. Now she was lying on some table with doctors trying to put her back together, and he didn't know what to expect when he gets to her.

Ignoring the feeling of dread, Sid turned back to Mario. "How are Nathalie and Austin?"

"Nathalie said she has a couple cuts on her face from glass and her seatbelt and airbag bruised her up, but she has been released and is in the waiting room. Austin may have a broken foot. He said it jammed up under Jess' seat on impact. They have a boot on him, but it's swollen so they don't want to cast him yet."

"Jess got it the worst," Sid whispered and looked down at his clasped hands. Thankfully they finally arrived at the airport and were ushered off to the private plane that would be taking them back to Pittsburgh. In about an hour he would be home and on his way to be by Jess' side. As he settled in his seat he checked his phone one last time, but had not received any new updates from Jason. He turned it to airplane mode after he texted Jason to tell him he was on the plane and buckled up.

And as he got ready for takeoff, moving through the motions without expressing any sort of emotion, he felt overwhelmed and scared.

"You alright Sid?" Mario asked from across the aisle.

"I was just talking to her at lunch," was all Sid said before he felt himself heave a sob and fell apart.

"We'll be there soon," Mario reassured. But saying that wasn't comforting and Sid was willing the plane along to get to Pittsburgh sooner.

***********

The antiseptic smell hit Sidney as soon as he walked through the entrance to the emergency room. Neither he nor Mario were able to reach anyone who were holding vigil so they decided to start in the emergency room and work their way through the hospital. Sid was several steps ahead of Mario and reached the check in desk first.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for Jessica Wade. She was in a car wreck and last I heard was in surgery."

The nurse, without looking up at Sid asked, "Are you a relative?"

"Well, no not exactly. I'm her boyfriend." Sid was willing the woman to look at him, hoping that she would recognize him and ignore any laws that would prevent him from seeing Jess.

"I cannot give out that information sir." Finally the nurse looked up, just as Sid was hanging his head in frustration and Mario stepped up in stride with the younger man.

"My wife and son were involved in the same accident. They were brought in with her. Nathalie and Austin Lemieux." Mario throwing his name out there got the woman's attention and she shot right up in her seat.

"Mr. Lemieux, I'm so sorry sir," the nurse fumbled, "Oh my God, your Sidney Crosby. Oh I'm so sorry. Hold on, let me see what information I can find for you." She quickly clicked around on her computer and turned back to the men in record time.

"Jessica is out of surgery and in recovery currently. She will be moved to floor five within the next forty-five minutes. Her family is in the waiting area on the surgical floor which is through the doors behind me, straight down the hall then make a left. It's more comfortable to wait there than out here in the ER. I'll buzz you both through. It will be faster this way than going around the outside of the building to the main entrance."

"Thank you," Mario piped in when she stopped. Sid was unable to find his voice. He silently nodded his appreciation at the nurse, and followed closely behind his mentor. They sped down the hallway and following the nurse's instructions found the waiting room where Jess' parents and brother, along with Nathalie and Austin were waiting.

Mario rushed right over to his wife and son while Sid approached the Wades to gauge their reaction to him. Mrs. Wade stood from her seat and pulled Sidney in for a hug. "She is going to be fine sweetheart. The doctor already came to speak with us. We are just waiting until she is in her room."

Sid choked back another sob and then realized he had been crying, and he wasn't sure for how long. Everything since he was told about the wreck had been a blur. Jess' mom pulled back, but gripped Sid's hands and forced Sid to sit by her while they waited.

"The asshat that ran into the car is here too," Jason spoke up. That caught Sid's attention.

"How badly mangled is he?" Sid asked turning towards Jess' brother.

"He is surprisingly just concussed and bruised. He was drunk. Uninsured, and this is his third DUI. Oh and he was driving on a suspended license. So you can guess how excited I am to fight to see this man put behind bars." Sid was relieved to hear Jason was already putting together a case against the guy who put the only person, aside from his family, he truly loved in a hospital bed.

"Sid, the doctor told us the surgery went really well. She will make a full recovery and gain full function in her arm again. But because of the swelling she will be in a medically induced coma for at least the next 24 hours." Mrs. Wade said that so calmly to him. He was surprised she hadn't broken down and cried like he felt he wanted to again.

"Al...alright. The nurse in the ER said she will be moved in like 45 minutes." Her mom nodded in understanding. "You aren’t going back to West Virginia tonight, are you?”

“No, we are going to go check into the hotel near Consol. I want to be here tomorrow when she wakes up.”

“I’d offer you our place, but with traffic it would take just as long to get there as it would to get from your home. I imagine you’d want to be close by in case something happens overnight. I’ll book you guys a room so you don’t have to worry.” Sid reached for his phone to make a call when Jess’ mom reached for him to stop.

“Are you going all the way home?” Mrs. Wade asked. He hadn’t even thought about it.

“I’ll just sleep out here on a couch, but I can’t imagine I will be sleeping at all.”

“Let’s go see if they can set you up in her room,” Mrs. Wade stood and signaled for Sidney to follow her towards the nurses’ station. Within minutes the women at the station agreed to let Sid stay in Jess’ private room and they were making their way back to the waiting area for Jess to be arranged in her bed.

“Mr. and Mrs. Wade,” a nurse addressed twenty minutes later, “You may go see her now. We ask only two visitors at a time and everyone must be gone by 9 pm.” The minutes ticked away slowly as everyone visited with Jessica before departing for the night. Just before 9 Sidney walked into the room, closed the door behind him and turned to see Jess for the first time in nearly a week. She was bruised, swollen, and asleep. A machine was helping her breathe and a bandage was wrapped securely around her head. Her right arm was in a cast all the way up to her shoulder.

He collapsed in a chair next to her bed, grasped her hand in his and kissed each knuckle. Then he rested his head on the bed and cried.

“Babe, I know you can’t hear me, but I am here. I’m not going anywhere. I love you so so much baby.”

*******
Sid was jostled awake the next morning by Jess’ father. He was standing over Sid with a cup of coffee and a bag of bagels. He enticed Sid out of the room to the waiting area so that the doctor and nurses could check on Jess’ vitals. The day seemed to drag on as they waited for Jess to be awakened. The doctors were optimistic that they would be able to wake her sooner than 24 hours. The swelling in her brain had decreased dramatically since the previous day. Now they just waited around, taking turns to be by her side throughout the day.

The doctor was allowing two people to be in Jess’ room when they woke her up so Sid was stationed next to Jess while her mother stood close by. He felt like it was taking forever and all he wanted was to see her beautiful green eyes. He knew all apprehension he felt would disappear when she would finally wake up. He rested his head against her arm and clasped his hands with hers.

“Mom?” He heard her whisper. It was the sweetest sound he had ever heard. He lifted his head to look at her.

“Hi baby girl,” Mrs. Wade said. She was leaning over Sid’s shoulder smiling down at her daughter. Sid gripped her hand firmly in his, waiting to have his chance to greet her.

“What happened?” she asked.

“You were in a car accident sweetie. You’re at Mercy hospital.” The nurse came in to take some vitals again. Once they were alone with Jessica again, her mother started, “Mrs. Lemieux, you and Austin were going out for dinner when her car got hit.”

“Who?” Jessica asked confused. She had yet to notice Sidney sitting next to her, holding her hand.
“Nathalie, sweet heart.” Jess didn’t say anything else. She looked around the room, at the various flowers setting on tables and ledges, at her casted arm, then to the man to her left.

“Oh my God,” she whispered making Sid look at her quizzically. She tried to let go of Sid’s hand, but his grip was stronger than ever. He wanted her to know he was there even if she hadn’t acknowledged him yet. But he noticed she was finally studying him.

“Hi babe. This was not the way I expected to greet you when I got home.“ Sid tried to kid and crack a smile.

“You’re Sidney Crosby!” Sid chuckled and looked back at her mom to see her reaction. She seemed as confused as he was.

“And you’re Jessica Wade.” He hoped she would pick up on the banter, but his gut was telling him that something was wrong. He didn’t want to cause a panic, but looked back with concern in his eyes. Mrs. Wade patted Sidney’s shoulder, turned and mentioned she was going to find Jess’ doctor.

“I date you?” Jess exclaimed. Her eyes were wide. “But you live in Pittsburgh.”

“Jess, we live together in Pittsburgh.” Sidney was trying to explain, but Jess didn’t seem to want to make sense of what he was saying.

“No, I live in Dallas with my friends.” She pulled her hand from Sid’s dwindling grip. He didn’t have the energy to hold on anymore.

“You moved here over a year ago.” She shook her head in denial.

“Where’s James? James is my boyfriend.” And with that, Sid realized Jess had no memory of him, their life together, or leaving James.

Notes