Carl Hagelin, the best brother
Chapter 9
I wake up the next morning at seven. I rub my eyes, getting the sleep out of them. I say the rosary before I pick out my outfit for the day. I go with jeans, a long-sleeved light blue shirt, and a white sweater. I get into the shower and wash the sleep away. I get out, change, and dry my hair. After several minutes of thought, I put my hair up in a French braid. I look over myself two times before going downstairs. I can smell mom’s pancakes and see Carl and Bobbie sitting at the table. Carl looks up as I near his chair. “That’s a different style”, he says, looking me over. “Yeah, I wanted something different today”, I reply, giving my brother a hug. Mom turns around from putting the pancakes on a plate. “Morning, Lizzy”, she says. “Morning, mom”, I say, going over and giving my mom a hug. Bobbie looks over at me from over the newspaper. “Why so dressy today”, he asks, grinning. I shrug. “Just thought I’d be different today”, I reply, grinning back. We eat our breakfast in silence. I’m putting my plate in the dishwasher when the doorbell rings. Carl goes to answer it. “Hi, Step! What are you doing up so early”, I hear him ask. I come over to the door. Step sees me and gives me a hug. “I’ve come to have your meal”, he says. I roll my eyes. “I just got up. What do you want”, I ask, trying to hold back a teasing smile. “Scrambled eggs, bacon, and a waffle. Some orange juice as well”, he replies. “Okay. Just let me make it”, I say before going to work. I have the breakfast made in what seems like no time. “Step? Come on, your breakfast is ready”, I say. Step sits down. He takes a bit of everything. “Oh man, this is good. You should make me breakfast everyday”, he says, the teasing light in his eyes. I laugh and wave at him to finish his breakfast. “Are you coming to practice”, Step asks when he finishes. I chew on my lip and look over at mom and Bobbie. “Not today, Step. I’m going to hang out with mom and Bobbie”, I say. Step looks disappointed, but he nods understandingly. “Okay. I’m sure Carl will fill you in on everything that happens”, he asks, giving my brother a thumbs-up. Carl smirks at Step. “I will”, he promises.
Mom, Bobbie and I are in the middle of Clue when Carl walks in the door. “Hi, Carl! How was practice”, I ask, looking up from moving my piece. Carl sits in a chair before answering. “Fun. Cally, Richie, and Gabby all pushed me into the boards at the same time”, he says. I smile and roll my eyes. “They are so mean to you”, I say, shaking my head. Just then, my phone rings. It’s A.J. “Carl, can you play for me? A.J is calling me”, I say. Carl takes my place and I run to my room.
“Hi, Awesome Jay”, I say into the phone. “Hi, girl! I hear you have a game today”. “I do. At six-thirty. Are you going”. “No. I’m going out to dinner with my cousins. I’ll text Carl to get updates”. I smile. “That’s a good idea. We’re going to win today, that’s for sure’. We talk about the game for a few more minutes before A.J asks me about Jackie. “She’s doing better. She is still heartbroken, but she is beginning to heal”, I reply. “That’s good. I’m glad she is doing better”, he says. “So am I. I was texting her before the game last night. She told me she is going to try and not let that distract her”, I say. “I hope it doesn’t. She shouldn’t let that affect her game”, A.J says. There is silence for a minute. Then, I bring up the game from the night before. “Carl had a great night. That might boast his confidence”, I say. “He has always been a great player with great speed. Maybe he’ll score more after last night’s game”, my boyfriend says. “Yes. There is a lot more expectations in the NHL than in college”, I reply. Then, I ask A.J a question. “Have any of your teammates asked about me”, I want to know. “Yes. Sparky texted me this morning. He wants to know how you’re doing”, came the reply. I start laughing. “Tell him I’m doing great”, I say. “He also wants to know how Carl’s scoring is coming”, A.J tells me, laughter in his voice. “Tell Sparky that Carl scores where ever he goes. Tell him about yesterday’s game”, I reply. We talk for a few more minutes, then hang up. I say the rosary before heading back downstairs. “Who won”, I ask. “You did. I think Carl cheated”, Bobbie replies. I laugh and shake my head. “Carl is the last person who would even think about cheating”, I say. Mom smiles. “Nope, Carl wouldn’t cheat”. Bobbie playfully glares at each one of us. “You’re teasing me”, he complains. Carl, mom and I looks at each other, trying to hide our smiles. “Well, we’re getting revenge on you. You tease us all the time”, I say. Bobbie gives me a sideways look. I bite my lip, then can’t stop the laughter that comes out of me. “I told you that you’re teasing me”, my brother says.
I take my seat at my locker next to Jackie. “How are you doing, girl”, I ask her, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. My teammate looks up at me and gives me a small smile. “I’m doing okay. I’m ready to win”, she says, tilting her chin up a little. I laugh and slap her a high-five. “That’s my girl”, I yell, hugging her. Just then, coach comes in. All of us look at him. “Okay, girls. The team we’re playing has a game like ours. So, beat them at their game. Red hawks on 3! 1-2-3…” “RED HAWKS”, we yell. We line up, ready to get back onto the ice.
I’m skating around the rink, looking for my family. I hear someone calling my name and look around. I spot Carl, Bobbie and mom waving at me from behind the bench. I head towards their seats. Bobbie gives me a thumbs-up and a smile. Mom winks at me and mouths “I love you”. Carl looks me in the eye. “Use your speed”, he says to me. I nod and take a deep breath. I wave and smile at them, then skate towards the bench where the rest of them is gathered. I say a “Hail Mary” and an “Our Father” under my breath. Coach gives us our orders, and we line up on the ice.
I take a quick glance over at Carl. He gives me an encouraging smile. I smile back and get in my position. Jackie takes the face-off and wins it. Our star defenseman, Faith Adams, gets the puck and skates with it. She spots me, yells my name, and passes the puck. I gather it with my stick and sprint up the ice. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jackie and Odette. “Pass”, I call before passing the puck. Odette receives it and Jackie heads towards the net. A Blizzard’s forward defends against me. Odette fakes a shot and hands the puck off to me. I receive it and move away from the forward. I skate around the back of the net and pass the puck to Faith. She fakes a pass and shoots the puck. Jackie does a nice job of blocking the goalie’s view and tips the puck into the net. I throw my hands up above my head. We swarm Jackie.
“Yes”, Carl shouts from the stand, jumping up and raising his arms above his head. Bobbie and mom high-five each other, then high-five Carl. “That was an awesome play”, mom declares. Carl and Bobbie agree. “Lizzy strikes again”, Carl says, beaming from ear to ear. Bobbie and mom silently agree. “I love watching Lizzy play. It’s like I’m watching a mini version of you”, mom tells Carl. Bobbie laughs. “She is a mini version of Carl”, he says.
The second period ends. The score is tied at two. I sit at my locker and drink from my water bottle. I say a “Hail Mary” under my breath before turning to Jackie. “Nice game so far, girl”, I say. Jackie smiles. “Yep. And, I want to keep it going”, she says. I fist-bump her. “That sounds like the Jackie I know”, I tease. Jackie crosses her arms and pretends to pout. “You’re teasing me”, she complains. I raise an eyebrow. “Is there anything more”, I ask. Jackie looks at me. “Yes. Playing a game of hockey”, she says, shoving me in the shoulder. I playfully shove her right back. She rolls her eyes.
The game is over. We won, 4 to 3. I finish putting my things away. I sit down next to Jackie, who has her head down. “You had a good game today, Jackie. Two goals and an assist”, I say. “I needed that. I’m trying to get into the second place scoring position”, she says. Her voice sounds sad. I hug her. She stands up and is about to leave when I grab her arm. “Jackie, don’t be afraid to call me if you need anything. I don’t care if it is the middle of the night. Call me”, I tell her. She blinks her eyes, trying to keep the tears from falling. I hug her again. The two of us walk out of the locker room together.
“Where do you want to go to have dinner”, Carl asks me. I think for a minute. “How about Del-Mons”, I reply. Bobbie and mom both nod. “Let’s go. I’m starved”, Bobbie says. Carl looks mom in the eye. Understanding showed in mom’s face. “Okay”, she says, pushing Bobbie towards the car. Carl places a hand on my arm. “You okay”, he asks, studying my face. I look my brother in the eye. “I’m fine. I’m just worried about Jackie. Every time I look at her, it feels like she’s a piece of glass that’s about to break. She’s doing better, but still”, I say, feeling the tears prick my eyes. Carl wraps me in a hug and holds me tight. “You’re a good friend, Lizzy. If Jackie needs anything, she can always come and visit us. It doesn’t matter when it is”, he says. I smile. “Thanks, Carl”, I say. We turn and walk back to the car. Carl Hagelin, is, for me, the best brother!
Mom, Bobbie and I are in the middle of Clue when Carl walks in the door. “Hi, Carl! How was practice”, I ask, looking up from moving my piece. Carl sits in a chair before answering. “Fun. Cally, Richie, and Gabby all pushed me into the boards at the same time”, he says. I smile and roll my eyes. “They are so mean to you”, I say, shaking my head. Just then, my phone rings. It’s A.J. “Carl, can you play for me? A.J is calling me”, I say. Carl takes my place and I run to my room.
“Hi, Awesome Jay”, I say into the phone. “Hi, girl! I hear you have a game today”. “I do. At six-thirty. Are you going”. “No. I’m going out to dinner with my cousins. I’ll text Carl to get updates”. I smile. “That’s a good idea. We’re going to win today, that’s for sure’. We talk about the game for a few more minutes before A.J asks me about Jackie. “She’s doing better. She is still heartbroken, but she is beginning to heal”, I reply. “That’s good. I’m glad she is doing better”, he says. “So am I. I was texting her before the game last night. She told me she is going to try and not let that distract her”, I say. “I hope it doesn’t. She shouldn’t let that affect her game”, A.J says. There is silence for a minute. Then, I bring up the game from the night before. “Carl had a great night. That might boast his confidence”, I say. “He has always been a great player with great speed. Maybe he’ll score more after last night’s game”, my boyfriend says. “Yes. There is a lot more expectations in the NHL than in college”, I reply. Then, I ask A.J a question. “Have any of your teammates asked about me”, I want to know. “Yes. Sparky texted me this morning. He wants to know how you’re doing”, came the reply. I start laughing. “Tell him I’m doing great”, I say. “He also wants to know how Carl’s scoring is coming”, A.J tells me, laughter in his voice. “Tell Sparky that Carl scores where ever he goes. Tell him about yesterday’s game”, I reply. We talk for a few more minutes, then hang up. I say the rosary before heading back downstairs. “Who won”, I ask. “You did. I think Carl cheated”, Bobbie replies. I laugh and shake my head. “Carl is the last person who would even think about cheating”, I say. Mom smiles. “Nope, Carl wouldn’t cheat”. Bobbie playfully glares at each one of us. “You’re teasing me”, he complains. Carl, mom and I looks at each other, trying to hide our smiles. “Well, we’re getting revenge on you. You tease us all the time”, I say. Bobbie gives me a sideways look. I bite my lip, then can’t stop the laughter that comes out of me. “I told you that you’re teasing me”, my brother says.
I take my seat at my locker next to Jackie. “How are you doing, girl”, I ask her, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. My teammate looks up at me and gives me a small smile. “I’m doing okay. I’m ready to win”, she says, tilting her chin up a little. I laugh and slap her a high-five. “That’s my girl”, I yell, hugging her. Just then, coach comes in. All of us look at him. “Okay, girls. The team we’re playing has a game like ours. So, beat them at their game. Red hawks on 3! 1-2-3…” “RED HAWKS”, we yell. We line up, ready to get back onto the ice.
I’m skating around the rink, looking for my family. I hear someone calling my name and look around. I spot Carl, Bobbie and mom waving at me from behind the bench. I head towards their seats. Bobbie gives me a thumbs-up and a smile. Mom winks at me and mouths “I love you”. Carl looks me in the eye. “Use your speed”, he says to me. I nod and take a deep breath. I wave and smile at them, then skate towards the bench where the rest of them is gathered. I say a “Hail Mary” and an “Our Father” under my breath. Coach gives us our orders, and we line up on the ice.
I take a quick glance over at Carl. He gives me an encouraging smile. I smile back and get in my position. Jackie takes the face-off and wins it. Our star defenseman, Faith Adams, gets the puck and skates with it. She spots me, yells my name, and passes the puck. I gather it with my stick and sprint up the ice. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jackie and Odette. “Pass”, I call before passing the puck. Odette receives it and Jackie heads towards the net. A Blizzard’s forward defends against me. Odette fakes a shot and hands the puck off to me. I receive it and move away from the forward. I skate around the back of the net and pass the puck to Faith. She fakes a pass and shoots the puck. Jackie does a nice job of blocking the goalie’s view and tips the puck into the net. I throw my hands up above my head. We swarm Jackie.
“Yes”, Carl shouts from the stand, jumping up and raising his arms above his head. Bobbie and mom high-five each other, then high-five Carl. “That was an awesome play”, mom declares. Carl and Bobbie agree. “Lizzy strikes again”, Carl says, beaming from ear to ear. Bobbie and mom silently agree. “I love watching Lizzy play. It’s like I’m watching a mini version of you”, mom tells Carl. Bobbie laughs. “She is a mini version of Carl”, he says.
The second period ends. The score is tied at two. I sit at my locker and drink from my water bottle. I say a “Hail Mary” under my breath before turning to Jackie. “Nice game so far, girl”, I say. Jackie smiles. “Yep. And, I want to keep it going”, she says. I fist-bump her. “That sounds like the Jackie I know”, I tease. Jackie crosses her arms and pretends to pout. “You’re teasing me”, she complains. I raise an eyebrow. “Is there anything more”, I ask. Jackie looks at me. “Yes. Playing a game of hockey”, she says, shoving me in the shoulder. I playfully shove her right back. She rolls her eyes.
The game is over. We won, 4 to 3. I finish putting my things away. I sit down next to Jackie, who has her head down. “You had a good game today, Jackie. Two goals and an assist”, I say. “I needed that. I’m trying to get into the second place scoring position”, she says. Her voice sounds sad. I hug her. She stands up and is about to leave when I grab her arm. “Jackie, don’t be afraid to call me if you need anything. I don’t care if it is the middle of the night. Call me”, I tell her. She blinks her eyes, trying to keep the tears from falling. I hug her again. The two of us walk out of the locker room together.
“Where do you want to go to have dinner”, Carl asks me. I think for a minute. “How about Del-Mons”, I reply. Bobbie and mom both nod. “Let’s go. I’m starved”, Bobbie says. Carl looks mom in the eye. Understanding showed in mom’s face. “Okay”, she says, pushing Bobbie towards the car. Carl places a hand on my arm. “You okay”, he asks, studying my face. I look my brother in the eye. “I’m fine. I’m just worried about Jackie. Every time I look at her, it feels like she’s a piece of glass that’s about to break. She’s doing better, but still”, I say, feeling the tears prick my eyes. Carl wraps me in a hug and holds me tight. “You’re a good friend, Lizzy. If Jackie needs anything, she can always come and visit us. It doesn’t matter when it is”, he says. I smile. “Thanks, Carl”, I say. We turn and walk back to the car. Carl Hagelin, is, for me, the best brother!