“Hi Brandon!” My seven year old neighbor yells running to me as I get out of my car.
“Hey Mallory.” I respond, crouching down to be on the same level as the little blonde. “How was your day at school?”
“It was good. We did some fun stuff. How was Buffalo?”

I smile at the little girl, knowing very well she knows how Buffalo went.

“I heard you stayed up to watch the game last night.” I say.
“I did! Mommy let me and Maddy stay up to watch the whole thing.”
“So you know how Buffalo went!”

She blushes and looks down at her feet.

“You had two goals and an assist and the Penguins won four to one. And you were the first star!”

I laugh at her bright red face.

“You know, it’s okay to be a fan of mine.” I joke, tickling her side. “Especially since you know me.”
“No one at school believed me when I told them that you’re my neighbor.”
“Well that’s their loss, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.”

“Mallory! Where did you go?” We hear from her house.
I stand from my crouch and wave to the gorgeous blonde at the front door.
“Hi, Melissa.” I say. “She was just saying hello to me.”
“Oh, Brandon! I didn’t know you were home.” The older blonde says.
“Just got here a couple minutes ago.” I admit.
“Well good. That means you likely don’t have any dinner plans.” She smiles.
“No, actually. I don’t. I was just going to heat up a frozen dinner, probably.”
“Well we can’t have that!” She laughs.
“No no no! You’re coming to have dinner with us!” Mallory interjects, jumping into my arms.

Fortunately, I’ve got good reflexes. When Mallory jumps at me, I scoop her up and turn her upside down. She’s giggling already.

“I’m sorry, did I ever imply that I would actually want to have dinner with you?” I tease the seven year old.
“Brandonnnnn!” She giggles. “Put me down!”
“I don’t think so.” I laugh. “Not until you ask me nicely to come to dinner, instead of just ordering me to.”

The little blonde shrieks as I start to tickle her.

“Brandon! Will you please come to dinner with us tonight?” She asks between gasping breaths.
I laugh and turn her right-side up again, still holding her in my arms.
“I think I would love that, Miss Mallory.” I say.
She cheers and wraps her arms around my neck, giving me a hug.
“Mommy said we can have a fancy dinner tonight. So we have to wear our nicest dresses. And she’s gonna do our hair and stuff.”

I look at Melissa, who’s blushing.

“Once a month I let them get dressed up and pretend we’re having a fancy dinner. You don’t have to get dressed up if you don’t want to.” She says.
“No, I’d love to get dressed up.” I say. “I actually just bought a new suit that I can wear. And then I can get a woman’s opinion on it.”
“Okay. Dinner will be ready around seven.”

I put the younger blonde down and wave goodbye as I grab my bag and head into my own house. I stare at the wrinkled Penguins shirt and gray sweatpants I’m wearing. Definitely not appropriate for a fancy dinner. And I definitely need to shower.

As I’m showering, I can’t help but think about the single mother living next door to me. She’s such an amazing woman, and her story is inspiring.

Melissa used to be a world-class surfer. She traveled all over the world, chasing waves. Her sun-kissed skin shows that off even in the dead of the winter. She was the best in the world. She had endorsement offers from every major surfing company, and won multiple major competitions by the time she was twenty.

She was the golden girl of the surfing world.

But then she had an accident. She misgauged a massive wave in the middle of a competition and wiped out. She almost got crushed under the weight of the water, which continued to pound on her body. When the life guards were finally able to pull her from the water, her spine had been fractured and she had to be rushed to the hospital. Multiple surgeons worked on her for a total of twenty hours, eventually repairing her spine with a miracle.

After that miracle, she and her surfer boyfriend at the time got pregnant with Mallory. And two years later, got pregnant with Maddy.

But Melissa started to get tired of the surfer life. She wasn’t allowed to even go swimming in the ocean yet, let alone surf. And apparently her boyfriend wasn’t very supportive of her. They had a massive falling out, and ended up breaking up. Melissa took a job offer from Billabong, working in their Pittsburgh office with their design team. She won their custody battle easily, since he didn’t even seem to care to put up a fight.

Now, she’s living in the house next to me with her two carbon-copy daughters, working so hard to be a good mom and still provide for her daughters financially. She’s an inspiration, really. And in the two years I’ve lived next door to her, I’ve found myself slowly falling both her and the girls.

I pull on my new suit and head over to their house. I knock on the door and hear the sound of thumping feet running to me.

“Hi Brandon!” Mallory yells as she swings open the door.
“Well hello, Mallory. Don’t you look very pretty.”

She spins around in her pink dress and smiles at me.

“Thank you.” She says.
“You’re welcome. How do I look?”
“You look handsome.” She smiles.
“I’m glad you think so.”

I follow the young girl to the kitchen where I find Melissa pulling a pan out of the oven. Her white dress hugs the right curves and flaunts her golden tan.

“Good timing. Dinner is done!” She says with a smile.

I help her carry the four plates into the dining room and get the girls into their seats. We start eating and I listen to the girls chatter about their days.

Mallory starts telling us about her latest school project- Flat Stanley.

“What’s that?” I ask.
Mallory gasps.
“You don’t know what Flat Stanley is?!”
“No. Tell me about it.”
“Flat Stanley is a paper guy that we get to take home for a weekend and do things with. We take pictures with him and then we put them up at school.”
“So when will you have Flat Stanley?” I ask.
“This weekend!” She says.
“Have you decided what you’re doing with him yet?”
“No... I was going to take him to the zoo but then Bobby did that last week.”

The little girl frowns and my heart breaks.

“Well why don’t you bring him to a Penguins game?” I ask.
“I think Josh wanted to do that.” She says.
“But can Josh take Flat Stanley into the locker room and take pictures with the team?” I ask.

She gasps.

“Brandon, you don’t have to....” Melissa starts.
“Yes I do.” I say firmly. “Mallory and Flat Stanley deserve to have a fun weekend. So what do you say, baby girl?”
“YES!” Mallory yells.

We finish dinner and I help clean up before saying good night to the girls. Mallory walks me to my house as Melissa watches and gives me a big hug before I go inside.

“Now, you have to promise me something.” I say.
“What?”
“You have to promise that you’ll wear a Sutter jersey to the game.”
“But I don’t have one.” She frowns.
“Well I know someone who might be able to get you one.” I smile, poking her side.
She giggles.
“Can mommy and Maddy have one too?” She asks.
“Of course! I’ll bring them over tomorrow with the tickets. After practice.”
“Okay!”

She gives me another hug and runs back to her own house. I can’t help but smile the entire time.

The weekend takes forever to come, and I think my teammates can tell I’m looking forward to our Saturday night game. Which is strange, since it’s against the Blue Jackets. Why would I be so excited about playing Columbus?

I keep my promise by dropping off two kids jerseys and an adult jersey along with three glass-level tickets, all-access passes, a parking pass, and vouchers for dinner. I’ll admit, I had to get my captain’s help to score those perks at such a late notice. But he appreciates my explanation and helps me without having to ask twice.

Melissa thanks me profusely, but I wave it off. She and the girls deserve to have a fun night. And I tell her that.

When game time comes, I’m more nervous than I have been since my very first game. It’s strange for me, having someone in the audience who’s actually rooting for me and not just Brandon Sutter. I feel like I have to do well tonight. For them.

During warm ups, I spot the girls sitting down in their seats. I skate over to the glass and tap on it, getting their attention. They smile and wave, which makes me smile as well. Melissa pulls out her phone and encourages Maddy and Mallory to pose next to me. She takes one of just the three of us, and then takes one with Mallory holding up Flat Stanley. Geno notices me and skates over, recognizing the girls from the couple of times he’s driven me home after road trips. He smiles and waves and the two of us pose for a picture together with Mallory and Flat Stanley.

“You finally get girl?” He asks as we’re heading off the ice after warmups are over.
“What?” I ask.
“Neighbor. You finally make girlfriend?”
“No.” I blush. “It’s not like that.”
“Sure.” The Russian cackles as he walks away from me. “Is why she and girls in Sutter jersey.”

I ignore him and get mentally prepared for the next sixty minutes of hockey in front of me.

It turns out to be just an okay night for me. I don’t score any goals, but I do get two assists. And I make a couple really good defensive plays. I see the girls cheering for me and send smiles their way every time I get a chance.

When regulation ends, I’m proud to say the score is very one sided. We’ve won 3-0. The mood in the locker room is upbeat, and I’m feeling like I’m on cloud nine. I shower and get dressed quickly before heading to the waiting room to find my visitors.

“BRANDON!” Mallory yells, running to me. I scoop her up in my arms. “You played so good!”
“Thanks, pretty! I like your jersey.”
She smiles.
“That’s because it’s yours!”
“I know! Did Flat Stanley enjoy the game too?”
“He did! Can we go in the locker room now?” She asks.

I laugh and Melissa covers her face in embarrassment.

“Sure thing. Let me make sure all the guys are dressed first, okay?”
“Okay.

I quickly check to make sure my teammates are decent before letting them through the doors.

“Brandon, can you show us your locker?” She asks.
“Sure thing.”

I walk over to my spot and she instantly climbs up into my chair. A couple of my teammates eye her wearily, knowing that the only superstition I have is that no one sits in my chair. And I mean no one. But I simply smile and take Melissa’s phone from her. I usher Maddy and Melissa next to my cubby too and make sure Mallory is holding Flat Stanley before taking their picture.

“What’s that?” Beau Bennett asks from his locker next to mine.
“Flat Stanley.” Mallory answers, showing how outgoing she is.
“Oh, cool! My class had a Flat Stanley when I was in school.” He says.
“Really?” Her eyes go wide. “Brandon didn’t know what it was.”
“For real? Everyone knows what Flat Stanley is!” He laughs.
“Not Brandon.”

Our conversation has sparked the interest of some of my other teammates, who take the time to come over and meet the girls. They also take pictures with the girls, both with Flat Stanley and without him.

“You get girl now?” Geno asks quietly as we watch from the side while Mallory and Flat Stanley get their picture with Sid.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I state.
“You use Flat Stanley to impress Melissa. You good with girls, she think you cool guy, and go on date. Yes?”
I freeze.
“Is what I thought.” He laughs.

To be honest, I was trying to impress Melissa. But I never really thought about what I would do with that. I don’t see why she would go out with a guy like me. So I would never grow the balls to ask her out.

“You know... Suttsy kinda looks like Flat Stanley.” I hear my goalie say. I groan, knowing this can’t be good.
“He does!” Tanger laughs.
“He skinny like paper.” Geno adds in his booming voice.

The guys get a good laugh out of it, and I know that this isn’t going to go away any time soon. The new nickname is making it’s way around the locker room and I decide now is probably the best time to make my way out of the arena.

“Melissa, would you and the girls like to go for ice cream?” I ask.
“Yes!” Maddy says instantly.
“Yeah, mommy!” Mallory adds.
“I guess that’s a yes.” Melissa laughs. “Thank you all for taking pictures with them. And Flat Stanley.”

She starts to heard the two young girls out the door and I grab the rest of my stuff and throw it into my bag.

“Suttsy leave to get girl to agree to be girlfriend.” Geno laughs.
“No, I’m leaving so you’ll all shut up and leave me alone.” I grumble, my face going red.

I head out to my car and meet the girls on the way. Melissa follows me to the girls’ favorite ice cream shop and I pay for their treats, despite Melissa’s protests. But the girls enjoy their dessert, so I don’t mind footing the bill.

By the time we pull into our respective driveways at the end of the night, both girls are completely knocked out. I chuckle and pick up Mallory while Melissa picks up Maddy. I carry the seven year old to her room and tuck her into bed, still wearing her Sutter jersey.

“Good night, baby girl.” I whisper.
“Night daddy.” She mumbles in her half-sleep.

It hits me, at that moment. How much I’ve come to love these little girls. How comfortable I would be if I was their dad.

When I come out of her room, I find Melissa exiting Maddy’s room at the same time.

“Would you like some coffee?” She asks.
“Sure.” I respond.

I follow her to the kitchen, admiring her in my jersey. She us both a cup with her Keurig and we sit at the table.

“Did you enjoy the game?” I ask.
“I did. Thank you so much, Brandon. It means the world to the girls and it means a lot to me that you did this for us. I can’t thank you enough.”
“It meant a lot to me that you were there.” I admit. “It was nice having my own personal cheering section.”
“Well I think outside of your family, we are your biggest fans.” She blushes. “I think Mallory has a little crush on you.”

I hesitate for a second. Do I tell her what her older daughter said?

“I never really liked kids.” I admit. “But she and Maddy have both grown on me so much. I want the best for them.”

Melissa sighs and I can tell she’s got something she isn’t telling me.

“Talk to me.” I encourage her.
“I’m scared.” She says.
“Of what?”
She sighs and stands up to take our empty mugs to the sink.
“Of how I feel about you. Of how the girls feel about you. The other day.... The other day, Mallory called you daddy by accident. She’s become so connected to you. So has Maddy, and so have I.”
“I’ve become connected to you three as well.” I admit, standing and walking over to her side.
“I’m just-”
She pauses.
“You’re what?” I push, cornering her body in with mine.
“I’m scared you’ll leave us. I’m scared you’ll break all of our hearts.”

I run my thumb along her cheek.

“I won’t.” I promise. “I won’t leave you. Whether you give me a chance or not, I’m not going anywhere any time soon.”
“Give you a chance?” She asks.
“Yeah.”
“For what?”
“To be your boyfriend.”

There it is. The question I’ve been waiting so long to ask her. I suddenly feel sick. What if I’ve been reading all the signals wrong? What if she has no interest?

“You- you want to be my boyfriend?” She asks.
“If you’ll have me.”

Instead of a verbal answer, she leans up and presses her lips to mine. It feels amazing, and I return it eagerly. She tastes like chocolate syrup. I pull her closer to me. Her body is warm beneath my touch. It’s not necessarily the most heated kiss, but it definitely is filled with passion and lust.

“Brandon.” She moans, pulling away from me.
“Yeah?”
“Take me on a date.” She demands.
I smile at her up-front nature.
“Yes, ma’am.” I smile.

A couple days later, Geno babysits the girls while I take Melissa out on our very first date. It’s romantic and sweet and I’m proud to say we really have a great time.

It’s good enough that when I ask, she agrees immediately to go on a second date with me. It makes me so happy that I’m floating for days.

I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy in my life. Despite the fact that my teammates haven’t given up on my new nickname. But hey, Flat Stanley is how I’ve gained my new family. And there are a lot worse names I could be called.

Notes

Requested. It kinda got out of hand. So I hope you guys like it.

Despite him being a Penguin, I actually have a small soft spot for Sutter. He's more than welcome in Philly whenever he wants.

Love to anyone who lost a beloved player in either the trades or the free agency.