Chapter 55

Jonathan walked from the kitchen back down the hallway to the bedroom, a kale and fruit drink in his hand. Last year's long off season made this year's summer go by so much faster, and he was glad to have a day off to lounge around in bed. Lindsay didn't have to work until four and proclaimed she wouldn't be getting out of bed until eleven. They had a brunch with Elina and Niklas at eleven. The dog had taken his spot in the bed, and he picked up the little creature with one hand to move her over as he slid back under the covers. He took a sip of the bottle before handing it to Lins to share. She had the covers pulled up to her chin and tried to take a drink with as little of her hands showing as possible. Jon took the opportunity to grab the covers and throw it off her. She screamed as the cold air hit her, grabbing the blanket and slapping him playfully. He laughed at her before settling in closer. Lindsay had turned on the Today Show. She loved watching the Today Show, and over the months he had come to know all their names. The favorites were Kathy and Hoda, who Jon believed were always drunk. Lindsay turned up the volume.

“Please welcome our next guest, the beautiful Elia Downs, who appears in 12 Years a Slave out next week!”
Jon felt like someone had just squeezed his stomach.
“Oh my god I love her new hair!” Lindsay exclaimed as Elia walked out onto the stage. Hoda and Kathy handed her a glass of Sangria, which they had declared their fall seasonal drink last week. Elia's usually dark long hair had been cut short and dyed a caramel colored brown. According to Lindsay it was a long bob with bangs and ombre coloring. Whatever the fuck that was. Jon only knew that she looked different. Softer. They were talking about Elia living in France, she was telling some funny story about mistranslation. Everyone laughed.
“And we saw you brought a man back with you,” Hoda was saying. The camera cut to a man sitting back stage in the green room. Elia blushed a little, smiling.
“Yes, there was some trouble going through customs with one of those, but uh, got him through.” They all laughed again. Jon felt like a burning sensation traveling from his stomach up through his throat and face. The women moved on to discuss the movie that was coming out.
“Jonny you know Elia Downs right? Can you please please introduce me? I love her, I love her style. It would be so cool to meet her!” Lindsay was asking.
“I knew her. Yeah, I guess, if she's ever in town again...” he trailed off. If I could get a hold of her, it wouldn't be to introduce you, Jon thought. He had tried in vain to get in touch with Elia a few times but hadn't been able to reach her. Maybe she had changed her phone number? He had called her assistant, but the line was disconnected. For some reason he couldn't bring himself to call one of her brothers. But she was back in the United States now, apparently to promote this movie. Maybe she would stop back in Chicago.

It had been a whole year since Elia had been back home, and landing down in New York had been a culture shock. The loud noises, cars honking, variety of people, the size of people, the sweatpants everywhere. On top of that the time zone shift. When they first got in to Chicago they stayed in and lounged around on the couch trying to catch up. Since she had rented her house, Elia was back in her condo. It would be a quick stop over in her home city on the way to L.A for the movie premiere. Francis had wanted to see where she was from. She hadn't told anyone she was going to be in town, not even Kaner, not even Abby. In and out, quick trip she hoped.

Francis was independent minded, and had planned on his own many of their activities. Elia was along for the ride in her own home town, being shown around like she was the tourist. One thing she admired about him was his ability to simply absorb knowledge in an instant, and his brief research of the city had made him almost an expert. They toured buildings known for their architecture, visited historical sites Elia hadn't known about. For dinner they met at Chef Rick Bayless's home and ate with him and Grant Aschatz. The meeting of three chefs was spectacular for Elia, who sat back and ate as the trio exchanged ideas and techniques. It was typical of their relationship. Elia and Francis existed like a venn diagram, two separate circles that overlapped in a small sliver. It wasn't the love she imagined growing up, it wasn't the love she had for Jon, of two pieces making each other whole. But maybe this was better.

“Why did you let me eat so much?” Elia lamented as the pair walked down the street after dinner.
“I forgot Americans do not have intrinsic ability to regulate their own food intake,” he said, chuckling. “I hope you don't have one of your, how do you say, 'food comas'? Because I have a surprise for you,” he continued. Elia had taught him early on about the concept of food comas but he had yet to experience it himself.
“Oooh, surprise?” Elia said, smiling as she turned to face him, clapping her hands together in excitement.
Francis reached into the pocket of his blazer and pulled out two paper tickets. Elia wasn't sure she was liking this surprise so far. She took the tickets and looked closer, confirming her fears.
“I thought you would want to see a Blackhawks game while you were here,” he was saying. It was very thoughtful. He knew she always woke up in the middle of the night to watch games on her computer. He had even started watching them with her. What he didn't know was that she was hoping to avoid a run in with any of the players.

It was early one morning in March when Abby had called Elia with bad news that had dashed her hopes of returning to the United Center. Elia hadn't even had coffee yet, but had been outside trying to trying to catch one of the horses that had let itself out of the barn. "El, I hate to tell you this...but Jonathan is dating somebody." It felt like she had been stabbed in the chest. For a moment she actually thought she might be having a heart attack, but the sharp stinging eventually subsided. She forgot all about the horse, who was found later that day destroying a neighbor's garden. At first she wanted to know everything. Who was this girl? How long had they been dating? Was she prettier than Elia? Eventually Abby had started yelling into the phone "Oh I can't hear you my service is cutting out," and hung up. Elia was more than certain that was not the case but decided not to interrogate her anymore. She could finally start to feel closure. Jon had obviously moved on. Maybe so should she.

Elia spent the next two months telling herself it was over, trying not to drown in the immense feeling of loneliness that had engulfed her. The first time Francis had asked her out, she couldn't say yes, hanging on to the idea that Jonathan would show up one day and take her home. It wasn't until the Stanley Cup Final that she had to accept it. Once she saw it with her own eyes, there was no more denying it. Jon wasn't thinking about her anymore. He had a beautiful girl on his arm, a girl who wasn't afraid to be with him. Who probably didn't have dad baggage, and celebrity baggage, and whatever other problems had scared Jon away. When Francis asked her out again, she said said yes. A week later they were on their way to the Palace of Versailles for their first date. I brought you a gift, he said in the car. She opened a small box to find two sticker mustaches and two chocolate truffles. Disguises, so nobody will recognize us, he said grinning. It was silly and charming, and for the first time in long time, Elia had smiled.

They had been seeing each other ever since. Theirs wasn't a fiery love, but a calming ember. Francis lived in Paris, and Elia in southern France. They only saw each other a few days a week, sometimes with a week or two in between. And that was fine. He was there to talk to her on the phone at night until she fell asleep, and always texted her good morning the next day. When they were together it was serene.

She had been reluctant to take him with her on the press tour for the movie. On one hand, it would be nice to get away with him for a week or two. But on the other hand, there was always drama in the States. Here he had gone and delivered it straight into her hands.

At the end of the street they caught a cab to the United Center. It was all too sudden, Elia hadn't even had time to prepare herself mentally. She was going to be in the same building as Jonathan. It started almost immediately after they entered the building. Tables were set up at various points on the main concourse where the WAGs were selling autographed items for charity.
“ELIA?!” Abby's familiar voice yelled across the hall. Elia couldn't sneak past, not now.
“Abby!” She yelled back, walking over. There she was. The skinny blond woman Jonny was kissing beneath the Stanley Cup. Lindsay. A very pregnant Abby gave Elia an awkward hug, her large belly bending them out from the middle.
“I got your shower gift, I'm sorry I haven't sent a thank you card,” Abby said, when she suddenly realized Elia was with a man. She introduced the two.
“How about I go get us some drinks so you ladies can catch up?” Francis said, kissing Elia's forehead. He walked away from the table. Abby started asking her a million questions about the new man.
“Hi, I'm Jonathan Toews' girlfriend,” a voice interrupted them. Elia turned towards Lindsay, an unfiltered look of disdain on her face.
“Elia...” Abby warned, trying to rein her friend back in. Elia hesitated. Stay out of the drama, she told herself.
“Do you have a problem with me or something?” Lindsay asked. Apparently Elia had hesitated too long. She was surprised someone else had escalated the situation.
“Actually, yes,” Elia started to say.
“El,” Abby started to stop her.
“As a woman, I have a problem with any female that identifies herself by her boyfriend. Do you not have your own name?”
“Wow, I've heard from a lot of people that you are a stuck up bitch, but I thought I'd give you a chance since Abby says such great things about you.” Lindsay said.
Elia's eyebrows raised. Who had been talking shit about her? She felt something on her shoulder. Francis was back, resting his arm around her. She looked up at him, meeting his eyes. This Lindsay girl wasn't worth her time.
“Abs, I promise I will let you know next time I'm in town, I really didn't think I would be here tonight. I love you and can't wait to meet the new Sharpie!”

Abby gave her a sharp look, as if to say she better behave the rest of the night. Elia wanted to behave the rest of the night, but trouble always found her. Francis had watched games with her on Center Ice, but it was his first time seeing a game live. Their seats were in the 200's, and it was hard to see some parts of the ice, but it was close enough to feel the intensity of the players on the ice. It was fun to watch the game on a date, something Elia had never experienced before. Instead of waiting for her man on the ice, she had her man right there to share it with. She was starting to relax and enjoy the game when their happy bubble was blown. Somebody had put them on the kiss cam. Francis had no idea what was going on. He didn't understand the concept of a kiss cam. He watched soccer, and there was no stoppage of play in a game. Elia ended up getting kissed on the cheek by a young boy sitting on the other side of her, causing loud cheers from their section. Francis finally figured out too late, kissing her after the camera had gone to the next victim. It only took one person on the team to see it and she would be busted.

“KANER!” Clint Reif yelled as Patrick came off the ice in second intermission. “Why didn't you tell anyone Elia was in town?!”
Patrick looked at him perplexed.
“What do you mean?”
“Elia, Elia Downs! She was just on the kiss cam!”
Pat couldn't believe what he was hearing. Elia would never come to town without telling him. Would she?
“Are you sure it was her?” Jonathan asked, having overheard their conversation. Pat wondered who was more upset about the news, himself of Jon. Tazer looked like he had just seen a ghost.
“Alright get her down here after the game, but right now let's concentrate on the third period.” Quennville said gruffly, trying to get them back into focus. Most of the team forgot about it immediately, but for Kane and Toews she lingered in the back of their minds. Pat could understand she didn't want to come to the locker room, not now. But she didn't want to see him?

There were no goals in the third period, but plenty of fireworks. Bollig earned himself five minute major and game misconduct for fighting, and Shaw earned himself a roughing penalty. St. Louis wasn't innocent, racking up their own list of roughing and boarding offenses. It ended up going into a shoot-out. Both Kane and Toews blew their shoot-out attempts, as did Sharpie. T.J. Oshie was the only one on either team to make a goal, winning the game for the Blues.

Elia hoped to slip out quietly, but was captured by a United Center usher. She and Francis were led down in the bowels of the Madhouse, to face the jury. Elia tried to act natural, but found herself smiling nervously. Francis didn't understand what was wrong with her, these were supposed to be her friends, she was acting quite peculiar.

The locker room erupted in cheers as Elia walked in the door. Kane ran up to her, picking her up for a big hug. Then he grabbed Francis' hand and pulled him in for a hug. Keith and Sharp were next, and even Hossa admitted he missed her. Finally Quenneville came in, giving her a hug and shaking Francis' hand.
“Why didn't you come down before the game?” Joel asked.
“I didn't want to disturb you guys,” Elia said coyly. Everyone laughed. Francis looked at her inquisitively. He had a million questions of the man she had brought with. What did he do? Francis was a chef in a restaurant in Paris. “He got three Michelin stars last year,” Elia was quick to add. How did they meet? Elia couldn't stop eating in his restaurant. How long had they been together, etc. Quenneville seemed to like him. Of course he would, Elia thought. Francis was a perfect gentlemen. Earnest and steadfast. Not a hockey player. Jonathan slammed his locker shot and left the room. Elia breathed a sigh of relief. The elephant had left the room.

They stayed and chatted for a while until Quenneville wanted to show Francis something on the ice, and Elia said she wanted to go find Kaner. He had left a few minutes before, Elia presumed he would want to watch video footage to figure out how to beat Jaroslav Halak next time they went to a shoot-out. She headed down the hall to the video conference room, turning left to head towards the office area.
“Jesus!” Elia yelled as she almost ran straight into Jonathan around the corner. She couldn't bring herself to look up into his eyes, instead turning to walk around him. He stepped into her path. She tried the other way.
“What the fuck Elia.” He said.
“Yeah, what the fuck Taze,” she muttered, deciding to turn around and leave. She could text Kane easier than this. He grabbed her arm as she tried to walk away.
“Don't touch me Jon.” She said sternly. He let go.
“What are you doing bringing this guy here? This guy? This fat old french guy? That's who you want to be with?”
“He's not fat Jon, and he's only thirty-five. And yes I want to be with him. I don't have to explain it to you.” she stated. Francis wasn't exactly in peak physical condition, but he wasn't fat. Well, not by American standards. Anyway, Elia liked his soft physique. It was cuddly.
“I just can't believe this. He's here with you all the way from France, what to meet your Mom? Are you going to marry him or something? Seriously, that guy?” Jon kept patronizing her.
“Shut the fuck up Jon.” She whispered. He kept going on and on about it.
“Jon.” She repeated it several times, he didn't listen.
“JON! I cried myself to sleep EVERY night for a year waiting for you to come back to me and I got tired of being alone. He doesn't ask me why I'm sad and he knows I'm with him now and that's enough. He doesn't care how much I love him. And that's all I have now, so fuck you you self righteous prick. I met your girlfriend earlier, and I obviously wasn't what you wanted. So fuck you.”

Elia turned, pushing Jon in the chest away from her. She couldn't start crying again. She started to run, and didn't stop until she couldn't hear Jon's steps behind her anymore.

Notes