In my cloud

“We can do this, we are gonna rock this shit”, says Kasperi while he’s looking in the mirror. Dark blue eyes staring back at him in fear.
It’s NHL draft day, a day he’s been working for for years. And a day he’s been looking forward to even longer.
It’s the day he will follow in his dad’s footsteps. He wants to be a Flyer like his dad; put on the orange jersey and one day hopefully bring the Stanley Cup back home to Kuopio.

“Honey, are you ready?”
“Almost mom, I’m brushing my teeth in the bathroom.”
Kasperi’s mom is waiting silently on top of the bed in his hotel room. He has a tiny hotel room in the building where the draft is held. As almost every hotel room, it is decorated in muted earthy tones with dark wood furniture. The bathroom is on the right hand side when you enter the room. On the left is a queensize bed.
As soon as Kasperi entered the room from the bathroom it started.
“What the bloody fuck is this Kassu?” Screams his mom while pointing to the floor next to the bed.
“Well, mommy dearest. I would presume that those pieces of fabric on the ground might possibly be considered clothing items, more specifically my garments for tonight.” says Kasperi with the cockiest grin on his face.
“Wize-ass, don’t get me started. You are a dirty pig and if you think you’ll have have somebody cleaning up after you all the time like I’ve been doing for the past 17 and a half years, you’re wrong boy. Kasperi , this is a big night tonight, for the love of god show me you have matured.”
Kasperi was trying to open his mouth to defend himself, but his mom just wouldn’t let him.
“I’m just worried about you. You’ll be all on your own. You’ll have to take care of yourself” Says his mom while picking up his pale blue shirt and picking pieces of lint off of it and then giving it to Kasperi to put on.
“I’ll be fine mom, I”ll figure it out. And if not I’ll get enough money to get myself a maid. If I’m lucky even a hot one with a double D.”
Petra Kapanen gives her son a light slap, “Look me in the eye Kassu,” Kasperi looks straight at his mom. “ I did not raise you like this, you’ll fend for yourself and respect the people around you”
“I was just kidding mom.”
“I’m not having it, now get finished, your dad is waiting outside.”
Kasperi finished buttoning his shirt and put on his dark blue tie. He just had to put the Finnish blue somewhere in his outfit.

When Kasperi exited the room he saw his mom and dad waiting in the end of the hallway. The hotel had some seats placed next to the elevators. He walks up to his parents. His mom hugs him, tears in her eyes, the way she sees her son all grown up.
When Kasperi makes eye contact with his dad there is no talking . They don’t need to verbally say anything. They have been around each other so long they can sense one another. Something that has only grown stronger since they have been playing together at Kalpa. Sami looks his son in the eye and slowly closes his eyes. It’s his way of letting his son know that he gets it that Kasperi’s nervous, but as his dad he’s going to be there, things will be ok.
Next, the Kapanen family heads downstairs for the big ceremony. As expected all the prospects are all over the place. Everybody is hoping to be a first round pick, but let’s be honest, that is not going to happen.

Finally the doors are opened and people are streaming into the big hall. The Kapanen’s go to their spot and try and calm down.
“I’m hoping I’m getting picked by the Flyers, that way I’ll know where I’m going and I’ll know I’m going to a great organisation.”
“Son, it doesn’t matter where you’ll go, playing for the NHL is a different way, you’ll learn more about the game and yourself wherever you go.”
“But dad I’m meant to be a Flyer, I’m a Philadelphia native for gods sake.”
“It doesn’t matter who picks you, if you don’t deliver, you’ll get traded or even worse, you won’t even get signed. So shut your mouth, the hard part still needs to start.”
“I’ve been through the hard part, that bike test was pure hell and I fucking nailed it.”
Sami doesn’t even respond to his son, he’ll learn the hard way, just like he did. The NHL is a beautiful but brutal place. It’s where the men and the boys get separated.

The whole draft ceremony continues. Kasperi knew he wasn’t a number one pick. He has a lot of skill, but due to injuries he had last year, he’s not where he could have been. Though he is still one mighty fine player. Kasperi doesn’t really care about the number one pick. The only thing he’s looking forward to is the pick of the Flyers.
Quite some time later, it is finally there. The management of the Philadelphia Flyers goes on stage ready to declare their pick. Kasperi’s heart is beating. He’s ready. He’s been waiting for this.
“...for our first pick the Philadelphia Flyers select, from calgary of the Western Hockey League, Travis Sanheim ..”
WHAT, NO. This isn’t right. This was not the way is was supposed to go. That place is mine. What is he doing there.
“Kassu” Sami whispered to his son, distracting him from his frustration. Kasperi takes a few big breaths trying to calm him down. He’ll get drafted, it’s going to be alright, it’s going to be ok.
He keeps repeating this to himself in some kind of mantra. He hopes that in the end he’ll believe it and won’t end up in mcDonalds.
“..Kasperi Kapanen from Kalpa Finland..” OMG it’s me.. I’m drafted.. I've been drafted to Pittsburgh.
I’m gonna get booed so bad by the Philadelphia fans.
I’m going to the rivals team. Why. There couldn’t have been a worse pick. My friends are going to bully me for this.

Kasperi is walking towards the stage. Shaking everybody's hand and putting on the jersey. It’s not the jersey he wants but at least it’s an NHL jersey. He just wants this to be over now. but it isn’t. He tries to get through everything as quickly as possible. Almost in a zombie-like state.
As soon as he’s done putting on the jersey, he needs to be interviewed, pictures taken, more questions.
Kasperi is being pulled in 7 directions at once and all he wants is some calm, some peace.

When he finally gets back so his hotel room hours later he grabs his cell phone and calls the only person he wants to hear right now.
“Hello Mister Bigshot, how’s my sexy boy doing?”
“Pilvi…” It’s barely a reply, Kasperi’s voice is shaking.
“Kassu, let it out...I’m here” The erotic twinge in her voice in gone immediately, replaced by concern.

Notes

All feedback is welcome.
This is my first story and English is not my native language, so errors will happen.
Ofcouse when finnish people talk to each other it would have been in finnish, but for easy reading, I've placed everything in English.
hope you'll enjoy