Quietly
I Have that Effect
Allyson was late she hated being late but there was absolutely nothing she could do about. Her flight was cancelled the previous day and she had to fly in this morning. So that set the entire day in motion, she was going to have to deal with her tardiness all day. She had called the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and notified them of the delayed flight. The lovely receptionist that answered the phone assured her it would be fine and to get to Advocacy Center safely. What a way to begin an internship. She had her luggage couriered over to the hotel she was staying at and hopped the first cab to the hospital. She was standing in the lobby staring at the directory trying to locate the floor she needed to be on. Of course they never clearly label Advocacy Centers for the clients protection. So she continued to stare waiting for it to click what they had actually called the Advocacy Center.
"It will not change, eh?" said an accented voice from behind Allyson "It stays the same no matter 'ow long you look at it." Allyson turned her head and looked at the guy standing behind her. She then realized she was blocking the elevator. Dear lord he might be the prettiest guy she had ever laid eyes on. He was a foot taller than Allyson and well built. The giant hockey jersey he wore did nothing to disguise this fact. He had very striking features. But didn't seem to care as his hair was quite long and disheveled and he apparently did not see the need to shave. All that coupled with that accent was dangerous.
"I am so sorry for blocking the elevator" she replied "I am trying to figure out which floor I need to be on. And I am late already because of the stupid plane. And I am rambling."
He started laughing "It iz ok. I 'ave that effect on women." Allyson was staring at him in disbelief at this point "I am kidding" he teased "Come we will talk to the nurses and they will get you where you need to be." He ushered her into the elevator. Allyson wasn't sure why she was blindly following this guy, but he seemed to know the hospital layout.
"Tanger hold the elevator" yelled a tall dark haired man holding a bunch of hockey paraphernalia in a large box. There were 2 other men with the guy yelling. Why are they all dressed alike. Then again it was nothing to see herds of people in UK gear all over Kentucky.
"Oui" said the guy who they apparently called Tanger. What kind of name is Tanger she wondered. Dear lord these guys were huge. She was now surrounded by hulks. "This iz..?" he said gesturing towards Allyson.
"I'm being rude again" she responded "I am Allyson Schafer."
"This iz Allyson" he announced to his friends "I am Kris." He then pointed at the boys in the elevator the dark haired man who had yelled at Kris was Sidney, the smaller blonde guy to the left was Pauly, and the giant guy beside him was Geno. Dear lord they were all pretty. She looked from guy to guy. But her gaze stopped on the one called Geno.
"What are you all mafia?" asked Allyson "Pauly, Geno, and random nicknames?"
The boys started laughing. "No" said Sidney "Not mafia." They exited the elevator and Kris brought her to the nurse's station. Wow thought these nurses were sure dolled up for working in a children's hospital.
"Girls" began Kris winking at the redhead nurse "Can you 'elp my friend Allyson find where she needs to go?"
"Of course" said the nurse looking Kris up and down. The one called Sidney had came over to the desk and was talking with the other nurse. She looked from Kris to Ally like she was questioning Ally being with the handsome guy. "What are you looking for?" she asked sweetly while still eyeballing Kris.
"I need to find the Child Advocacy Center" replied Ally "It' s the first day of my internship."
"This is oncology" replied the Nurse as if Ally couldn't read the sign over the nurses head.
"She know that" said Kris smiling "I bring 'er 'ere so you can 'elp 'er. You do know what she is looking for, no?"
The nurse talking to Sidney turned and stated "Second floor but you can only get there from the 3 elevator."
"Thank you" replied Ally "Now to find the 3 elevator." She started back towards the elevator they exited.
"That's the G elevator" called Kris. Ally stopped and faced him.
"I will find it" she shot back "Thanks for the help, Kris."
" 'ey" called Kris "When you get settled and 'ave time for lunch come back up. We will be done by then. We can make sure you find your way."
"Maybe y'all should come find me" replied Ally "I may never find my way back here."
"Oui" laughed Kris "We will be down." Ally saw the red head behind the nurses desk make a face of disbelief. Maybe her momma should have told her if she kept it up it might freeze that way. Day one in the North bitching nurses and hot boys.
"See y'all soon" said Ally turning to walk away. She however didn't make it very far before she walked straight into the guy they called Geno. She bounced off him. He grabbed her to steady herself of she would have hit the floor. Not her day.
"Sorry" she said softly looking up at him "Not normally this much of a klutz. Nothing has gone right today."
"No big deal" he said "Some days just bad." All of these guys had accents. Strange thought Ally. Well except for Pauly but he sounded like he might be from Wisconsin or Minnesota. Ally smiled up at him. She then realized she still had a hold on his arm and he might want it back.
"Alright" she said backing away from Geno "Super late. Got to find elevator 3."
"I take you to elevator 3." replied Geno "On the way to Colby's room."
"No that's okay I don't want to hold y'all up any more"
"Let the crazy Russian 'elp you" said Kris " 'e 'as been lost 'ere more than all of us combined."
"I just might beat your record" she said looking at Geno " I am directionally challenged."
Geno kept looking down at the tiny blonde in front of him. She reminded him of the Snowmaiden from the fairytales his babushka had read to him. The Snowmaiden had skin white as snow, eyes of the brightest blue, and golden blonde hair. He remembered that even as a child he thought the description was beautiful. "Come Evgeni get you to your new job."
"Evgeni?" she inquired as he steered her through the corridors of the hospital.
"I is Evgeni" he said pointing to himself "Evgeni Malkin."
"I think I prefer Evgeni to Geno" replied Allyson as they approached elevator 3.
"So does Mama" laughed Geno "She say she not know why Geno. Evgeni lovely name."
The elevator door opened and Ally climbed inside "Thank you Evgeni" before the statement was fully out of her mouth he climbed in the elevator with her.
"No get lost I go with" announced Geno "Then I come back and find you for lunch with us."
Ally had a feeling arguing with him would be useless. She did however take the time to look at him. He was a good foot taller than Ally. Even in the boxy hockey jersey you could tell he was all muscle. His eyes were such a deep brown color they appeared black. Ally was thought back to being in the elevator with Kris, Pauly, Geno, and Sidney. Kris was the obvious looker of the bunch, but Evgeni was the one she took notice of. The elevator came to a stop on the second floor. Evgeni was off the elevator with Ally and leading her towards the sign in the hall.
She and Evgeni found the call button outside the Advocacy Center. She pushed the button and the kind receptionist answered. Ally and Evgeni were buzzed inside. They both crossed into the waiting room of the center.
"Never been here before" said Evgeni looking around. He noticed the children playing in the floor with toys.
"This is an Advocacy Center Evgeni." Ally began "They do physical examinations and forensic interviews of child sexual abuse victims. It's a very confidential process."
Allyson watched the recognition dawn on the Russian's face. "People hurt these children." he said amazed "All more reason for us make kids happy. No child should ever be hurt. Russian not best place but hurting children unacceptable."
Ally was getting ready to answer when the receptionist Janice came around the corner looking for Ally. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Evgeni. Maybe it was not the best idea to bring a giant Russian day one.
"Mr. Malkin" said Janice "How nice to see you. No one mentioned you coming by the center." Janice was kind of stumbling over words.
"Evgeni or Geno, please" he said to Janice "Never been here before. We need make time to come see kids here."
"I'm sure they would love that Mr. Malkin." replied Janice smiling at him "Oh Allyson I am so sorry I was just taken aback by Mr. Malkin. Did you managed to find us okay."
"No" replied Evgeni "She directionally challenged. Tanger find her but we get her here."
Janice laughed. Evgeni noticed that Allyson was blushing. The red staining her pale skin. He wondered what else would make her pale skin flush. "Yes they rescued me. But in my defense it isn't like you giants gave me much of a way to protest."
"Da" said Evgeni "You need help we help." He looked at Janice "When we come get her for lunch?"
"Evgeni" called Ally "They haven't even met me formally yet."
"It's okay Allyson" laughed Janice "All we are doing today is her tour and the paperwork. She will be done for the day by 1pm."
"See is ok" replied Evgeni in his broken English "I be back at 1. I bring Pauly, Tanger, and Sid. Is ok" he asked Janice.
"Yes, Mr. Malkin." she replied. Evgeni smiled Janice and Ally. Dear Lord help me thought Allyson.
Allyson noticed a small boy about 8 crawling along the couches in front of the reception desk. She saw he had on a t-shirt with a logo similar to one on Evgeni's jersey. He was looking over the back of the couch at Evgeni. Allyson waved at the little fellow and he ducked below the back of the couch. Allyson laughed. The little guys head popped up over the back of the couch again. Allyson waved at him again only to repeat the previous hiding. Evgeni turned to see what Allyson was laughing at. He saw the small boy in the Pens shirt. Evgeni smiled brightly at the little boy when he popped up again.
"Hello" laughed Evgeni at the boys antics.
"Max" said Janice "Come say hi to Mr. Malkin and Allyson." He shook his head and hid in the cushions. "He has counseling twice a week Allyson you will get to know Max very well."
"I hope he will play with me" said Ally "All my new toys will be here by the end of the week."
"I'm sure he will" supplied Janice "I think he is a little awestruck right now."
While Ally and Janice were talking Evgeni had quietly maneuvered himself so he was sitting on the couch opposite of Max. He was talking to Max in hushed tones. The little boy was taken by the giant Russian. Ally watched their interaction.
"You haven't a clue?" said Janice watching her watch Evgeni
"Excuse me?" replied Ally.
"You don't know who he is." supplied Janice.
"He is Evgeni Malkin" she answered "He and his friends have been very sweet."
"You'll figure it out" said Janice "In the meantime take him this marker."
Ally walked over to Evgeni and Max. She handed Evgeni the marker. He took the sharpie from her and continued to talk with Max. He talked with the little boy and promised to be back with Sid, Tanger, and Pauly at 1pm. The little boy was very excited to meet Evgeni's friends. She noticed that Evgeni had pulled Max's ball cap off and wrote on the bill of the cap. Evgeni stood up and went for the door. Before he left Ally noticed the back of his jersey said Malkin. Ally at that moment prayed he was some super fan and that she hadn't made a complete idiot of herself in front of a pro athlete. She felt someone tug on the sleeve of her shirt and looked down at Max.
"Mr. Geno says that if I keep you company and keep you from getting lost he will give me his jersey." said Max beaming at Ally "So you have to stay with me all day until Mr. Geno comes back."
Max and Ally followed Janice through the building as Janice gave her the full tour. Well actually it was Max giving the tour. Explaining the rooms and what not. Janice told him that Ally would be in Jamie old office. He bounced along towards the older counselors office.
"This office sucks" said Max "It's boring."
"Maybe we can paint it" suggested Ally. Janice agreed the battleship gray office was drab.
"You can decorate how you see fit." said Janice "The papers you have to fill out for your clinical internship are there on the desk. And Master Max has counseling in 5 minutes with Dr. Ashad."
"I can't leave Ally" said Max "Mr. Geno said I have to take care of her until he gets back with Tanger, Pauly, and Sid."
"I promise to only do boring paperwork until you get done with counseling. I won't venture out into the hospital. But you have to promise to tell the doctor something you have never told him before." replied Ally "Deal?"
"Deal" said Max shaking the proffered hand.
"Max" called Ally "Who is Mr. Geno?"
"Ally he is the best hockey player in the world. Well him and Sid." replied Max "They are Penguins" he was pointing at his shirt.
"We don't play hockey in the south" said Ally looking at Janice "Do I get a pass because I didn't know? Or are they all laughing at me upstairs? Now I get why that redheaded nurse was peeved by the very sight of me."
Janice laughed and shooed Max off to counseling. After a few minutes she returned with 2 mugs of tea. "I think this might settle your nerves dear."
"I'm had no clue who they were Janice" replied Ally shaking her head.
"I know dear I realized that when you Mr. Malkin were trying not to get caught making googley eyes at one another." laughed Janice "I'm pretty sure the fact that you had no clue is why they probably brought you along with them to the oncology floor. Our new intern in the company of 4 Pens tends to make the rounds fast in the hospital. Susan the nurse who sent you down was convinced you fell off a turnip truck since you were unfazed by them."
"No turnip truck" smiled Ally "Kris found me aimlessly blocking the elevator and offered to help. Everything else was Evgeni trying to help."
"Not bad for your first 5 hours in Pittsburgh." replied Janice "So finish up your paperwork and then you are free for the day. I have a feeling Max will cuff you to the couch if you try and leave before Mr. Malkin comes back."
After 45 minutes of paperwork Max appeared in the door of Ally's office. "Miss Ally can I hang out in here until Mr. Geno comes back. " asked Max.
"I'd like that" said Ally "How was counseling?"
"You talk funny" answered Max avoiding the question.
"I most certainly do not" said Ally "I might have a bit of a Southern accent. Did you keep your end of the deal?"
Dr. Ashad answered as he walked into Ally's office "I'm not sure it is what you had in mind when you made the deal, but he was telling me that he had always wanted to try and play hockey. But never did. I told him that since he was going to be your first client. Maybe that was something that you, him, and his foster parents could explore."
"I get Miss Ally" said Max "She is cool. She is friends with the Penguins."
"Max" she began "I just met them today. They were just being nice."
"Nobody is just nice Miss Ally." said an all too knowing 8 year old. Max had grabbed Ally's heart at that very moment and she was determined to prove him wrong.
"I very nice" said Evgeni from the door. He had his friends with him. Max almost came unglued at the sight of Sidney.
Kris came into the office and sat down on the edge of the desk and smiled at Ally. "I have that effect on women" mocked Ally as she smacked him in the chest. Dear lord he was built "Why didn't you tell me you were famous."
Sid, Pauly, and Geno were laughing along with Dr. Ashad and Janice who had brought the boys back to Ally.
"Me, non, and ruin the surprise" laughed Kris "Besides do you know 'ow rare it is to find someone who does not know Sid's giant 'ead." The boys were all laughing again.
"They don't play hockey in Kentucky" replied Ally looking vexed at Kris "We play basketball."
"They play basketball like we play hockey" supplied Pauly "They know nothing of the joys of NCCA basketball."
"Him I am keeping" said Ally smiling at Pauly. Causing another round of laughter.
Ally noticed Max was standing off to the side of the room and was very quiet. He look shell shocked. Dr. Ashad nodded towards the boy and Ally stood up from her desk. Kris flopped down in her desk chair and she passed by Sid, Geno, and Pauly.
"Evgeni I think you promised to introduce Max to your friends if he managed to keep me from getting lost." said Ally beaming at Evgeni "He kept his end of the deal." Max smiled at Ally. She managed to coax him out of the corner and towards the giant guys in her office. Kid friendly space not exactly giant hockey boy friendly.
"Max, you take care of my Ally" asked Geno. Ally breath hitched. She might like being his Ally. But she was fairly certain it was translation error.
"Yes Mr. Geno, I only left her to go to counseling." replied Max "She made me go. I would have stayed."
"You come see counselor" said Geno "You did both jobs." Evgeni pulled his hockey jersey over his head. Holy hell thought Ally. She wasn't sure where took look first the abs that she caught a glimpse of or the tight black t-stretched across his big frame. Kris laughing beside her brought her back to earth. She flushed again and turned away from Evgeni. Kris leaned over and whispered "Maybe I am not the only one who 'as that effect, non?"
"Hush" she said swatting at Kris. He laughed as she smacked his chest.
Evgeni hand the jersey to Max. If he had handed Max a million dollars he wouldn't have gotten a better reaction. Evgeni pulled a sharpie out of his back pocket and signed the top of the 71 on the huge jersey. He passed the marker to Pauly who signed in the 7 as well. Pauly flipped Max's hat off and signed the bill of the cap as well. He ruffled Max's hair before giving Sidney the marker.
"Hey Max" said Sidney kneeling down beside Max "Geno said you were going to take care of Ally so we didn't lose her. He promised you a jersey. He is giving you his but we will get you one you can wear over here to Ally. We will get all the guys to sign it." Max was smiling from ear to ear.
"Awesome" said Max "Ally was really good she stayed right here while I was in counseling." Everyone in the room started laughing. Even Ally. She flushed again when she saw Evgeni looking at her.
"I'm even housebroken" deadpanned Ally. Sidney signed the ball cap then the top of the 1 on the Malkin jersey. He launched the marker at Kris who had to get up to get it from where it had landed.
"So whose jersey do you want?" asked Kris smiling at Max. Kris flopped down in the floor beside the child. His tongue was currently lolled out of his mouth as he scrawled his name across the numbers. Ally could see how women flocked to him. "Come on you can whisper to me so it won't 'urt Sid and Geno's feelings."
"It no hurt my feels" said Evgeni.
"Evgeni Malkin ladies and gentleman" said Pauly like a radio announcer "Leave him alone Tanger. He looks a like a winger not a defenseman."
Max smiled at Pauly " Since I have this one would it be okay for the other one to be Sid's"
"Da" said Evgeni "We make happen." Ally had ventured around Kris and Pauly and was standing beside Evgeni and Sidney.
"Since I am new here maybe you guys can point me in the right direction." said Ally "Max mentioned that he has always wanted to try hockey and never had the chance. And getting him that chance is my first assignment."
The boys all smiled at her simultaneously. Oh she was in trouble she could all ready tell. They all just looked at one another.
"Bring him over after practice" said Sidney "We will teach him to skate and let him shoot. If he likes it we will find the USA Hockey team in his area."
"That's is totally not what I meant guys. You know like little league but hockey." she said exasperated "You all are too much."
"USA Hockey is the hockey equivalent of Little League" supplied Pauly "Come on Ally you can come with him. It will be fun. Maybe there are a few more kids here at the center that could come."
"Dr. Ashad" said Ally as she deferred to the doctor in charge.
"I'm sure I can round up some kids if Ally gets a date set up ." replied the doctor
"I 'ave a feeling there will be more than one date, Oui?" smirked Kris. This time it was Pauly that smacked him in the back of the head "We love the little kids."
"You skate?" asked Evgeni of Ally.
"Umm not a lot of ice in Kentucky. I think I will watch safely from a distance preferably with coffee." she said looking up at Evgeni.
"Nyet" replied looking down at her smiling. He was shaking his head as if what she said was offensive.
"What does that mean?" asked Ally.
"Our Russian friend is disagreeing with you and your idea that we aren't getting you on the ice." explained Pauly.
"Oui" said Kris "Max we must have Ally on the ice if you are to learn."
"I think Kris is right buddy. We have to Ally to get you skating" replied Sid.
Max jumped straight to his feet and ran over to Ally. He looked up at her and threw both arms around her waist. "Please Miss Ally Please. They won't let you fall. Please." Ally looked at the 4 grown men in her office who were grinning from ear to ear. They all knew she couldn't say no. Ally wondered how much trouble one got into for killing a Penguin. Dr. Ashad and Janice were both laughing.
"Well now Ally" said Janice "It usually takes Max a long time to warm up to people. He seems quite happy with you." Ally was looking at the 6 adults in the room. She had no way around this she was going to have to learn to ice skate.
"Please Ally" asked Evgeni smiling at her "I not let you fall." Too late thought Ally returning his smile.
"Fine" cave Ally "I will learn to skate. But you Max have to work extra hard with me in counseling. All truths."
"Deal" he said squeezing Ally again. Dr. Ashad and Janice led him from the room as his foster parents were waiting.
"You are done for the day Ally" said Janice "See you at 8 in the morning. Have fun. Boys take care of her." They all coursed out yes ma'am as Janice left the room.
Ally rounded on Kris Letang "I will get even" she said "When you least expect it Letang. Using small children to do your dirty deeds."
"Me too" said Ally "I could go home anytime I wanted at college so it wasn't really being away. Now I'm in Pittsburgh for at least 6 months." "I keep from being lonely." replied Evgeni "I teach you hockey, I teach you skate, and show you around the Burgh." "I guess that will be in all the free time you have when you aren't playing hockey" she teased. Evgeni leaned over close to her ear and whispered "I make time Ally." She shivered and caught his scent. It was expensive cologne and soap. Ally knew at that moment she was in trouble with a capital T. How does one say trouble in Russian. She might need to learn. "Gorgeous charming professional athletes." said Ally shaking head "How's a girl supposed to survive this." "Just go with it" laughed Pauly "We aren't nearly as charming after a loss."
Fabulous story! Lmao
11/19/18