All The Small Things

Sidney pulled into his spot under the Consol. He gathered his belongings and was humming to himself. He hadn’t even noticed Pauly and Tanger walking towards his vehicle. Pauly glanced at his watch then at Tanger.

“’ey Sid,” called Tanger “’ow was your date?”

“Are we early or are you late?” questioned Pauly “and if you are late, has hell in fact frozen over?”

“I’m a half hour late.” replied Sidney “I just dropped Laci off at her apartment.”

“Captain ‘as a few moves.” teased Tanger “Please tell me you did not wear those shoes to take ‘er ‘ome!”

Sid nodded and laughed. Pauly and Tanger both looked at him suspiciously. “Laci informed me if I want a second date that I cannot wear these shoes again. Something about her doing the walk of shame, but I made this choice.”

Tanger clapped him on the shoulder laughing as they entered the Consol. “Your Laci is good for you, No?”

“How as dinner?” asked Pauly.

“She was impressed. I think you might have to give her some cooking lessons. Or give me lessons so I can teach her.” answered Sid “She says she can’t cook, but she made breakfast this morning.”

“So, you’re first date was sleepover, she made you breakfast, and you're late for practice.” responded Pauly. Sid nodded and Paul slapped a hand to Sid’s forehead. “No brain fever. Obviously, he’s a pod person.”

“Where did she sleep?” quizzed Kris.

“With me.” said Sidney “Why is it improbable that I had a girl stay the night and sleep in my bed?” Sidney saw Kunitz the minute the words left his mouth. Great, thought Sidney, he was going to have to stand in the middle of the locker room and declare he’d spent the night with Laci.

“Because you are an uptight, neurotic bastard.” answered Kuni not missing a beat “But good on ya, Cap.”

“It was late so she stayed over. End of story.” replied Sidney.

“She made breakfast and disrupted his schedule.” said Paul stripping to get ready for practice “And as far as we know, she lived to tell the tale.” He then turned to Sid “She is alive right, Cap?”

Sidney didn’t even respond he just shook his head. They guys were all engaged in torturing Sid as they dressed. The ribbing continued until Marc Andre came into the room with seconds to spare as always. It then began a recap of all the morning events. Sid ignored them and went through his pre-practice rituals. He managed to get suited up and hit the ice before the rest of the guys. Sid focused and tried to clear his head. He needed to get in his zone. He hit his stride. He was skating and thinking of Laci.

“What has put that stupid smile on your face?” called Duper “I’m pretty sure it wasn't the fact Geno beat you to practice this morning. G was here before you. Do you hear me, Creature?”

“They heard you in Philly,” groused Sid spraying snow at Duper “and I'm still a half hour early for practice. Geno won’t be here until 15 after.”

“That is true. But you're still smiling!” called Duper.

“Can’t a guy just be in a good mood?” asked Sidney tossing pucks to the ice.

“Oui, but not you. They might call Tazer Capt. Serious, but they do not know you.” laughed Duper “You are usually difficult on game day.”

“You guys act like I’m an axe murderer!”

“Nope, but you can be an uptight asshole! I say this with love as your left hand man.” called Kuni skating onto the ice “Hell, I’ve only seen the girl from a distance, but I'm gonna send a dozen fucking roses for pulling that hockey stick out of your ass.”

Sid just leaned against the boards and stared as they filed on to the ice, each player taking time to chirp at Sidney. Today was apparently ring around the captain day. He took it in stride, he usually gave them no ammunition. The chirping continued long after coach began putting them through their paces. Sid looked up and suddenly Geno was on the ice. That Russian was a ninja.

“What I miss?” asked Geno noticing everyone giving Sidney hell.

“Laci made Sid breakfast this morning. And ‘e was late!” explained Letang.

“Late?” said Geno looking at Sidney.

“I wasn’t late!” yelled Sidney “I was only a half hour early, instead of an hour.”

Geno’s face broke out into a huge smile. He started skating toward Sidney. Sid just braced himself as Geno grabbed him up in a bear hug. Geno was lolling him back and forth with his feet several inches off the ice. “You score! Evgeni proud. See, girls good.”


“No G, she just spent the night because it got late. No score.” explained Sidney as G lowered him to his feet. Geno stared at him for a moment then looked at Tanger to explain. Who immediately doubled over in laughter. Pauly skated over and looked at Geno.

“Okay big guy, sometimes when two people like each other very much, they can just hang out.” replied Pauly “Sometimes, there is no score.”

“But she stay. She make breakfast?” asked Geno incredulously. Pauly and Sid nodded. Geno looked perplexed and skated away.

“The gears are grinding. At this rate, we might have to send him to mother Russia for a tune up.” called Bortz.

“Oui, is confusing to our comrade.” laughed Tanger.

Coach put them through their drills. They were all tired and winded as they made their way into the Pens locker room. They had a game tonight. Which meant Sid had a limited amount of time before his pregame ritual started. Sid sat in his locker and texted Laci.

Sidney: I’ve got a few hours until nap. Want to grab lunch?

Sidney finished dressing while waiting for his phone to chime. He quickly realized waiting wasn’t his strong suit. He was used to people jumping and answering him. Laci seemed to do everything at her own pace. He was trying to figure out if that was a good thing or a bad thing when G flopped down beside him.

“So, no score?” asked Geno.

“No.” laughed Sidney “We had dinner, wine, and we talked. She met Sam. Of course, Sam loved her.”

“Sam love Evgeni.” replied Geno.

“Yes, I am second place to both of you now.” responded Sid “I showed her my theatre room. We are going to watch movies Friday night.”

“Then you score?” said Geno teasing Sidney.

“I’m not sure watching Disney movies leads to scoring as you put it.”

“Da,” said Evgeni “That mermaid. She and Belle. They reason I have my Natashka.”

“What?” asked Sidney not sure what the crazy Russian meant.

“Da,” said Evgeni again “I go to see Ally. We watch Disney movies. I snuggle. I stay. We love. We have Natashka. Speak of which, we get married Disney in summer. Make plans.”

“What?” repeated Sidney

“You say already. Surprise Ally with wedding at Disney. You all come. Bring your Laci.”

“Geno, girls usually like to plan their weddings. I’m not sure a surprise wedding is a great plan.” explained Sidney

“Nyet” said Geno “She is planning wedding. She just not know the day or where. Thinks big family fun at Disney. Ashley, Lazy, and everyone help. Sid help by coming and help with Natashka and be best guys at wedding.”

“Best man?” asked Sid

“Nyet, best guys,” said G “I not pick so you all be best.”

“Yes, I’ll be there Geno.” replied Sidney “But I'm going on the record stating Ally is going to kill you.”

“Nyet, her love me.”

Sidney laughed and then lunged at his phone when it chirped. Evgeni started laughing at Sid. He then pried the phone out of Sid’s grasp.

“Nyet!” yelled Sid “Give me the phone, G.”

Geno shook his head and swiped the phone and entered the password. Really, how secure is 8787? He looked at the text message.

Laci: the nap sounds better. Late night.

Geno smiled at Sidney’s phone and then answered the text while holding Sid at bay with one long arm.

Sidney: Sorry. No Sorry. You nap with me

Laci: Umm not messing with you and your game day juju. I’m pretty sure Cole will murder me.

Sidney: No bad juju. You good juju

Laci: So who has your phone Captain?

Sidney: No is me

Laci: No is Evgeni

Sidney: Da. We come for lunch.

Laci: Bring food.

Sidney: I bring Sid and food.

Laci: It better not be PBJ

Sidney: No is PBJ time. Bring real food and Sid

Laci: See you all soon.

Evgeni handed Sidney his phone. “Come, we get food and visit you girl.”

“I had planned on that, G.” replied Sidney.

“Da,” answered Geno “But I’m gonna help you be “I’m Score” with Laci.”

“I don’t need your help, G.”

Evgeni glanced at Sid’s feet. He took in the yellow crocs. Evgeni shook his head “Da, you need Evgeni’s help.” Sid gave up and followed the big Russian. What was so wrong with his crocs? Damn it, they were responsible joint care.

Notes