Miles Away

I went back to the hotel room and laid around, trying to get a nap in before I was scheduled to arrive at the rink. I was completely stressed out and I knew the media tonight would be no help. I didn't even want to see Danny. I had no idea what to say to him. Drew and I watched a movie and fell asleep for a little while. Brad woke us up right before we were due to head over to the Wells Fargo Center. "Come on sleeping beauties. Time to go make Mike's homecoming a good one." Brad said as he walked out of the room.

Everyone was so pumped up, excited for the game. I couldn't focus. At least no one thought that was out of the ordinary considering the magnitude of the game for me. I did a few interviews before I got laced up. It wasn't too bad. Brad and Jack left a present outside the Flyers locker room, which made me laugh. It was a shoebox and inside it was decorated as a beach scene and the sign read "Dry Island". It was amusing and made me loosen up a little.

After the interviews I laced my skates and hit the ice. I didn't here too many boos. There were a few Kings jerseys here and there which was amusing. Flyers fans are diehards and I was surprised some of them converted, mostly females of course. I stopped and talked to Scotty at center ice during pre-game and he told me the team loved the "Dry Island" reference. He let me know that Danny had been scratched that night and he just knew it was for personal reasons.

Max skated over the minute I was alone again. "She stopped here this morning, they argued and I believe they are both back at the house now. Andrej said Dani has the kids. "He said Danny told her everything and she was really upset. I tried calling her but no answer."

I just shook my head. "I have to let her deal with him. I have already interfered too much. I hate losing her Max, but he needs her. The kids need their family. I am such a screw up." I skated away from him and went back towards my own teammates.

"Yo, have you read some of these signs." Drew asked and I just shook my head.

"Crazy broads in Philly, I'm telling you" Drew said and Simon cracked up.

Simon skated over and nudged me. "Look at the cute kids in the Kings gear, you might want to drop some pucks over."

I dropped my stick when I looked, not expecting her to be there. I gave her a small smile and she grinned and mouth the words "sorry". I nodded. I pointed to my bench to let her know I had to go and tried to signal her to call me later.

I headed over towards the bench. During a break in the first period, I got a standing ovation from the crowd. It was pretty funny, because the minute I touched the puck after that, they booed. I love Philadelphia.

During intermission, I found one of the security guards I knew well and showed him where Ava was sitting. I asked him to grab her and bring her down after the game and he told me he would. I was a little nervous about seeing her. I wasn't really sure why she was here and really surprised she would go and spend money on tickets and jerseys when I knew she didn't have it.

The game dragged on and eventually ended up going into overtime which annoyed me thoroughly. I knew it would cut in on the time I had to talk to Ava before we had to leave for the airport. It felt like such a relief when the puck bounced into the net signaling the win. I raced back down to the Locker room and rushed into the shower.

After giving one short interview, I exited the locker room. She smiled shyly as she stood against the wall looking lost. She had on dark jeans, a kings t-shirt and a pair of gray uggs. The boys were busy playing with their video games until they noticed me. "Mike!" Matthew yelled as he flew into my arms. "We missed you." he said and Mikey nodded.

"Hey stranger" she said as she gave me a hug. "Can we sit down?" she asked and I showed her into a corner of the room with a small sofa.

"So I just wanted to apologize for everything. Things were really crazy the week your tournament was scheduled. My in-laws threatened to sue me for custody of the boys if I ever left Philadelphia with them. They said I was a bad mom and they would make sure the boys wouldn't leave with me. I freaked out Mike. I didn't have money to get a lawyer to fight them if they did it so I just gave into them and told them I broke it off with you. I'm sorry. They boys are my world. I don't know what I would do if anyone ever took them from me."

It was hard not to feel for her. She was in tears. "I am so sorry. I made a mistake in letting them run my life. I ruined something that could have been good, by letting them get over on me. I would at least like to be friends with you. I'm not asking for you to drop everything and be with me, but I would love to get to know you better."

My head was spinning. I had so many decisions, so many choices to make. Deep down, as much as I loved Raina, I wanted her to go back to Danny. Could I even trust Ava? Would she run again and make me look like a fool? Should I just go back to LA and start fresh. It was such a hard decision, something I knew I couldn't make in the blink of an instant.

I gave Ava a hug and let her know I would call her tomorrow after I got settled back at home. It had been a long road trip to start the season. I was looking forward to going home and sleeping in my own bed.

I headed out the door of the Wells Fargo Center, towards the team bus. One last gaze back as we were driving away made me smile. I called that place home for so many years, but I couldn't help but be excited to begin a new journey in LA.

Notes

And so it begins....