AUTUMN LEAVES

Sidney couldn’t stay seated. He stood up, not knowing what to do with his hands that were going back and forth from his messy wet hair to his jeans pockets. The look in his eyes said it all. He was shocked and it made Mario regret saying anything. “So, it is safe to assume that everyone will have the same reaction to this news?”, Mario asked somewhat disappointed, already envisioning Sidney’s response.

“No, I mean… I’m just surprised that’s all. I mean, if you like her”, Sidney stuttered. “If you really like her, and she likes you back” he added reluctantly. “Then by all means you shouldn’t let my reaction or anybody’s opinion stop you from pursuing this”. Mario exhaled a sigh of relief as he studied Sidney’s words carefully. Sidney was experienced with women, he could read them easily, the same way he would size up his opponents on the ice. More importantly, he was young, around Autumn’s age. Therefore, his opinions at mattered to Mario.

Mario still felt out of place discussing a woman with his young protégé. It felt strange that he almost laughed at how absurd the situation was. “I think this conversation should have gone the other way around”, Mario stated with humor. Sidney felt like a deer in the headlights, the size of his eyes bugling out even further. Does Mario know I’m attracted to her? God, I had a sex dream about the woman he’s going out with, Sidney thought shamefully as he felt his face heat up.

“Hey, relax I’m joking. I meant that you are the young one who should ask MY advice on women and not the other way around”, Mario said sensing his predicament. Sidney laughed nervously, relieved nonetheless. “You know me, no women no cry”, Sidney answered lamely. Mario nodded knowingly to this statement. Sidney was not one for serious dating.

“Well since the cat is out of the bag, do you think bringing her to dinner here is too suggestive?”. Mario asked. “Why would you bring her here? You mean after dinner?” Sidney asked wiggling his eyebrows a little confused. “No I mean eating here. It’s the first time I go out with a woman since I was like 20-years old. It’s too early to go out in public. I’m serious about her and I don’t want to scare her away by attracting unwanted attention in a restaurant. I also don’t want rumors to be started until I know that there’s a possible future with her. You know what I mean?”.

Sidney understood that completely. “As long as you let her go home after your first date, I don’t think it is suggestive”, Sidney answered. Though, he couldn’t help but remember the way she danced with him, the way she fit comfortably in his arms, the way her hands rested on his bicep and chest, and mostly he could have sworn that her eyes begged him to kiss her. All that occurred during the same night she agreed to go on a date with Mario. Something didn’t add up. “Mario, I need to be honest with you”. Sidney said hesitantly, treading his words carefully.

“I don’t mean to offend you or anything like that, but are you sure that she’s into you? You’re new to this dating game but you know how women can be around us sometimes. I guess all I’m trying to say is that, you need to make sure that she likes you for who you are and not what you are”. Smiling fondly at him, Mario remembered that he gave him the same exact advice over a decade ago. Sidney almost used the same wording.

“Sid, you don’t need to worry about that”, Mario said seriously. “If gray hair is any indication, I’m a pretty wise man”. “Alright then, good luck on your date. Let me know when it is so I don’t interrupt”. Sidney said with a tight smile that told Mario that the young captain no longer wants to discuss the topic. “It’s this Wednesday at 7”. Sidney was surprised that they already have setup a date. “Wow, like in two days? Hmm, someone is eager”, he teased.

Though Autumn’s subject was not brought again that evening, it was constantly on Sidney’s mind as they had dinner and watched a baseball game. To him, it was impossible to be attracted to someone that much older. Even if he was the man in that equation. She could almost be his daughter’s age. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Autumn’s interest in Mario is not genuine.

The subject made Sidney uncomfortable, making the decision not to interfere somehow easy. Besides, Mario was not stupid Sidney reasoned. Thus, he decided that his mentor can figure on his own whether Autumn likes him or is just using him for something.

*****

Two wine glasses in, Autumn was feeling more open to share personal facts with Mario. Mario on the other hand was the definition of calm and collected. He was always in his element. The weather permitted them to sit outside on his patio, few candles softly illuminating their dinner that was likely catered. “Autumn, Autumn. It’s not a very common name I gotta say, why did your parents choose it if you don’t mind me asking? Where you born in autumn?”. Surely, the topic of her parents was bound to be brought up at some point. Isn’t it a typical first date topic? It’s a fair point. One’s family tells a lot about the person.

“I was born at the end of the summer actually”, she said taking a large gulp of wine. It was not a topic that she liked to discuss, but he made her want to open-up to him. “I was left at a group home on the first day of fall. The staff had to give me a name for paperwork, so they thought “Autumn” was convenient”. She said trying not to sound too sarcastic as she never really liked her name. She chanced a look at him after dropping this truth bomb. Mario was flabbergasted. He looked surprised and wanted to learn more.

She was brief as she told him her story, not wanting to spoil the atmosphere of their romantic dinner. Mario was impressed by how she made it so far in life with little to no family presence. Everyone deserves a family he thought unfairly. As they held hands enjoying dessert, he told her about his family, his three daughters and Sidney who was a later addition to the family. Autumn found Mario’s love for his family quite expected, but she admired the way he talked about Sidney as one of his own. His affection for him was too endearing.

As Sidney suggested, Mario drove her back to her place in the city kissing her goodnight. Their first date was a success and led to more dates that were still private, either at her condo or at Mario’s house in Sewickley. Some dates ended with breakfast in bed the next morning.

It was getting serious and Autumn knew it, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. She was too fond of Mario and enjoyed every second they spent together. They shared many similar interests that she never felt the age gap between them. He had a taste for arts, travel, reading and of course hockey. He was in a great physical shape and often joined her for her early morning jogging.

From their first date, she felt like they were official. Mario never felt the need to directly label them as anything, it was implied that they were exclusive. He was not playing the field nor did he give that impression. Mario was caring, attentive and considerate, especially with her job and long days at the hospital. All in all, he wanted a serious and mature relationship which was welcomed by Autumn. It is exactly what she wanted from a boyfriend when she was on the verge of her thirties, having dedicated her young years to Medical school and residencies.

As the end of October neared Mario invited Autumn to join him in his suite for a hockey game at PPG Paints arena. It was their first public appearance, a big step for the new couple. Though it was not Autumn’s first time watching a live hockey game, it was her first time in the owner’s box. She also got to experience what it was like to see the game from Mario’s perspective, one of the greatest players of all time. She felt proud standing next to him while cheering for their team. Mario introduced her to some of his friends and peers who seem to warm up to the young doctor right away.

Autumn and Mario watched as the Penguins captain gave Dubinsky the dirtiest look with few choice words after the latter checked him hard into the boards. Sidney never really liked the Blue Jackets’ player. During the first commercial break, Sidney went towards the bench, spraying his face with Gatorade, he looked up the giant screen to watch the replay. Mario’s face appeared, as it often did when he was watching the game from his box. He was whispering something to a blond woman. Upon further inspection, Sidney’s jaw dropped at the realization. Were they still dating? Did it go beyond that only date he had heard about? He knew the answer though. For Mario to bring Autumn here, knowing full-well the media may catch on, it could only mean that they are serious about one another.

In the past six weeks since Mario told him about his date, Sidney did not bring up the topic. He avoided going to Mario’s house mainly because he was busy with the start of the season, which did not surprise Mario. They saw each other at the arena and talked, but it was only about hockey. It didn’t surprise him that Mario hasn’t mentioned Autumn. Mario was a private person. It surprised him that he mentioned asking her out to begin with.

As the second period rolled, Sidney caught a glimpse of Autumn and Mario appearing once again on the big screen as it clicked in his head. Mario told him to meet him in his office after the game, but he assumed that it would be hockey-related. Now he was not so sure. He was suddenly alarmed and a little panicked and it showed in his game. Showering and getting his game day suite on, Sidney decided to skip his meeting with Mario, chalking it up to his bad mood after the tough loss. As he was texting Mario, the man himself appeared in front of him.

“I was about to text you to reschedule our meeting, I really don’t feel like talking about it”. Sidney stated fast not to leave Mario any room to insist. “Actually, you’ll be glad to hear that I don’t want to discuss the game”. No shit, Sidney thought. “I was going to suggest you join me and Autumn for a late dinner. We’ve been dating for a while and thought it would be appropriate that you two get to know each other better”, Mario said as a matter of fact.

Sidney scratched his brain for an excuse but came up short. He didn’t want to seem rude when Mario was clearly trying to include him in what seemed to be an important new part of his life. Sidney said a quite okay, while looking behind Mario, trying to spot the woman of the hour. She was nowhere to be seen. “She’s waiting in my car, I didn’t want her near the commotion of the locker room. Not yet anyway. Come on we have reservations. A close friend of Autumn owns a great steakhouse downtown, you’ll love it”, Mario said as they walked towards the private parking.

“You know it’ll take me a while to get out of here. I’ll take my car, text me the address and I’ll meet you there?” Sidney said referring to the usual crowd of fans that awaits him outside of the parking area to get autographs. It’s something that Sidney always took the time for. It made him happy to make someone’s day, especially his younger fans. Mario agreed and headed towards his car where his girlfriend waited for him.

Notes