Descent into Ruin: Day 15

Word Total: 90,019

Year to Date: 505,208

Summary of Events:

Chalmers watched from a press box as the Wheat Kings played their final game of the regular season, in which Atkins showed no ill-effects from their altercation, as he scored five points in the game. The following morning Chalmers was, to his shock, arrested for aggravated assault against Atkins, but was released two weeks later when the judge threw out the charges — which had been filed by Atkins' parents without even Atkins himself knowing — because none of the eyewitnesses believed anything criminal had occurred. By that time the Wheat Kings had been eliminated from the playoffs, so Chalmers joined his teammates at the arena to get their gear, where he exchanged what he considered somewhat awkward goodbyes with first Jonas, and then Cannon before he'd even started his vehicle to head for home . . .

Excerpt of the Day:

Resuming his push of the top edge of the key away from himself, Chalmers got the engine of his SUV started, but waited as Cannon reversed his car out of the adjacent stall and headed away, reading the familiar trio of letters, followed by a quartet of digits that made up Cannon’s license plate number, painted red on a white background with the name of the issuing province — Alberta — and its chosen license plate slogan written in blue.

Once he’d shifted his SUV into reverse, Chalmers manoeuvred out of the stall and headed after Cannon, whom he’d only follow so far as Regina before Cannon would take the Yellowhead, which would carry him to Sherwood Park by the end of the day while Chalmers carried on the Trans-Canada to Canmore.

Before he could get out of the parking area Chalmers was forced to brake and wait for a reversing pickup truck with a Minnesota license plate that Chalmers supposed was Colby Nicholson’s, as Chalmers didn’t recall there having been any other Minnesotans on the Wheat Kings this season.

While he waited, Chalmers again saw movement out his window. This time it was Ricky closing his SUV’s hatchback, which revealed his Alberta license plate mounted on the centre rear.

Looking over his shoulder, Ricky turned around and stepped close to Chalmers’ SUV, prompting Chalmers to roll down the window.

“Good luck at the Combine, and the Draft,” Ricky said.

“Hoping I get there,” Chalmers replied.

Ricky nodded and held up a fist. Chalmers bumped it.

“Good luck at Camp,” Chalmers said.

“If not, I’ll see you next year,” Ricky said. “Even if as an opponent instead of a teammate.”

“Maybe,” Chalmers said.

“There’s always your nineteen-year-old year to get drafted,” Ricky said.

Chalmers tilted his head in acknowledgement, but said nothing.

“And I do hope to see you in the NHL,” Ricky said. “A flash by it’s nature is short, meaning your talent is no flash in the pan, if anything, it’s the struggle that’s short-lived.”

“Glad somebody’s confident,” Chalmers said.

“I always want the best for my friends,” Ricky said. “And you’re still one of them.”

Moisture welled in Chalmers’ eyes as he nodded silently.

Ricky patted his shoulder and left without further comment. Chalmers rolled up his window as he released the brake and rolled forward, Colby’s pickup long gone from its place ahead of him.

Chalmers blinked at the tears in his eyes as he navigated the parking lot to its exit, but they didn’t want to be sent back again, so Chalmers pulled into a parking stall near the exit to dab them away with a tissue, which he also used to absorb the fluid that was making for his nose’s exits.

He honestly didn’t understand how his teammates could still have hope that he was going to still be playing hockey next year; that any team in the WHL would want him anywhere near them.

Next Post: 31 May