The day seemed to take forever, I have been looking forward to this game for a long time. I will be able to see you and hopefully we will be able to meet this time. We have planned it many many times but it always seems to fall through, and frankly I am feeling hungry to satisfy your every whim. After spending the day shopping for those special items I may need tonight, and wandering around aimlessly through store after store. It was finally time to leave for the game. My friend couldn't figure out why I seemed to be on pins and needles.. See she has no clue about you, and doesn't know that I talk with you on the computer. Much less know that I even know you. I have done my best to keep our relationship just between the two of us.. For now anyway. That will soon change as the night moves on, not that I planned it to work out in any particular way, it's just the way it happened.
Our arena is large, and our seats are directly across from the visitors bench, and right next to the penalty box. The time for pre-skate is almost here, and I practically drag my friend down the stairs so I can watch you when you come out. We get to our seats just in time, you are the 4th player to come out of the tunnel and I catch myself smiling when I see you. My eyes never leaving you as you skate around practicing and warming up. My mind wanders as I think about how I would like to "warm you up" but knowing that will have to come later. Then suddenly something brings my attention back to reality, and I notice you are doing the stretches before going back into your locker room. You seem to be extremely tense. I secretly hope it is just something that will pass and sit back and try to relax. Its hard to do so knowing you are right across the arena from me, and I cant be with you.
The lights go dim, and I put my feet up on the boards in front of me. Sliding down in my seat, waiting for the game to start. My friend, glances over at me and says:
"You didn't watch any of the guys tonight, how come?"
"yes I did, I watched the opposite team for a change"
"But why?"
"Just because" not wanting to have to explain, and hoping that it will satisfy her curiosity. But of course with my friend, that doesn't happen. See we tell each other everything, we keep no secrets.. But I have managed to keep this one from her and feel as if I still need to do so. At least until after the game. At that point I didn't know what to expect so I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep the charade up. But for now, I was succeeding to do just that.
Then I hear over the intercom the starting line up for your team. Your name is announced, a smile crosses my face and suddenly I feel that all to familiar shiver run through my body. The one you have caused so many times on the computer. Knowing that tonight may just be the night that all those thoughts will become a reality. They announce the teams coming out, and again not watching our guys, but watching you skate around with the rest of your team. Your stick in hand, and a smile on your face. You look ready but still look a bit tense. I wonder aloud why you seem to be so tight. This of course gets my friend to start asking questions again.
"Who are you watching, and what are you talking about?"
"No-one, I am just making an observation that he seems upset"
"Ok If you are watching no-one, then how can you make an observation that HE seems upset?"
"Ok Liz, you win, don't worry about it just yet. It will all be out in the open by the end of the night I am sure."
Not even looking at my friend because I know she can read me all too well. And I was not ready to admit my concern just yet. So I continued to watch wondering if it was just the stress of the game, or maybe because you knew tonight was the ultimate night we would actually get to meet. I don't know, but it didn't seem to slow your game down any. You played wonderfully. Even making a goal against us, and I found myself silently clapping and cheering. My friend then looks at me with a look like she is not happy. She then tells me that I am going to have to explain my happiness of why I was cheering for you to get that goal... I just simply smile and snicker at her..
The game is over, and its time for the stars. Thinking to myself that you played great tonight I had hoped you would be getting one. Sure enough they announce your name and I cheer for you. You come out, and raise your hand up thanking the people still in the stands for their support. I wonder to myself if you know I am cheering. Or better yet if you can hear me. My friend now knowing who I was watching gave me a very quizzical stare, but not saying a word, then walking up the stairs. We start to head to where the guys on both teams can come out and meet the fans. Once we are in the area, Liz stops leaning against the wall and looking at me..
"What is going on? You have been acting peculiar all night long."
Just as she asks this; a security guard walks over and says... "are you Trisha?"
I reply with a sheepish grin, and "yes can I help you?"
"Yes I was asked by a player of the opposite team to please come out and escort you into the locker room. Would you please come with me?"
I then glance at Liz, and then the security guard, telling him to lead the way... I follow him, and we walk through the door. Knowing this would probably upset Liz, but knowing also that once she hears the whole story she will forgive me (I hope anyway)
As I walk back to the locker room, the rest of your team starts to walk out and toward the door to the bus. They glance at me, smiling as some snicker, knowing how you are waiting for me. I smile back at them and walk into the locker room. Then around the corner and I see you.. I stop suddenly, I can't take my eyes off you. It is like I am mesmerized by the simple sight of you. You are sitting on the bench in nothing but a towel. Your body still wet from the shower, glistens as the light above shines down on you. You stand and walk over to me, your hand extended to shake mine. You take my hand in yours, and smile, saying "hi we finally get to meet" I open my mouth to talk but nothing comes out. My eyes glued to your chest as if I had never seen anything like it before. Suddenly I realize we are alone, and I smile, saying "hi, I'm Trisha I am glad we have finally met also"
Someone calls from just outside the locker room door, "Hurry up the bus is about to pull out."