Forever and Ever;;49

Game day came, this was it. We win or we go back to Pittsburgh.



I slipped the jersey over my head and took a deep breath, the boys had worked so hard this year and it all came down to this. "Good Luck" I told Jimmy right before the game. I stood on my toes and kissed him one last time. "Love you babe" He told me, "I love you too." And then I let them head out to the ice. I headed up the steps, to my seat and glanced up at the press box. I'm pretty sure everyone around me was wondering why I was smiling so big.

There he was, the guy who taught me so much. Stevie Y. I ran down the steps as fast as I could and got up there. He was all dressed up in his suit and tie and his face lit up when he saw me, "Stevie!"He gave me a hug and continued to ask me how I had been. We talked for a while and before I knew it the third period was about to start. I had felt bad that I didn't go and see Jimmy or the guys during the intermissions, but I'm sure they would understand. I was more excited about how the game was going. We were up 3-2 and everything seems to be going our way.

Time seemed to tick way. That was until the very end of the 3rd. The Joe was going crazy and my heart kept beating faster and faster. Not one person was sitting. They had the cup ready to go, and champagne ready to be popped opened. And then it happened. They scored. With only 34.3 seconds left, they tied it up 3-3 and everything got quiet except the few Pens fans who were there.

Everything went downhill from then on. We went into overtime and then another, and then one more. I remember almost falling asleep it was getting so late. I kept my eyes gluded for to the ice, and Ozzie stopped shot after shot. I hoped for the best, but got the worst. I closed my eyes and sighed louadly. Trying so hard to hold in all my emotion. The Pens scored again in the 3rd OT and we were going back to Pittsburgh. Peter Sykora even told Micky that he was going to be the one to get the goal, and he did. It made me sick them celebrate out on our home ice. And even if we did win it in Pittsburgh, it wouldn't be the same as winning it at home.

I hesitated before pushing open the locker room door. There would be so much mixed emotion that it would be crazy in there. Everyone's parents and family had come to the game that night, so it would also be packed.

It was all such a blur. It was so hot and way to many people crowded in this one room. Tons of conversations were going on so it was terribly loud. It had obviously been a hard game and a terrible night. I have never seen Aaron look like that before. I wanted to go over and hug him. But it seemed like now was not the right time. I was trying so hard to keep my composure, but then it just all feel apart. I made my way over to Jimmy as fast as I could, and ran through crowds of people and into his arms. I sobbed in his shoulder. And his arms were tight around me. I don't know how long we stood like that but it had to have been a while. Jimmy never complained once. He was just there for me and that's all I needed.


[Better?]