Chapter Fifty-Six

I didn’t really see Sidney much after that. He came to see me right before he went to sleep and we talked a little and kissed for awhile, then he went back to his room and Jacob came back to our room. Sid got us tickets for the two games and Jacob was so excited. I was just nervous. I knew how important this game was to Sidney, and I didn’t want to see him fail. I knew it would crush him, so all day I was just nervous. I didn’t see Sidney at all before the game. He called me and we just talked for a bit and I said good luck and stuff.

“Whats wrong with you?” Jacob asked once we found our seats.

“I’m nervous.” I whispered.

“Why?”

“This is a huge game and I don’t want him to fail.” I simply said.

“Just enjoy it, you can’t play the game for him.”

“Yeah, thank goodness for that.” I said laughing.

“So was he glad you are here?”

“Yeah, he was really surprised. I think he appreciated it. Sometimes I think that he thinks that I don’t care about his hockey, but I do obviously.” I said and then we didn’t talk much for the rest of the game. The game was hard to watch. The boys just seemed a step slow and seemed to just watch Zetterberg and Lidstrom do their magic, and produce no magic of their own. I knew Sidney would be upset after the game and I didn’t want to feel his hurt. I guess that’s true, but I also didn’t feel comfortable going down there, when most of the girlfriends don’t go on the away trips.

“Is he going to be really mad?” Jake asked later that night while we were both laying on our beds flipping through the tv.

“What do you think, Jake? Wouldn’t you be mad if you played horrible in the Stanley Cup Finals?” I said.

“Yeah, I guess that was a stupid question.”

“Yeah, it was.” I simply said.

Later that night I got a phone call. I was already in bed.

“Jo.” He said. It was like he was whispering.

“Yeah?” I said a little confused.

“I just needed to hear your voice.” He said.

“I’ll be up in like 2 minutes.” I said and got out of bed.

As soon as I walked into the room, he just looked exhausted and sad. He layed on the bed and I just followed. We just layed there for awhile until he broke the silence.

“I don’t know what happened.” He simply said.

“You will be better, Sid.”

“We have to be better, but I just don’t know.”

“You just have to have faith and believe that the guys want it just as bad as you do. You know everyone is trying as much as they can. “ I said.

“Yeah, that’s what makes me worried. We gave it all we had, and we still came up so short.”

“I’m not going to say that you didn’t give it all, but you can be better. You guys seemed in awe for atleast the first period.” I said and he just let out a sigh.

“I wish I could say or do something.” I said putting my hand on his stomach.

“This is enough.” He whispered.

“So how is Sidney?” My mom asked when we got back from Detroit. It seemed like everyone I knew was asking me this exact question. What are you suppose to say? I mean obviously he is upset and frustrated. I said the same thing every time.

“He is good, just more motivation.” I said.

“You say that every time. I’m serious, Josephine. How is he handling it?” She asked me.

“Mom, I don’t know what everyone expects me to say. First of all, its really no one’s business. Second of all, how do you think he is feeling? I mean you just have to let him go and figure it out. Sometimes you have to fail before you can succeed.”

“Just be there for him.”

“Mom, seriously. I don’t need advice on how to be a good girlfriend. I have been there for Sidney through everything, I think I can handle this.” I said.

“So what are you going to do when he goes back to Canada?” She asked.

“I’m going to say with Nan and Pap for a week or two. I told you that.” I said.

“Yeah, you did always love the Hamptons.”

“its hard not to love it. It will help to make the adjustment of Sidney not being here. Sometimes its just hard being here and knowing hes not.” I said.

“I would think it would be hard. Your father and I were never apart for very long.”

“Its not even that we are apart, because we go weeks apart when he is a way, but this is for months. And its not like he is just in Ohio, he is in Canada. Like a different country.” I said.

“You two will get through it. Distance makes the heart grow fonder.” She said.

“It never has happened before. Usually when he leaves, we break up soon after.” I said.

“I think this time is different.” She said.

“What?”

“He really loves you now. I’m sure he did before, but you can see it now. Its obvious when he is with you or when he comes here. He loves you in a more passionate and deeper way than before.”

“I didn’t think you liked Sidney.”

“I like him, I just never thought you two should be together. But now, I think you should be. I think he is your soul mate.”

“Why do you say that?”

“You are a better person when you are with him. You have this faith in him that is indescribable. You two just fit together and compliment each other. I never saw it before.”

“Thanks mom.” I said and got up to my room.

“Guess what just happened.” I said calling Sidney.

“What?”

“My mom and I just had like a heart to heart.”

“About what?”

“You.” I said.

“Me? Oh did she finally admit to not liking me?” He said.

“No, she said she thinks you are my soul mate.” I said.

“Wow. I think I am too.”

“Shut up, I just wanted to tell you cause I thought it was weird. I’ll call you later though.” I said.

“Babe, you and I, we can talk for more than 2 seconds.”

“I know.”

“Okay, I’ll call you or stop by later. Love you.” He said.

“I love you too.” I said and hung up.