Hockey Is My Boyfriend: Part Three

by Ting, Melanie

  “Why not?”

  “Because he’ll tell other people.” Namely Phil. I didn’t want him feeling sorry for me.

  She made a harrumph noise but nodded. “Well, I’m glad you’re back, now you can help me with the wedding.” That momentous occasion was coming up in six weeks.

  “Seriously? I can’t believe you’re not ready already. You could launch a world war single-handedly.”

  “True. But last-minute issues seem to keep creeping up. I may have found a job for you too.”

  “What is it?”

  “Oh, Ben said they needed someone to help out in the warehouse temporarily. I figured you could do it while you were looking for a real job.”

  “Sounds good to me. I have an interview next week though.”

  “Already? I’m impressed. What is it?”

  “The internship back at the radio station. I contacted Ruby a couple of weeks ago, and she set things up for me.”

  “You know, Kelly, you’re a lot more together than I thought. I was ready for you to be a complete basket case.”

  That was good news. Maybe I was totally falling apart inside, but it didn’t show.

  * * *

  The job April had arranged for me was doing some mindless sorting and unpacking of boxes in the warehouse of the Cho family import business. My coworkers were a middle-aged Chinese man and two women, who mainly spoke to each other in Mandarin. It was the perfect job for decompressing from my Chicago life. I wore a coverall and no makeup, and nobody cared how I looked or who I was. In fact, nobody noticed that I was female.

  After work, I worked out. I felt that keeping active would keep me distracted. The only problem was the nights. At night, I lay in bed and kept thinking about my old life. What I hated most about myself was that I still missed Jimmy. Sometimes I was even tempted to call him. I could imagine the whole conversation: an awkward beginning, explanations, apologies, forgiveness, and then making plans. Then I could be back in the condo, making love to his sculpted body on pressed sheets with an infinitely high thread count. I could be cheering amidst the craziness at his games and laughing with my new girlfriends.

  But I had trusted my body once. Now my brain was in charge. If I forgave him, he would know that I was weak and he could do whatever he wanted and I would have lost more of myself. The right thing was leaving, but that didn’t mean it was easy.

  I felt robotic as I started to try to put my life in order. I contacted Ruby to get the scoop before my interview.

  “I hope you don’t mind, Kelly, but I put you in for another internship—on the television side. Might as well maximize your chances, and when I saw you had a demo reel and technical experience, I figured you had a good chance.”

  “Wow, that’s great. Thanks, Ruby.”

  “I love my job, and radio will always be around, but if you’re young and ambitious—television is where it’s at. Your interviews are both on Monday, you’re seeing Don Johnson in the afternoon, and—” She paused, and I could tell she was consulting her planner. “Brendan Williams at 10:00am. I heard he’s a hard-ass, but I’m sure you can handle him.”

  “Again, you’ve been so great, Ruby. I owe you big.”

  “I have plans. You’re going on my potential babysitters list.” She cackled evilly, and we chatted about how she was enjoying motherhood. Then Ruby asked, “I take it that things didn’t work out with James Frechette?”

  I half-expected this question, so I was ready to answer without breaking down. “Well, dating a professional athlete is exactly the lifestyle you might expect. It wasn’t for me.”

  “Not completely shocked. You’d think after meeting so many that I would have lost all my illusions, but I was hoping it would work out for you.”

  I smiled, but she couldn’t see that on the phone. “Thanks for everything, Ruby. If you’re still there after I see Don Johnson, we can chat. Otherwise, maybe I can take you out to lunch next week?”

  “I never say no to a free lunch. Good luck on Monday, Kelly.”

  * * *

  “I’m here to see Brendan Williams,” I told the receptionist on the television side of Coast 2 Coast. She was a petite blonde and her eyebrows went sky-high at my request.

  “Oh my gosh. Um, what’s your name? And what are you here for?” she stammered. Clearly being a receptionist was harder than I had found.

  “I’m Kelly Tanaka. I have an interview for the internship job.”

  “Oh, okay. Stay right here, and I’ll be back.” She was gone for an extremely long time, and I was starting to wonder what the heck was going on. She finally came back with another woman. She looked about forty with a grey suit and cropped blondish hair.

  “Hi, Kelly. I’m Betty Harrison. It’s nice to meet you.” She shook my hand and then guided me into the boardroom. “You’ll have to excuse the strangeness here. Brendan Williams got fired on Friday and I’ve taken over his job. Unfortunately, he didn’t leave under the best circumstances, and I’m having to piece his schedule together. We had no idea you were coming in.”

  “Oh no. Did you want me to come back another time?” I offered.

  “Let’s do this now. Do you have your résumé?” I handed it over with my demo tape. Betty pulled down her glasses and scanned it. “Oh my, captain of the McGill Martlets. And you won the CIS title, congratulations.”

  She looked up at me. “So you must know your hockey.”

  I nodded. I already knew how the game was played. And one thing I did take from my time with Jimmy was an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of the different players in the NHL. I had to keep up with his strategies and complaints, so I had studied up.

  “Knowledge of the mechanics of the game is good, Kelly.” She smiled. “Have you seen our whole facility? Why don’t I take you on a tour?”

  The interview was like nothing I’d ever experienced. Betty was one of the smartest women I’d ever met. She put me completely at ease, and I didn’t notice until afterwards that she was taking stock of my technical knowledge as we toured the studio, and my interpersonal skills as she introduced me around. I was too distracted by the television-side facilities, which made radio look like a retirement home. Here there were more people, more technology, and tons of action.

  “I take it you’re comfortable in male-dominated environments,” she remarked as we headed to the lobby. “Can I ask how you deal with sexism in the workplace?”

  I frowned. “Sometimes it’s tough, like if it’s your boss. I try to speak up. I’ll tolerate a lot, but there’s a line for me.”

  She nodded, then shook my hand again. “Kelly, it’s been a pleasure to meet you. Sorry about the mix-up at the beginning, and we’ll be in touch, one way or the other. I don’t have any idea who else we’re interviewing or what our timelines are. But I plan to have a handle on things by the end of this week, so you can expect to hear from us, one way or the other, in the next three weeks.”

  I thanked her and watched as she strode away. I really, really wanted to work here with Betty. But I was sure that anyone would.

  My interview with Don Johnson went a lot more smoothly since he already knew me. I felt pretty sure I was going to be offered the radio job, but now it was my second choice. Afterwards, I went to look for Ruby.

  “Jeez, Ruby, the guy I was supposed to meet got fired. What is going on up in TV land?”

  “Oh my God, that’s right. I had forgotten all about you. The fit hit the shan on Friday, and I only found out this morning. Brendan Williams is a world-class prick, but his biggest problem was that he had a big feud going on with Ross Laurie—the network President. Who fights with their boss’s boss? Williams and Laurie once worked together, but Laurie got promoted while Williams got sent out here. Anyway, since Williams has been trying to undermine him from Day One, Laurie finally got fed up with the pettiness and called him on some ridiculous stunt. There was a big blow-up and next thing you know, Williams is out on his ass and his staff are partying their heads off.”

  “He was th
at popular?”

  “I told you, world-class prick.”

  “And you wanted him to be my boss?”

  “As opposed to him?” She jerked her head towards Don Johnson’s office. During our interview, Don had looked down my shirt and told me the radio station had never had a “girl intern” before.

  “Good point. Well, Betty was wonderful. I’d love to work for her.”

  “Yes, she got vaulted in from Toronto. It was a promotion, and she’s one of Laurie’s right-hand men. Or women, rather. I met her before when I worked in Toronto, so I’ll be sure to go and put in a good word for you.”

  “Thank you, Ruby. You’ve been so fantastic helping me.”

  “No problem. You work hard, and I know you’ll do a good job. There’s been a male brotherhood around here long enough, and it’s time for the sisters to rise up.” Ruby laughed heartily.

  40

  Breaking Dawn

  Having decided I had been kicked around enough, the universe started to turn in my favour.

  It began with me enjoying life again. Being back in Vancouver was reviving. I breathed in the freshness of the ocean air and saluted the snow-capped North Shore Mountains each morning. Whenever the rain let up, I ran outside along False Creek. I loved this city.

  Ben got me onto his friend’s hockey team in a spring hockey league at Eight Rinks. They were desperate enough for women players that his buddy even agreed to drive me to games. Getting out on the ice again made me so happy. I could lose myself in the game for a couple of hours.

  Then, I got a call from Betty Harrison telling me that I had gotten the television internship job, and it would start at the beginning of May. This was stellar, headline, phone-my-parents-in-Japan news. I worried that I hadn’t been energetic enough in the interview, but maybe my high marks and Ruby’s recommendation had tipped the scales in my favour.

  To celebrate, I went apartment hunting with April. We managed to find the only place that I could afford on my limited intern’s salary. It was in the basement of a house in the Commercial Drive area. I could have done better in a shared house, but I really wanted to be on my own. I had spent enough time trying to fit into Jimmy’s life, and now I could relax and do whatever I wanted. Being messy and eating salads and popcorn for dinner were high on my list.

  I realized I was being immature—like a teenager rebelling against her parents—by doing the opposite of what Jimmy had decreed. But it was my chance to figure out what I wanted, something I’d never had a chance to do.

  I didn’t have that much stuff, but I did need to furnish the new place. I went to my parent’s storage locker and got out my bike, my old bed, and other useful odds and ends. April worked her magic, helping me to clean and paint the place before I moved in.

  “Thank you so much. I can’t believe you’re doing all this for me when you’re getting married in two weeks.”

  “Your apartment is the size of a normal bedroom, so it’s not that much work. Anyway, it’s better than starting our marriage with a gloomy zombie living in the guest room.”

  “I haven’t been that bad.”

  April raised both eyebrows. “Ben said it’s like living with a ghost. He hardly sees you and, when he does, you’re so quiet. You don’t even want to talk hockey. That does not sound like the Kelly Tanaka I know. Besides, didn’t the Canucks just vacuum up some team?”

  “They swept the Blues. That was the first round. But now they’re playing the Blackhawks.”

  “Oh.” April gave me a searching look. “So, he’s in town?”

  I nodded. It was totally creepy to think that we might run into each other. However, Vancouver was a big place, and I knew exactly which areas to avoid: the clubs, the big restaurants, and the nice hotels. To be safe, I was avoiding all of downtown. Maddy had e-mailed me to get together while she was in Vancouver, but I told her I wasn’t up to it yet. If she said anything at all about Jimmy, I might break into little pieces. Irrationally, I still worried about him and how he was doing.

  “Has he called you?”

  “No, he won’t. And he can’t, since I have a new number.” And a new address. It was like the witness protection program; I even looked different now since I had shed the false eyelashes and lipstick.

  April sniffed. “I’ll have to carry a baseball bat around in case I run into him.”

  Since the city was overcome with playoff fever, it was hard to miss seeing Jimmy’s face on big screen televisions everywhere. In addition, I started work on Monday, and a sports station wasn’t exactly the best place to avoid the hockey playoffs.

  * * *

  “Welcome to Coast 2 Coast Sports, Kelly.” Betty smiled brightly at me. “Did you want a coffee?”

  “I’m good, I just finished a tea,” I told her.

  “Let’s get started then.” She pulled out a file folder with schedules and lists in it. “I’ve prepared a training program for you. I was a little surprised to find out that there wasn’t a formal internship program before. Throwing new people into the fire is hardly a guarantee for success.”

  I nodded. That made total sense, but working on the radio side had taught me that not everything was done logically around here.

  “I prefer to work in an atmosphere of open communications. If you have major problems or issues, I’d like you to bring them to me. Minor issues, you should learn to resolve yourself. We work as a team and good relationships are key to functioning well during broadcasts.”

  She leaned forward. “To be honest, we did have candidates with better broadcast experience, but Ruby Leitner assured me that you’re passionate and hard-working, and I really liked your hockey background. Not only because you’re used to teamwork, but also because it breaks the traditional paradigm. On air, it’s usually the guys who bring the hockey experience while the women bring the pretty. I’d really like to subvert those expectations.”

  She winked at me. “But don’t tell anyone else my plans for global domination. Just work hard and show us what you’ve got. Interns can go on to any number of jobs here, but I think you might be a good candidate for an on-air position.”

  Man, she was so smart that I had to concentrate fully whenever she spoke to me. Betty was so charismatic that I already felt like I’d walk through fire for her. It couldn’t have been easy getting to be an executive in the sexist sports universe. I was going to learn a ton from her.

  “I’m going to cycle you through the technical areas first. In every area you work in, they will assign you work. Of course, most of it will be menial, but you’ll be learning by observation. Since it’s a brand new program, a lot of areas won’t know what to do with you. Just roll up your sleeves and offer to pitch in wherever you see a need.”

  I nodded. That was my modus operandi when I was the receptionist, and it worked out well.

  “I’m going to give you projects as well. Mainly research, but they will be areas I’m legitimately interested in and not make-work stuff. And, remember, relationships are key,” she repeated. I think she meant that a budding reporter’s career could get derailed pretty fast if she pissed off the crew. Well, I might not have any broadcast experience, but I was good at getting along with people.

  “Thank you so much for this opportunity.”

  She smiled and nodded. “Everyone needs one break. Then it’s up to you what you make out of it.”

  41

  Wedding Bells

  Glorious sunshine lit up April and Ben’s big day. April looked completely amazing—having said yes to a dress that combined fairy princess with touch of sexiness. It was truly the high point of her styling career. Instead of ugly bridesmaid’s outfits, both her sister and I were decked out in glamourous black dresses.

  When I walked up the aisle, I got to see Phil for the first time in six months. I was shocked to see he looked awful. The rented tux hung loosely on him, and he seemed to lack his usual energy. Was he sick or something? Phil had missed the rehearsal dinner last night, but Ben hadn’t mentioned any proble
ms.

  Ben was beaming. He looked so happy to finally get the woman of his dreams. And April looked radiant too. If you were romantic at all, their obvious happiness would have brought tears to your eyes. Luckily I wasn’t, but for today I kept my cynicism to myself.

  The wedding party packed into the limo to get photos done in Stanley Park before the reception. I was sitting beside Phil, so I asked what I thought was the obvious question: “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” He looked out the window. In his tuxedo, he looked like the villain of a James Bond movie—all sharp cheekbones, scowls, and deep thought. The trouble was that he used to look more like James Bond and less like Le Chiffre.

  I tried to make a little more polite conversation, but he basically brushed me off. I assumed he was still pissed off at me from the summer. But I also wondered why he had bothered to send me that nice note and the mix tape.

  I stopped talking to Phil altogether and turned to Jenny, April’s sister, to ask her how college was going.

  As soon as we got to the park, the photographer began with some group shots and then dismissed the rest of us while he took pictures of April and Ben.

  Phil was sitting on a bench looking out at the ocean. I decided to make one more effort and sat down beside him.

  “The view is amazing here, isn’t it? I love the ocean.”

  He turned and looked at me like he was seeing me for the first time. “Why did you come back?”

  I had assumed that he heard everything from Ben. I grudgingly explained, “I broke up with Jimmy. So, here I am. Feel free to say I told you so.”

  “I wouldn’t do that. Would you like to tell me why you broke up?”

  I hesitated, but the truth popped out. “He cheated on me.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that, Kelly.” He spoke so formally. I could not get over the strange vibe between us—like we hadn’t seen each other in years and there was nothing between us. It was like any spark of attraction or affection was completely extinguished.