the rest of the season.”
“And we could use the help,” Collin quipped.
Lou laughed. “You boys are better than your record. I keep telling you that. We’ll start winning.” He looked at me. “Whaddaya say, Jonny?”
I would have given anything to say yes. It was impossible, of course. Undergrounders don’t play hockey. It was dumb to even think about it. Besides, I didn’t have equipment, and after what Lewis went through, I was done stealing. I figured the equipment angle was the nicest way to say no.
“I’d like to. Thanks for asking. But I don’t have equipment and …”
“That’s no problem,” Lou practically exploded, laughing and slapping his thigh. “The sponsor provides the pants and helmet, and I put three boys and a daughter through hockey. I got enough gear at home to dress ten teams. You need shoulder, elbow and shin pads, right?”
I felt dizzy.
“How about a jock strap. Some boys are particular about using someone else’s. Is that a big deal for you?”
I shook my head slightly.
“Tremendous. I’ll see you there Tuesday night. Practice is at Win Hadley Memorial Arena at eight. Do you need a lift?”
This was insane!
“We can drive him,” Rasheed said.
“Tremendous again. Looking forward to seeing you, Jonny.” He waved and began walking away. “Have fun, boys!”
“This is great,” Rasheed said to me. “Where do you live and we’ll pick you up.”
“Are we gonna play some hockey?” Derrick said. “Hurry up, you two.”
“Hold your horses,” Rasheed said.
I figured the best thing was to agree and just not show up. “My house is kinda far away. Why don’t I meet you here?”
“My dad won’t mind picking you up. Are you sure?”
“Positive. I hang at my uncle’s a lot … after school.”
I was getting to be a fairly pro liar.
“We’ll meet you here at seven, then.”
“Come on, sticks in the middle,” Collin said. “This time I’m playing with Jonathon,” he said.
My head was really spinning. I’d actually been invited to try out for a real hockey team. I knew I couldn’t play, but it was fun just to think about doing something other than hawking for change at the Market and dealing with Fitzy and Will — and just about everyone at the Underground.
I got my stick and followed Collin to the other end. I decided not to think about it until the game was over.
The puck squirted to the boards and I raced over to get it.
Chapter 12
Will stuffed himself into his sleeping bag and forced his way in between me and Rose. I pulled my sleeping bag up to my chest — it was too small to go higher — and I shook my shoulders as hard as I could. The cold in my body wouldn’t go away.
“Stop shaking, Mouse,” Will said. “You’re so bloody annoying.”
I was too cold to care. Rigger had let us in an hour early, and we were all crowded together in our store to try to stay warm. It had been brutal today. Even Reggies weren’t going outside, and I hadn’t hawked a cent.
“I can’t feel my feet,” J.J. whimpered for like the hundredth time and he rubbed them together.
“Quit squirming!” Will yelled.
“Could you stop spazzing out?” Rose said. “You’re more irritating than the both of them put together.”
“You’re the spaz,” Will shot back, and he pulled his sleeping bag over his head.
“So lame … so lame,” Rose said. She rolled over on her side.
It got quiet again, and naturally I thought about the practice tonight. I’d obsessed over it all day: should I or shouldn’t I? I’d even sharpened my skates again. Every time I convinced myself not to go, I’d think about itagain. The shinny game had been so fun. To be able to play hockey for real would be too awesome.
Will lowered his blanket. “If you kick me again I’m gonna pound you, J.J.”
J.J. was crying — as usual.
“Congratulations, jerk,” Rose said. “If you’re so tough why don’t you kick an executive out of his store.”
Will pulled his
“And we could use the help,” Collin quipped.
Lou laughed. “You boys are better than your record. I keep telling you that. We’ll start winning.” He looked at me. “Whaddaya say, Jonny?”
I would have given anything to say yes. It was impossible, of course. Undergrounders don’t play hockey. It was dumb to even think about it. Besides, I didn’t have equipment, and after what Lewis went through, I was done stealing. I figured the equipment angle was the nicest way to say no.
“I’d like to. Thanks for asking. But I don’t have equipment and …”
“That’s no problem,” Lou practically exploded, laughing and slapping his thigh. “The sponsor provides the pants and helmet, and I put three boys and a daughter through hockey. I got enough gear at home to dress ten teams. You need shoulder, elbow and shin pads, right?”
I felt dizzy.
“How about a jock strap. Some boys are particular about using someone else’s. Is that a big deal for you?”
I shook my head slightly.
“Tremendous. I’ll see you there Tuesday night. Practice is at Win Hadley Memorial Arena at eight. Do you need a lift?”
This was insane!
“We can drive him,” Rasheed said.
“Tremendous again. Looking forward to seeing you, Jonny.” He waved and began walking away. “Have fun, boys!”
“This is great,” Rasheed said to me. “Where do you live and we’ll pick you up.”
“Are we gonna play some hockey?” Derrick said. “Hurry up, you two.”
“Hold your horses,” Rasheed said.
I figured the best thing was to agree and just not show up. “My house is kinda far away. Why don’t I meet you here?”
“My dad won’t mind picking you up. Are you sure?”
“Positive. I hang at my uncle’s a lot … after school.”
I was getting to be a fairly pro liar.
“We’ll meet you here at seven, then.”
“Come on, sticks in the middle,” Collin said. “This time I’m playing with Jonathon,” he said.
My head was really spinning. I’d actually been invited to try out for a real hockey team. I knew I couldn’t play, but it was fun just to think about doing something other than hawking for change at the Market and dealing with Fitzy and Will — and just about everyone at the Underground.
I got my stick and followed Collin to the other end. I decided not to think about it until the game was over.
The puck squirted to the boards and I raced over to get it.
Chapter 12
Will stuffed himself into his sleeping bag and forced his way in between me and Rose. I pulled my sleeping bag up to my chest — it was too small to go higher — and I shook my shoulders as hard as I could. The cold in my body wouldn’t go away.
“Stop shaking, Mouse,” Will said. “You’re so bloody annoying.”
I was too cold to care. Rigger had let us in an hour early, and we were all crowded together in our store to try to stay warm. It had been brutal today. Even Reggies weren’t going outside, and I hadn’t hawked a cent.
“I can’t feel my feet,” J.J. whimpered for like the hundredth time and he rubbed them together.
“Quit squirming!” Will yelled.
“Could you stop spazzing out?” Rose said. “You’re more irritating than the both of them put together.”
“You’re the spaz,” Will shot back, and he pulled his sleeping bag over his head.
“So lame … so lame,” Rose said. She rolled over on her side.
It got quiet again, and naturally I thought about the practice tonight. I’d obsessed over it all day: should I or shouldn’t I? I’d even sharpened my skates again. Every time I convinced myself not to go, I’d think about itagain. The shinny game had been so fun. To be able to play hockey for real would be too awesome.
Will lowered his blanket. “If you kick me again I’m gonna pound you, J.J.”
J.J. was crying — as usual.
“Congratulations, jerk,” Rose said. “If you’re so tough why don’t you kick an executive out of his store.”
Will pulled his
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