Part 25 - Pure Gold

Sidney and I wandered away from the group of Team Canada players and brass and I pulled my cell out of my purse and tentatively dialed dispatch. “Hello Red Deer Police Service.” A voice female voice answered.

“Hello, umm, is Constable Whitney on this evening?” I asked.

“Yes he is. I can take a message and he’ll get back to you as soon as he’s available too.” She said.

“I know how it works.” I muttered.

“Excuse me?” She replied.

“Umm could you have him call his daughter on her cell phone as soon as possible?” I replied.

“The one who didn’t bother to come home for Christmas?” She asked.

“If my Dad has any other daughters that’s news to me.” I snapped angry that this stranger would presume to involve herself in our business. “And I chose to spend Christmas with my
friends, not that it’s any of your business.”

She snorted, a clear indication of her opinion of daughter’s who chose to spend major religious holidays with friends rather then with their parents. “I’ll get the message to him when he checks in.”

“Thanks.” I replied, feeling relieved.

“Tough one?” Sidney asked, his hand squeezing mine gently.

I shrugged. “Apparently daughters who run off with their friends over Christmas rather then spending the season with their feuding parents are among the lowest of the low.” I told him with a sarcastic smile.

Sidney shook his head and rolled his eyes. “She probably wants your Dad.”

That made me giggle. “Ew.” Was all I could say. “I suppose I should call my Mom though.” I said with a resigned sigh.

“Yes you should.” He said, squeezing my hand.

I sighed as I pressed send. I didn’t really want to talk to her. “Hello?” My Mom’s voice answered.

“Hey Mom.” I replied, reaching for Sidney’s hand as my heart leapt into my throat. “How was your day?”

“Delreinne.” My Mom replied coldly.

“Look, Mom, I’m sorry I didn’t come home.” I said, reassured as Sidney squeezed my hand. “I didn’t want to be caught between you and Dad. I feel like I’m trapped between you all the time, and honestly, it sucks.”

“You know what else sucks Delreinne?” My Mom replied. “Spending Christmas Day alone.”

“Sorry Mom.” I said. “But if I had spent Christmas morning with Dad and Christmas night with you would you have been happy?”

“It would have been better then this.” She snapped.

“Yes, but you wouldn’t have been happy and you and Dad would have just picked at me all day.” I told her, acutely aware of the warmth of Sidney’s hand. “And don’t tell me that you wouldn’t have because that’s all the two of you ever do.” I took a deep breath and paused. “But Mom I didn’t call to argue with you.”

“No?” She said. “Then why did you bother?”

“Because you’re my Mother.” I said through gritted teeth. “And I love you no matter what. I would hope that you feel the same way about me.”

“It’s just been so lonely Delreinne.” She said, sniffling, feeling sorry for herself. “Your Father is an ass, and you’re not living at home anymore, and it’s so hard to meet anyone here in Red Deer and….”

“Mom.” I cut her off. “I know that it’s Christmas and you’ve probably had a bit too much wine, but please stop feeling so sorry for yourself.”

“Isn’t that what you’re doing?” She snapped. “Running off with that Phaneuf boy doing God knows what?”

“D and I aren’t doing very much Mom.” I replied angrily. “He won a hockey game today, and then he tried to talk me into calling you and Dad. When he failed, Sidney pointed out some things that made me decide that you would be missing me and want to hear from me. Apparently he was wrong.”

“Who on earth is Sidney?” Was my Mom’s suspicious reply.

I rolled my eyes. “Sidney Crosby Mom. The hockey phenom.”

“How old is he?”

“17.” I told her.

“You’re not alone with this boy are you?” She asked.

“We’re standing together in a hallway Mom.” I told her, automatically dropping his hand guiltily. (My Mom has that affect on me.)

“There are other people around right?” She asked anxiously.

“Yes Mom.” I said. “I am not stupid.”

“Sometimes I wonder.” She snapped.

“Look Mom, my call waiting is beeping.” I said. “I’ve got to get that. Give me a second.” I pushed the button. “Hello?”

“How’s my baby girl?” My Dad’s voice answered.

“Fine Daddy.” I said. “Just talking to Mom.”

“You’re arguing with her aren’t you Drew?”

“What makes you say that?” I replied.

“You only call me Daddy when you two are fighting.” He said.

“She’s trying to run my life again Dad.” I said with a sigh. “But she’s on hold. Give me a minute.”
I clicked back to my Mom. “Hey Mom, its Dad. I have to go. Look, I know you probably don’t believe it right now, but I do love you. I hope you like you’re gift, and I will see you as soon as I get home. I promise.”

I could see my Mom, pursed lipped and disapproving. “Don’t spend too much time with those hockey boys Delreinne. They are bad news. Why couldn’t you date a nice boy like that Joey?”

I rolled my eyes. “Because Joey liked to cheat on me Mom. In case you aren’t keeping track, that makes him NOT a nice boy. But I’ll try looking for a nice boy.”

Sidney leaned down and whispered. “Tell your mom that I’m a nice boy Drew.”

I giggled. “Sidney behave yourself.”

“That’s what I’m worried about Drew.” Mom said pointedly.

“Love you Mom.” I replied, equally pointedly.

“I love you too Drew.”

I clicked back to Dad. “Sorry about that Dad.” I said.

“You should have come home for your Mother’s sake Drew.” Was what my Dad had to say.

I rolled my eyes. “And get caught in the middle again?” I said. “No thanks.”

“Your Mother misses having someone to take care of Drew.” Dad said.

“Yeah, well in case Mom hadn’t noticed I’m 15 anymore.” I snapped. “You two were so busy fighting when I did need someone to take care of me you can’t just suddenly make up for that now. I’m 23.”

Dad sighed. “Drew its Christmas. I don’t want to fight with you.”

“Sorry Dad.” I said, somewhat sadly. “I don’t want to fight with you either.”

“I know you don’t.” He said. “So I’ll see when you get home right?”

“I told Mom I’d see her right away, but you’ll be next on my list Dad.” I told him.

“Why Mom first?” He asked.

“Dad….” I said warningly.

“Sorry.” He said sheepishly. “Anyway, I love you kiddo.”

“Love you too Daddy.” I said.

“Stay out of trouble.” He added.

“I always do.”

“Yeah right.” Dad snorted. “You and Dion don’t cause Coach too many problems.”

“You don’t have to worry about that Dad. D’s here to win a gold medal. So are all these guys. Did you see any of the game today?” I asked.

“A little.” He said. “I saw you on TV hugging Brent Seabrook at one point.”

I blushed, remembering it. “I was ah, a little excited about Sidney’s goal.” I said, glancing at Sidney.

“Just a bit kiddo.” He laughed. “But you make sure those boys treat you right.”

I laughed. “Daddy that’s why I have Dion.” I told him. “I know that Mom thinks we’re sleeping together or something, but he’s like my big little brother.”

“Honey I have to go.” He said as his radio blared. “But I love you and I’ll talk to you again soon. I’m sorry I was so angry with you before, but I know you understand.”

“Not really.” I said with a shrug. “But I love you too Dad.”

I sighed deeply with relief and Sidney chuckled. “Relieved much?”

“Just slightly.” I said.

“Your Mom is pretty upset huh?”

I shrugged. “She likes to feel sorry for herself.” I said. “She’s got tons of friends, and I’m sure
she had dinner with some of them. She could also go visit her parents, or her brothers or sisters and their kids. She just stayed home in an attempt to make me feel guilty. As for Dad, he was working, so he’ll probably have tomorrow off and he’ll hang out with his partner and his family.”

“You’re pretty hard on her huh?” Sidney said.

“She wants me to live at home with her so she won’t be lonely.” I told him. “I ran out of patience with her a long time ago.”

“Oh.” He said.

“Look, Sid, it’s not that I don’t love my Mom, but could you go back to living at home?” I asked pointedly.

“Well I usually HAVE to in the summer.” He said. “But I get what you mean. It always kind of sucks. I mean, she wants to know where I’m going, who I’m going with and all that other stuff. I’m not used to having to tell people about that kind of stuff.”

“Exactly. I mean, Sid, you’re 17 and haven’t really lived at home for 3 years. I’m 23 and I haven’t really lived at home for 6 years. I was 17 when I finished high school and moved to Calgary to go to school, then I moved back to Red Deer but into my own place. Even when I came back in the summers I didn’t live at home after the first year.” I explained. “I love my parents but I can’t live with them.”

Sidney nodded. “I’m starting to feel that way.” He said. “I mean, you’re right you can totally love someone and not want to live with them.” He paused. “Are you alright?” He asked, his fingers gently stroking my wrist.

I reached over and hugged him impulsively. “I’m fine Crosby. Thanks for being here for me. I appreciate it.”

He hugged me back. “It’s not hard to be there for you Drew, even if you can be a sarcastic bitch.”
I elbowed him in the stomach. “Gee thanks Crosby… this after encouraging me to tell my Mom that you’re a nice boy.”

“I am a nice boy.” He replied indignant.

“Oh really?” I asked, eyebrows raised.

“Really.” He answered, his body dangerously close to mine.

“Crosby….” I said warningly.

“Drew….” He replied.

I laughed, shaking my head. “You really are something else Crosby.”

“And you….” He said slowly as he tipped my chin up so that our eyes met. “Are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”

I snorted. “You don’t really watch that much TV do you Crosby?” I said. “I know I’m cute and I have a hot body, but beautiful I am not.”

Sidney shook his head. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder Drew.” He pointed out annoyingly.
“And to me you are absolutely beautiful. I want you to be the Queen of my Heart Delreinne.”

I shook my head. “I would be happy to be the Queen of your Heart Crosby….” I said slowly. “But only if you never, ever call me Delreinne again.”