Part 22- Pure Gold

Super came and went, and as it did, I got more and more nervous. What if Sidney didn’t like his gift? What if it was too personal? I knew if he didn’t think it was too personal that his parents would see it, and probably soon. What if they thought it was too personal or too much?

I’d never actually given a guy a Christmas present before. Any “gifts” I’d given typically involved me in sexy lingerie with whipped cream and strawberries. Not an actual Christmas gift and also not something I could give to a 17-year-old kid.


As to what I had actually gotten Sidney, I’d gotten him a white gold ID bracelet. It had cost me a lot, but I didn’t really care. I wanted to give him something to show him how special he was to me. It said “Sidney” on one side and said “To My Phenom – Always, Drew” on the other. I’d gotten D a similar bracelet, also white gold, but with a different design. On one side his said “Dion “Neufy” Phaneuf” and on the other it said “To D-fense – Love Always Drew”.


As for Colin, Brent, Mikey and Getter, I’d gotten each of them a flask. I’d gotten Colin’s and Brent’s and Getter’s in Winnipeg and I’d picked up Mikey’s in Grand Forks. Each was different and each said something different on them. Colin’s read “Rebels for Life – Love Always Drew”. Brent’s read “Replacements – You love them in the end”. Mikey’s read “How’d a Nice Boy Like You Get Caught Up with Neufy and Getter?” and Getter’s read “Getter - Remember that time when – Oh wait you don’t!”.

I figured they were all fitting and I just hoped that the guys liked them. D had assured me that they would, and I really had no choice but to take his word for it. As for the rest of the team, I’d picked up LiveSTRONG bracelets (Lance Armstrong’s charity thing… they were hard to get and all the rage in the high schools) and Hockey Canada shot glasses that I’d filled with little candy canes, for all of them. Including Sid, D and the rest.


“Drew I’m going to grab another dessert.” D said. “You want?”

“No thanks.” I said. I was totally stuffed. I reached for my drink instead and took a swig. There’s something nice about champagne. I could totally see how people could get super drunk drinking it without noticing.


“Your loss.” He said with a shrug.

“Probably your gain.” I told with a quick smile. “Now you can always go for thirds.”


“Hmmm.” He pretended to ponder the idea for a minute. “I think I like that idea.”

“I knew you would.” I replied with a laugh as he went off to the dessert buffet.


“Hey Drew.” Brent said pulling up a chair. “So D said that the two of you were going to exchange gifts after dinner and that you had something for everyone. You didn’t have to do that you know.”

I blushed. “Well I wanted to.” I said. “You guys have all been great to me, so I figure I’d show you that I appreciated it. I didn’t want D to make a big deal out of it though.”


“Actually D wasn’t the one who made a big deal out of it. A couple of us… Richards, myself, Getter and Fraz, wanted to know what you’d like for Christmas, or if you would like what we were thinking of.” He told me. “So we want in on the gift exchange.”

I laughed. “Of course you guys are welcome.” I said. “I was going to go around to all the rooms and play Santa but it really doesn’t matter to me either way. Oh and you guys totally didn’t have to get me anything.”


Brent shrugged. “We didn’t have to, but we wanted to.” He said. “You’ve been fun to have along and I’m sure that we’ll be friends after we’re done here.”

“Thanks Brent.” I said with a smile. “Just don’t expect to hearing me cheering for the ‘Canes come playoff time.”


He laughed. “I think I’d keel over from shock if you did.” He told me. “Rebels for life is something I’ve heard Neufy and Colin say about you all from time to time.”

“I think I’d been hung, drawn and quartered if I cheered for y’all.” I said. “Red Deer is Rebels country after all.”


“That town will go absolutely nuts if we win this thing.” He predicted.

“Of course we will.” I said. “Two of our boys are on this team and its Coach is, well Coach. I can’t wait to see what some of the boys will do in celebration.”


Brent laughed. “It would be nice to win.” He admitted.

“Nice?” I said with a laugh. “Speaking strictly as a fan, nice is an understatement. We haven’t won this thing since 1997.”


Brent rolled his eyes. “Believe me Drew, we all know how long its been. We can’t turn on the TV without someone reminding us. We can’t speak to the media without someone reminding us. We can’t talk to fans without someone reminding us.”

“I know it sucks, but you guys CAN be the ones to bring that streak to an end.” I said. “In Canada, we like win streaks in hockey, not losing streaks.”


Brent laughed. “It’s a lot of pressure though.” He said. “And I mean, I don’t even get to play tomorrow. It’s going to suck having to sit there.”

I put a hand on his arm. “I’ll be there with you so it won’t suck so much. I’m sure I’ll be able to amuse you somehow.”


Brent snorted then laughed. “Yeah well, I suppose you’ll find someone to make fun of.” He paused. “You know I could see you setting an absolutely horrible example for your students by making fun of some of them all the time.”

I shrugged. “Actually the kids I make fun of the most are the ones I like the most.” I told him. “And they know that I love them.”


“What are you talking about?” D asked, returning with not one, but two desserts.

“How I am a horrible influence on all of my students.” I said with a smile.


D rolled his eyes. “Well anyone living in Red Deer already knew that Drew.” He said sarcastically. “I mean look at what you do during your off time… partying with those out of high school boys on the Rebels… and how you dress!”

Brent and I laughed and I shrugged. “I know, I know. I just can’t help myself!”


D laughed as he finished swallowing a huge bite of chocolate cake. “You’re a brat Drew.” He said he paused then he added. “When do I get my present?”

I raised my eyebrows. “And I’m the brat?” I asked.


He shrugged. “You’ve made a big mystery out of what you bought me. I wanna know.”

I shuddered. “You want to D. You don’t wanna.”


D shrugged, knowing full well that he was getting under my skin and enjoying every moment of it. “Whatever.”

“Ass.” I replied sticking my tongue out at him. “If you keep this up I just won’t give you your
present at all.”

“Fine.” D said. “Then you won’t find out what I got you.”


“Well hurry up and eat and then we’ll go exchange gifts.” I said.

“Why don’t you go get the box from your room?” D said, finishing another bite of cake. “Then Brook and I will meet you at my room with some of the other guys.”


“Sounds like a plan.” I said standing. “I’ll meet you in a few.”

So I headed up to my hotel room to get the box where D and I had carefully placed all of the shot glasses and candy canes. Carefully I’d put the flasks in, and now I added the packages for Sidney and D before heading back to the elevator to go up to his room. Part of me was excited about this, and I was most definitely excited about the hockey, but part of me was sad that I wouldn’t be seeing my parents.


I shook that off as I knocked on the door before walking in. “So whatcha get me?” D asked grinning at my distaste at his use of language.

“Can I sit down first you big baby?” I said. “Or are you going to have a heart attack if you don’t find out now?”


He pretended to think about it, but he moved to take the box from you. “I suppose you can sit.” He said grandly.

“Gee thanks.” I said sarcastically.


“Here.” D said, thrusting a package at me.

I opened it carefully. In it was a large Calgary Flames Jersey with “Phaneuf” on the back and his number (3) on it. I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks sweetheart.” I said. “I’ll wear it every time I watch you play from now on.”


“Well I’d prefer Team Canada wear for now.” He said, looking like an excited little boy. “Try it on!”

“Why?” I asked, looking at it quizzically. “It’s huge.”


“Just try it on.” He said firmly.

“Okay….” I said slowly lifting the sweater over my head. As I put my right arm through the sleeve my finger caught on something. I caught it and pulled it out. Looking at the most beautiful white gold bracelet with pink sapphires. “Oh lord D, you must have spent a fortune on this.” I scolded him.


He just shrugged. “Not that much. Besides Drew, you’re worth it.” He said. “Plus other then liquor I can’t really say that I got you anything for your birthday, so consider it a belated birthday gift too if that makes you feel better.”

The bracelet had these white gold panels with little pink sapphire hearts connecting them. I put it on immediately kissing him on the cheek again I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a hug. “D it’s absolutely gorgeous.”


“What you’d do to get a hug Neuf?” Getter’s voice said as he came into the room.

D shrugged. “Jewelry, Ryan, jewelry.” He said laughing.

I showed everyone my wrist. “I’ve always said that the boy has wonderful taste.”

Colin, Mikey, Getter and Brent all laughed. “Well you do let him dress you….” Brent said slowly.

“Because he’s got such good taste.” I explained kissing his cheek again.

“I guess this is a lesson to us all.” Mikey said with a laugh. “You want a girl to like you, you buy jewelry.”

I shrugged with a smile. “It works with some of us.” I said, still admiring my wrist. I turned to D. “I think great minds think alike.” I told him as I handed him his gift that included the LiveSTRONG bracelet, shot glass and candies, as well as the box with the ID bracelet.
Knowing full well what the rest of the gift was, D ripped into the box. Pulling out the white-gold ID bracelet with diamond accents, he grinned as he read the inscription. “Thanks Drew.” He said kissing me on the cheek.

“No problem.” I said with a smile. “You do like it right?” I asked worried. “I was going to get you a watch, but you already have one, so I figure this was okay… if it’s not I’ll get you something else.”

D rolled his eyes. “It’s perfect Drew.”

I handed Colin, Brent, Mikey and Getter their gifts. “Be careful.” I warned them as they went to open them, since I’d filled them with a very good tequila (read: very expensive tequila) earlier.
Getter got his open first. “It’s full!” He noticed immediately. “But none of us are legal down here Drew.” He pointed out.

“Of course it’s full.” I said with a laugh and a shrug. “What kind of person gives someone an empty flask? Besides, all of you are legal in the province you live in. The way I see it, it’s not an issue.”

“What’s in it?” He asked, before reading the inscription.

“Tequila.” I said smiling. “Now read the inscription.”

“Getter – Remember that time when… Oh wait you don’t!” He read with a smile. “Haha Drew.”

I grinned as he kissed me on the cheek. “I knew you’d like it.”

Brent laughed. “Replacement huh?” He said as he gave me a hug. “Drew this replacement is BETTER then the original.”

I shrugged. “The real D has a better sense of style. But you don’t bug me to like, call my parents.” I said. “The way I see it, it’s a draw.”

Everyone laughed as Mikey read his. “Mikey – How’d a nice boy get caught up with Neufy and Getter?” He shrugged. “Dumb luck I guess. Thanks Drew.”

“Glad you like it.” I turned to Colin. “How ‘bout you Fraz?” I asked.

“Rebels for Life Drew.” He said as he hugged me.

“Don’t forget these.” I said handing each of them the other part of the gift.

They all thanked me again and I had to ask. “So what did you get me?”

The boys laughed and D rolled his eyes. “Fuck Drew, you can’t even say watcha. You have to say what did you don’t you?”

I shrugged good-naturedly. “Yes.” I said. “So what did you get me?” I asked again.

Getter handed me a packed similar in shape to the one I’d given him. “Great minds think alike Drew.” He said.

I opened a flask, also full. “What did you put in it?” I asked curious.

“Jamaican rum.” He told me. “I may not remember much, but I do remember that you can do more straight shots of Jamaican rum then I can.”

I laughed. “To all the good times we’ve had that I can’t remember, and many more to come. –Getter.” I read as I hugged him. “Thanks RyRy.”

“Open mine next.” Colin demanded. “’Cause we were thinking along the same lines too.”

I opened the package and pulled out a black hockey jersey with DREW written in big red block letters, with the number 21 (my lucky number) on it. There was a Canadian flag on one sleeve and the Rebels logo on the other. Across the front it said, instead of having a logo “WJHC 2005 – Rebels for Life.” “This is awesome Colin.” I said. “Thanks honey.”

Colin grinned pleased. “I had them made up for you, me, D and Coach.” He said, indicating the gift that D was going to open. “I figured we could wear them when we got off the plane in Calgary or when we got back to Red Deer.” He added seeing Getter’s dark look.

Brent handed me a gift next. “You’d better like it.” He warned. “Neufy said that you would.”

“I’m sure I’ll love it.” I said opening the box. Inside was there was the 1972 summit series on DVD. I grinned. “D was right.” I said giving Brent a hug. “I’ve only ever seen highlights and I can’t watch hockey with D. He drives me nuts and I drive him nuts. So I just won’t watch it with him. Now I can actually see it.”

Mikey handed me his gift. “You really didn’t have to Mikey.” I told him.

He shrugged. “It’s not much.” He said. “But after that day we went to the gym I had a feeling it was the perfect gift for you.”

I opened it. A gift certificate to Foot Locker. I laughed. “I don’t know what’s better, the bracelet or a new pair of shoes….”

Mikey laughed. “I knew you’d like it.” He said.

“Thanks everyone.” I said with a grin. “This has got to be the best Christmas ever so far… and if y’all can win a gold medal it’ll just get better.”