The Puck Drops

Chapter 2 - Kenna

Jackson offered to go to the café down the road after he made plans to move in with his brothers. I had a feeling he was doing this to make me happy because I traveled over there to help him out. We were walking down the street just watching the traffic and other people who were out walking.

"How is everything going with you?"

"I have been busy with everything going on in my life. I got a promotion at my work three months ago plus I am going back for grad school. But I was able to keep busy and to change everything around and be where I want to be in life. How has the whole hockey thing going?"

"It was great at first, I was living my dream out. It was after a few months of not having any friends around that made it hard and I started to feel like my game was starting to be affected by it. The more that my game started to suck the more it got in my head. I am sure that is why I was I one of the first ones that was traded when the season came to an end but I was just glad to be traded to a place closer to home where I don't have to worry about being on my own."

I never really knew what was going on with Jackson when he was in LA. He always made it seem like he was having the best life and that nothing was wrong with him. I was sad to hear that he had a tough first year in the NHL and that he didn't feel he could tell me. I think I was more hurt by that than anything else. We made it to the café and Jackson held the door open and let me go in first. I walked up to the counter with Jackson following him. I placed my order and listened as Jackson ordered next.

"I got this you can go find a table."

I gave him a look to let him know that I was going to challenge him about him paying for everything. It had been that way since we were kids, he was always trying to pay for everything and in most cases he did end up winning and paying for whatever we were doing. I saw him giving me the look back and knew I wasn't going to win this challenge and gave up and walked over to find a table for the two of us. I only had to sit at the table by myself for a few minutes before Jackson was walking over with the food and drinks. Once he sat down I wanted to continue the conversation from before ordering the food.

"I didn't realize you were having such a hard time when you first went into the NHL. I wish you would have felt comfortable to tell me."

"I didn't want you to know that I was in trouble. I wanted you to believe everything was okay."

"You know I didn't have the best time after high school. I told you about how difficult it was for me to find my way and I had to lean on you a lot those few years after high school. Maybe because I was leaning so much you couldn't lean on me. I am sorry about that."

"You didn't do anything wrong. I was glad to be there for you and it helped keep me distracted from how I felt my world was falling apart. Coming back here it felt right again and seeing you in person just brings back the old times."

"Yes, it was nice seeing all three of you together again. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I had it back again. Seeing the three of you all together again made me realize how much a part of my life you all were."

Sitting in the café with Jackson, it didn't seem like years went by since we saw each other. We were able to talk to each other about everything. I was able to talk about the different concerns I had with going to get my masters and with my job. Jackson was always a call away for me but to have him here was better.

"Jackson it has been hard not having you around to help. I feel horrible about not being there for you."

"Kenna don't worry about it. I know you had your issues going on and I just wanted to be there for you, and I didn't want to burden you with anything I had going on."