Page 106 of Penalty Shot

My girlfriend started writing a new Shakespeare adaptation project when we returned from Vancouver. In typical Elise fashion, she’s all in, dedicating herself to a project.

Day and night, I’d catch her writing in a notebook at the corner of the couch or at the end of the kitchen counter. She spends time in the library down the street or goes back to the home she shares with her mother.

I want to show her that this place is her home, if she wants it. Really fucking hope that she wants it. That she wants me the same way I want her.

Need this redecoration project to say all that and more:Surprise! I hope you like the townhouse enough to move in sowe can live together under the same roof for, like, forever.

Geraldine and Elise are in Lake Michigan visiting some of their relatives. I was invited but begged off with the excuse of not interrupting a summer family reunion.

More importantly, it was an opportunity to pull off the surprise makeover.

“It only works if we place it diagonally,” Beatrice explains.

She’s arranged for a carpenter to build fancy bookcases against one wall, which took the guy two full days. Furnishings and decoration need to happen before Elise returns tonight.

When Logan and I arrange the desk and cabinets where she wants them, Beatrice shoos us away so she can decorate in peace.

“Isn’t she something?” Logan says about his wife when we settle ourselves with beers on the balcony. I used to think it was ridiculous to be obsessed about a woman you had around all the time, but now I get it.

I want Elise around all the time; barely got through the last few days without her.

“Beatrice is incredible,” I agree. “And thanks for squeezing all that work into a few days.”

“I love it when she works in Columbus instead of driving all over the Midwest for jobs. Her next project is a mansion in Indiana, and I can’t go with her because training camp starts. By the way, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this ready for the season.”

“What do you mean?”

“C’mon, Randi. Usually in late August you’re still in some beach getting wasted.”

“Yeah, well, might as well stay in shape in case Jeremy isn’t one hundred percent recovered.”

“How do you think coach will work with you two? Now that you’ve proven you can be top goalie in any team.”

He’s bringing up something I hadn’t allowed myself to consider.

How will it feel to return to the ice in my role as second string? It’s always been enough before. Is it still?

Being in the playoffs gave me a taste of something. Not victory, obviously, but the promise of it. The sense that whatever I put in will actuallymatter.

I’m also in the middle of a contract. I don’t want to miss the chance to prove myself this year. If I plan to make a home for me and Elise, I need to be indispensable.

“All I can do is work hard,” I state. “Some teams are almost fifty-fifty with their goaltenders.”

“It would lower the risk of strain or reinjury,” Logan adds. “Anyway, you’ve come a long way. I’m proud of you.”

“OK, relaxDad. I don’t need you to get all weird about it.” I dismiss the praise although it’s nice to hear people notice how much more I’m putting into the training.

“It’s your woman. She’s changed you. Elise has made you want to be a better version of yourself.”

“Totally agree,” Gordon or Sean says. They join us on the balcony after letting themselves in.

“You’re about an hour late, fuckers,” I complain since we were all supposed to help move the furniture and clean up after the carpenter.

“Looks to me like we’re just in time,” Sean snickers, chugging down the beer he grabbed from my fridge.

“Is Elise coming back tonight?” Gordon asks.

“I’m sure Lily told you.”