Wednesday, January 20, 2010

SIXTY-FOUR

"You are absolutely, certifiably insane." Sylvie gave me a tight hug before I boarded my plane. "I love it. Go get him."

I gave her a kiss on the cheek and made my way through security. Anxiety gripped my stomach. "Please, let this be the right decision," I whispered to myself, praying to whatever higher power had my back today.

As I flew over snowy, beautiful Canada, I remembered the first time Sid and I met. I had just arrived in Pittsburgh and was unpacking my clothes in the temporary home Mario had graciously offered, when I turned and saw him standing in the doorway. His smile, his eyes…I knew I would fall in love with him at that moment.

My heart began to ache. He had changed a lot in the two-plus years since we had met. He looked older, somehow less bright…he looked sad. He was exhausted, and only 23 years old. I rested my forehead against the window and thought about our downfall. We had moved too fast. We were young, but we were in love. We thought we had it all. Unfortunately, our first challenge proved to be our last one. I was stressed out from being unemployed, and he lived with the illusion that everything was perfect.

I questioned my decision to arrive in Pittsburgh, uninvited and unannounced, for the millionth time. But Sid and I needed to talk and get everything out in the open. Even if we decided we couldn't be together, at least we could both move on and have healthy relationships with other people. I couldn't live my life wondering what may have happened.

This was my last chance to prove to myself that I could be happy, with or without him.

My plane finally landed in Pittsburgh and I rented a car. "What now?" I breathed as I pulled out of the parking lot. I hadn't planned any of this out. I assumed Sid was in town because there was a home game tomorrow, but I didn't know where he would be. He didn't know I was here. Panic surged through my body. He hates me. He has to hate me. Why am I doing this? What did I possibly have to say to him? I have no idea what I want from him.

I shook all the negative thoughts out of my head. It was too late to second guess my decision. I was in Pittsburgh, and Sidney was going to see me whether he wanted to or not.

I drove to his house, hoping he still lived there. I didn't see his car in the driveway, but I went to the front door and knocked a few times anyway. I peeked in through the glass door and saw familiar furniture. He still lived here.

I was about to walk back to the car when I saw a movement in the bedroom window upstairs. Someone had pulled up the blind. A female someone. A very attractive female someone. We stared at each other for a few seconds before she lowered the blind again.

I stood, frozen to the spot, for at least three minutes. I tried to come up with logical explanations for a woman in Sidney's bedroom that didn't involve him sleeping with her—maybe she was a cleaning lady? Maybe that was Taylor…I hadn't seen her in a while, she had probably grown up. Maybe it was a cousin, or a friend, or…Or maybe, after two years of hell, Sid had finally moved on.

My heart sank as I drove away. Part of me wanted to march into the house and confront her, but she hadn't done anything wrong. She probably had no idea who I was. She was lucky enough to have Sid…I couldn't freak out on her for that. But God, I wanted to.

I pulled over on the side of the highway and started to cry. I wanted to go home. He had someone else…he was over me. There was nothing left to say to him. There was nothing left to salvage. It was over.

No. I sat up straight, squared my shoulders, and gripped the steering wheel so hard my knuckled turned white. No. I was not going to let this happen. I wasn't going to leave without seeing him. If he wanted me out of his life, I was fine with that. But he would have to tell me.

I drove to the arena. If he wasn't there, I could find someone to tell me where he was. Luckily, the guys were in the middle of practice. I found Uncle Mario watching practice in the south goal area, so I decided to join him. He gave me a half-amused look and shook his head.

"Should I even ask?"

I shrugged and smiled. "I have some business to take care of."

He smiled and nodded in Sid's direction. "Business with the captain?"

"Who else?"

The team started to do shooting drills in the opposite net. Sid scored, skated around the back of the net, and we made eye contact. He slowly slid to a stop at center ice and just stared at me. Realizing something was wrong, all the other guys turned to look at me. All but a few realized who I was. Jordan skated over and said something to Sid. Sid shook his head.

"This is awkward," I muttered to Mario.

"What did you expect?" he replied.

Sid slowly skated to our end of the ice and slid to a stop directly in front of me. "You're here," he said, his tone betraying no emotion.

I stared at my hands, unable to look into his eyes. I couldn't tell if he was upset and it killed me. "Yeah," I replied quietly.

Sid looked over his shoulder at the rest of the team, who had reluctantly started shooting drills again. "Meet me in the locker room after we're done." He skated away, leaving me breathless and shaking.

32 comments:

Summer said...

I promise I haven't died, guys. =) I know I suck at updating, but thanks for sticking with me. I love writing this, but my life is wayyyy too busy to update regularly (as I'm sure you've noticed). I promise I'm going to write as often as I can.

Cathy said...

SO excited to see an update!! This is one of my favorite stories and I miss it so much! Glad she went to see Sid. Can't wait to see how their talk goes and to find out who the woman in his house might be!!

Anonymous said...

What the hell? You're killing me here girl. Whatta crappy cliffhanger! hahah. Please don't leave us hanging for like another 4 months.

Summer said...

Lol I know I suck. I'm working on the next part right now. Sorry!

AA said...

I.....HATE.....CLIFFHANGERS!!!! update soonnnnn

ANovak017 said...

I know how it feels to be super swamped. School blows. I can only imagine how many credits you're taking.
Loveloveloved it. So glad she decided to talk to Sid, but who is this woman?
Keep writing!! Love it.
Oh, and her relationship with Mario is precious.

Val said...

So glad you updated, and those cliffhangers keep me coming back for more, lol!

Kylie @ Faux Hawks and Follies said...

Seeing that you updated totally made my day. :)

Anonymous said...

YESSSSS YOU UPDATED!
although i absolutely freaking LOVE it, it's a cliffhanger!! gahdfsiuhdkj!!!

i neeeeeeeed to know what they say to each other!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm a little confused. What's the time frame of this update? Like how long ago is it from when she went out drinking with Sid?

Anonymous said...

I am so fond of this story. Sure, I'd like to read new updates more often, but something sometimes is better than nothing ever. lol.
You are awesome, Summer.

P.[freaking]S.
I am soooo nervous about the very attractive female in his bedroom window, but even moreso about their upcomming talk after Sid's practice. ekkkk!!

Anonymous said...

The last post was me, sorry.


-elle

Trish said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Trish said...

Yaaaa!!! You updated!! : )
You're an amazing writer!
And I can only hope that you find more time to write and entertain us all!!
Loved the update..I kinda hope Sid has a gf..is that wrong? I just wanna see our girl kick her ass : )

Anonymous said...

MOREEEEEEEE!!! NOW! I DEMAND IT! (please :0)

JustAWriter said...

o i need to know what happens soon....


love the update

Sports History said...

I am so very happy to see that you've updated. I loved it!!

I agree with her, too, about needing to know one way or the other about what might have been. Of course I want them to be together, but I am really anxious to see what you come up with.

Keep up the amazing work, I know I am waiting for your next update!

Anonymous said...

Summer, ya there?

pensaddict71 said...

post a new one if you love us!!!!

Anonymous said...

please update!! I'm going through withdrawl I miss this story!!

Anonymous said...

updateeeeee :(

Anonymous said...

please update soon!!! this is the best Sid story i have read in a long time :)

Please, please, please, please update soon!!

Anonymous said...

I got a link to your blog today from a friend of mine, and I read the entire thing today. Girl, don't leave me hanging like that! (:

Amazing, and by the way, thank you for having good English. You have real talent!

Anonymous said...

Ok, it's March, almost April. Come on Summer! :(

Anonymous said...

My roommate is officially having an heartattack because of the lack of update. If she doesn't know what happens between Karine and Sid she will begin to believe it is reality and continue to point out Karine at Penguins games (we are pretty sure Karine was at the Olympics, lol). Please save my roommate's sanity and update soon. Thanks ;)

Anonymous said...

OH MY GOD. I literally slept a minute last night because I HAD to know what was going on in this story. I started reading it last night, could NOT put it down. Please please please update soon!

Kristen said...

Definitely started reading this about 2 days ago to procrastinate. Studying for my exams and essays is nowhere near as important as this story, lol. Can't wait for an update, will check back regularly; hope you get a chance to update after this month!

Anonymous said...

This is mean... :(

Anonymous said...

oooooh giiiirrrl
i just re-read this WHOLLEEE story.
you BEST be updating soon (:

Anonymous said...

Need to know what happens!!! this story was way too twisting and addicting... !!!

Anonymous said...

you seriously can't leave us hanging like thatt...im dying over here waitingg for an update!!

Shan_apolis said...

I just read this whole thing start to finish twice in two days. More please!!