Game Winner (Penalty Kill 3)

“Yes, why?”

“You think you could grab some lunch with me? Just you and me.”

“I’m actually close to the Royal right now. Want to meet me there?”

I say yes and hang up. I change my clothes because I know that even Mom will not appreciate my jeans and t-shirt and head out the door.

I valet my car and walk into the Royal. My mom is sitting in the corner, and I just walk past the hostess. Mom stands up and hugs me. My parents and I had a rocky relationship, but it’s been getting better.

“Okay.” Mom puts a glass of wine in front of me when I sit down. “What’s wrong? Are you pregnant? Are you failing school?”

I roll my eyes. My mother always jumps to conclusions before I can even say one word. “Nothing like that Mom. I need to get some advice.” I sip on my wine as Mom just looks at me.

“Oh, okay. What is it?”

I take a deep breath. “How did you deal with being apart from Dad so much?”

She seems confused for a second before she asks, “What are you talking about? Do you mean when he was doing his residency?”

I nod. My dad had to do his residency in Baltimore. It was when my parents were first together before they were married.

“Does this have to do with Levi and you?”

I nod.

“It was tough. We talked on the phone often. Planned trips to see each other. But it was hard being apart. Are Levi and you having trouble?”

I shake my head. “It’s difficult being away from him. I mean, I know in May I will be there with him in Pennsylvania, but I don’t know how to deal until then.” I hang my head, staring at the table cloth.

My mom reaches for my hand, holding it tightly. “I have a secret.”

Puzzled, I look at her. “What’s that?”

She sits up straighter, smiling brightly. “When your dad was away, I was in grad school. The only thing that kept me from depression was school work and writing in a journal.”

“Seriously, Mom, my grades are fine.” I slouch down in my seat.

“Presley, sit up and listen,” my mother says a little firmer. I do as I’m told to do. “This isn’t about grades. It’s about distraction. I know this sounds cliché, but it will go by fast. The time you do get together will be amazing. I promise.”

Mom’s right. I need some type of distraction and school will be it.

We order some food and talk. She tells me about Dad cutting back on his practice hours and they’re reconnecting again. I told her that Trevor and Marley are closer than ever and how Levi is doing in the AHL.

When it’s time to leave, I thank Mom for the lunch and advice. She tells me that we should get together again soon. I hug her before we go our separate ways. When I get home, I sit at my kitchen table, looking at my books. This is going to be my distraction. I will use it to my advantage. I open my first book and started to study. Page by page, I finished all my homework. It takes me well into the evening, but I do. Mom’s advice is right again. It’s a huge distraction. I stretch my tight muscles, and I head to change into my pajamas.

I look at my blinking phone and gasp. I missed our video chat. I grab my phone and see several missed text and calls from Levi.

He answers sleepily.

“Levi, I’m so sorry.” I feel horrible.

“I was worried.” I can hear him moving around the bed. “I was about to call Trevor, but I must have fallen asleep.”

“I’m a bad girlfriend. I was doing homework. I didn’t notice my phone was on silent.”

“You’re not a bad girlfriend. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

“Go back to bed. I’ll make it up to you tomorrow. I love you.”