Chapter 1

Brad played another outstanding game, scoring two goals and two assists in the Falcons 6 to 1 win over the Sudbury Wolves. The Falcons won their conference quarterfinals four games to two, and the whole arena cheered for their team as the two teams shook hands. The Falcons would have several days of rest to await their next opponent, Niagara Falls.

Unfortunately for Abby’s brothers, Peter and Derek, their Kingston Frontenacs and Oshawa Generals didn’t make the playoff and turned their allegiance to cheering for Brad and Jake’s team. The boys were kidded more than once at their continuing interest in Brad’s sisters, Diane and Brenda. Derek was drawn to Diane, while Peter and Brenda seemed to get along very well. The two couples had left after the game for a late-evening meal.

Dan and Wendy waited hand in hand for Brad, as usual, in the lower area by the player’s entrance. Wendy tried to smile at Dan, her eyes already red from crying, and rubbed her slight baby bump for reassurance. This would be their second and third child.

Brad came out of the dressing room freshly showered and approached Dan and Wendy, and he was immediately surrounded by adoring young fans. Most of the crowd was made up of fourteen to eighteen-year-old girls jostling to be first for pictures and autographs. If they were old enough to grow breasts, they shamelessly gave him great, down-to-the-top views of their various-sized buds. He received his fair share of invitations and phone numbers from would-be bedmates and only let Abby pick whom he might fuck.

His playoff beard now has three weeks of growth, making him look ruggedly handsome and sexy in his suit and tie. Don Cherry would be proud of him. He dutifully signed his autograph requests and posed beside young teenage girls for pictures. Dan waved his hand to get Brad’s attention and finally made his way over to him. They would only have a few minutes together as Coach Stanton was keeping all the players away from their billet families for team unity and leaving by bus for Niagara Falls after the game instead of tomorrow.

“Hi Mom,” he said, kissing her and patting Wendy’s belly.

“Congratulations on the series win. You played another steady game, Brad; I’m proud of you!” He commented, offering his hand.

“Thanks, Dad, but you know what? I felt uneasy as if I’d been punched hard in the stomach by my ribs,” Brad said, rubbing his right side and looking around. “It still hurts.”

“Did you take a hard bodycheck to your ribs?”

“No, I was sitting on the bench waiting for the broken pane of glass to be replaced when it started. Coach Stanton told me to hurry after the game, something about a family emergency. What happened? Did Mom burn the apple pie again?” He joked.

“You’ve got quite the beard growing there,” Dan deflected, answering him and pulling on a few whiskers.

“It itches like hell,” he said, scratching under his chin. “Where’s Abby?” He asked, exhaling and looking around for his love. Dan’s face turned white and sullen. “What’s wrong? Why the long face?” He asked him. Brad looked at Wendy, who had a very sad expression and was recently crying.

“The family emergency isn’t for burnt apple pie, though I wish it was. It’s because of Abby. Brad, she’s been involved in a very bad car accident. That’s why she wasn’t here at your game.”

“Oh my god, is she okay?” Fright replaced his jovial demeanour.

“I’m afraid she isn’t, son.” Tears began to well in Dan’s eyes. “Her injuries are very serious, so severe that she may not make it through the night.”

“I’ve got to go to her right now!” He yelled frantically.

“You had better tell Coach Stanton first.” Brad turned and ran towards Coach Stanton’s office, dodging people along the way.

“Coach, Coach!” Brad began, interrupting his conversation on the phone.

“What is it, Brad?” Frank asked, covering the phone’s mouthpiece.

“I’ve got to leave the team right now!”

“What? You just can’t leave like that!”

“My girlfriend Abby has been in a bad car accident. She may not live through the night!” He explained, his voice beginning to crack and his lower lip and chin trembling. Dan showed up seconds later at the door. Frank looked at Dan.

“I’m afraid it’s true,” he said, confirming Brad’s statement.

“Oh my God, Brad, I’m so sorry to hear about Abby. She sure gets teased a lot by the guys on the team because of her beautiful looks and her figure. Of course, go and be with her; I know how close you are to each other,” he said sympathetically. “I’ll tell the team later on. You have my cell number; let me know how things go. You have a few days until we play our next playoff round in Niagara Falls.”

“Okay, thanks, Coach.”

“And tell her family, we’re thinking of her, and send our prayers,” he added to Dan.

“Thanks, Frank,” Dan said, and they hurried towards the car.

“Hey, buddy, what’s the rush?” Jake kidded when Brad bumped into him. His expression changed when he saw Brad’s pale appearance.

“Abby’s been in a car accident, and she’s hurt real bad. I’ve got to go to her!”

“Oh man, that sucks! I hope she’ll be okay,” Jake said, patting his close friend on the left shoulder. “Do you want me to go with you?”

“Yes!”

“Okay, I will.”

“Mom?” Jake asked, wanting to hear it for himself.

“Abby’s hurt very badly. I love you, Jake. I’ve got to be with Dan. Wendy tried to hurry as best she could. Brad and Jake took her hands for support.

“Sorry, I can’t,” Brad said, rebuffing fan requests for more autographs and pictures.

“Do you know what happened?” Brad asked anxiously as Dan started up the minivan and safely but urgently streaked towards Bellville General.

“Did Mr. Kendall give you any details about what happened to Abby?” Brad asked, wringing his hands anxiously.

“He said the police were coming to see him and explain the accident.”

“I knew something was wrong; that’s why my gut felt uneasy during the game.”

Dan looked at Brad. “Could he and Abby possibly be connected so closely, so intuitively, to feel each other’s pain?” He wondered.

Brad called his mom, who was at the hospital comforting Scott and Vicky. She met them at the front door. Dan parked the car while Karen escorted Brad to the Intensive Care Unit.

“Oh, Brad!” Vicky said, holding her arms out to him for a hug.

“How is Abby?” He asked, hugging her, then Karen; their eyes had already reddened from crying.

“The doctors are finishing up some tests on Abby.”

“Mr. Kendall?” Brad said this as Scott came from her room.

“Oh, Brad!” He mournfully cried. They hugged each other tightly. Scott wiped the latest round of tears from his reddened eyes. “I’m afraid she isn’t doing very well. She’s unconscious, and her skin is turning yellow for some reason.”

“Do I tell him that her liver could be damaged?” Karen’s nursing experience came to mind from the early symptoms.