A Hockey Tutor by Mary Smith Page A

report ruled that weather was a factor, but it didn’t matter how, she was still gone.
    “Andrew.” Uncle Mike’s voice pulled me from my thoughts of Mom and her accident. “Stop hiding behind your goalie mask, and just be you.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “You are not some hockey bad boy. You are Andrew Moore, and I know what a great young man you are. You put people’s needs before yours all the time. And yes, you are slacking in the school department, but that’s because you feel like you need to keep up this image that isn’t you.”
    “It’s not an image. I am a goalie. I like to have sex with girls and drink an abundance of alcohol. That all equals up to a bad boy.”
    “My baby sister raised you right, Andrew, and you’re a great kid. You’ve just made some not-so-great choices lately.”
    “You think I’m a great kid? Wow, I have you fooled,” I said, grinning at him.
    “I doubt that. How many drinks have you had today?” he asked, his eyebrows raised.
    “None,” I groaned.
    “Because?”
    “Because Mom didn’t think it was appropriate to drink on Sundays,” I grumbled.
    Uncle Mike laughed again. “Oh, that sister of mine.” We sat there in the silence of the church, reflecting on memories of my mom. She was very religious, but never pushed it on anyone. She treated everyone the same way, and that’s what she taught me. I wish there were some way I knew she was proud of me.
    “Thank you, Uncle Mike. I can always count on you,” I said sincerely.
    “You can count on your dad, too. You know, he misses you.”
    My father and I had been inseparable, until Mom died. It was so much harder for me to be around him. Seeing his pain just reminded me of losing her, and I couldn’t take that. When I was first offered the position in Boston, I took it. Then Juniors happened, and it seemed to spiral from there. I really wanted St. Paul to be different.
    “Thanks again.” I stood to leave, but I had one more question. “Hey, Father Michael ,” I said formally. “Why did you come to St. Paul?”
    He stood up and grabbed my biceps. “Because my nephew needed me.” He smiled at me, and I knew that he was right.
    Instead of just saying “thank you,” I hugged him.

Chapter 11 – Katie
     
    “So, I went down to the landlord’s today to pay my half of the rent, and he told me that it had been taken care of until the lease expires.” Lindsay had her hands on her hips, looking down at me as I sat on the couch, reading my photography book.
    “Well, Linds, what did you think I was going to do with all that money? Have the bank give it to me in ones and go down to the all-male strip club?” I joked with her.
    “I would have totally done that,” she laughed, sitting next to me. “How about I just pay the bills with my half, and if it’s more than that, I’ll let you know?”
    “That sounds fair,” I agreed.
    “And no more buying groceries. Remember, we’re splitting everything?” Lindsay reminded me.
    “Well, I didn’t think you wanted to live on Cheetos and pizza all semester,” I said sarcastically.
    “When did you go shopping anyway?”
    “When Franks was trying to feel you up while watching the movie. I figured it was time for me to leave. So, what’s the deal with you two?” I asked, shutting my book.
    Lindsay shrugged. “We’re just friends.”
    I stared at her, waiting for her to elaborate.
    “Well, I mean, he’s a nice guy, but right now we’re just having fun,” she explained. “What about you and Andrew?”
    “There is nothing between us,” I said firmly.
    “I think there is.” She winked at me. I didn’t want to tell her about how my feelings had been all over the place since waking up in his bed the other day.
    “His dad’s email reminded me that midterms aren’t that far away, and he has to have his grades up,” I said, changing the subject.
    “Speaking of which,” she clasped her hands together and rubbed them wickedly, “Halloween is almost