by me
Disclaimer: The Hurricanes are not mine. Parker and all the characters you already know from this story still belong to me.
Summary: In which we have a draft.
Notes: Well, this is it. Epilogue perhaps, sequel perhaps. But hopefully finishing this up will give me some time to concentrate on...let's see...OTB, WOWY, M/G, Triplet...all that baseball stuff. This is short.
Seeing my whole family again put Chris and all those problems out of my mind for the moment. I haven�t seen them since my birthday, and my siblings were clamoring for attention to tell their latest accomplishments in their favorite sports. We�re all athletes. It�s sickening, really, to be part of one of those families in which like every kid is going to have the talent to be a pro athlete somewhere. The sad part is we all have the desire, too. Talent only gets you so far.
Talent and desire got me to the NHL Entry Draft. I was more nervous than I might admit. I�d heard from scouts. I knew they were interested. I just didn�t know how interested.
I know I told everybody there was no way I�d go first round. I believe that, really. But it�s still a dream, you know, to be a first round pick. So around the 5th pick, I started holding my breath until they said something like �from the WHL� or �from the Finnish elite league� and then I could relax and be happy for that guy. And then we were to Carolina. I think I held my breath from the instant the 14th team announced their pick.
It was uncomfortably hot in my suit, and my heart was pounding. My mom was sitting to my right, Dad beside her. Jordy was on my left, Byron, Scott, and Ali finishing out the row. Slowly, the Carolina delegation worked its way to the stage. The settled themselves, the folded jersey in the hands of a scout.
�The Carolina Hurricanes would like to thank the Toronto Maple Leafs for their hospitality during the 2002 Draft and the Eastern Conference Finals.� There was a chorus of boos, which were met with grins from those on the stage. �And we�d like to congratulate the Detroit Red Wings on their Stanley Cup Championship.� Slightly more subdued was this statement.
�With the fifteenth pick in the draft, the Carolina Hurricanes are pleased to select, from the USJHL,� my breath caught, and Jordy�s hand gripped my forearm tightly, �Parker Addison.�
I sat there for like a whole minute, just stunned. But Jordan pulled me to my feet, squeezing me tightly, and I was brought back into the moment. I hugged my parents and the rest of my siblings, who were all beaming, except Scott, who was looking stunned and murmured �My brother�s gonna be in the NHL,� as I started down the stairs to the stage.
I was completely out of it, I swear. How do you describe every dream you�ve had since you were 4 years old coming true? How do you handle those feelings? I don�t know. I just know that pulling that jersey over my head was the most unbelievable thing I�ve ever done. �Congratulations, Parker.� Jim Rutherford was talking to me. I shook his hand, stammering out a thanks.
My name was on the back of the sweater, and it made me realize that I had been their first choice. They traded for a higher pick to get me. Oh god, they must think I�m really good. The thought scared me a little, but I resolutely pushed it out of my head. Whatever happened, happened. I may not go to the NHL this year or next year, but I AM going to be a Carolina Hurricane, whatever it takes.
I ended up off the stage, herded towards cameras and lights. �How does it feel to be the first player from that area of the country ever drafted anywhere near this high? Are you the first pick with a southern accent?�
I cleared my throat. �Sorry to disappoint you�no Southern drawl here.� I smiled, some of my nervousness drifting away. �But it�s great. It�s unbelievable to be with the Hurricanes.�
I think they asked me a couple other questions. I don�t even remember. Eventually, my family ended up in the same room I was, with the other picks, and I�m still in shock. Knowing Billy and Dame and Kev and�well, and Chris too, were watching just made me�I don�t know. Just like the happiest person on the planet. I�ve worked at being the best hockey player I could my entire life, and suddenly I am. I�ve gotten what I�ve worked so hard for.
I raised my head a little, and looked around at the other players in the room. I took a deep breath. Maybe I�ve reached this goal, but the work is just beginning. And my life, what I�m meant to be, is also just beginning.