58

I laugh. “It’s been a nice vacation, but it might be time for me to go home.”

I’m surprised by how much I tell Eddy during our phone calls since I’m not normally one to open up. But what we’ve established over the phone is an understanding of each other’s lives, a friendship where nothing is off-limits. There is no judgment. Just someone to listen, to help me work things out when my thoughts are too clouded. Of course, I usually do most of the talking, but Eddy knows I’ll listen whenever he needs it.

“Really?” he says. “I thought it would have taken a little longer for the city to start calling you back.”

“I miss it, man. Not just the ice. I mean, all of it.”

“Have you watched a game yet?”

The guys are scheduled to play Tampa in a few weeks, and I’m planning on going to the game. Eddy knows that. He also knows I’ve started watching the highlights on ESPN, just enough that I can hear the standings and injury reports and see highlights of each game.

“Not a full one. I’m getting there.”