Members of the hockey media were milling about the reception area when she pushed through the doors. From their concerned expressions, she got a sense of just how bad Ike’s accident must have been. These guys had seen it all and they looked shaken.
Even though no one but family or team personnel were allowed in the surgical waiting room, Tracy persuaded the receptionist to call through and get permission for her to go back there.
Ike’s mother wrapped her in a hug as soon as Tracy walked into the large gray room. The tiny older woman looked as if she’d aged overnight. Her body felt frail, yet her hug was tight. Tracy had always admired her strength, knowing what Karina had been through in her life, but never more so than now.
“I’m glad you’re here.” Karina’s voice wobbled. “Ike will be, too.”
Tracy sent Rory a worried look over his wife’s head. “Has there been news?”
Rory’s weathered face looked ashen as he gently turned Karina into his arms. She laid her head against his barrel chest with a hiccupping sigh.
“Not yet,” he replied. “Ike’s still in surgery. The nurse said it would be another couple of hours.”
“He’s in good hands,” Jake’s dad, Gio, added. “Dr. Gibson is one of the best.”
Tina Badoletti nodded. “The Ice Cats made sure Ike got the top guy.”
They all stood silently for several moments, lost in their own thoughts.
Desperate not to dwell on what was happening to Ike and knowing they were all in for a long wait, Tracy ushered the two couples over to the dark gray couches and encouraged them to sit. “Can I get anyone a coffee or tea or anything?”
She took their orders and went in search of vending machines. As she waited for the drinks to dispense, Tracy sent a silent prayer heavenward that Ike would be all right.
* * *
“IT’S BEEN TWO HOURS.”
Karina’s quavering words broke the tense silence of the waiting room and jolted Tracy out of her mental debate.
Should she stay or go? She felt out of place sitting here. Technically, she wasn’t family and she was hardly Ike’s friend. Not that anyone had made her feel unwelcome. Still, the longer they waited, the more awkward she felt.
Tracy wanted to know for sure that Ike had got through the surgery and his arm was fixed. That he’d be all right. She didn’t want to wait to hear about it on the news or through social media. Plus, she’d promised Maggie. It wouldn’t do any harm to wait a bit longer.
The room was more crowded now. They’d been joined by a couple of trainers from the Ice Cats. Callum Hardshaw was there, too, though just outside the room where they allowed cell phones, getting updates from the team. The game had ended with a 2–1 win for the Ice Cats and Tracy expected Jake, Kenny and the rest of the team to join them shortly. They’d be pleased to have won for Ike, but she doubted anyone was celebrating. Ike’s youngest brother, Linc, was on his way from college. Tracy had arranged his transport.
“It’ll take as long as it takes, love,” Rory reassured his wife. His calm conviction seemed to bring the level of anxiety in the room down a notch.
“The nurse said they were almost done.” Jake’s mum patted her friend’s arm.
“But it can’t be good that it’s taking this long,” Karina fretted.
“Better the surgeon takes his time and does a fine job,” Gio Badoletti said.
Rory squeezed his wife’s hand. “He’s probably making sure his stitches are extraneat.”
Karina managed a watery smile.
Gio added, “Ike needs his catching arm fixed right the first time. We all know he’ll want to be back between the pipes as quickly as possible.”
Tracy could see from Karina’s expression that the last thing she wanted was for her son to strap on his skates again. But Karina was a hockey mum; she knew it was futile to expect anything else.
A commotion from outside the room had everyone starting nervously. Kenny pushed through the door, followed by JB Larocque, Scotty Matthews and several other Ice Cats players. A larger group of players hung back, waiting in the hall. Coach Macarty stood in the doorway talking in a low voice with Callum Hardshaw.
“Any news?” Kenny wrapped his mother in a big hug.
“Not yet,” Rory replied as Karina shook her head. “But we should hear soon.”
Jake brought a burly guy into the waiting room. From his damp hair and the scar next to his mouth, Tracy assumed the man was a player, but she didn’t recognize him. The guy hung back, watching anxiously, as Jake went across to the family group.
“I hope it’s okay, Aunt Karina, but I brought Darren Steele with me. He and Ike played together in juniors. Steeler feels terrible about what happened and asked if he could come with us.”
“Of course it’s okay. I remember Darren.” Karina waved the man over, hugging him when he joined them. “It’s not your fault. Accidents happen. On another day, it could have been you injured. Though I pray that never happens.” She crossed herself, then kissed her fingers and sent the kiss heavenward.
Steeler shifted uncomfortably, looking down at his feet. “I appreciate that, ma’am. I’d never hurt Ike intentionally. We always grab a beer whenever we play each other. In fact, we’d planned to go out tonight.”
“You can have that drink if...” Karina caught herself. “No, when he goes to Edmonton in the new year.”
“For sure.”
A tall gray-haired man in surgical scrubs came into the waiting room and captured everyone’s attention.
Tracy’s chest tightened as she scanned the man’s face. He looked tired, but she couldn’t tell whether his news would be good or bad.
Dr. Gibson cleared his throat. “I’m sure you all have a load of questions for me, but let me give you the good news first. Ike came through surgery well. Although there was extensive damage to his forearm, we were able to repair it all.”
Relief flooded through Tracy.
Even so, she felt ill as the surgeon went on to describe the injury—three severed tendons, one partially severed tendon, a sliced artery and some nerve damage. “Thankfully, the prompt attention of the Ice Cats medical staff meant that Ike’s arm was in the best condition it could have been for us to work on. That made my job a lot easier.”
“Will he make a full recovery?” Rory’s quiet question reverberated round the room.
The surgeon gave a weary smile. “It’s too early to tell, but the signs are good and there’s no reason he shouldn’t eventually be as good as new. I’ll know more in a couple of days, once the swelling has gone down and his arm has begun to heal.”
“What kind of recovery time are we looking at, doc?” Kenny asked.
“Hard to say for sure. Everyone’s different. I’d expect Ike to be back on the ice in three to four months.”
The room took in a collective breath. Months. That meant Ike would be out pretty much for the rest of the season. A huge blow for the Ice Cats.
On the bright side, at least he would be back.
“When can I see my boy?” Karina asked.
“He’s in recovery right now. Once he’s back in his room, he’ll be allowed visitors. But only family tonight. The rest of you can see him tomorrow when he’s had a chance to rest.”
His words broke the tension