Worked like magic
Percy was sitting in the stands waiting for Charlie to finish his hockey practice. It was the last week of May meaning that it was the last training before the summer holidays, but Charlie had insisted to go to the summer training as well. Percy was going to coach a summer swimming programme as well at the community swimming pool and he was pretty excited about it as he was taking an extended paternity leave from swimming since Lana was born.
“Did you see me? How I put the puck in the net?” He asked him excitedly as they were driving home. Sally with Theo and Lana as Lana was sick, and Theo didn’t like loud places such as the ice rink.
“You were incredible, bub. A true hockey star.” Percy encouraged him.
“You think?” Charlie said as Percy continued talking.
“I know so.” He stared at him from the rearview mirror. “And do you know why?”
“Why?”
“Because you’re having fun. And that’s what really matters. If you don’t have fun, then there is no point playing hockey. Or doing anything else in general. You should remember this.”
“I love Hockey. It’s the best sport ever. I don’t want to ever stop playing.” Charlie exclaimed which made Percy smile even more. Charlie stayed quiet for a second. “Do you miss swimming?”
He stared at his son’s direction lovingly, “I do, bub. But I can’t swim like I used to anymore. And it’s fine because I had a lot of fun all those years. And now I get to spend a lot of time with you, Zoe, Theo and Lana.”
“I think you’re still a good swimmer. The best in the whole world. And the best dad.”
Percy tried to not melt to what Charlie said. “Thanks, bub. I appreciate it.”
“I want to be like you when I’m older.” He exclaimed and Percy was a step away from actually crying. It meant the world to him that his son wanted to be like him, even though he wanted him to be better than him.
“You have a great future ahead of you, but don’t rush to get older.”
“Being 8 is very boring. I need more.”
“Believe me, one day you’ll be wishing you were 8 for a bit longer.”
“I don’t think so. I want to be old enough to play hockey all day and not do anything else.” Charlie exclaimed as they arrived at home. “I’m going to the backyard.” He rushed and left Percy on his own.
Percy put Charlie’s gear in the garage and took the groceries in the kitchen. Lana was sitting on the counter while Sally took a batch of cookies out of the oven. “Hey, how did it go?” Percy asked his mum as he kissed Lana who was preoccupied with the cookies next to her.
“She doesn’t have a fever and Theo is reading in the treehouse.” Sally told him as she closed the oven.
“Do you want to stay over for dinner?” Percy suggested.
“Yes, Nana. Stay for dinner.” Lana agreed with him and nodded her head excitedly.
“Estelle is going crazy with graduation and everything, so I have to go home. But I’ll see you all on Sunday. You’re still coming, right?” She verified their traditional Sunday dinner.
“Of course, mum. What else could we do?”
“But Sunday is too far away.” Lana complained and crossed her arms. Percy found it very funny as Lana spent her afternoons with Sally while Percy dealt with Charlie’s and Zoe’s practises.
“It’s only a whole day away. I’ll come around more often now that you don’t have school. I promise. Now, I need to leave before Estelle goes ballistic.” Sally kissed him and Lana and left. Percy decided that it would be a good time to start cooking.
"You got this! Just push it in.” Percy heard Charlie saying to - he was guessing- Theo. He decided to check on his sons as he was in the kitchen cooking lunch for the past hour, and he was curious what they were up to.
He went outside where he knew very well that Charlie was. After his interest in hockey became a lot bigger, he asked for a goal so he could practise even when he wasn’t on the ice. His uncle Bobby hooked him up real nice with a goal, inlineρs and more gear to practise with.
Charlie was holding his stick and shot the puck straight in the net. “Do you want to try?” he asked his younger brother.
Theo still had difficulties getting out of the house and spending time with other people and sometimes even Charlie who had too much energy for Theo’s liking. But that day was an exception as he had joined his older brother to play hockey. He was holding Charlie’s old stick and even though he was a bit hesitant he shot the puck in the goal as well. “See, I knew you could do it. Do you want to try again?”
“Yes.” Theo did it again, with Charlie hyping him up. Percy was still unnoticed by his kids, and he continued watching them from a distance. Theo hit the puck again and Charlie started cheering him again.
"I didn't expect you to be this good. You've got some serious skills." Charlie encouraged him.
“Really?” He asked in return.
“Yes, really.”
Theo didn’t react at Charlie’s comment, but Percy knew that it meant a lot to him. Zoe and Charlie were twins, and they were 10 steps ahead from Theo because of their age difference. That meant that Theo had to try harder if he wanted to keep up with them which was difficult considering his siblings were social butterflies he was quieter and more contained. So, Charlie giving him that kind of support and attention gave Theo the validation he needed to continue.
“Lunch is ready. Do you want to come inside?” Percy announced.
“Yes, I’m starved.” Charlie exaggerated which caused Percy to grin.
“Then, good thing I’m feeding you.”
“Obviously. Where is Zoe?”
“She’s with Bianca.”
“Why?” His son replied like Percy had told him Zoe had gone to space.
“Because they are friends. Do you want Colin to come over tomorrow?”
“Can he?”
“Definitely. I’ll call his mum after we eat.”
“Score.” Charlie sat down at the table with Theo next to him. Lana had just woken up from her nap as she was a bit sick and slept the entire morning. Percy put her in her high chair. “Are you feeling better, Lana?” Charlie asked his sister. Lana just nodded in disagreement. “Do you want to watch Wall-E after we eat?”
“Can we watch Ariel?” She asked him.
“Whatever you want.”
Percy served them their lunch and sat down to eat with them. Charlie was narrating to Lana his entire hockey practise while she nodded excitedly like she understood everything he told her. But what surprised him the most was Theo, who after his brother stopped talking, decided to ask him something. “Charlie? Can we play hockey again? But with roller skates.”
He swore that he had never seen Charlie light up so much in his life. “Obviously. Whenever you want.”
“Really?”
“And you can come with me and play hockey.” Charlie said filled with excitement.
“But I don’t know how to skate.” Theo almost whispered like he was embarrassed.
“I’ll teach you. It’s just like roller blades. We’re going to have so much fun.”












