Even Coach.
Then he started to blink fast. “She’s so stubborn she wants to get up here and talk.”
Coach put the microphone on the stand and walked off the stage.
A few seconds later, I saw him helping his wife to her feet.
Carrie was tired.
Not weak. No.
She was tired.
The claps began.
I felt my throat clenching a little.
The emotion of watching Carrie walk up on the stage was just…
I looked back and saw Maverick staring at the stage.
His eyes looked glossy too.
Back on the stage, Coach stood with Carrie, holding her up on her feet.
She stood at the microphone and smiled. “Well, that was a walk, huh? I regret asking for a stage. Whew.”
She smiled and we all laughed.
“Before anyone worries, I feel fine,” she said. “I’m married to this guy. Of course I’m tired. Hockey life isn’t for the weak. Right?”
“Yeah!”Lay’s voice boomed.
“I just wanted to say thank you for being here. For my family. For this great cause. And for this fight that we are all winning together.”
Everyone remained silent.
Carrie smiled. “I think that’s all I can say right now. I need a beer!”
The applause rang out again.
Carrie gave a bigger smile, then waved.
I made sure to take as many pictures as possible.
Whether she liked it or not, she looked sick. There was no hiding it. I knew the look too. It brought back too many memories for me. But memories I had to face. Memories I had to have and control.
Coach helped his wife off the stage.
People began to line up, all wanting to see Carrie. All wanting to hug her and tell her they loved her and were in her corner.
The event took a completely expected emotional turn.
I captured every moment I possibly could.
All the while fighting back tears of my own.
When my father stood in front of Carrie, he held her right hand tight and looked down at her.