They pressed into him like curtain pleats as he coached them in between periods. Once they filled their minds with power plays, penalty kills and attacks with pinching off, he played for the battle of second place. They played hockey while I talked in circles, from the seniors to the parents and back. He stopped and looked up at the crowds. The energy braced my lungs. I held the music in my hand and we held the lead.
He even dressed up for school yesterday. Probably so they could give each other high fives and geek out with a hashtag (#dontbend), not because everyone is doing it, but because they’re doing it, together.
