[legendsport]

Montreal, PQ: September 19, 1914:

Vera waved the telegram in her hand at her grandson and said, "We should probably visit them, Jack."

Jack shook his head, exasperation on his face and replied, "You can't tell me you want to go to Georgia, Vera."

Vera shrugged. "No, I don't really want to go to Georgia. But this is big, Jack."

"You realize there's a war on now, who knows if they'll let us back in if we go home," Jack said.

"Bah! The war is over in Europe and the U.S. is neutral."

Jack shrugged, "Even so." He was determined to throw a wrench in the gears and this seemed like a good one - he knew Vera liked living in Canada.

"This is big, Jack," she repeated. She had a stubborn look on her face that Jack knew all too well. Subtlety probably wouldn't work.

So Jack smirked and asked, "Big? Why because it's number ten?"

Now Vera smiled - she had been saving this part. "Yes, lord knows there are plenty of little Barrells running around. But the reason this is different - and big - is because this time, you've gotten a sister."

Jack's jaw dropped in surprise. "A girl? Really?" he shouted. And apparently too loudly as Madame Lamarque from the floor below banged the ceiling with her broom handle. Vera stomped her foot quickly. "Mind your business, you old biddy!" she shouted. The broom banged again in reply. Vera shook her head, but kept on smiling.

Vera waved the telegram again as her smile grew wider. "That's what this telegram says. Apparently both your parents are over the moon."

"Ha, I'm sure," Jack said and frowning, added, "I still don't want to go."

"Why on earth not? You haven't seen your family in ages. I'm sure your brothers want to see you and I'd imagine even if you're not interested in seeing the baby, you'd at least like to see Joe, Rollie and Jimmy."

It was now Jack's turn to look smug. "That's all true but..." he paused for dramatic effect and then said, "I have news of my own, Vera."

"Oh, you obstinate boy..." Vera shot back and Jack immediately retorted, "I'm sixteen now!"

Boom! Another bang from the woman downstairs.

Vera frowned, but restrained herself from stomping her foot again and then nodded saying, "So you are, but only children keep secrets from their grandmothers." She wasn't sure this was true - in fact was fairly certain it was actually not true, but said it anyway. Jack cocked his head and just looked at her blankly.

"OK, that's probably stretching the truth." She made a conciliatory gesture with her left hand and asked, "So, what's your big news?"

Jack tried - and failed - to put a triumphant look on his face (he didn't often get the upper hand with his grandmother). Instead his face lit up with a giant smile. "Ever been to St. Thomas, Vera?"

Confused, Vera asked, "St. Thomas? You mean the island in the Caribbean?"

Jack laughed, "No, the one here in Canada."

"Never heard of it, no," she replied with a bit of impatience in her voice.

Jack raised his eyebrows as he said, "Well, I'd never heard of it either until this morning. It's over in Ontario, somewhere near London."

Vera made a rolling motion with her hands - she knew Jack was tormenting her. She said, "Get on with it before I grow even more bored."

"That's not fair," Jack said with a frown. Then seeing the look on Vera's face, added, "Fine. There's a hockey club in St. Thomas and they want me to play for them."

Vera shrugged and said, "There are hockey clubs everywhere in this country. What's wrong with the Royale club?"

Jack shook his head and sighed. "After all this time here, you still don't get it."

"Get what?" she growled in response.

Jack took a deep breath and rolled his eyes. "The St. Thomas club is a step up. They're part of the Amateur Association. The Royales are just.... a club team for kids."

Vera had a blank look on her face so he added, "St. Thomas is a junior club."

She shook her head and asked, "Which means what...?"

Jack sighed again. "I would put this in baseball terms for you, but there really isn't an equivalent."

He looked at the ceiling as he gathered his thoughts for a moment and then continued, "It's an amateur league and the players from that league usually end up playing professionally."

Vera squinted, "Professionally? Like FABL?"

Jack wagged his head back and forth, "Kind of - it's not exactly the same. There is a pro league here in Canada but it's only a few years old. But yes... the players there almost all played in this amateur association first."

Vera had a dubious look on her face. "And you think you're good enough for this?"

Jack put his hands on his hips and a hurt look on his face. "They came to me, Vera!"

"Hmm... London? And I've been working so hard on my French."

Jack growled, "Vera...."

She made a placating gesture. "OK, ok. Don't get upset. I suppose they must know what they're doing."

"That's better," Jack grumped.

"And this prevents you from going home to see your family?"

"Well, they want me for training next week."

Vera put a stern look on her face. "I'd think that if they want you, they'd understand a slight delay of a few days."

Jack looked dubious.

"Ask them," Vera demanded.

Now he looked defiant.

"It won't hurt," she insisted.

Sighing, Jack said, "Fine! I will ask. But I can't blow this chance."

Vera smiled. She'd won again.