Making the Cut
Authors: David Skuy
Scholastic Canada Ltd.
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ISBN: 978-1-4431-1982-5
Text copyright © 2010 by David Skuy.
Front cover image © Masterfile.
Back cover image © iStockphoto.com/Dave Skinner.
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first eBook edition September 2012
The Game Time series:
Off the Crossbar
Rebel Power Play
Overtime
Double Shift
Undergrounders
To the home team for letting me read at the beach on occasion
.
THE LETTER
Charlie Joyce held the letter up. “But Mom, an NHL coach will be there. Only eighty players are invited. It’s a chance in a lifetime.”
“I’m sure it is,” she answered softly.
He couldn’t understand. Two weeks at the Youth Elite Hockey School — a dream come true — and the perfect way to start the summer. And that after the perfect finish to the hockey season. His team, the Rebels, had won the league championship. And now this!
“Pudge told me all about it. Some of the guys have been talking about it, but I never believed I’d actually get invited. They have a real coaching staff — like I said, we’re talking guys who’ve coached in the NHL — and we’re on the ice four hours a day, and there’s dry land training and fitness testing …”
“It does sound fun.”
“And the camp’s only two weeks. I’ll be back before you know it, and I’ll help out at the café every day, I promise. You won’t even have to pay me.”
His sister Danielle came into the kitchen. “What are you two arguing about?” she said.
“We’re not arguing,” his mom said.
As if he needed to deal with his irritating kid sister now. “Don’t you have somewhere to go?” he snapped.
“I can go wherever I want. It’s my house too.” She stuck her tongue out.
“You’re so lame,” he said.
“Stop picking on your sister,” his mom ordered.
He couldn’t hold his anger in. “This is totally unfair. Danielle gets to go to drama camp, and you won’t let me go to the best hockey camp in the wor—”
He stopped — his mom looked like she was about to cry.
“Real nice, Charlie,” Danielle said.
“I didn’t mean to … You don’t have to cry, Mom.”
His mother sighed and wiped her tears away with her fingers.
“Charlie, I’d like nothing better than for you to go, believe me.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
She put her hand on his. “I’ve tried to keep things normal this year, as much as possible. I know you two have been through a lot. After Dad died it was so difficult, what with moving to Terrence Falls, new schools, new friends. I’m so proud of both of you — and Dad would be too. But opening the café was very expensive. Money’s really tight right now. If we had two incomes coming in, it would be different …”
Her eyes clouded. Charlie felt himself tear up now.
He missed his dad so much sometimes his chest hurt. He couldn’t believe it had been a whole year since the car accident. So much had happened since then. He’d gotten through grade nine at his new school and survived the bullying of Jake and his crew. Actually, if it hadn’t been for Jake, he probably never would have had the courage to try out for the school hockey team, where he’d met his friends. It was only then that he had started to feel like Terrence Falls could really be his home. It was still so hard to think about his dad, though.
His mom squeezed his hand. “I’m really sorry, Charlie. I want the world for you. Only I’m really stretched financially right now.”
He looked at the bottom of the letter. Total cost: $1,450.
“Danielle’s got her drama camp in August,” she continued. “I’ve had to replace the vents and the hood for the range at the café, plus replace the grill because I was too stupid to get the extended warranty.” She banged her head with her hand.
“That’s not your fault,” Charlie said. “How were you supposed to know it was going to break down so soon?”
She leaned back in her chair. “Thanks, Charlie. It was a bad decision, however, and one that cost me dearly. I simply can’t ask Grandma and Grandpa for more money, either. They’ve been incredibly generous already. Hockey camp is a bit of a luxury. I’m … I’m … sorry, Charlie.”
She seemed ready to cry again.
“Forget it, Mom. It’s cool. Of course I wanted to go. There are more important things.”
“What about next year?” Danielle asked.
Charlie took a deep breath. His sister was really bugging him lately. He didn’t feel like talking about it with a ten-year-old. But his mom was looking at him with that “be polite” expression.
“The camp is only for fourteen- or fifteen-year-olds. I’ll be too old next summer.” He pushed his chair back. “I’m gonna watch TV for a bit.” His mom looked really upset. “It’s okay,” he said. “I know you’d send me if you could. There are worse things than hanging out here this summer.”
If his mom could have read his mind she’d have known that wasn’t even close to being true. He looked at the letter lying on the table in front of him. This was going to be a brutal summer.
“I don’t have to go to drama camp,” Danielle said suddenly.
Their mother sat up in her chair and looked at her in surprise. “You’ve been dying to go to that camp for months. I had to beg to get you in. It’s all arranged. And Hannah’s going with you. I was on the phone for an hour to get you into her cabin.”
“I know, Mom, and camp would be good …” She squeezed her eyes tight and nodded at Charlie. “But I can go next year. Charlie can only go now.”
He couldn’t believe his ears. His irritating little sister, who’d been driving him insane about that stupid drama camp for so long that he thought his head would explode, was actually doing this for him?
He was incredibly tempted to let her go through
with it too … but obviously he couldn’t. It wouldn’t be right.
“That’s totally awesome of you, Danny. But you’re too good an actor to miss the camp. You have to go. Besides, Hannah would miss you.”
She shook her head. “Mom can use the money from my camp to pay for your hockey. I’ll go next summer. I want you to go.”
They both looked at their mom. She had tears in her eyes.
“Why are you crying so much today?” Danielle asked.
“You’re such wonderful kids,” she said. “That’s an extremely generous offer, Danielle. Are you sure about this?”
“Totally.”
“Really?”
“Really, Mom.”
His mom raised both hands into the air. “What do you have to say about that, Charlie?”
He didn’t know what to say. “Why don’t you think about it for a day or two, Danny. I have until the weekend to accept the offer.”
“Don’t wait, dude. Live for the moment!”
Charlie laughed and put his arm across Danielle’s shoulders. “I think I might have the most totally awesome kid sister — like, in the entire universe.”
“What do you think about that?” his mom asked Danielle.
A mischievous look crossed her face. “I think the
most totally awesome kid sister in the universe might like some ice cream.” She pointed to the fridge.
“No chance,” Charlie declared. “The most totally awesome kid sister in the universe does not deserve store bought ice cream. She deserves a banana split with chocolate sauce and sprinkles from Dutch Dreams — on me.”
“What about whipped cream?” Danielle exclaimed.
“That’s automatic, Danny.”
His mom pushed her chair from the table and stood up. “That’s simply too tempting. I might have to join in.”
Charlie pointed his finger at her. “Don’t think of bringing your purse. I’ve been saving up for this.”
In truth he’d been saving for a new long board by doing deliveries for his mom at the café. This occasion definitely called for dipping into his savings, however.
“Let me grab some ice cream money — and then let’s do this thing,” he said, punching his fist in the air.
He charged out the kitchen, his fist still held up. He felt like flying up the stairs.
The YEHS was legendary. He had to call Pudge.
Charlie slowed down suddenly. How was he going to tell him? Pudge was a solid player, and Charlie loved having him as his left winger, but he probably hadn’t received an invite. It might be a bit awkward.
A worrisome thought crept into his mind. He took his money from the shelf and went back downstairs. He went back to the kitchen and looked at the letter, and his heart sank. The camp started on the same weekend he was supposed to go to Pudge’s cottage. Now it was
going to be even harder to tell him. Charlie forced that out of his mind. Danielle deserved her banana split, and a few other presents besides that.
They were already outside waiting, and so, with no one around to see, Charlie couldn’t help himself — he raised both arms over his head and did a quick victory dance.
The camp started in three weeks — and he’d thought his summer was going to be boring!
DOWNHILL
Charlie slowed down as soon as he heard the familiar voices. He’d been worried about how to tell his friends about the hockey camp. It might sound like he was bragging. He decided he was going to wait until after they’d finished their ride and everyone was about to leave. Then they wouldn’t feel weird about it and it would just be over. He rode slowly the rest of the way and casually waved hello.
“Rolls Joyce is in the house,” shouted a broad-shouldered, sandy-haired boy. He held out his fist.
“Hey, Scott,” Charlie said, giving it a punch and then picking up his long board. “And how is everyone?”
“School’s over. What could be better?” a round-faced, chubby boy answered. He nodded towards The Hill. “A few guys are ahead of us. We’re just chillin’ till it’s our turn to ride. You can go down with us.”
Charlie sat down next to him. Pudge was his best friend, and the first kid he’d met when he moved to Terrence Falls. Even though they’d only known each
other for grade nine, it seemed like they’d been friends forever.
Nick came over. Dark-haired and athletic looking, he was an incredible defenceman, who teamed up with his best friend Scott to anchor the Rebels’ defence core. He turned around and patted his own shoulder.
“I just wanted you dudes to get a good look at my back,” Nick said. “You’ll be seeing it a lot on the ride down.”
“I’ve oiled my wheels,” Charlie replied. “Today’s all about my spectacular victory.”
“You’d better put rockets on that board or you’ll be lucky to finish by tomorrow,” Nick replied.
Charlie blushed slightly. His board was pathetic and he knew it. Zachary had lent him his brother’s old one. The nose was all chipped, and the sides had begun to split. The rollers were chipped and pitted, and no amount of oiling seemed to speed the board up.
“In about a month I’ll have the cash for the new board, and then …”
A chorus of laughs drowned him out. He’d been talking about a new board forever.
He forced himself to join in. “I’m focused on technique at this point,” he said. “Trust me, when the new wheels arrive you’ll be lining up for autographs.”
“We’ll be lining up to race you ’cause of the guaranteed win,” Scott said. He gave Charlie a good-natured shove, and held up his board. Charlie looked at it with admiration — it was a truly sweet machine. “Black Beauty and I have decided today is the day to
dethrone Sir Zachary of Slowville and become what I have always been destined to be — King of The Hill.”
“Maybe King of Marshmallow Cookies,” Nick quipped.
Charlie had to laugh at that. Scott’s appetite was legendary.
Scott’s lower lip began to tremble. “I had that one box of cookies and you humiliate me in front of my peer group.”
“You had the box for breakfast, dude.”
Scott winked. “Guess what I got in my knapsack right now?”
“What are you waiting for?” Nick exclaimed.
Scott ripped open his knapsack and pulled out a box of raspberry jam marshmallow cookies. Nick reached his hand out, only to have Scott slap it away. Zachary had come riding over The Hill and he slowed to a smooth stop.
“Zachary needs to fill up on junk first,” Scott declared, holding the box out to him.
With his usual lopsided grin in place, Zachary ambled over and helped himself to three cookies. He was also the best boarder among them, and had taught Charlie to ride.
“I was gonna let someone else win today,” Zachary said. “Unfortunately for you, marshmallows make me stronger. So I’m gonna have to kick your butts … again.”
“Why didn’t I bring chocolate chip?” Scott moaned.
While the guys polished off the cookies, Charlie and Pudge moved over to the grass under a tree and began
putting on their pads.
“I figure we got about five more minutes until it’s our turn,” Pudge said.
“Scott could eat three boxes in that time,” Charlie said.
“Ain’t that the truth.” Pudge spun the wheels of his board. “My hyper dad’s decided we have to leave for the cottage around seven o’clock. I’ll try to delay him, but count on an early morning. Once we’re there he usually lets people sleep in — until he starts with the power tools, of course.”
Charlie knew he had to tell him. He’d been stoked about going to Pudge’s family cottage. It was the one thing he was looking forward to all summer. Pudge was going to teach him how to water ski, and there was a bunkie by the water just for them … Pudge was going to be bummed out.
“Yeah, about that. Um … a little problem.”
Pudge looked over.
Charlie picked at the grass. “You wouldn’t believe what came in the mail. Well, anyway, I can’t believe it. It’s sort of unbelievable …”
Pudge raised his eyebrows.
“Right. I guess I made that clear. Anyway, I got invited to the YEHS; and, it’s a total drag but it starts that weekend … so I guess I can’t go to your cottage.”
He waited for Pudge to get mad or upset.
“That
is
unbelievable. It’s totally amazing!” He stood up. “Hey guys. Guess what?”
“Pudge, don’t —” Charlie began.
“Charlie’s going to the YEHS … for real. He got an invitation.”
A cheer went up. Scott came over and put his hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “It’s actually not that prestigious or that big a deal …” he said.
Pudge cut him off. “What are you talking about? The best players from the Eastern region at a two-week camp, invitation only, with professional coaches …?”
“Yeah, but I just heard that they’re so desperate for players they’ll invite just about anyone — for instance, even Nick got invited.”
“It gets worse than that,” Nick said. “They actually invited …” He took a deep breath and dabbed his eye as if to wipe away a tear. “I mean, standards are so low they’re letting Scott come.” He pretended to break down and cry.
Scott went over and patted him on the back. “It’s okay, Nicholas. It’s okay. I know it’s embarrassing. But if it makes you feel better, there’s a four-year-old kid on my street who didn’t get an invitation.” He screwed up his face and chewed his lower lip. “Actually, that’s not entirely true. He got an invitation, but turned it down when he heard that I’m going.”
The news was music to Charlie’s ears. He’d been excited to go, but at the same time he’d felt a little nervous about not knowing anyone.
“You guys deserve to go; and it looks good on Terrence Falls High to have three players going to the YEHS,” Pudge said.
Charlie knew Pudge was a cool guy, but he was super
impressed by how little the news about his three friends going to the camp seemed to bother him. It was just the opposite in fact — he sounded really happy. But when he looked over at Zachary, he second-guessed his decision to tell Pudge. Zachary was the most laid-back guy he knew, but he looked kind of upset now. He was an awesome player, and the second leading scorer on the Rebels, playing right wing with him and Pudge. He definitely deserved an invitation.
“I can’t believe my bad luck,” Zachary said. “I have to go to my Great Aunt Hetty’s eightieth birthday party, and I can’t go.”
“You got an invitation too?” Scott said. “The YEHS is dead to me.”
“Couldn’t they change the date?” Charlie asked Zachary.
He rolled his eyes. “Don’t even ask. I begged. I pleaded. I tried every argument I could think of. Think of it. Pudge gets to go to his cottage and water ski and stuff; you three are going to an awesome hockey camp; and I’m spending four days with a bunch of senior citizens.”
They all exploded with laughter.
“Maybe you can organize a wheelchair street hockey game,” Scott sputtered.
“I don’t suppose you could laugh at someone else?” Zachary said good-naturedly.
“We’ll laugh at you for another ten minutes, and then we can get back to laughing at Scott,” Nick said.
Pudge pointed to The Hill. “I think we’re up soon,” he said.
Scott nudged Zachary. “I’ll take a rain check and mock you later.”
“You’re a good guy,” Zachary said. “Thanks.”
The three of them continued to joke around as they began to strap on their pads.
“So that will be cool — you, Scott and Nick at the camp,” Pudge said to Charlie. “I’ll talk to my dad about another week for you to come up to the cottage.”
“Yeah. That’ll be cool. I’ll check it out with my mom. For sure, though.”
They finished with their pads. Charlie still felt a bit bad about it, and he wondered if he should say something about Pudge not going, just to clear the air.
That’s when he heard the voice that always ruined his day.
“So I did this wicked toe grab on the half-pipe, and then get the stupid idea to add a 180. Total epic fail follows, and I take a slide down the wall like a juicy tomato thrown against a window.”
Jake Wilkenson. Of course he’d have to show up!
A group of riders appeared over the crest of The Hill. They were all laughing at Jake’s story. Charlie instantly picked out the unmistakable long, black hair and Oakland Raiders jersey. Charlie still didn’t understand why Jake had it in for him. But it had started the first time they’d met, at a shinny game before grade nine even started. After the game Jake had come up from behind and slew-footed him. Then he’d tried to keep him off the school hockey team. Last season, Jake had given him a
concussion with a cross-check from behind.
Charlie didn’t have much time for the rest of his crew either — Liam, Thomas and Roscoe. The whole group of them went to Terrence Falls High School, and played for the Wildcats, the team the Rebels had beaten in the finals.
Charlie steeled himself as they rode closer.
Pudge wasn’t saying anything either, and Charlie knew why. Jake had bullied Pudge for years.
“The Hill’s a bit steep for you, Joyce,” Jake sneered. “And Pudge is only gonna break his board with all that weight. I think we should go first.”
Charlie noticed Pudge turn pink. He was sensitive about his size. Charlie fought to control his temper.
“Forget him, guys. Let’s go,” Charlie said.
But Jake wouldn’t let up. “Why not let us go first. We’ll be down and up before you get ten metres.”
“Let’s just ride,” Charlie said to his friends.
“Step aside, girls. You’re embarrassing yourselves,” Liam taunted.
“Yeah. I’m in a bit of a hurry. I need to get prepared for the YEHS hockey camp,” Jake bragged. “That’s right. I was invited. You probably don’t know much about it on account of it being for
real
hockey players.”
Charlie’s heart sank. He probably shouldn’t have been surprised. As much as he disliked Jake, he had to admit he was a fantastic player, and it made sense that he’d be invited too. Jake stared at Charlie, and suddenly his jaw slackened and his shoulders slumped. “Don’t tell me. Shoot me now. You’re going, aren’t you?”
“And Scott and Nick too,” Pudge shot back. “Zachary also got an invite, but he can’t go.”
Jake straightened up and smirked. “This’ll be a chance for us to get to really know each other,” he said.
“You’ll find out how really lame they are,” Liam said.
“That I already know,” Jake said. He pushed off on his board. “You dudes aren’t ready. Thanks for letting us go ahead.”
His friends laughed and followed him down The Hill before Charlie could say a word.
“Zachary, can I come on that trip with you?” Scott said.
That broke the tension and the boys began to joke about it. Nick made up a story about starting a book club with Jake, and Scott cracked everybody up as he dreamed up creative games he and Jake were going to play together on the bus ride to the camp. Charlie pretended it was all a big laugh — but for him it wasn’t. Jake had made grade nine tough for him — very tough — and that cross-check had almost ended his hockey season. Just once he’d like to do something without Jake being around.
Why did he have to exist?
“All clear,” the spotter yelled. “Next group can go.”
Zachary pushed off, and the rest of them followed. Charlie was preoccupied and was the last to go. At least Jake wouldn’t have any of his friends at camp, he reasoned. With Scott and Nick there — and those two could trash talk with the best of them — Jake wouldn’t dare go into his bully routine.
He turned the first corner and lowered himself closer to the ground to pick up speed. Zachary was way out in front, and the others were pulling away. His board was really pathetic. He had to get a new one already. A few more deliveries for his mom, and it was his.
Charlie leaned into the second corner, trying to coax a little more speed out of his board.