Maxed Out (7 page)

Mom puts her arm around me and rests her head on my shoulder. We sit there not saying anything. Shadows dance on the ice when clouds pass over the moon. In a quiet voice, she finally says, “Can I fill in for him?”

“But you don't have skates.”

“I can use these.” She pulls out a pair of black skates.

Dad's skates. I feel a pang in my chest.

“I know I have big skates to fill,” she says. “But with a couple of pairs of hockey socks and a little help from you and Duncan, hopefully I won't break my neck.” She squeezes my hand. “And when you're bigger, you can have them.”

I'm glad it's dark so Mom can't see my tears. “Thanks,” I croak. “I'd like that.”

It isn't until I step onto the ice that I notice real hockey nets on the pond. “Hey, look at the nets!” I squeal. “I wonder where they came from?” I turn toward Mom.

She grins from ear to ear. “Me,” she says quietly.

“They're great! Wait until Ian sees them!” I whack the puck toward the net but miss.

“I'll get it,” Duncan says, leaping up from the bench, spilling hot chocolate everywhere.

“I might need a hand,” Mom says, hobbling toward the edge of the pond.

She looks like a little kid learning how to walk as she tries to skate. Dad's skates are way too big for her. I skate over to help her. “I think you might need to get your own pair, Mom.”

“I think you're right. I can hardly stand up in these things.”

Mom holds on to me tightly. We both start to laugh.

“Mom!” Duncan yells.

“What?” she says and then giggles as she tries to take another glide.

“You're laughing.”

Author Notes

Asking for help is a sign of true strength.

In Canada, Kids Help Phone is a free professional service for anyone aged twenty years and younger. You can call anytime of day or night, 365 days a year, about anything, from trouble with your homework to dealing with the loss of a loved one, from feelings of depression to thoughts of suicide. You don't have to tell them who you are, and your information is safe. In other words, your call is anonymous and confidential. The number is 1-800-668-6868.

If talking to someone is a bit intimidating right now, you could log on to the Kids Help Phone website and get help from professional counselors, online. Reading what other kids are talking about can also make you feel less alone. Check it out. It's pretty neat. All you need to do is type in the words Kids Help Phone or
www.kidshelpphone.ca
.

If you live in the United States, there are similar services, such as Boys Town (1-800-448-3000,
www.boystown.org
) or Nineline (1-800-999-9999,
www.nine-line.org
). You can also talk to a teacher or guidance counselor at your school.

Many years ago, I volunteered on the Adult Help Phone in Nova Scotia. I'm very thankful to my friend Nancy Allen, who encouraged me to do it with her. Being a friendly voice on the other end of the phone was a very rewarding experience. Someone—somewhere— is waiting to be that friendly voice for you.

Acknowledgments

I have many people to thank.

Deep gratitude goes to my writing group: Jo Ann Yhard, Lisa Harrington, Graham Bullock, Jennifer Thorne and Joanna Butler. The friendship, insight and trust we share is more than I could hope for—truly a writer's dream. A big thank-you also goes to Norene Smiley for putting us all together and setting us on our writing paths.

I'm very grateful to Melanie Jeffs for her keen editorial eye and for guiding me in such a way that allowed my creative juices to unfold to make the story richer. I will be forever grateful to Orca Book Publishers for believing in my story.

To Donna Hansplant (former Vice-President of the Kids Help Phone) for taking the time to read my manuscript and for giving it a thumbs-up!

Thanks to Cynthia d'Entremont, who effortlessly comes up with smashing book titles.
Maxed Out
suits this story perfectly.

To my dear friends, who have cheered me along the way.

To my parents, who taught me to find the good in every situation. This helped me immensely when trying to find something positive from rejection letters—which I did. Each one pushed me to get things right.

To my cousin Alison for her sense of fun, seeing love in all things and for bringing Michael into the world.

And finally to my husband Ken, my rock—who has always believed in me. To my children, Emma, Maude, Rose and Grace—may you always believe in yourselves and know that the sky is the limit if you follow your dreams.

Daphne Greer worked with individuals with special needs for sixteen years.
Maxed Out
is her first novel. Daphne lives in Newport, Nova Scotia.

For more information on all the books in the Orca Currents series, please visit
www.orcabook.com