The First Aider

1 ~ The Most Boring Game Ever

Taylor glanced at her phone, groaning at the time. "We should get back in."

Clara scrunched her nose up. "Fiiiiiiiiiiine."

Taylor tugged her toque back on, and stood, carrying her coffee with her as they walked together back into the chilly arena. They parted their ways and Taylor jogged up the steps, only to freeze on the top one and watch the scene on the ice below. It was as if she could see it in slow-motion. A harsh blue-eyed player from the Serpents, wearing their emerald green jersey, (the opposing team) broke away, skating towards the goalie. Nasir, a boy in Taylor's English class, and who Taylor only recognized because of the number that was also on his windbreaker, chased after him. He was one of the two defensemen.

Taylor watched as the boy skated as fast as he could down the ice, Nasir, in his pale blue and white uniform, on his tail. The boy slapped the punk for the goalie and spun, so fast that Taylor barely saw the moment when his stick collided with Nasir's stomach and knocked him face-first onto the ice, heaving for air. The boy then skated off, heading for his teammates, excited that he had scored a goal.

Even Taylor had to admit that that was foul sportsmanship. The parents from her town let out enraged shouts as Coach Hamilton rushed out on to the ice and slipped his way over to Nasir, who was still wheezing. Taylor could recall something from grade 9 gym about asthma. Where was their first aider? She knew for a fact that her uncle did not have any sort of first aid.

As the commotion calmed down and the boy was stuck in the penalty box, Taylor made eye contact with Clara again and she shook her head in bored disappointment.

Nasir was picked up by Jacob and Jamie and they helped him to get off the ice, still having issues breathing. Taylor rolled her eyes, turning back to her phone.

~~~

"That smells good, Mom." Taylor smiled, peering to look at the lasagna in the oven.

"Thanks," Her mom replied. "How about you go find Uncle Clark? I heard he had something he wanted to ask you."

Taylor's eyebrows pinched in confusion, but she turned, heading for the living room. There was a small electric fireplace pushed up against one wall and two couches and a rocking chair. In one corner was a cabinet full of china they never used, and in the other was a lamp that didn't even work anymore. She tugged on the pink sleeves of her knitted pullover and looked at her uncle, who sat in the chair. "Hey Uncle Clark, what is it that you wanted to ask me?"

Her uncle smiled, turning to face her with the same eyes as Clara. "I have a business proposition."

Taylor's eyebrows furrowed even more in confusion. She glanced at Clara for answers but her cousin shrugged in response. She had no clue either then.

"Mr. Granthem, our old first aider, retired last week and moved down to Edmonton to be closer to his family. I am looking for a new first aider, for at least this season, and your dad mentioned that you had your first aid from Health Science. I was wondering if you'd like the job?"

Taylor blinked in surprise. "Really?"

Her uncle nodded. "So you'll do it?" Hope shone in his eyes.

Taylor paused, thinking. "Can I be given a day to think about it? I just want to talk to everyone about it first."

Her uncle raised an eyebrow. "Alrighty, but let me know as soon as you can."

Taylor gave him a thumbs up and turned to head to her bedroom, Clara tagging along. Did she really want to spend more time around those boys than she had too? She opened the door, letting Clara flop on her indigo bedspread before shutting the door.