Chapter 8

I didn't expect to be asked that question by anyone because I didn't have an answer to the question.

"No we are very good friends," I say, as I didn't know what to say to that.

"That's good, Paulie needs someone he can be friends with besides the guys," Katie says.

"Why do you call him Paulie?" I asked in confusion

"We all call him Paulie. It's a nickname of his,"
I lean up as the woman sitting besides Katie says that.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Kristen, Jeff Zatkoff's fiancee. Nice to meet you Annabelle," She says as we reach in front of Katie and shake hands.

"So whats going on at practice?" I ask.

"They just practice for the games that will be tomorrow. They practice plays and everything else,"

"And at the end of the month they have a mustache boy contest. The last one who scores or who doesn't score has to grow a mustache for the next month,"

"It's the beginning of the month,"

"You'll get it believe me," Katie says.

I watch practice with the girls as they explain to me more in detail what each player does. This makes more sense to me now with them explaining it to me instead of me trying to get it while watching the games.

"Mustache Boy, come on guys!!" Dan Bylsma says as I watched all the players get in the middle circle.

"Now this is mustache boy contest that they have at the end of the month. Each player will try to shoot the puck in. If they get it in, they sit down. If they don't they get back into line. The last one to score and or miss the goal is mustache boy," Katie says.

"Alright, I think I got it," I say as I see Paul is first on deck.
 I watch as he skates and shoots the puck passed the goalie.

"Yay Paul," I say as I smile.

"Now we gotta pray that Robert gets in it," Katie says.

"Does your fiancee compete Kristen?" I ask.

"He is the other goalie, so nope. No mustache for me until playoffs," Kristen says.

"That isn't for a few more months," Katie says.

"What number is your husband Katie?"

"41,"

I watch as each player goes up and shoots or he misses.

"Final two, here we go," Dan yells.
It was Robert and James who were the final two.

"Don't fuck up Nealer!!"
That was Paul's voice.

"Shut up Paulie," James says as he gets the puck and shoots it right into the net.
The boys move there sticks.

"If you make it Bortz, you and Nealer are both mustache boys,"

"Make it baby!!" Katie yells as he gets the puck and skates down and shoots it right passed the goalie.

"Nealer and Bortz are our mustache boys for the month of November,"

"Oh boy, a month without Robert shaving, this should be fun," Katie says as she stands up as Kristen gets up behind her.

"Come on, I'll take you back to the locker room" Katie says as she passes me as I get up and gets besides her as Kristen is following us.

"Do you come to all of the practices Katie?" I ask as we walk up the stairs.

"No normally, I'm usually at home doing homework, I'm taking a college course to become a vet," Katie says as we walk into the main part of the arena.

"Ahh gotacha, what about you Kristen?"

"I usually do unless I'm working," Kristen says.

We talk a little bit more as we stop outside the locker room which the doors were shut.

"Guess Dan is giving them a talk," Katie says.

"Probably," Kristen says.

A few seconds after they say that the door opens and I seen Paul walking out in a Penguins shirt and shorts.

"I was fixing to come to get you," Paul says as he walks over to me.

"I figured I would bring her back here instead of her waiting for you," Katie says.

"Thanks," Paul says as I watch Katie and Kristen walk into the locker room.

"So what did you think?" Paul asks as he grabs my hand.

"It was different, Katie and Kristen helped me alot. I understand that you do more,"

"I'm glad they could help you. I have a question for you and you can say no to it. Bortz, Katie's husband wants to take us out to dinner just the four of us. Is that ok?" Paul asks.

Like a double date?

"Sure I'll love too, can we go around the city before hand?" I ask.

"Sure I don't see a problem with it,"
I smile as he looks into my eyes as I do the same to him

"Thank you Paul," I say as he grabs my hand pulling me into the Penguins locker room.

"Hey guys, I want you to meet AnnaBelle the girl who I saved in September. AnnaBelle this is..."
He introduced me to every single one of his teammates as well as Dan Bylsma and Dana Heinze.
They all have me either a hug or hand shake and talked to me how Paul wasn't on his full game while I was in the hosptial.

"You like your new car Paulie?" James walks over and pats him on the shoulder.

"Yes thanks James. I've been needed to do that," Paul says.
He smile as he walks over to me and gave me another hug.

"Glad to see you out of that hosptial and glad you made my friend happy," James says.

"Thanks James," I say as he walks out of the locker room as it was four of us left.

"So whats the plan?" Bortz asks.

"AnnaBelle wants to go walking before we eat dinner. She wants to see Pittsburgh," Paul says.

"We can do that, should one of take a car or just walk back here after dinner?" Katie asks.

"We can come get the cars after we walk?" I ask.

"That's a good idea AnnaBelle," Bortz says.

Paul grab my hand as we head out of the locker room as we made our way outside.
It is a bit chilly but I didn't seem to mind it.

"So AnnaBelle, how is it living with him?" Bortz asks as I just smiled.

"I like it, it's so much better then with those people," I say.

"What people?" Katie asks.

"Billy and Sara, they say they are AnnaBelle's parents," Paul says.

"I never want to see them in my life again," I say as Paul squeezes my hand .

"So do you like the weather since being out? I know it's snowy," Bortz asks.

"I like it, I don't mind walking in a little snow or a little cold,"

"Good, it's like this alot up here," Katie says.

All four of us walk around the city as Paul, Katie and Robert pointed out certain things that made this city.

I walk fast across the street as I slow down getting to the other side. I look across the river and I noticed two big places.

"What are those over there?" I ask pointing to them as we make our way to the edge.

"Thats Heniz Field and PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Steelers play at Heniz Field and The Pittsburgh Pirates play at PNC Park," Paul says.

"The Steelers are football and The Pirates are baseball," Katie says.

"Ahh so Pittsburgh has three major teams then?" I ask.

"Basically," Bortz says.
I just stand there and look at the scene with the snow on the ground with the river trying to freeze, it's very pretty.

"Do anyone have a camera or anything?" I ask as I turn and watched Paul take out a phone.

"Here you can use this, I'll get it to the camera," Paul says as he played with the phone before giving it to me.

I snap and few pictures of the scene as I smiled.

"Here you go Paul," I say handing it back.

"Hey guys is a fancy resturant ok or do you just want some good Pittsburgh food?" Katie asks.
I didn't know what fancy food was from Pittsburgh but since I'm living in Pittsburgh maybe try their food.

"Does it matter which one?" I ask.

"No it doesn't. We are just trying to give you an option instead of us picking for you," Bortz says.

"I want to try some Pittsburgh food," I say.

"Alright then Primanti Brothers it is then but which one?" Katie says.

"The orginial one is the best one in town," Bortz says.

"That's a long walk, do you mind walking more?" Paul asks.

"No I don't mind it at all," I say as Paul grabbed my hand into this was we walked side by side with Katie and Robert.

"This is the best food Anna," Katie says.

"Oh I believe you," I say as we contuine to walk as Paul grips my hand making me smile.

Bortz and Paul started talking hockey as I just look at the buildings as I pass them. This is an older kinda city.

"Anna, you ok?" Katie asks as I shake my head.

"Yeah I'm ok, just looking around at the city. This is an older type of city from Atlanta,"

Wait, how did I know about Atlanta? I don't even know where that is.

"It's a unique city thats for sure, Atlana is more modern. So did you live in Georgia before moving up here?" Katie asks.

"I have no idea where I'm from to be honest with you," I say as Paul stops taking.

"Your from Macon, Georgia," Paul says as I look up at him.

"How do you know that?" I ask.

"I remember it from your driver's license the day of the accident,"

"I can't remember that or anything," I say frustrated.

"It's alright AnnaBelle," Paul says as I feel him let go of my hand placing it around my waist pulling me closer to him.

The rest of the walk as silence as we arrive at the restaurant as Bortz opens the door.

"Ladies first," He says as Katie walks in as Paul lets go of me as I can follow Katie inside.

"I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean for it to get you upset," Katie says as I look over at her.

"It's alright. I'll understand my life when God wants me too. So whats good in here?" I ask.

"The Pitts-Burger, I get that every time we come in here," Bortz says.

"I'll go with that then," I say as Bortz walks up to the countier as I stand besides Paulie.

"It it bad for you to be in here since your with the Penguins?" I ask.

"Nah, the people are very friendly here in Pittsburgh and tend to leave us alone plus we aren't Sid or Geno. The two popular guys on the team,

"Well thats good," I say as Bortz turns around.

"What to drink guys?" He asks.

"Water," Paul says.

"You know my babe," Katie says.

"AnnaBelle?"

"Sweet tea if they have it,"
He turns back around.

"You are southern, I never heard of anyone drinking sweet tea up here," Katie says.

"I love it," I say, as I faintly remember my love for sweet tea.

"Go pick out a table AnnaBelle,"

I slowly walk as I find a table in the back as I walk back there as I move passed one chair and sat down in the other that was next to the wall.

Katie sits across from me as Paul is by Robert.

"I'm so glad that Paulie is normal again," Katie says.

"What do you mean normal again?" I ask.

"he wasn't his normal self, he was so depressed and down in the dumps. He didn't play to his strength. Dan had him out for a few games til he got his head straight,"

"Oh my god, I didn't know he was that bad. I feel so bad that he didn't play so well,"

"It's not your fault that he didn't play so well. He didn't play well cause he had alot in his head,"

I watch as Bortz and Paul make their way back to the table as they place our food and drinks down on the table.

"I'm sorry Paul," I say as Paul sits down next to me.

"What for?" Paul asks,

"For making you depressed and not playing well,"

"It's not your fault AnnaBelle. Never think it's your fault,"
I smile as I see the big sandwich in front of me.

"Wow," I say as I Bortz has already started eating.
I laugh as I turn to see Paul take a bit of his and it got all over his sweater.

"You messy eater," I say as I hand a few napkins to Paul.

"It's a messy sandwich,"

I place both hands on the sandwich as I pick it up and takr a bite out of it.

The flavor just fills up my taste buds.

"This is so good," I say as I continue eating it til I take the last bite.

I am now full as I take a napkin to wipe my face with.

"I'm glad we offered her a second option," Bortz says as Katie laughs.

"Me too," Paul says.

"Nothing beats Primanti Brothers," Katie says as I take a sip out of my sweet tea.

"Thank you for dinner Robert and Katie," I say as I smile.

"No problem, we need to do it again and next time Paul pays for dinner," Bortz says as we laugh.

Paul gets up as he moves in the chair as he reaches his hand down for mine as I grab his.
He pulls me up as we walk behind Katie and Robert out of the restaurant.

The sun is still bright outside as we start heading back for Consol Energy Center.

"You coming to the game tomorrow night AnnaBelle?" Katie asks.

"Yes I am, as long as Paul will bring me," I say.

"Your coming tomorrow with me to the game for sure," Paul says.

"You can sit by me tomorrow and meet some more of the girlfriends and wives," Katie says.

"That sounds good to me," I say.

We walk the long distance back to the arena as we walk into the parking garage.

"I'll see you tomorrow AnnaBelle," Katie says as I walk onto the right side of Paul's car.

"Bye," I say as I open the door and get into the car as Paul has already started the car up.

"I have one more stop before we go back to the house, if thats ok?" Paul asks.

"That's ok Paulie," I say, laughing as Paul looks over at with a smile on his face.

He backs out and heads out of the garage, getting on a main road to what it looks like home.

"We aren't going home right?" I ask.

"Right, i know it's the same direction as home but we are turning before the tunnel area," Paul says.

I wonder what he is doing.