On the Ice (Stick Side, #1)

by Amy Aislin

Weekends at Grandpa Forest’s long-term care facility in Montpelier were always busy, but not quite as much on a Saturday night after dinnertime. Alex usually kept his visits to the afternoon, but he wanted to watch the GH vs Denver game with his grandpa and, because of the time difference, it didn’t start until nine EST. He didn’t usually watch college hockey, but now that he essentially had nothing to keep him busy while he recuperated, he tried to catch his alma mater’s games. Alex and Grandpa Forest had talked hockey for as long as Alex could remember. Back when Grandpa Forest still knew how to use a computer, they’d email each other after NHL games and speak on the phone after Alex’s, back when he was in the major juniors. Grandpa Forest had always had time for Alex and his mom, even making a point to visit them several times a year. It would be nice if Grandpa Forest remembered those times, or even who Alex was. “Judd, come on in!” Grandpa Forest said when Alex knocked on his open door. Alex swallowed a disappointed sigh and stepped into his grandpa’s room. Grandpa Forest picked a shirt off the couch and nudged a pair of dirty socks under the couch. “I wasn’t expecting company today.” No, he never was. “I brought munchies,” Alex said, holding up a bag of ketchup chips he’d brought back from his last trip home. “I thought we could watch the hockey game together.” Grandpa Forest laughed. “Little Alex used to love those. Remember, Judd?” “I remember,” Alex said, dropping...