Lawson’s father came onscreen. He was a burly man, a larger version of Lawson, decked out in plaid and a trucker’s hat and a brand-new Outlaws scarf. He stared at the ground for a long time. “I know we don’t talk a lot,” he finally said. “But I’ve always been proud of you. I watch all your games, and I’m always cheering for you.”
trying to come out to his dad and how his dad told him to stop. Don’t be like that. You’ll never make it if you’re like that. Don’t you want to get out of here, and have a better life than this?
Easy to find that bottle rocket fury and aim it toward Lawson’s dad. Harder to take a breath and remember that his dad was on that video, and he had told Lawson that he had always, always been proud of him. That he watched every game, and that he loved him, too. He showed up at that surprise skate, too, and he and Lawson had clung to each other on the ice after, when our families all tentatively picked their way out to hold onto our hands and give us big hugs and wave at the crowd as everyone just kept cheering
