Play-Off Hockey Widow

At the risk of offending NHL fans across the continent, I have to confess that I hate play-off hockey season. Actually, hate is probably too kind. I despise the season.

Scott is an avid Washington Capitals fan. He plans his evening activities around the hockey schedule during the regular season. I have become accustomed to inquiring about the schedule at the beginning of each week so that I can plan accordingly. During the play-offs, everything literally shuts down as he eats, drinks and breathes hockey.

Yesterday was gorgeous outside. I spent nearly five hours seeding, weeding and chopping. I finally came inside tired, hungry and a little grumpy. The blisters on my residual limb have healed but the area is still tender. I know that I'm stubborn and that I should take it easy. However, I am determined to have a nice yard this summer!

I sat down on the sofa next to Scott, slipped off my leg and mentioned that my stump hurt. I peeled off the liner and examined the tender skin that has formed over the blisters. I complained to Scott for several minutes about the rotation I feel within my socket when I'm doing yard work. I even mentioned perhaps investigating a rotation prosthetic if I am going to be doing increasing amounts of work outside.

Finally, after about five minutes of my talking I realized that Scott hasn't responded. I became silent and simply looked at him, waiting for a reaction or at least acknowledgment that he heard me. His gaze was glued on the television. I should have known better than to try to talk during a Capitals play-off game. Finally he looked at me and said "Yes, I like strawberry ice cream too."

I mentioned that my leg hurt, and he heard strawberry ice cream. I tried to find the connection, but I already knew the answer. I have become a hockey widow.

I am growing to resent that the mood of this household becomes dependent upon the drop of a stupid little puck on ice. When the Caps win, he is thrilled. When they lose, he turns into an inconsolable grump. I don't understand how an entire day can be ruined because a team--of which you are not a member--loses a game. Have I mentioned that I hate play-off hockey season?

**In case you are curious, the CAPS won last night, in double overtime. I normally would have been sound asleep at the time, but I was awake to hear the win. Unfortunately, I wasn't watching the game because I was busy dealing with our water heater, which apparently imploded. Robby was up all night coughing (again) and I'm feeling the lack of sleep. It's now only 7:30 but it has been a crummy day. **