Slump

[Jay_F 23]

This stretch of games was killing him.

 

Felix knew he wasn’t an experienced player, or even completely developed in any sense, but pointless in the last 6 games? Not a good sign.

 

It seemed that no matter what he did, the puck wasn’t finding the back of the net. 

 

He’d put in countless hours, skated faster, shot harder, pushed himself further.

 

It didn’t seem like anything was working.

 

It wasn’t long after the sixth game in a row of his point tally ringing up zero that Felix called his mother. She had been the one that got him to play hockey in the first place, the one who bought him his first Canadiens jersey as a child.

 

Maybe she would be the first one to give him an answer.

 

"I don’t know what’s wrong, maman.”

 

The blue light of the video call lit up the otherwise dark room that enveloped the young player.

 

His mother smiled softly, seeing the real worry that settled on her son’s face.

 

"Every player goes through slumps, mon étoile. There is nothing you can do, other than play to your peak every night. You will find your stride again, and it will flourish.”

 

Felix knew she was right, but there was still a quiet uneasiness settling in his chest.

 

He talked more with his mother, finding comfort in her words.

 

By the end, he figured that he would find his stride as his mother said.

 

Slumps aren’t permanent.