Move On Down The Road

[OblivionWalker 361]

Waiting. It felt like forever and yet, like no time at all had passed. Slava kept checking his phone over and over again for any word, any news of what was to come.

 

When he had been visiting his family, his gm had called, and an honest conversation was had. Slava knew that it would be some time before Warsaw was completely competitive and his gm knew that as well. In essence, he was being offered a way out of that to potentially move to another team that would perhaps be able to better utilize his talents. He had appreciated the transparency and once it was agreed that a trade would be sought for him, all Slava had to do was wait.

 

Which was easier said than done. It felt like it might drive him completely out of his mind and as much as he tried not to dwell on it too much, the more days that passed without any further communications from his gm had the anxiety rising in him.

 

Was he secretly terrible? Was his gm having a hard time finding anyone that would even want to take him? Logically, Slava knew that was ridiculous and he needed to stop but late at night, those were the thoughts swirling around in his head.

 

Feeling his phone buzz suddenly in his pocket, Slava drew it out with a slightly shaking hand.

 

It was his gm.

 

"Hello?" he said as soon as the call connected.

 

"Slava, I have some news." his gm said briskly, getting down to business as was his usual. "You're going to be moving to Seattle."

 

Seattle? That had been the last place on his mind, honestly. Of course, there had been rumors and he had heard things through the grapevine here and there but that hadn't been a place he had even considered. Still, if that was the best trade his gm was able to get, then Slava wasn't going to complain. He had been very clear about not wanting to hinder or handicap the team in any way if he left.

 

"Not what I was expecting, but it's an opportunity and I'm going to do my best to make the most of it." he said honestly.

 

"I'm sorry things weren't quite on a timeline where we could be competitive sooner, but I'd draft you again if I had the chance."

 

A sudden lump was in Slava's throat when he heard that coming from his gm. He always had so many doubts in his head at any given time that to be told that meant a lot. "Maybe, depending on things, I can circle back before I retire, and we can have a chance to run it back. I appreciate you working with me on things and I'm going to do my best to run with this."

 

After hanging up with his now former gm, Slava checked the VHL trade tracker and almost choked on air. Three picks?! He definitely had his work cut out for him to prove that this trade was worthwhile for Seattle, but he liked to think that he could rise to any occasion and upon seeing what Seattle's gm had to say about him, he felt like he was at least going somewhere that wanted him to be there. Anything else could be worked on and if there were specific things he needed to do, then Slava would see them done as always.

 

He was a Seattle Bear now, and the Pacific Northwest awaited.

 

word count: 583

[Banackock 8,424]