Raymond was extremely happy that Jakob had seen the light and agreed to go through with his physical examination. Though as he also stated prior to them opening that door to Room 2, he woulda happily rescheduled for him. Just so he could see a boy doctor instead. His son was indeed growing up, if only for the realization that not missing any practice by far outweighed being examined by a girl doctor. No matter how attractive she turned out to be.<br/><br/>Truth be told, he also doubted Jakob would be able to hold onto that pretend image of Dr. McCallington resembling an ugly-ass Orc. Not after seeing her for themselves, anyway. Hell, he couldn’t do it. What made him think his adolescent son could successfully hold that fake appearance? Which, of course, had rendered his magazine utterly useless, as it just lay on his lap, unopened.<br/><br/>But it wasn’t so much about her natural beauty and spellbinding blue eyes that disrupted his concentration. Well, quite honestly, there was that, too. But no, this was different. It was as if they’d met before, and it bugged him immensely that he couldn’t recall when and where. Raymond grunted, surrendering to the fact that it would probably hit him like a ton of bricks at precisely 3:47 in the morning.<br/><br/>Further thoughts about the good doctor were derailed when the curtain was pulled back. He took note of how Jakob did not look stressed in any way about the exam. Relief for sure, but there was also an easiness very evident on his face. The son sat next to the father following her nonverbal suggestion with her eyes and hand.<br/><br/>Dr. McCallington then pulled up her own chair and happily informed them that Jakob was fit and approved for sports. Her signed note saying the same meant that no practices would be missed. Raymond was proud of the fact that his boy took everything seriously, even practice. He knew of a few kids who couldn’t be bothered with the required preparation, yet fully expected to play in the game. Lazy and prima donnas were terms which always sprang to mind when it came to kids like that. But not his Jakob. Oh no. His son was far too motivated to ever fall into that camp.<br/><br/>She also recommended multi-vitamins and explained why. Dr. McCallington would never know this, but right there, she skyrocketed up his popularity chart, if one truly existed. Too many times he’d been told to “do this” or “do that” with no reasoning behind it.<br/><br/>“Eat your vegetables, Ray,” his mother was quite fond of saying.<br/><br/>“Why?” Raymond more often than not answered. Her response? Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Zero. Or worse, “Because they’re good for you,” she’d coo. Which never failed to boggle his mind. He recalled wondering,<i>How can something be good for you when it doesn’t even taste good?</i>So yeah, just like that with Dr. McCallington and her clarification. Unasked for, no less!<br/><br/>"And, my last question, Mr. Sanheim," she said, obviously looking to Jakob as she spoke. "If I asked your father what your most unhealthy habit is, what would he tell me?" Jakob stood absolutely no chance in answering her, though he did manage a feeble shrug. His father, after all, saw to that by turning to his left with a low but still audible chuckle.<br/><br/>“I’m afraid that won’t take me very long to answer, doctor,” he said, a grin remaining on his face. “If anything, an unhealthy habit of his would be that he works out way too much. The occasional junk food here and there, but all in moderation. I try to keep up with him, but he’s beginning to leave me behind, mostly with running and skating.” Jakob beamed with pride.<br/><br/>Dr. McCallington seemed pleased with his answer, as she didn’t tut-tut about<i>too </i>much exercise. She then enquired about any medical forms that required her signature. Raymond reached for an envelope from the back of his magazine and unfolded the papers for her. Handing them to her, he glimpsed a piece of matte silver, and wondered if he’d ever remove his wedding band.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center">&gt; &gt; &gt; &gt; &gt; &gt;&lt; &lt; &lt; &lt; &lt; &lt;​</div><br/>The ride home was uneventful, though somewhat more animated in a positive way. All of the angst Jakob was feeling on the way in for his appointment had melted away. His father, on the other hand, was far more subdued. The doctor and where he mighta seen her before continued to gnaw at him.<br/><br/>“I’m really glad you decided to go through with the exam, Jake,” he stated, while steering his mind away from Dr. McCallington.<br/><br/>“Me, too, Dad,” he said with a smile. “She was really nice, too.”<br/><br/>“That’s good bedside manner,” Raymond explained. “Not all doctors have it, male or female.”<br/><br/>“Do you think she’s prettier than Mom?” Whoa, where did that come from? Raymond wondered.<br/><br/>“Well, I’m probably the wrong guy to ask, Jake,” he replied with a wink. “Y’know, due to my, ahem, biasness.” Jakob smiled, satisfied with his answer.<br/><br/>While the Ford Raptor’s engine pinged as it cooled, Raymond announced, “I’ll be in soon. Gonna check the mail.” Jakob disappeared into the house while his dad strolled toward their mailbox.<br/><br/>About 10 minutes later and with his back to their home’s front door, a worried voice asked, “Dad? You okay? Shouldn’t take that long to get the mail.”<br/><br/>Raymond slowly turned with a massive grin on his face, accompanied by a light misting of his eyes. His left hand held an 8 ½ x 11 envelope, while a couple sheets of paper occupied his right. “All I know is that I’m gonna miss you, bud,” he said, while his son inched closer. Without another word, he handed only the loose papers to his son for his own perusal, while closely watching him for a reaction.<br/><br/>Wide-eyed, Jakob eventually met his father’s expectant eyes. “Are they serious?” he asked.<br/><br/>“Apparently so.”<br/><br/>“<i>Top Shelf Academy</i>? And where’s Moose Jaw? Is that in Minnesota? North Dakota?”<br/><br/>Raymond shook his head. “Neither. They’re in Saskatchewan, Canada and one of many elite hockey academies I’ve read about. And here’s the best part,” he teased. Jakob looked at him with anxious eyes. “You do not apply to go there. They come to you.” While allowing that to sink in, he handed the envelope to his awestruck son.<br/><br/>“What, what does that mean?” Jakob asked, a little confused.<br/><br/>“What that means, basically, is they’ve been watching you play, and they like what they’ve seen. Enough to offer you almost a full-ride. I just gotta pay for your classes and books. And thank deities everywhere that I don’t have to foot your food bill!” he explained, laughing.<br/><br/>“You think I should go?”<br/><br/>“Son,” he began while pursing his lips. “I am not gonna honor that question with an answer.” Jakob smiled warmly, totally appreciative that his dad didn’t call it what it so obviously was: a stoopid question! “You’re on your way, kiddo,” Raymond continued. “Your mother would be so proud. Yeah, as she’s fending off the young ladies while dual-wielding hockey sticks.” Jakob snorted in agreement, having heard numerous times about his mother’s feisty demeanor.<br/><br/>Beginning their short journey toward the beckoning front door, father asked son, “So then, you ever come up with a name for that colt?”<br/><br/>Jakob nodded. “Yeah, I think so,” he stated. “Gonna call him Oliver.”<br/><br/>“Eh? Why Oliver?”<br/><br/>“Closest I could get to Olivia,” Jakob almost whispered.<br/><br/>After an intake of breath by Raymond, he suggested, “You coulda gone with Olivier. Sound exotic.”<br/><br/>“Nah, that’s got seven letters. The other two have six.”<br/><br/>Sans a glance, and since they were already side-by-side, Raymond wrapped an arm around his son’s shoulder and squeezed tight.