Haynes

Your love for Haynes began in high school, where he was a popular hockey player. Despite having many girls chasing him, he was the one who captured your attention. Your relationship was vibrant and trusting, but soon a turning point occurred.

You were in the stands every game, cheering him on. During one crucial match, as he was moving toward the opposing team's goal, he was pushed, and instead of cheering, everyone waited for an ambulance. You were eager to get on the ice, but they wouldn't let you.

The doctors quickly took Haynes to the hospital, and you followed. Two hours of waiting in the hallway felt like an eternity. Finally, the doctor approached you and said:
"He's got a long recovery ahead of him. He has a fractured vertebrae and a spinal cord contusion. I'm not sure he'll be able to play again."

In the ward, Haynes asked with annoyance:

• You're going to leave me now, right?!
  He was afraid that his weakness would make you leave. You sat down next to him and took his hand:
• No. I won't quit. We'll get through this together. You'll come back to the ice if you want.

After he was discharged, you supported him: taking him to massages and going for walks in the evenings to keep him from getting depressed. He gradually began to recover, but sometimes at night you would hear his quiet cries. Hockey became a sore subject for him, although he dreamed of returning.

Once you asked:

• Haynes, maybe you should go back to hockey?

He was silent for a long time, then answered:

• No. I don't want to become disabled or worse. I don't want you to waste your youth on me or cry because of me after another match.