Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2022 01:18:59 +0000 (UTC) From: Knight Timothy Subject: Young Innocence Chapter 2 I wanted to thank everyone that gave this young writer kudos. It's well appreciated. Don't forget that nifty could use your support. Donate whatever you can, even if it's just a 1C$, $1 Chapter 2 Carter woke up early the next morning and for a moment didn't know who was in his bed with him. Upon rolling over and opening his eyes, he looked upon the smiling face of Mattie. Who just happened to already be awake and staring right back at him. A quick knocked was heard before Perry opened up the door and popped his head inside. "Hey you two, get up" "Your coming with me to the sports park" "Mom and dad already left for grandma's house" "Make sure that you pack some diapers for yourself and diaper supplies" "Add some for Carter as well Mattie" "Mom picked up some daytime pull-ups for the both of you" "They should be in a bag next to your clothes and your backpack" "Breakfast will be ready shortly so get cracking" Carter and I jumped out of bed and into action. We helped each other remove our super wet diapers and tossed them into the diaper pail. Short on time, we took a super quick shower together and then dried each other off. On the chair, I saw a bag with my stuff on it. Besides that were these lightweight pull up diapers. So I grabbed a pair and put them on before putting on my socks, shorts and my Gordie Howe t-shirt. Then I packed my backpack with the diapers and diaper supplies. Carter also grabbed a pair to put them on him and was soon ready to go. He waited for me at his door. We rushed downstairs and Perry was just setting our plates of toast and scrambled eggs with a glass of OJ on the table. We all ate our breakfast and cleaned up. We put on our shoes then headed out to the driveway to get in Perrys jeep. "Okay you two" "I'm going to be practicing roller hockey with my buddies at the park" "We got the rink reserved by a friends dad for 2 hours today" Carter had an idea that he voiced to Perry. "Um, Perry" "What Carter " "You think Mattie might be able to practice with you guys" "I'm already way ahead of you Carter" "Yesterday at my catcher tryouts, my friend and I got to talking" "Turns out that he use to be a goalie when he was your guys age" "He said to me, that he still has his old gear" "So he's bringing it all with him today" I heard everything that Perry had said but had to ask. "Why is he doing that for me"? "Why not you, Mattie" "Whether you realize it or not, your family" "I've known you, your whole life" "Darren helped me out when I was just starting baseball" "That catchers gear your used yesterday" "It belonged to Darren first" "That's my brothers stuff" "Yes and he gave it to me cause the stuff I had was old and worn out" "He also helped Warren by teaching him how to skate as well as giving him his first pair of ice skates" "I didn't know that" as tears of joy rolled down my cheeks. "Don't cry Mattie" "Happy tears I said" We had just arrived at the park. "Okay you two, I need the both of you to do as I say and no running off" "I don't want anything happening to my little brothers" "We'll behave" "Okay, grab your things and let's go" We were walking across the field towards this building when a loud whistling sound was heard. "Over here Perry" this big guy said. We walked over to this group of older boys. "Hey Perry" "Are these little dudes your brothers"? "Yes but only one by blood" "This one here is Carter my little brother and this is Mattie O'Brian" "Suddenly I was picked up in the air and swung around in a circle" "It's good to meet the little brother of the one who helped me out when I was younger then you are now" "Its because of your brother Darren, that I'm the person that I am today" "He didn't see me as a some poor troublesome black kid" "He saw me as just a boy who needed a friend" "He was the one, who was always there for me" "When Perry told me about your situation, I was so very happy that I'd finally be able to pay it forward as your brother did for me so many years ago" "Come on little guy, let's get you dressed for practice" When Warren put me down, he saw the tears rolling down my cheek. He knelt down in front of me. "It's okay buddy" "I didn't mean to scare you" "Thank you" I quickly said as I wrapped my arms as far around his body as I could and squeezed. He picked me up in one arm as he picked up the duffle bag full of the gear in the other arm. He carried me the rest of the way to the locker room. Inside the rest of their team was already getting dressed. The older boys were in different states of undress. Carter and I just stared at them in awe. Warren put me down on the floor and started pulling the goalie gear out of the bag. Perry already had his clothes off and was getting dressed. "What's the matter Mattie" I whispered in Warren's ear "Hey Allen, Danny and Paul, show our goalie in training what your wearing under your pants" The three older boys stood up and pushed down their hockey pants. It took awhile for my brain to realize that they all had on diapers. "You see Mattie, it's no big deal here" "Just another type of underwear that has benefits" "Now lets get you geared up" As I started to get geared up, Warren handed me this strange underwear. They had straps and a pouch. Plus inside the pouch was some kind of a cup. Carter started laughing as I didn't have a clue how it went on. "Mattie you wear it like a diaper" "Here, let me help you" Carter said. "It protects your pee pee from getting hurt if it gets hit by the puck or in this case, a ball" Warren finished getting me all suited up and he also brought along his first pair of roller blades size 7. They ended up being to big for me as I was only a size 5. It was Perry who came up with the fix and put two spare pairs of socks on my feet. Now they fit me much better. I got up and was unsteady on the skates as I started to slowly head out to the rink. I was introduced to the teams starting goalie Allen. "Okay Mattie" "It's a simple game" "Our job is to stop all balls from getting past us and into the net" "Lets try a few practice shots so I can see what you need help with" "Guys, let's see what Mattie can do" "Not full speed yet guys" I got into my stance, flipped my face shield down and was ready to go. This was a lot different from what Carter was doing. These balls were easy to follow and they were rising shots not from overhead. I stopped all but one shot but that's because they shot two at once at me. "Okay guys, I think your going to need to shoot harder cause either this little dude is awfully lucky or he's a natural" So they kicked it up several notches. I continued to stop them but at full speed they got more balls pass me. "Your pretty dam good at this little dude" "Are you sure that you've never played before"? "Well Carter and I practiced yesterday with him hitting about 300 tennis balls at me with his racket" "Well that must be it" "Okay Mattie, skate down to that other goal and try to stop all the ball pucks from making goals that are shot at the net" So I went down to the other end somewhat more steady on the skates. Then I got into position. I practiced by myself to see what my limits were. I stretched across my area then got into my stance. Some kids my age were laughing that I didn't know how to skate. But just then a 3 man line came skating my way unchallenged. They passed the ball back and forth between them before hitting one at the net. I kicked out my leg and the ball hit off my pad. I then smothered it with my glove. "Thats it Mattie" I heard Carter yell out from behind me. Another group came down and again I stopped the ball puck. Then again and again. These guys were getting really pissed that they couldn't score on me. All of sudden 3 ball pucks came hurtling at me all at once. I stopped one but not the other two. One hit me in the face mask but before I was able to turned around the other one hit me square in the back just under my pads. "Aaaaaahhhhh" I cried out as I went down. Carter came running out to the rink to be by my side as did Warren and Perry. "What happened little dude" Warren asked. "I couldn't stop all three puck balls at the same time and got hit in my mask and my back" "Who did it Mattie"? Perry asked. "It was those three over there" Carter said. Mark the teams captain was already over there as he had witnessed the whole thing. There was a lot of yelling going on. But in the end, the three were booted off the rink and the team. I got back up with help from Carter but refused to give up. "I can't quit now" "It would only prove my parents were right. "Okay little dude" Warren said. Practice continued for another 30 minutes when another group of boys showed up hoping to practice. They were disappointed when they found out the rink had been reserved. Mark saw them and asked if they might want to have a scrimmage. They were all for it but didn't have a goalie. "Well, it just so happens that we have a rookie goalie practicing with us today" "I'll see if hes up for a match-up" I saw Mark skate over to me. "Hey Mattie" "How are you feeling"? "I'm alittle sore but I'll be fine" "See those guys over there" "Yes" "We'll they want to know if your up to playing goalie for them in a match-up with us" "I'll be going against you guys" "Your right, that wouldn't be fair" "Allen will be on their side and you'll be our goalie" "What do you say" "Okay, let's do it" Mark skated back over to the group and said I agreed to play. But to be fair, their goalie would be on their team and I would be on Mark's. Each team gathered together and discussed the strategies. "Mattie, you just do your best" "Don't get upset if they score on you" "We know this team and they finished 1st last year in the 12-U league. "But I thought you guys play in the 16-U league" "We do but this is just practice and besides, you'll be able to gage how good you are against the best in your age group that you'll be playing with if you decide to" "Are you guys going to talk all day, or can we start" Allen skated down to my end and said I would be defended the other net. "Mattie, just follow the ball" "Don't worry about the guys in front of you" "Play your game" "Oh, one more thing" "Yes" "Have fun" I skated to the other net and went through my routine of checking my area and moves of coverage. Carter called out to me. "Mattie you got this" "Remember to follow the ball puck" "The players don't mean anything" A group of boys Carters age had gathered around him. "Is that kid a friend of yours"? "Yes he is, why"? "Cause our guys are going to humiliate him" "numbers 6 and 7 were the number 1 and 2 lead goal scorers in all of the 12-U leagues statewide the last two years" Carter didn't comment but yelled "You got this Mattie" "Just remember what we practiced" Warren and Perry had skated over to me by then. "Mattie, we will do our best to keep them from getting shots off" "It's okay guys, I got this" "You know something, I think you do" Some people had started to gather in the stands as word had spread fast that the Crushers were going up against the Tornados. A spare player from each team that wasn't playing was acting as a referee. The ball puck was dropped and play was on. Our side won the drop and got the first three shots on goal when their side stole the ball puck and got a two on one breakaway from a pass off the boards. I was only paying attention to the ball puck. The skaters didn't matter to me. So their size, speed and talent didn't register as it should of intimidated me. I didn't know it but these were the # 1 and #2 goal scorers in the league last year. The ball puck passed back and forth and then number 6 faked a pass and hit a slap shot. It went right at the top left corner of the net. At the last second I lunged for it and snatched the ball puck out of the air before it went into the net. My team members looked on in shock as I made the play like a veteran player. "Alright Mattie" Carter yelled out as he turned and stuck his tongue out at the group of boys around him. The ref from the opposite team came and took the ball puck. He examined the ball closely. Our ref came over. "Whats the matter" "There's no way that he could have made that catch. Something has to be wrong with this ball. So they changed the ball out for one of theirs. The ball puck dropped in our end and they got a wrister off from the inside corner but I tracked it and knocked it down before sweeping it over to Warren who went the length of the ice and passed it to Perry who scored a goal against Allen. 1 - 0 Tornados Center ice ball puck face off and play resumed. I kept playing the ball, not the players. I kept stopping all shots that came anywhere near the net. We scored again and again and again. It was 4 - 0 Tornados Their top 3 players got another breakaway but it was against 3 on one, me. I only concentrated on the ball. Their size or speed didn't intimidate me at all. I should have been terrified. But I was to into my zone to care. Number 7 let a slap shot go from corner that I knocked down. It went right to number 6 who put it into the corner of the net but I did a full splits and deflected it with the toe of my skate. But he then hit it again over my head and out of my reach. But in desperation, I forced myself to rise up and gloved the puck before it went in the net. At that exact point, I was hit by number 7 on my blindside and sent into the nets goalie post. Lights out. I don't remember much except being helped back into the locker room where I was undressed. I had a large red mark on my lower back just above my pant line. Perry carried me over to this shiny steel bath tub with bubbling water and put me down inside it. "You just relax right there buddy" "That water will help ease the pain" "I'm going to get the coach" I soaked in the tub for about 30 minutes when this older man came over to me. "How are you son" "Alittle sore but I'm okay" "That was a helluva hit you took" "But you still made the save" "Thanks, I guess" "You don't have a clue what you did son, do you" "I'm sorry but I've never played goalie before yesterday" "So I don't have any clue what your talking about" "Excuse me" "You never played before" "No sir but my brother Darren does" "You wouldn't happen to mean Darren O'Brian would you" "Yes sir, that's my great older brother" Just then my mommy rushed in with my daddy. "Mattie son, are you okay" "I told you this sport was to hard for you" "But daddy, I like it" "If it wasn't for that guy knocking me into the goal post, I'd still be out there playing" "We'll Mattie, you don't have to worry about that now" "Your not going to be playing anymore" "MOMMY DADDY NO" I yelled at them. "Don't you raise your voice to me young man" I was very mad. "How did you get here anyway" I asked. "Lucky for you, Darren's girlfriend was in the crowd and called us to let us know you got hurt" "Dale, your boy will be fine" "You should also know, that he's the best 9 year old goalie that I've ever seen play the game" "Really coach"? "Your boy just stopped 27 shots on goal by the championship team of the last 2 seasons in the 12-U league" "He doesn't seem to realize that fact" "No goalie in that league had ever shut that team down like your boy just did" My daddy looked at me with new eyes for the first time. Just then Carter came in and saw me. "Mattie are you okay" "I was so worried" "But you played an awesome game" "I just spent that last twenty minutes arguing with some boys from that team" "They think Mattie cheated somehow" "My little boy doesn't cheat" "Where are those boys" my mommy said. "I'll give them a piece of my mine" "Mommy please, your embarrassing me" Everyone that was standing around now began to laugh. "So coach, do you really think Mattie has talent" "I can't put my finger on it but what I saw out on the ice was remarkable" "It almost seemed like, I don't know how to word it" "He was playing with just the ball puck" "Like in his mind, the players didn't exist" Coach looked over at me after he said that and saw me smiling. "Mary, I think we should at least let our boy tryout and see what happens" "But he'll get hurt, just like he is now" I was now kinda in-between mad and happy. The next move I made without thinking. I stood straight up and did a full circle in the bubbling steel tub. My mommy gasped. "See the size of that red mark" "Yes it is a big and will be black and blue by tomorrow but by the next day he'll be up and about" "Young kids are so resilient" "Mattie" "Yes mommy" "What are you wearing" I looked down and realized I was still wearing my pull up sports diaper. Turning slightly red. "My mommy got those for Mattie and me to wear during the day" Carter informed everyone in the room. "Daddy, can you help me out" "I'm all wrinkly from being in the bubbling water" "Sure son" "It's called a jacuzzi or whirlpool Mattie" "They are good for helping relieve muscle pains and strains" "It also can give you the tingles" I added That did it. Everyone in the room even my mommy busted out laughing. "Mary dear, I think everything here is fine" "Lets head back over to mom's house and not worry about our boy. Who seems to be growing up right in front of our eyes. Mommy kissed me on the cheek and daddy gave me a hug. "When we get back Sunday, you best be ready to go Monday morning cause I'm taking you to Bauer Hockey Experience" "Daddy, can Carter come with us"? "Of course he's can" "As long as it's alright with his parents" "I don't think that will be a problem Mr O'Brian" "Okay, you boys have fun this weekend and I'll see you Sunday Mattie" "Thanks daddy" As daddy and mommy were leaving, my daddy handed Perry something that I didn't notice. He also said something to him but I was already stripping down and in the shower rinsing off. I was openly staring at all the naked bodies around me in the open area showers. Warren walked in and took the stall right next to me. I couldn't help myself and stared at his big pee pee when I saw it. Warren laughed when he saw what I was staring at. "Pretty impressive isn't it, little dude" Getting caught staring, I immediately looked away and mumbled sorry under my breath. "It's okay little dude" "I'm positive that you've never seen one this big before" "It's okay but be careful whose you look at" "There are some nasty people at there that wouldn't understand" "Okay little dude" I meekly nodded my head still to embrassed to look at him from being caught staring. He reached out and messed up my hair. "Get cleaned up little dude, we're going over to Jake's Stadium Pizza" Once I heard the word pizza, I switched gears and got to cleaning. Back at my locker, Carter handed me a towel to dry off with. He then handed me a freshly powdered lightweight pull up diaper to put on. Next my socks and then my shorts. But as I was about to pull on my Gordie Howe t-shirt Mark the Tornados team captain came over carrying a shirt in his hands. "Here Mattie, put this on" "Your a Tornado now" I blushed. I put it on and it went down to my knees. I heard Carter say out loud. "That's so freaking cool" "Mattie, it's got your name on it" I tried to see what Carter was talking about but couldn't see it. Warren led me over to the mirrored walls area. I looked up and was able to see myself front and back reflected off of both walls. On the back of my jersey it said. Mattie O'Brian 00 Perry carried the goalie gear out to his jeep and put it in the back. We loaded up and buckled in. Then like a caravan of vehicles, we headed off to Jake's Stadium Pizza. We pulled up and went inside. The place was packed and there was a 45 minute waiting period. So the guys decided to order take away and got a dozen variety of pizzas. Our order was ready after 40 minutes. As everyone was chipping in to pay for the pizzas, I started to feel sad. Perry picked up on this right away. "Hey Mattie, just so you know, your dad gave me a twenty for you to come out to eat with us this afternoon" "He knew that we would be going here cause it's what Darren always did after his games" This bought a smile to my face. We all sat down at the many picnic tables outside and started to dug in. Carter and I shared a large mushroom and pineapple pizza all by ourselves. We also had a pitcher of lemonade that we shared. An hour later we finished up and headed out. Perry said he had to make one stop on the way home. He picked up his girlfriend Stacy from her work at the mall. I barely remember stopping to pick her up as the day finally caught up with me. When we at last pulled into the driveway, Carter and I were fast asleep. Perry picked me up and handed me off to Stacy to carry inside as he picked up his little brother Carter to take inside. Sue saw them coming and opened the front door for them. Mr Spencer took me from Stacy and followed Perry up to Carters bedroom. "Son, you go be with Stacy" "I'll change these two and tuck them in" I sorta woke up a few times while being undressed and put into a thick, soft and absorbent night diaper. I felt being kissed on my forehead and mumbled night daddy. Carter never woke up. We were put into the same bed just wearing our diapers. Then covered up and tucked in.. That ends the second chapter. Let me know what you think. A little experimenting will be in the next chapter. So I hope you stay tuned. Au Revior Mattie Merci Beaucoup