The following story takes place during the 2003 United States Curling Women's Championships in Utica, New York. It is a work of fiction.
It was roughly 10 PM when I walked into the bar. I was a newbie sports reporter with the New York Times, sent to cover the United States Curling Women's Championships. My editor thought it would be a hazing ritual but to be truthful, I had all but volunteered. I was an amateur curler myself, and was an avid supporter of the US Olympic Curling Team.
Normally when I tell people that I not only enjoy curling but participate in it, I get one of three responses. Some would feign interest, others reply, "Oh that sport that's not really a sport?", but a marginal few actually cared. These are the select few that see curling for what it really is, part shuffleboard, and part broomball (In my college days, I often added a third part, "Homemaking", in a sarcastic reference to the sweeping done on the ice.). Many refer to it as "chess on ice"; a reference to the tactical skill required to accurately place a slab of granite on a sheet of ice.
I was in the bar looking for some warmth and a nice drink. It was there when I saw her, Debbie McCormick. She was the captain, or "skip", of the Women's Olympic Curling Team, and her team was favored to win the tournament. She was also one of the reasons I started curling. I developed a sort of crush on her in my youth. I watched her during the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics. I was mesmerized by her skill, her grace, and her rack. She was heavier than most, but was made cuter by it. She had shoulder length brown hair, and deep brown eyes. I was entranced by her skill grace on the sheet; her ability to be cool under pressure, and her willingness to stay positive in the most hopeless of situations.
I walked up to her booth, and with a quick smile I asked, "Are you Debbie McCormick?"
She replied "Yes, and who might you be?"
"Brian Toreno. Amateur curler and avid fan." I extended my hand to her.