Dylan’s Dilemma
Written and illustrated by Sandi Bojm
Dylan’s Dilemma
Prologue On June 14th, 1994, Vancouver played against New York for the Stanley Cup. The Canucks had made it through the finals to face the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. They lost this seventh game to New York with a score of 3 to 2. The Stanley Cup went to New York. The build up of excitement was huge in the city of Vancouver. Riots even broke out in the streets after the game.
Dylan’s Dilemma
Dedicated to: This book is dedicated to my family, my husband Morris and my children, Jori, Jennifer and Eric. The following story is inspired by the real-life experiences of my son Eric. Sadly, Vancouver has yet to win the Stanley Cup.
Dylan loved hockey and everything about it. There were posters of his favourite players in his bedroom and he even had hockey pyjamas. Dylan and his dad would practise slap-shots in the driveway using a plastic net. He played right-wing on a neighbourhood kids team and never missed a game, not even when he was sick. There was a boy in his class and on his team who shared the same passion. His name was Andrew. The two boys were competitive with one another, especially about hockey. Each one tried to out-score in grades and goals. This competition made Dylan want to try his best.
Dylan and his dad would watch professional games on television. They could be found on the couch, leaping up and down with cheers and groans. They were so excited to watch their team play for the Stanley Cup. Whoever won this seventh game would take home the big prize. Dylan could not contain himself. The whole city was buzzing.
One day, Dylan was about to open his locker when Andrew came up to him. “Hey, guess what Dylan?” There was a big grin on his face. “My dad got tickets and he’s taking me on a plane to New York to see the Stanley Cup Final.”
Dylan turned around quickly. He felt like he was going to burst. “Oh yaaah?” He replied before he could even think. ”Well, guess what? My dad is taking me too. We’re also going to New York for the big game!” “Cool!” shouted Andrew, and before Dylan could say anything more, he was off and running down the hall.
When Dylan got to class, Andrew was already talking to Mrs. Forbes. “Wow, that’s fantastic!” she exclaimed. “How lucky for you and Dylan. We will have to put it on the board for news!” She printed it on the blackboard. Seeing it up there made it feel more real, but still, Dylan had a funny feeling in his stomach. All the kids in that grade two class copied the news into their journals.
Andrew and Dylan are going to the big game.
Dylan’s mom was at home when the phone rang. Mrs. Mortimer, another teacher at the school, was on the line. “I just heard the news,” she said. “The guys are so lucky to get tickets for the big game in New York. How special is that! I bet you wish you could go too!” Dylan’s mom could hardly speak. She knew she would have a lot of questions for Dylan when he got home.
After school, Dylan walked very slowly. His shoulders were up and his head was down. He looked like his backpack weighed a hundred pounds. He opened the car door and slid into the back seat. He didn’t say a word. Shortly after, his sister arrived. “Yaaah, right,” she said to Dylan. She sounded annoyed. Still, Dylan just sat there in a deep silence.
Once home, Dylan sat with his mom at the kitchen table. He held a glass of milk in his hand but didn’t take even one sip. A plate of chocolate chip cookies remained untouched. “I have a problem,” he told his mom and went on to explain the whole story. He told her how the kids had copied the news into their journals and how other kids stopped him in the halls to comment on his good fortune. “I can’t go back to school,” Dylan decided. “I can’t keep up the lie,” he said, “and if I tell the truth, I’ll be minced-meat!” “I know.” He stood up and announced, “I’ll just stay at home until grade three!”
Just then the phone rang. It was for Dylan. “Hello?” His voice was shaky. It didn’t sound like him at all. Dylan was usually so lively and cheerful. The voice on the other end belonged to a boy in grade six. It was unusual to get a call from him. He was so much older and wasn’t part of Dylan’s circle. “Sure,” Dylan said hesitantly into the receiver. “I’ll ask but I really don’t think my dad has any extra tickets for the big game. I will let you know.” As he hung up, Dylan’s head seemed to fall even lower than before.
Dylan excused himself and went outside to think. He sat on the front steps feeling very confused. It felt like things were zooming out of control. “I told a lie,” he thought. “It was small at the beginning but it keeps growing and growing. Now it feels like a huge gigantic dragon and, even though I try to escape, it keeps finding and catching me.”
Just then Dr. Murray, from next door, came by. “Why so glum, Dylan,” he asked, as he neared the front porch. “Dr. Murray, you’re a psychologist, right? That means you help people with their problems, right? Well, I have a problem, a really big problem.” With that, Dylan told Dr. Murray what happened, even the part about the dragon. Dr. Murray sat quietly for a minute. Then, in an understanding voice, he said, “Dylan, you didn’t mean to, but you created the dragon and you can probably figure out how to make it go away. I know it will come to you.”
The next morning Dylan decided to tell everyone the truth. He knew it would be hard and he would have to be brave. “Just look people in the eye,” said his mom, “and tell them it was just wishful thinking. You can do it.” She told Dylan how proud she was of him. She handed him his lunch and gave him a hug. Dylan set off for school.
The first thing Dylan did was tell Mrs. Forbes. She shook her head but her voice was kind. She had Dylan tell the truth to the class. That was when Andrew put up his hand. He had a surprise confession. He was never going to New York for the big game after all. Mrs. Forbes wrote the news on the blackboard and all the kids copied it into their journals.
Andrew and Dylan are NOT going to the big game.
When Dylan came out of school that day he seemed lighter and happier. This time, as he slid into the car, he announced his success. “I did it mom. I told the truth and it was just like I imagined. It was really hard. Some kids laughed and gave me a hard time. Sometimes I felt angry and sometimes I felt sad. But I did what you said. I just looked them in the eye and told them it was just peaceful wishes.”
The night of the big game arrived. Dylan’s mom made pizza and lemonade, Dylan and his dad took their seats on the couch. The whole family was watching. There were many cheers and groans. Dylan’s team lost the game and didn’t bring home the Stanley Cup. Dylan was disappointed but, at the same time, he felt very happy.
About the author Sandi Bojm has a Masters degree in Communication Disorders from McGill University and certification in counselling from Pacific Coast Family Therapy Institute. She has had a long career in speech language pathology and counselling therapy, merging the two into a holistic approach. She worked a lot with children and families before retiring in 2020. Her interests are writing, painting and story-telling.
Sandi (second from right) and family 2001
Dylan’s Dilemma
It’s June, 1994 and the Vancouver Canucks are preparing to meet the New York Rangers to vie for the coveted Stanley Cup. Dylan is excited for the upcoming game but has some problems to deal with. How will he manage these and what lessons will he learn? For additional copies please contact Sandi at sbojm@shaw.ca Printed in Vancouver, BC