I was personally rooting for the Canadiens player, Stéphane Richer, but they were more likable anyway!

Not that I really cared, though.

But then I moved to Toronto and married an avid Leafs fan, one who became “depressed” when the Leafs lost, who screamed criticisms during games and howled when they scored. Yep, one of those men.

So when they asked me if I was a Habs fan, I felt an obligation to my husband, despite the embarrassment of claiming to be a Leafs fan.

That was a few weeks ago.

Today, I sat in my classroom at recess, reading. The boys I had spoken to noticed me behind the closed door. I heard a tap tap at the door and there they were, goading me with a paper pressed against the glass window of the door, saying LEAFS SUCK.  I saw laughing, taunting faces at the door, one of them screaming it out to the hurrah of the crowd.

In retrospect, I should’ve stayed quiet.