When humanity is threatened only the super powered might of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be counted on to save the day. But can the Maple Leafs be counted on? Time will answer all questions. But not yet, not for a long while.

Mitch Marner lies in the tall grass with his eyes closed, the warm sun and the gentle breeze work together to ensure his complete and utter contentment. Mitch is playing a game to help strengthen his control over his perceived reality. It’s simpler than it sounds, with his eyes closed Mitch visualizes a specific cloud. He creates the cloud completely in his imagination, feels the shade of it even, then he opens his eyes. So far he’s actualized a half dozen clouds, which is amazingly good even though Mitch is always pushing for more.

The day is young and the sun is bright and the world is making no demands on the hero. His quest is nearing an end, he can feel it. Mitch has been searching for a sign for what feels like an eternity even though it hasn’t even been three months. It is a sign that will set the course of his life’s journey so he hasn’t allowed himself the luxury of relaxing, but sometimes the call of nature cannot be ignored. Today is such a day and the voice of the gentle breeze as it glides through the long grass says Rest a while. 

Mitch may have been laying in this spot for one hour or seven, it makes no difference. He has found a deep, near trance like, state of total peace yet it is not enough to keep back a sense of annoyance when a presence enters his perception. He doesn’t hear or see anything, he just feels an approaching power, striding ever closer like a looming thunderhead heavy with the promise of a storm. At first Mitch tries to ignore it, hoping the presence will grant him the same courtesy. It takes an awkwardly long time for Mitch to realize he recognizes this power. Jumping to his feet Mitch turns as a large black wolf, graying around the ears and mouth, steps out from behind some dense brush.

The wolf walks toward Mitch with eyes locked on the young hero. Mitch grins and waits. After a few steps the air around the wolf shimmers. It takes less than one minute for the wolf to veer completely into Patrick Marleau, one of the greatest men Mitch has ever known. Naked, Patrick reaches Mitch and shakes his hand.

“Want some pants?”Mitch asks.

“It’s okay.” Patrick grins and raises his arms in a wide stretch. “I like the breeze. Besides I won’t be here long, just wanted to make sure I caught you before…”

“Before you leave.” Mitch finishes the sentence for him.

“Nothing is certain.” Patrick says. “But yeah, I’m probably moving soon. It just the way the business works.”

“Don’t give me that business crap.” Mitch can’t help but get a little heated. “Your whole family is moving with you. That’s life man, that’s not business. Why are you going? Did you ask them or did they ask you?”

Patrick doesn’t answer for a while. When he finally does he can’t bring himself to look at his young friend, staring instead at the clouds.

“You have been seeking your sign for a while now.” Patrick speaks so softly that the words are almost lost in the gentle hiss of the wind. “But I wonder if you’ve seen the opportunity you have. Life and business are separate things, you say. Well now is your chance to choose between them. You can choose to defy those who say that your value can be derived from an equation. Business is all about math and odds and asset management. Life is about living each moment as the best version of yourself that you can stand. So what can you stand Mitch? Can you stand to show the world what value really means, show them true greatness. That is the chance you have. That is the call that all before you have resisted and scorned. I was never strong enough to answer that call. Can you be?”

Mitch stares at the clouds a long time, lost in thought. He doesn’t try to control them anymore, his soul is focused on absorbing the words of his friend and sometimes mentor. By the time he answers, “I don’t know.” Patrick, the wolf, is long gone.