"Ready to learn?"
Another headshake.
"Then why are you here?"I tilt my head, waiting for the answer.This seems like a big thing to do, especially if you’re not into soccer.
"Can I just take a quick picture with you for my sister?"Her voice shakes.
It’s starting to make sense.All the kids here have sick siblings.I bet this woman is no exception.Jesus, I’m a dumbass for not realizing that sooner."Is she the soccer fan?"
She swallows hard and nods."She always wanted to meet you."The pain in her voice is evident.It practically punches me in the gut.I’d do anything to make it go away.
"Let’s play some soccer, and then we can get a quick picture.I’ll make it fun.Deal?"
She nods the slightest of nods.It’s obvious she has no idea what’s going on.
"Okay, we’re going to run up the line and then Alivia here is going to kick us the ball."
I start off in a trot with this woman next to me.Once we’re about ten yards away, I stop and set up to receive the kick.The woman places her hands on her knees, panting."So," she gasps, "Is there a rule about subbing in oxygen tanks?Asking for … me."
I grin."You haven’t even touched the ball yet."
"Yeah, that’s because I don’t want to embarrass the ball."
I have to laugh."Too late.The ball’s going to need therapy."I signal to Alivia, who kicks the ball down our way.It ricochets off the woman’s legs—bet she wishes she had shin guards on now—and skitters across the turf.One of the little boys in the group runs after it.
I’m busy watching the ball, so I don’t see the whirling dervish tumbling toward us.Alivia does some sort of flip, landing just inches in front of the woman.She backpedals to get out of the way but trips on a cone.She lands with a hard thud on her back.
"Oh my God, are you okay?"
She splays her arms and legs out wide."This is a play I like to call defensive starfish."
I reach down and grab her hands to pull her back up."It’s highly effective, especially when you’re trying to block grass stains.I’ll have to try it in my next game."
I can’t help but grin.
For a split second, the corners of her mouth threaten to quirk up at the edges, but then a loud airhorn startles her.The panicked look is back on her face.
"Okay, I’ll put you out of your misery.You can have your picture."I give the signal, one of the workers steps up, and the woman hands her phone off.I hold the ball under my arm and stand next to the woman.I half expect her to put her arms around me, like women often do when they request a selfie.Seeing as how her sister’s the fan, maybe she’s not touching me out of respect for her.
We get the picture, and I turn to face her."What’s your name?"I ask so I can sign the headshot we have to give out.
"Rachel," she says quietly.
It’s seriously so hard to hear her over the noise in here."Can you spell that?"People get really pissed when you spell their names wrong.Trust me on this one.
"It’s R-I-C-H-E-L-L-E."
I repeat it back as I write it and then frown.That can’t be right.That’s not how you spell Rachel.Dammit.I can’t even spell a simple name without screwing it up."I’m sorry, I messed up."I look around for the person with all our pictures, but she’s now moved over to Landon.I try to catch her attention."Hang on, let me get another picture.Spell it again for me?"
I can’t believe I was such an idiot.I often have trouble spelling names right.I should probably have people write down their names for me before I sign, so I can get it right.I might not be smart enough to sound things out and not reverse letters, but I can at least copy it without messing it up.
Rachel takes the picture, her eyes shimmering wet with tears."This is perfect.Thank you."And then she walks away, heading right to the door.
"Look what I can do!"Alivia does a flip, almost kicking me in the chin.I put my hands up and take a step back.When I look up again, I can’t find Rachel anywhere.
She’s gone.
All because I’m too stupid to write her name.
