Chapter 223

June 14, 2018 (Thursday)

Dear Ms. Diary,

Padme burbled a bit as she wished us well and she and Kaira hugged each of us as we loaded up in the Sprinter and the Suburban for the 45-minute trip to Central. We had had brunch, rather than breakfast, so we could get a meal in well before – but not too much before – our game starting at 12:30. We picked up Rathi; Mia; and Mia’s sister, Taylor at Mia’s house on the way and arrived around 11:40 to find Coach and many of the others there; the rest arrived over the next five minutes.

This was our second meeting of Central this season (we won the first game 11-1), and Central would be the only team we played twice before we had played all other league teams once each; we had yet to play Paradise or Watermelon Mountain in the first round of games. Coach has said that some teams don’t start practice until as much as two weeks later than we had and have more practices before they begin playing games, so were not available for more than a few early-season games.

Our second game against Central was worse than our first ... for Central. In that first meeting, Argon scored only three of our 11 goals. They made up for that relatively poor showing this game, although they did not get to make that better showing until they took the pitch at the beginning of the second half with a 7-0 lead. While Central’s D was better this time around, it was only one goal better against Krypton than in the first game.

Lissa borrowed The Thing of Beauty from us, and Mia notched Argon’s first goal of the half less than 30 seconds in, with Dakota receiving the long pass from Haven, suckering their left back into thinking she was going inside her and blowing by her outside, then making the cross to Mia who had suddenly materialized out from the left post.

As the girls celebrated on the pitch, Coach turned to Rhee, Meka, and me and stated, “At some point, the other teams must pick up on that play ... I would think. We’ve scored off it every time but one.”

Meka said, “More importantly, Dakota is really coming along. She looked like a very experienced right wing on that play.”

“She is certainly coming along, but she’s presenting something of a dilemma: What’s her best position, and how will she best help the team next year when so many of you will have graduated?”

When the three of us shrugged at her, she returned to the play with, “Beth, did you explain to Lissa about the various off-ball movements that are part of that play to help free up the left wing?” When I shook my head, she added, “Lissa has obviously paid very close attention. Tonda angled well right, pulling the center back with her and Lissa occupied the center, pulling the right back out of position. Mia can usually bamboozle a D that has only one defender paying attention to her, and she lived up to her nickname.”

After Argon notched five more goals, the match – mercifully – came to an end with a final score of 13-1.

In a happy, but not riotous, locker room, Coach called out, “Gather ‘round!” Once we were all paying attention to her, she softly said, “That was another very well-played game. With your ... higher skill level than most other teams in the league, you’re not letting up against the ... other teams, as I asked you to do. I don’t like beating teams this badly, but I also don’t want you to get into the habit of playing less than your best, as future games may require your best, and I’d rather you not forget how to play your best.”

She looked around at the team while we waited for her next words, which were, “I assume that many or most of you are aware that, in league games, only Midland has held us to less than double-digit goals. While we might expect only the second such occurrence in our next game, I’ve come to learn that this team usually rises to challenges. We’ll see how we do next week against Paradise. We’ll also see how we do when we don’t have so many practice days between games, because after next week, our easy schedule comes to an end, as Liya will detail later. While I don’t want you to get cocky, I am so very proud of all of you.”

She started to hand it over to Andy for Argon attagirls, but changed course, and said, “Dakota, you’re causing me heartburn.” While some of us chuckled, Dakota blanched a bit, until Coach added, “What am I to do with a reasonably okay right midfielder last year who has become a strong right midfielder late last year and into this one, but who is now showing flashes of high skill as a right wing? How do I move you back to being a right midfielder when Padme returns? Particularly when Crewe is showing real promise as a midfielder?”

She gazed at Dakota, then Crewe, then sent her eyes around the room grabbing the attention of every pair of eyes on the team, then said, “And Padme will return ... because the authorities captured her father this morning.”

Pandemonium!

Coach let the celebration go on for a few minutes, then yelled out, “Gather ‘round!” Unfortunately, she had to later yell, “Settle,” before everyone was paying attention.

“I’m going to suggest that Padme wait to return until Monday ... for a number of reasons, the primary one of which is that the ... accomplice is apparently still in the wind. However, the authorities seem to have some confidence that they’ll run him down soon, so Monday may allow them enough time to ensure Padme’s safety. If we don’t hear positive word about that, I’ll have Padme wait for her return until they get that person. I’ll turn you over to Andy after I tell you that your phones must stay in airplane mode until after we’re finished here. No doubt many of you have texts and messages from Padme about this morning’s events, but I want your attention focused on the staff and the teammates that are here in this locker room with you. Andy?”

“The first order of business is a moment’s silence in remembrance of Padme’s ... and Kaira’s mother, a woman who uprooted herself from the only life she ever knew to keep her two remaining daughters safe, but who ultimately paid a price for that disobedience to a devil in the guise of a man. Please take to heart the lesson that Padme and Kaira have learned about safety. While going overboard with concern about madmen is not what you should do, always being aware of your situation is something that all of you can do and should do. While most of the men of the world would not ever even consider the actions that Padme’s father took, there are more than enough who would ... and do. Keep yourselves ... and your friends safe.

“As most of you know, many of your teammates and most of the staff live together in a big house, a situation that allows us to keep track of our friends ... and family and also allows us to help protect each other. Most of you live at least somewhat near other team members. Consider, if you haven’t already, staying in closer contact with those girls. Discuss with your parents any concerns or fears you have, and problems that arise. While some of you may not have the best of relationships with your parents, you can probably change that, particularly if you’re willing to open up with them about those concerns and fears. Know, also, that Coach, the staff, and even many of your teammates with whom you may not currently socialize will always be concerned for your welfare, and they are available if you find you need help or advice. Each of you has a team roster that contains contact information for all members and staff. Don’t hesitate to use that information should you feel the need. We came close to losing Padme, one of the friendliest and most-liked of our teammates, and we may well have lost her had practice ended even 30 minutes earlier on that fateful day.”

Andy surveyed the room as Coach stated, “I support everything Andy told you, and hope you’ll consider her words seriously. If nothing else, if you’re in dire need, call me ... anytime of day or night.” She changed her eyes’ focus and added, “Taylor, you, too. Have Mia give you my number and put it in your phone, because I’m looking forward to having you on this team in a couple of years.”

Taylor softly replied, “Yes, Coach.”

Andy took the floor, saying, “The first attagirl goes to ... Taylor for having learned the correct response to Coach’s directives!”

With the subsequent laughing, chuckling, and smiling, the somber mood in the room lifted and Andy carried on, handing out attagirls to goal scorers, goal assisters, and purveyors of excellent plays throughout the half, after which she passed the floor to Liya.

“As Coach suggested, our schedule will be picking up in intensity. We play at Paradise next Tuesday at 10:00 and the practices tomorrow and Monday will concentrate on developing a Paradise game plan. The next week, we have three games, Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, two of them league games ... against Watermelon Mountain on Wednesday and on Saturday our second encounter this year with New Paris.”

Liya slid her eyes sideways, seeming to get Coach in her sight, then looked forward and said, “I hope at least some of you have noticed Coach’s wily way with scheduling. Everyone who has, raise your hands.” She looked around at, perhaps, eight hands, none of which belonged to LA members as we had discussed this recently, and called out, “Go for it, Dakota!”

“Coach has gotten most of our traveling out of the way in the first half or so of our season, so most of our games in the second half are at home. Of course, most of those games at home will be in the horribly hot part of the year, although most are morning games. I might have wanted our mid-summer games being at higher elevation, but I can see a benefit to making those higher-elevation teams come down in July to play in our heat.”

“As Rhee says, bang on, Girl!”

Coach added, “Despite that I’ve been doing this for years, the other teams seem not to have caught on. Yes, that puts most of our home games in the heat, but the mornings are usually not that horrible, and in the past, the team has usually responded well in the second half of the season, a time in which we were traveling little.”

Brit took the floor with, “‘Twas another difficult choice for the game ball today, but with her hat trick and an assist, today’s game ball goes to Ghost!” She waited for the cheering to die down, then finished with, “That makes Mia the second to grab a second game ball this season. Thanks, Ghost, for a half well played!”

Unlike on the way to the game, Mia and Taylor rode in the Sprinter on the return. Taylor, who had befriended Civ at the state tournament last year, sat between Civ and Maren, and those three were quickly planning the next attempt to take over the world.

Mia saw me watching the young girls and quietly said, “She’s been bugging me since last fall to see Civia more. Do you think she ... and Maren would be willing to ... entertain her occasionally?”

“When you can and she doesn’t have practice at the same time, bring her to practice. I’m sure Coach would like to get her hooks more fully into Taylor and would probably allow her to practice some with us. She’s enough taller than most her age that she probably wouldn’t get too battered.”

“She’d love that. I’m afraid that her story’s starting to sound even more like Civia’s. She’s ... getting really good, and the neighborhood team is not as ... serious as she is.”

I resurrected a memory from the state tournament last year and said, “As you suggested last year, have her try out for this team next year. The team’s going to need a lot of new players, and she could well make it, even at, what, not quite 11 years old?”

“Yeah. Her birthday’s in late April, and she’ll turn 11 next year.”

“Absolutely have her try out. Although you should talk to Coach first, I think she’d be quite happy to entertain that possibility. What’s the date ... of her birthday?”

“The 28^th.”

“Oh, Padme’s is the 30^th. Perhaps we could have a joint celebration.”

“Really? Taylor would love that, as she’s also a bit crazy about Padme.”

I inhaled deeply, then quietly added, “For nearly a year, we’ve been considering, but never pulling the trigger on, occasionally inviting teammates to spend a day with us. Would you and Taylor be interested in being guinea pigs for that?”

She looked into my eyes, nodded, and replied, “Absolutely. But, umm ... I’ve heard some talk that says that you girls are ... usually ... umm ... naked at home. Would you...”

“That’s only for when we have no visitors, and with some other considerations. However, we’d be ... nearly naked if you visit us, as we now have a pool, and swimsuits would be appropriate clothing for much of your visit.”

“Really?! That would be wonderful!” She glanced at Taylor two rows ahead and then whispered, “But you do spend a lot of time at home ... n-naked?”

“I won’t lie to you, but we’d prefer that you don’t spread that around. Yes, we do. We’re all girls, so it doesn’t matter all that much.”

Char leaned forward from behind us, put her forearms on seatback, and whispered, “Even I find that enjoyable, and I was ... pretty repressed before I moved here.”

Mia turned slightly to respond to Char and said, “Taylor would be very happy living like that. Mom thought she’d grow out of it, but she’s ten and Mom still has to tell her a few times a week to put some clothes on.”

“What do you think about that,” asked Char.

“I don’t know. I remember being ... annoyed when I was ... six or seven ... when Mom began making me wear clothes all the time at home. Sometimes, I still sort of miss it.”

Neither Char nor I said anything in response to Mia’s words, but Heather, who was sitting next to Char, obviously heard the conversation, as she leaned forward and asked, “Why do you think your mom insists on clothing? It’s just you three at home still. Right?” When Mia nodded, Heather said, “Perhaps you could suggest a clothing-optional home. I’ve seen your mom at games, and it would not be at all an ordeal if I had to live with her being naked.”

Mia’s face exploded in heat, but she locked her eyes on Heather’s and asked, “Why do you say that?”

“She hasn’t let herself go. She’s trim, reasonably cute, and has a nice body, from what I’ve been able to see.” She paused, and I could feel her eyes drilling into Mia’s as she added, “And you take after her.”

If anything, Mia’s face went redder. She quickly ducked her head, but, seemingly by main force, picked it up, looked Heather in her eyes, and responded, “Thanks.” She fumbled words for a few seconds, then began asking something, but obviously decided against it, so said, “I’ll see if Mom will let us come over, but I’ll need to know a date and time.”

Heather responded, “We can figure that out tonight and tell you at practice tomorrow. Does that work?”

“Yes, at least if you aren’t thinking about this weekend. Mom would want more time.”

“We understand, but you could still warn her it’s coming to give her even more time to consider it.”

Mia gazed at Heather for a few seconds, then smiled and responded, “I’ll do that. Thanks, guys. I’m pretty sure Taylor would love that, and I know I would.”

We dropped the Abernathy girls at their house, hugged a nearly ecstatic Padme ... a lot ... when she met us in the garage, then settled at the living-room table to have a mid-afternoon snack to tamp our hunger, but one not large enough to spoil our dinners. While sitting around the dining-room table, we talked with the Fahrad girls a bit about what they wanted to do, but they were not in any state to have a serious discussion. So, we discussed inviting Mia and Taylor for a visit in the near future.