She took a moment to look over the assembly with those piercing eyes of hers. I couldn’t tell if they were blue or green from this distance, but god, I knew she could look right through a person. I glanced at Paige, who was leaning forward in her chair, transfixed.
The coach continued. “My door is always open to my players. I am also available to their parents if they have concerns about their daughters. If there’s something going on I need to know about, that I can help with, please reach out. But if you have suggestions about how to run the team, what style of offense or defense to play, or think I should play certain athletes more or less or at different positions, keep it to yourself.
“I don’t play favorites. I will play the young women who give us the best chance to win, and they’ll be the ones who have worked the hardest and followed the rules. I do not discriminate. It makes no difference to me if they are a Senior or a Freshman. It doesn’t matter to me if they are white or black, if their parents live in the biggest house in Raleigh or need public assistance to make rent.” A wry smile played across her lips. “And if anyone has an issue with that I don’t care. I want two things: to help your daughters become confident, successful, powerful women, and to win, in that order. That’s the plan. I hope you can get behind it. Now, let’s eat, so we can get this season started.”
“Here, here!” Someone shouted over the wave of applause, and Coach Dalton sat down at the head table with the LVHS brass. The catering staff spread out to the tables. I knew, since the Perry’s were footing the catering bill, that there wouldn’t be anything so gauche as a buffet, and sure enough, when I opened the place card at my seat there were several choices for dinner. I chose the fettuccine shrimp Alfredo and handed my card to a smiling young man
Bill and Paige made their selections, and as soon our waiter headed away another dropped off a basket of bread with herb infused oils for dipping. It smelled amazing, and Paige reached out and grabbed a piece of the soft, white bread. She swirled it through the oil and bit down.
“Wow, that’s amazing!” She finished her piece and grabbed another.
“Not too much bread, Paige.” I cringed inside as soon as I said it. I could hear my mother’s voice in my words. Damn it, what the hell was I doing? My daughter was a healthy, beautiful young woman, and telling her that she wasn’t, even by implication, was horrible.
“Okay, mom.”
I took a breath. “I’m sorry sweetheart. You have whatever you want.”
Paige smiled and nodded. “Thanks.” She didn’t take another piece.
I have to admit, dinner was amazing. I expected as much, given who was catering and, of course, who was paying. Throughout the meal I glanced up at the new coach several times. It’s not like anyone was talking to me, after all. And more than once I caught her gaze from across the room. The second time I swear she gave me a little smile. But several times I got to really look at her as she shared a laugh with Principal Harrison or his wife. She was so striking that I couldn’t help myself.
The noise level was starting to rise, and Tom Martin stood with Coach Dalton and began taking her around to the various tables. I couldn’t stop my heart from beating a little faster when she got to us. My ex-husband stood up and extended his hand.
“Hello, Bill Pierson.” The coach shook it with a smile, but her gaze moved quickly to me. Her eyes were green, a stunning, almost lime green. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. This must be your wife?”
“My ex-wife, Melanie.” I managed to stand and took her hand, which was strong and warm. Her eyes widened slightly at the word ‘ex-wife’.
I forced myself to speak. “This is our daughter, Paige. She’s a senior this year.”
“Nice to meet you, Paige.”
“Nice to meet you, Coach.”
Bill put his arm around Paige’s shoulder. “She’s your second leading returning scorer, you know.”
“Dad!” Paige’s voice was rife with embarrassed teen horror.
Coach Dalton looked her in the eye. “I meant what I said up there, young lady. No free rides, everyone earns their spot.”
Paige’s face got serious. “I won’t let you down, Coach. I’ve been working out all summer. I’m ready.”
Coach Dalton cracked a little smile. “You’ll be alright. See you at practice, Paige.” She looked at Bill and me in turn. “Mr. Pierson. Melanie.” One more little smile and she moved on to the next table.
My ex looked down at our daughter. “She looks like she’s a tough one, Paige. You got what it takes?”
“Yeah, Dad, it’s gonna be great. I can’t wait.”
I forced my mouth to close while father and daughter kept talking about the upcoming season, for which I was very grateful. It let me concentrate on clearing the fog in my brain. I absentmindedly picked up a piece of bread and swirled it around in the remainder of the sauce on my plate before taking a bite. Someone sat down next to me.
“God, I wish I could not care about carbs like you do, Melanie.”
“Hi, Renee.”
“So what do you think of her?”
I shrugged. “She seems confident, intense. We’ll see, I guess.”
“Intense, that’s a word for it. Probably why she doesn’t have a family.”
“I don’t think that’s any of our business. You honestly asked her?”
“No, just did some digging.”
I looked at her ridiculously well put together face. “Did that digging go beyond looking at her Wikipedia page?”
“Funny. I looked at her ring finger, too. And her bio at her practice. Well, as long as she doesn’t step out of line too far, we’ll give her a shot.” I shook my head and ignored the implied threat to the new coach. It wasn’t empty though. I knew Renee Perry was more than petty enough to have a coach removed if she didn’t like them for whatever small-minded reason. Sadly, she was also capable of getting it done.
When the dinner broke up, I walked my daughter back out to the van so she could get her bag. Bill pulled up alongside in his little convertible sports car. “You ready to go, baby girl?”
“Yeah, Daddy just a second.” My daughter gave me a one-armed hug. “Bye, Mom, love you.”
“Bye sweetie, I love you, too.” I forced my voice to stay cheerful. “Have a good weekend.”
Paige tossed her bag in Bill’s tiny trunk and hopped into the front seat without opening the door. “Daddy, can I tuck Georgia in when we get home?”
“She’ll probably be in bed, sweetheart. But if she’s not, sure.”
Bill started to pull away and I yelled out “Seatbelt!” as he did. Paige did reach for hers as her father gunned the engine, and my daughter let out an excited squeal. Moments later they were gone into the night.
***
I tapped the smart lock on the back door, waiting a moment before the rotating blue lights turned green, followed by the whir of the deadbolt retracting. Sampson was there, as always, the orange tabby giving me a thorough looking over. Apparently he was satisfied I was not a stranger, meowing once before turning tail and walking slowly into the kitchen.
I set my purse down on the table and followed him. Another meow and Delilah, my long-haired calico, jumped onto the counter, purring and butting her head against my hand.
“Okay, okay, I see you. I’m glad I’m home, too.”
Sampson twined in between my legs with a plaintive whine. “Okay fine, come on.” I slid past him to the cupboard where I kept their treats, pulling out the blue bag and laying a few out for each. I slipped off my sandals as I stepped into the living room and sat down on the couch.
I hated this place during Bill’s weekends with the kids. It was so big and empty. The cats helped, but it wasn’t the same as having real people around. I missed my children, and the light they brought to my life. They were probably the only people in town that actually liked me. At least, in their teenage ways.
I put my feet up on the cushions, hugging a pillow to my chest and trying to push back the tears of loneliness that started to sting my eyes. I closed them, and an image of Coach Dalton and her penetrating gaze floated to the forefront of my mind. Not that it mattered. Even if I were out, without the baggage of three teenaged kids, and even if she were gay, or just bi like me, she’d never be interested in this fat old bag.
But that doesn’t mean I couldn’t think about it. I so rarely let myself fantasize about women, anyway. Life was so much easier when I pretended that that part of me didn’t exist, but it had hit me with both barrels at that dinner. Maybe I could just let myself feel good for one night.
I stood up and walked toward the kitchen, slipping off my dress as I went. I grabbed a bottle of wine and a glass and headed upstairs toward my bedroom’s ensuite. As I filled the tub I lit a few candles and added some bubbles before pouring myself a glass of wine.
I slipped off my underwear, but just before I stepped in I decided that if I were going to have a proper fantasy I might as well do it right, so I grabbed my little waterproof massager and slipped it over my finger.
The warmth of the water surrounded me as I lowered myself down, and I hit the button to start the jets. My vibe hummed to life as I closed my eyes, imagining Sandra Dalton slowly lowering her mouth to mine. We kissed in my mind, and I let my humming finger slip into my sex, trying to push back the thought that when I finished, and my orgasms subsided, I would still be alone.