I just stood there, trying not to tremble as I watched her walk away.
“You two seem chummy.” I turned towards Renee Perry’s ice-cold voice.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“I wouldn’t get too attached. I don’t think she’s going to last the season.”
The evil lilt in her voice made my skin crawl. “What? You couldn’t intimidate her, so you figure you’d try with me?
“Everyone’s got secrets, and no one disrespects my daughter.” She turned on her heel and walked away, giving the cold shoulder to anyone who tried to talk to her.
***
“You have to be careful with her. Please.”
“Well, Adrienne is going to start again on Friday. I’m hoping that I’ve finally gotten through to her. The thing is, if she does what I tell her by the end of the season she’ll be scoring more than ever.”
I shifted in the warm water of our bath, hoping Adrienne starting again would be enough to slake Renee’s thirst for vengeance. “Her mother’s very capable of getting someone fired, y’know.”
“I meant what I said, Melanie. If they fire me, I won’t be out on the street. They said they want a winning team, and I’ll guarantee I know more about how to make that happen than Renee Perry.”
“I know. Just, Paige’d be crushed. She idolizes you.”
“She’s a good kid, with a lot of talent.”
“Thanks, but I’m not worried about her.”
“Me neither. There’re going to be scouts at Friday’s game.”
My eyes widened. “Really? From where? Have you told Paige?”
“No, I haven’t told her, and I don’t intend to. I’d rather her just play her game. I remember how bad I froze up the first time I realized there were scouts in the stands watching me. And I know there’ll be some from Old Dominion, North Carolina and Duke. Probably some others, too.”
“Wow. Are you going to have her push forward more?”
“That’s always been the plan. And her shot from the top of the circle is so good, and it’s going to be open. Anyway, no more talk about hockey.” Her voice changed from a friendly patter to a sexy purr. “How are you feeling?”
“Mmm.” I stretched under the water, “relaxed.”
“Do you have your little vibe?”
I quickly glanced at the door, making sure I’d remembered to lock it before I picked up the blue, waterproof massager sitting on the edge of the tub. “Yeah.”
“Good. Now I’m going to switch to facetime, so I can watch you.”
How I managed to get myself off while not dropping the phone in the water is something I still don’t understand. The sad thing was that Sandy had a lunch meeting on Wednesday, so we weren’t going to be able to have our normal afternoon tryst, but after the match Friday we were going away for a whole weekend together. It was going to be amazing, especially after being at something as romantic as a wedding.
Before I’d gotten divorced I’d loved weddings, the women beautiful in their dresses, the men looking dapper in their suits and ties or tuxedos, the hope and happiness in everyone present. Ever since I’d dreaded them, as they became reminders of my marital failure. This was different, though. For the first time since my marriage collapsed I’d be at a wedding with someone who loved me. I was going to have someone to dance with, to hold my hand while the couple exchanged their vows.
And it was a lesbian wedding! A total scandal, if my mother ever found out, but I was so excited, to be at a celebration of something I’d hidden my whole life. I lay in bed, the lights off, reliving my own wedding in my mind. Only instead of Bill waiting for me at the end of the aisle, it was Sandra Dalton. I drifted off as I walked towards her, her beaming face the last thing I saw until morning.
***
To distract myself from the fact Sandy wasn’t there on Wednesday I went out, but not for lunch. Instead I headed back to Torrid, where Paige and I had bought that dress. I’d noticed they had plus sized lingerie, and I thought something special for the weekend might be in order.
The sales girl who greeted me as I entered was younger than I was, but plus-sized as well.
“Can I help you find anything?”
My cheeks flushed. “I think I’m just going to look around.”
“Okay. Let me know if you need anything.”
I nodded, probably a little too fast, and headed back to the intimates section. It had seemed like a grand plan until I was standing there, surrounded by lacy, flirty mannequins and the barely there slips they were wearing. What was I doing? I couldn’t do this! Deep breaths, Melanie, just breathe. I made myself pull the nearest thing I could off the rack, holding it up to my body and looking in the mirror.
It was a leopard print teddy, very not me, even on my best day, and I hung it back up with extreme prejudice. I wandered around for a few more minutes, touching a few things, even going so far as to pull one or two off the hangers.
Eventually the salesgirl poked her head back around the corner. “Are you sure I can’t help you find something?” Her smile was kind, and just a bit pitying.
I grimaced. “I’m not sure. I, um,” my voice trailed away into insecurity “Sorry, I haven’t done this in a while.”
She grinned, head cocked to the side. “Trying to rekindle a spark?”
I blushed. “No, new spark, and it’s burning like crazy. I just, I didn’t think I’d ever, um, spark again, if you know what I mean?”
“I do. So, when’s the last time you bought yourself nice lingerie?”
“At least fifteen years,” my face dropped, “and fifty pounds ago, minimum.”
Her smile didn’t slip. She didn’t laugh at me, or look at me like I was delusional. Instead, she just gave me a very professional looking over before speaking. “First thing, let me measure you, so we get the right size.” She recognized the look of fear in my eyes. I’m sure it was something she dealt with on a regular basis. She gave me a serious look. “Trust me, you’ll look so much better in something that fits, rather than the smallest thing you can squeeze into.”
I nodded. “I know, really.” I took a deep breath. “Okay, let’s do it.”
I thanked the salesgirl as I took the bag from her. I had actually bought a couple of things. Once I started looking at lingerie that fit, it was fun, especially imagining how Sandy would react when she saw me in these things. I felt sexy, beautiful even.
The rest of the week went slowly, but eventually it was Friday night. My bag was packed and tucked away in my closet. I didn’t need any questions from any snooping kids.
The game ended up being a family affair. My dad was sitting two rows ahead with Will and Anna. He had the old Sullivan charm turned on full blast, keeping Anna laughing and Will blushing as his grandpa told stories on him. Charlie was sitting with Georgia, sharing some pretzel bites with his little sister, while Bill and Ashley cuddled together under a blanket in the cool October evening air.
Normally that would give me at least a pang of regret, but with my lover down on the sidelines, looking incredible in her slacks and polo, with her long curly hair pulled back in a puffy, segmented ponytail, it didn’t bother me nearly as much.
Sandy looked up at me, a smile playing at the corner of her mouth. I gave a little, subtle wave, and she turned back to the field. I glanced over at the Perry’s, where Renee’s head was turned, looking at me with an unreadable expression. My heart jumped into my throat. Had she seen? I made myself smile at her and give the same wave, which she did not return.
Renee and her husband sat stone faced, watching the match. Paige had told me in confidence that Adrienne was under orders not to shoot, and with all her talent she was an excellent facilitator when she tried, and tonight she was trying. The offense looked dangerous, with the opposing defense constantly chasing the play, and it wasn’t long before Fei, playing left inner, buried a shot off a nice pass from Adrienne. The Lost Valley supporters erupted, particularly Mr. and Mrs. Yew, who received a bunch of high fives and pats on the back. The Perry’s, on the other hand, just threw up their hands. The Senator gestured angrily toward the field, saying something to his wife, as she nodded, her expression hard.
I’m sure it hadn’t escaped their notice that there were several new faces in the stands, two women and two men sitting together up in the corner of the bleachers. They were all dressed differently, each wearing a shirt from a different university. Scouts, just like Sandy had said.
Just before the first quarter ended a nice piece of stick work from Adrienne earned a penalty corner, her defender having to block with her feet to prevent an easy score from Dani on the wing.
As the defenders donned their protective gear Paige moved forward, joining Adrienne at the top of the scoring circle. The umpire blew her whistle, and Dani sent the ball into the field. Adrienne stooped down, settling the ball just inside the scoring zone as Paige stepped forward, dragging the ball forward slightly as the defenders charged out of the goal towards her.
Paige held the ball a fraction of a second longer before pulling it forward. She kept it low, and the goalie kicked out her leg, but made no contact as the ball found its way past the defenders and just inside the post, banging against the sideboard at the bottom of the net.
It hadn’t been the hardest shot ever, but it had been perfectly placed. I glanced up at the scouts, who were nodding and making notes. I accepted the congratulations from the surrounding parents as the girls embraced on the fields.
The girls were dominant, with Adrienne making good on her instructions. Finally, late in the fourth quarter, Adrienne hit the left wing, Nevaeh, who fired a shot that was blocked by the goalie. Adrienne had rolled to the far side of the goal and the rebound came right to her, and she slapped it in for her first goal in three games.
“But I scored, Mom. Can’t you just leave it alone?”