sarcastically stating something to catch my eye. We establish a rhythm whereby I snap back, he initiates a conversation, and we be

s gaze on me and it burns slowly, wondering

h something new to make me laugh, I begin to get his peculiar sense of humor. Off the field, I find him taking up my thought

on's gaze on me. It's not me, the coach me, that is. He's not just staring at me for the sake of staring; he's checking to mak

ration. I am not focused on making my pass kid-friendly because my head is elsewhere. I kick the ball hard and without thinkin

hello. You nearly hi

en-year-old, and return my attention to the work at

turning to chase the ball that has

terfere with my teaching. The guys in front of each line advance to play against one another as they go toward the goal after I divide them in

I nearly severed. I ignore my misgivings abo

ame, while every girl is supporting Grace. It does not appear to be going well for little Liam, ev

ing from the bleachers. When I briefly look away from their play, I see Hudson g

ve that youngster in the dust! That's all there is to it! T

h when I see him get worked up over Grace practicing. The other parents are staring at him with narrowed,

separate him from Grace already. Hopefully, he takes the hint. His booming, deep voice is sore

with which she scores-the ball is already moving into the goal when Liam catches up-is almost depress

e she gets to the back of the line. He may seem tough, but that's not the rea

back of the queue. I turn to see Hudson sitting back down in the bl

revealed to me that would make him anx

like an hour goes by before I blast my whistle, causing everyone to sigh loudly. All of them

't mind if I stay another hour." "All I do when I get h

almost choke on my

nd like my friends, but not dad either. In the bedroom of their

r, a tough corporate woman dressed in a well-fitting pencil skirt

to my body while I'm sti

lents might be better suited for football," I quip as I gently smoot

asks, unable to co

ponse. "Um. Are you purchasing a vessel? Another chuckle for laughs. "Well, Grac

ice. "While I was fetching my drink, Hud made a compliment to you! He made me swear

proaches us and begins tickling Grace beneath her arms, which makes her lose her tight grasp on

akness as she tries to break free of his hold. His voice sounds more

me with sparkling eyes from playing with Grace. I smile slightly. But you know that she's

draping his arms over her shoulders. She leans back against him

nt that a verbal agreement will stand up in court "said the man. "I guess I see where I stand wi

scratch my head. Gracie bursts out laughing, escaping from Hudson's embrace. "Oh right, you're saying somethin

hallucinations. "Gracie was just told by me how natural you appeared

lmost killed that one boy with a pass," just as I'm

nd that my mom was a whore. I had to let him know who was in ch

th another girl, for a brief moment. I reflect on what he just said while he's not looking. I was dubbed 'Clara' by him. Do we have a friendship? Or is

off. And he's dressed a little more casually now. He appears more at ease today in a worn college t-shirt

ou. Aside from the fact that you were unable to register to bring steroids for the kids, you arrived late to pick up

ack. "Here, you just need Grace's parent or guardian to si

accepts the form. "I can sign thi

al protection, the signer has to act as her legal guardian

s curve downward and his arm muscles clench. "Well I am her l

id. Already thinking of a way to patch things up, I reac

his voice emotionless. "Don't eve

Already, my he

, who doesn't know what transpired between me and Hudson and walks right over. With her hand in his

n from this distance, I still feel strangely alone. My rage erupts in

an't keep up. I take my dad's credit card out of my bag and shake it in the air, ready to vent my frus

n me tonigh