Chapter 23 #2
But I wasn’t thinking about scoring. In my peripheral vision, I could see Livvy wide open in front of the box. I couldn’t hesitate. My pass was inch perfect, the ball landing at Livvy’s feet. She controlled it, tapping it in before the goalie could make a move.
The sidelines erupted and the team swarmed around Livvy. I ran in to join my teammates. Livvy brushed off the girls and stood in front of me and squealed. In a completely spontaneous move, we raised our arms out wide and fluttered them like wings before hugging tightly.
And we did that for the next two goals she scored from very similar moves. When I had space on the wing, no one could catch me on a 40 - 50 meter sprint.
Miller and his friends ambushed me after the game and my teammates celebrated like it was the World Cup final.
Coach’s congratulations were bold and honest. “I was wrong about you Devereaux,” she said. “Thanks for proving me wrong.”
But it was seeing Mom on the sideline, standing next to Mr. Trask who was with Mason, that really set my heart racing. I wondered if she’d seen any of the game or had just arrived to pick me up. I had told her I’d text her when we finished.
“You were awesome,” Mason said in a croaky voice, still proudly displaying his sign.
“Thanks,” I said, “your yelling was very inspiring.”
“That was a standout performance,” Mr. Trask said, shaking my hand. “Quite the athlete.”
“Yes,” Mom piped up. “I’m glad I got here in time. I was racing to close the salon. That was so much fun to watch.”
My mouth twitched at Mom’s compliment, especially in front of the Trasks. Luckily, Miller reappeared, lifting me up from behind, causing me to shriek.
“Didn’t realize you were that good!” He dropped me down gently and spun me around, placing a kiss on my forehead. “What’d you know? My girlfriend’s a superstar.”
Now I really did want to cry. He’d unabashedly called me his girlfriend right in front of my mother and his father.
Coach rallied us all in for a team talk and cool down and then we gathered up the equipment and headed for the locker room. I didn’t want to keep Mom waiting, so opted to change my cleats and shower at home.
I came out into the parking lot, searching out her dark blue car. I couldn’t see it but I could see her. And she was with Miller. Not sure if Mom was his new best friend or blasting him for his PDA, I nonetheless sped up.
“Heyyyyy?” I said, neither of them seeing my arrival.
Both of them were inspecting the back bumper of a small blue hatchback, Mom frowning heavily.
“Hi,” Miller said with a wide grin.
“Did you hit the car?” I asked Mom, bending down to see what they were looking at.
“No,” Mom said, straightening up. “This is your new car and I only just noticed there’s a small scratch on the back. Humph, I should’ve checked.”
“I should be able to fix that,” Miller said.
“Did you say my new car?” I stared at her, just the tiniest hitch in my chest as I cast an eye over the small car. It lacked the status of my Jeep, was certainly not new and would rank lowly in coolness—at least at Brizendine Prep.
Mom was nodding. “I know it’s small and it’s ten years old, but it’s economical and the dealer said it’s very reliable.”
“How did you buy this?” I asked. “We don’t have money for a car.”
Mom gestured to a silver SUV, a popular model but definitely not brand new. “I did a trade,” she said. “And managed to get two for the price of one. You really do need your own car.”
“You sold your Mercedes?”
Mom’s lips pressed tightly. “You were right,” she said.
“I was so worried about what other people thought of me. Worried about my image, the car I drive, the clothes I wear, where I vacation, heck, even who my dentist is! But now that it’s out in the open, I’m quickly learning who my real friends are.
Do you know Jacqueline Fairfax canceled my dinner party invitation.
She said there was a mix up with reservations and they don’t have space for everyone anymore.
” Mom rolled her eyes, but she didn’t look upset about it, if anything, relieved.
“Quite frankly, if I’d had to listen to her husband Barry talk about their exclusive Hamptons getaway one more time, I would’ve screamed. ”
I gasped, remembering a time when Mom used to be in awe of the Fairfaxes. Miller casually draped his arm around my shoulder.
But Mom was just getting started. “And as for Jacqueline, at least I won’t have to hear anymore about her interior designer and those dang hand-painted imported tiles from Italy.
Or pretend to care about Genevieve St. John’s latest detox retreat.
Heaven help me, if the woman didn’t eat three servings of lobster pasta, she wouldn’t need a green juice detox! ”
Mom tapped her chin, looking a little sheepish at her outburst, especially in front of Miller. “I’m sorry,” she muttered, “but I just needed to get that off my chest.” Clearing her throat, she said, “Anyway, this car is super reliable and the mileage is good and I think it looks cute.”
“It’s definitely cute,” I said, peering in the window, but I turned back to my car and lovingly stroked the hood.
“But this little one is cuter.” Yes, she was small, but she was a pretty shade of blue and I could already picture hanging Bluby the Blueberry Squishmallow on the mirror. She’d match the car perfectly.
“Well, here you go,” Mom said, holding up a key fob. “Just drive safe.”
With a squeal of delight, I took it and hugged her tightly, rocking side to side in her arms. “You’re the best, Mom. I love you.”
“And I love you too,” she said, patting my shoulder. “Okay, now take it for a spin, test it out. And I’ll see you at home later.” She drew back and paused. “Both of you. Go!”
Miller smiled and scooted around to the passenger door. I gave Mom another kiss on the cheek before jumping into my new car. I took a minute to adjust the seat and mirrors and familiarize myself with the dashboard before buckling my seatbelt.
“You ready?” I asked Miller.
“For the ride of my life,” he said, his hand covering mine as I started my new little old car.