“I suspected as much.” As they walked outside, Meredith braced herself for the reaction Kat would give to see Mishka in tow. “Have youeverplayed football?” she asked him after spotting Kat kicking a ball across the wide-open grassy area.
“Not a real match. Everybody says I’m too little. But I’ve seen boys like me playing at school during exercise breaks.”
“Back in the States we have teams with boys much younger than you that play. Not very well, but I think they have fun.”
“I want to get really, really good at it…before my school year starts. That way, the boys can’t make fun of me.”
“Well, we will do our best to coach you along.” She paused as Kat dribbled the ball toward them, stopping right in front of them while planting her foot on the ball and her hands on hips. A dark scowl crossed her face.
“What did you bringhimfor?” she demanded of Meredith.
“Mishka wants to work on his skills too,” Meredith said lightly. “The field is big enough. And if he gets in your way, it’ll be good practice for you to get around him.”
Eye roll. “But he’s hopeless at athletics.”
“He’s young,” Meredith pointed out. “Don’t you remember what that’s like? When you needed help to learn?”
“No.”
“Well, Mishka may surprise you. When he gets bigger, he may be able to beat you.”
Kat laughed in a mean way. “Well, if he gets hurt, don’t blame me. I may not see him and accidentally run him down.”
“Then you’ll pull a yellow card for fouling.” Meredith locked eyes with her. “And trust me, the penalty won’t be worth it.” She turned to Mishka. “I can give you private lessons tomorrow morning…if you’d prefer.”
He murmured what sounded like a reluctant “okay,” but still clutching his soccer ball, he didn’t budge.
“Or you can stick around,” Meredith said quietly. “And we’ll see how it goes.”
Kat rolled her eyes again. “Whatever.” She pointed to where two small stacks of several large stones were piled a fair distance apart. “I put those stones over there to pretend they’re goal posts. That was so I could practice my aim on my own goal shots. Not that I ever get the chance to shoot one.” She gave the ball asolid kick toward her makeshift goal area. “I hope that someday I’ll play positions besides goalie. I know I was only picked because I was the biggest girl in the class.”
Mishka snickered, and Kat punched his arm. “Go fetch that ball, brat baby. Or is that too hard for you?”
“Kat,” Meredith put a strong warning in her tone as Mishka took off for the ball. “You really want a yellow card?”
“Sorry,Georgie-porgy!” Kat called out in a snarky tone.
Meredith decided to ignore her bad behavior. For now, anyway. Before long, they were in place in the goal area. Kat stood back there while Meredith did her best to slam them through—and succeeded time and again. Sensing that Kat was getting discouraged from missing most of the balls, Meredith called for a break.
“Okay, Kat, I’m not sure this is helping you. After all, I’m bigger and older and more experienced. It’s not fair to take advantage of you.” She locked eyes with her, hoping she’d take the hint about the way Kat had been treating Mishka.
Kat shrugged then wiped her damp brow with the back of her hand. “I’m fine.”
“You were absolutely brilliant, Meri,” Mishka gushed, causing Kat’s eyes to turn murderous.
“Thanks, Mishka, but that’s not why we’re here.” She looked into his adoring eyes. “But if I were making a point, I would say that the person with the advantage—the one with more experience or skill or age or size—should be more gracious and helpful to the other. Don’t you think?”
He gave her a puzzled nod.
“Otherwise, they’re just being a bully and a showoff.” Meredith picked up the ball, tossing it up and catching it. “Maybe that’s what I was doing.”
“Fine.” Kat’s eyes narrowed. “I’ve had enough anyway.” Leaving her soccer ball on the field, she turned and stormed off toward the house.
“Oh, dear.” Meredith felt guilty now. “I hope I didn’t push her too hard.”
“That’s impossible.” Mishka took her free hand, tugging her back toward the faux goalposts. “Now can you please teach me some football skills?”
She patted his head. “You bet. And just think, if you get good enough, you may be able to hold your own with your sister someday.”
