Mom: Two goals! Those Red Tails are so lucky to have you.
Asher: GUYS! I have it recorded. I told you all that.
Kailey: You snooze, you lose, Ash.
Asher: I wasn’t snoozing. I was working. Geez.
Tiff: What are you guys even talking about?
Mom: Tiffany…
Tiff: Oh, wait. I have a brother who plays professional soccer. I forgot.
Dad: She didn’t forget, Cal.
Kailey: No, but she did fall asleep during your game.
Tiff: Tattletale! That was a secret, Kailey!
Kailey: Well, Mom sent me a picture of you drooling with Cal’s game on in the background… so it must not be that big of a secret.
Mom: Callum?
Mom’s last text came through five minutes ago. In my gut, I know that after the drought of communication I put her through with Simone, it worries her when I take too long to respond.
Me: Sorry! I’m here. Thanks for watching, recording, and even sleeping during my game, fam. Love you guys.
Asher: Love you? Is someone dying?
Mom: He can tell his family he loves them, Ash.
I can. And I do. But knowing Fran and hearing about her life makes me feel an urgent need to tell them a little more often.
Mom: We love you too, sweetheart. So proud of you.
Dad: Can’t wait to make a game in person, Cal.
Tiff: I promise not to fall asleep in Tesoro!
Me: No worries, Tiff. But I may doze off during your volleyball games in the fall.
Tiff: You won’t. Or I’ll spike a ball at your head.
Mom: So violent.
Me: I’ve got a team dinner and a friend waiting. So, I’ll chat later.
Mom: Is this the same friend you were caught kissing before the game?
Caught? Crap. How in the world…
No denying it now.
Me: Maybe.
Tiff: KISSING? When did that happen? I picked the wrong game to nap during.
Thirty