Season’s End
Saturday morning, restlessness pushed Giselle to wake up early.To worsen matters, the encounter at Tony’s house had her mind spinning, and she didn’t get much sleep last night.Combined with anxiety over today’s match against the Blue Crush, she might as well have stayed up all night.She figured she had slept about three hours, tops.
In her tiny apartment kitchen, she ate a quick breakfast of dry toast and a banana, then took a cool shower to try and shake off the weariness.Stumbling back into her room, she changed into her soccer uniform for the morning game and stared at her worn face in the full-length mirror secured to the wall.
Giselle appeared pale, the dark circles beneath her brown eyes an obvious sign of fatigue.Her hair hung in ratty strands.Wrinkled and having missed a wash, the uniform clung to her lithe body in a crumpled mess.
Still, she felt proud to have played for the Rapids during two thrilling seasons.She had played in high school and adored the sport.Wanting to continue, she had joined the River Rush County League that encompassed several cities and teams.Giselle had faced exciting challenges, met wonderful people, and enjoyed her time while representing the Rapids.
She sighed into the mirror, knowing this would be her final season.Larger things in life called, and unfortunately, new priorities had surfaced while spare time dwindled.Desiring to finish her degree in marketing, saving money and applying for school would be her next mountain to conquer.
But for now—time to annihilate the Blue Crush!
Giselle shoved an extra set of clothes, a towel, shoes, and personal items into her sports bag.She also grabbed the plastic sack holding the soccer ball.After getting home from Tony’s last night, she had arranged something special for him.The ball had undergone a dramatic transformation, and the loss of sleep over her preparation had been worth it.Tony would receive the ball today—and hopefully, the war between them would end in a smile.
Grabbing her keys and cleats, Giselle headed out the front door in her shin guards and socks.Sitting on the curb, she bashed the cleats together to break off dried mud and grime.The chore done, she laced on her footwear and threw everything into the car, then drove to the field for the ten o’clock start time.
Although the championship would occur next weekend, today marked the end of the season for several cities and teams in the losers bracket.Fans packed all the soccer fields in the park as games for children, teens, and young adults took place for an action-packed morning.Additional matches would take place in the afternoon, and the following Saturday, the true finals would begin.
As Giselle parked and carried all her things to the pitch, the cool temperature and patchy blue sky brought the perfect environment for a hard autumn match.No rain forecasted for the day meant good playing conditions.A mild breeze added to a favorable setting as wind would not affect long aerial passes.
She joined her team and warmed up on the sidelines.Stretches, light cardio, and ball drills got her loose and ready for the opening whistle as Coach Jess barked commands and encouragement.
Someone in the bleachers hollered Giselle’s name.She glanced back and saw Janice holding up her middle finger—the one Giselle had orgasmed on—and wearing a smirk.Blushing, Giselle shook her head and couldn’t help returning a smile.
She also noticed the Rapids’ fans packing the seats.A great crowd had showed wearing team colors, holding small banners, and munching on food from the busy snack bar.Beneath the mountain of support, a humble pride filled her, and she vowed to play hard and bring joy to the fans after a solid win.
Fifteen minutes before start time, Giselle looked across the field and saw Tony warming up in his black uniform and shorts.She grabbed the sack holding the soccer ball and jogged over to him.
“Chalmers,” he said in surprise when she approached.He glanced at the bag.“A hand delivery?That’s no fun.Don’t tell me you’ve given up.”
Giselle studied his worn face and dark circles beneath his eyes.After what Tony experienced last night, it appeared he hadn’t slept much, either.A fresh stab of guilt over witnessing the exchange with his father shot through her.She lowered her gaze, ashamed as if he already knew.
“Hey, I was just kidding,” he said.“You don’t have to look so glum.”
Giselle glanced back up.“Oh, sorry.I…well, here.”
She took the soccer ball out of the bag and held it out.The ball nearly shone, having been cleaned of dirt and debris.Consisting of twenty neon-green hexagons and twelve blue pentagons, the cover still appeared worn from use, but the overall status of the ball widened Tony’s eyes.
“Whoa!”he exclaimed.“So there was a usable ball under the muck after all.”He took it from her outstretched hand and smiled.“What’s this all about?”
Giselle shrugged.“Turn the ball over.”
Tony rotated the ball and found a message on its surface she had written in red marker.“Tony,” he read.“Thank you for the ‘silent war’ and showing me a good time.I had fun.”
His smile faded as he looked back at her.“You’re really giving up?”
The disappointment on his face and in his tone made Giselle’s heart skip.Like her, it seemed he had enjoyed their little battles.Vandalizing personal items, following each other, the sarcastic notes…all of it had contributed to their delight and distraction from hurtful things in life.A drunk and abusive father rattled Tony’s world, and a foul, abusive boss crushed Giselle’s spirit every day.
“Yeah, I think it was time,” she replied after finding her voice.She held out a hand.“Congratulations, you win.”
Tony looked at her hand.He hesitated, his reluctant expression revealing he didn’t want their mischiefs to end.Once they shook, it would solidify the conclusion.Giselle didn’t want it to be over, either.However, seeing him last night had broken her heart and destroyed her will to continue.
“No winners, let’s just call it a truce,” Tony said as he finally grasped her hand in a warm shake.“I liked the war reference you wrote on the ball.But what do you mean by a silent one?”
“Well, it’s just that we haven’t talked much,” she said.“The nasty notes and the ball did the speaking for us.”
She suddenly realized their hand contact persisted.Whether her intent or his, the mutual grip between their palms and fingers remained the same.In that moment, he must have realized it as well—a blush passed over his cheeks.Giselle felt her own face warm.Their hold loosened, and arms returned to their sides.
