Home is wherever I'm with You

When You're Gone (Maya)

"Hey, referee, that was a foul!" I couldn't help but stand up from my seat on the bleachers as I shouted with a few other parents backing me up when one of the girls from the opposite team pushed one of Lucia's teammates to the grass while she tried to steal the ball from her.

The high pitch of the referee's whistle was heard a second later signaling that it was, in fact, a foul as she took out a yellow card from her pocket and called for a free kick.

"Go team!" I clapped, sitting back down. In the distance, Lucia turned around to flash a smile in my direction, which I returned right away.

The game went on, Lucia scoring a goal that made everyone cheer loud, but not as loudly as me. Unfortunately, the other team scored as well and the game ended up in a draw, even after 3 extra minutes.

The group of 13 year old girls started to make their way to the benches to grab some water, frowns visible on their sweaty faces. I got up from my seat again, grabbing Lucia's duffle bag, to make my way to my daughter.

"That was a great game, baby." I said to her, handing her a small towel for her to clean her forehead.

Lucia scoffed but accepted the towel with a small smile. "We didn't win, mom. And don't call me 'baby', I'm thirteen." Lucia's complain was barely understandable as she wiped the sweat of her skin.

I arched a brow, taking a step forward and wrapping my arms around her, lifting her off the ground a bit. "First of all, you will always be my baby." I pressed my lips on her temple.

"Mom!" Lucia laughed, trying to get out of my grip but not really. "You're embarrassing me!"

I let go of her and smiled at the sligh flush on her cheeks, from embarrassment or because of the game I was not sure. "You will be my baby even when you're thirty and give me grandchildren. That's just the way things are." I shrugged unapologetically and softly pinched her cheek.

Lucia chuckled and playfully poked me on the stomach. "Whatever." She rolled her eyes at me.

"And second of all..." I started, tilting my head to the side, trying to meet Lucia's eyes which everyone liked to point out looked just like mine. "What's the rule?"

A moment later, we were locking eyes. I could see a twinkle in hers as the corner of her lips quirked up. "To always have fun... it's not all about winning."

"It's not all about winning." I repeated, tucking a strand of sweaty hair behind my daughter's ear, playing with if for a second as it reminded me of Carina's chestnut curls.

"Says the Olympic gold medalist." Lucia talked back sarcastically, pulling me out of my memories, crossing her arms over her chest.

I felt something inside my chest tightening at the mention of that medal. It will always be one of my greatest accomplishments but it will always be tainted by my father. "That was a hundred years ago, I'm a different person now." I said, trying to keep a light tone, pushing away the bad memories. "Answer me this: did you have fun today, even if your team didn't win?"

Lucia thought about it for a moment, taking one of her hands to her face to tap her chin with her index. A small smile formed on my lips as I noticed the tiny crinkle between her brows. "Yeah, I guess so. It was an interesting game and we got to do great passes."

"Also, that goal you scored was amazing, right on the corner!" I pointed, my chest swelling with pride, making her smile. "So, even if you didn't win, it wasn't all bad. And your team has been doing better than the other one so this tie doesn't affect you as much as them, right?"