Saving The Day

35

"I'm so mad at you right!" I hear Christen scream through the phone. If theres anyone I'm scared of.. is angry Christen Press. It's one you never really see, it's like a myth. Cause she's so sweet and kind.

"But anyway, how are you feeling baby?"

"No Chris, do not give in!" Alex shouts through the phone too, I'm in a 3 way call.

"Ugh right! Holland Reed you are in so much trouble missy!"

"I'm fine now though, they gave me medication and an ice pack." I try to reason with them.

"We're still mad"

"We are?"

"Yes Chris!" Alex shouts, and it honestly makes me laugh but I hold it in for the sake of not being yelled at. It's like when your mom yells at you, and you laugh.. you know everything's over for you.

"Holland let's go"

"I have to go, love you guys!" I hang up, and I grab my gear bag. I walk behind some of my teammates, who ask if my shoulder is better. I sit next to Lucy, and she helps me adjust my sling. I know I shouldn't lie to the girls but I know if I told them the truth, they wouldn't let me play in the world cup this summer. I adjust my position, so I'm not uncomfortable on the bus ride.

"You shouldn't have lied to them" Lucy tells me before I put my headphones on.

"Well luckily it's only a small tear, and they said I'd be better in a couple of weeks." I defend, and Lucy shakes her head disappointed. Technically they said if I was cautious with everything I did with my shoulder, I'll recover within about 2 weeks but if I don't.. it could be longer. I put my headphones in, and lay my head back to rest.

Time skip

Arriving at the hotel we will be staying at, I'm quickly met with the training staff and Dawn. They take my bags, and I join them into a rental van. I know I'm going to the hospital, Dawn was quickly informed by the Lyon staff about my shoulder, once again she'll be with me during my procedure. Sometimes I feel like she gets tired of it. I know it will be the same old thing, MRI scans and ultrasounds, and X Ray's.

"You're going to hate this but one of your teammates knows about this" Dawn tells me not meeting my eyes, I just hope it isn't Chris or Alex. She tells me they'll be meeting me at the hospital. I wonder who it could be. Even though I know it's a tear, I still get seriously nervous. Theres this reoccurring thought in the back of my head "you'll never play another soccer game in your life, this is it for you".

When we finally arrive, we walk into the lobby. Patients looking at me, and I can tell they seem just as nervous as me. Guess we're here for the same things, test results, our health. I sit down the seats along with the staff sitting around me, leaving one empty chair next to me. We sit there waiting for about 10 mins, Lobby door opening and closing every min that passes by. Never grabbing my attention, until it does. In comes Captain Lloyd. She walks over, taking the seat reserved for her next to me.

"Cap" I bow my imaginary hat, she looks at me seriously then taps my aggressively but it doenst hurt. It's like a nudge.

"You are seriously stubborn, stupid for risking yourself!" She whisper yells making sure not to grab attention from others in the room. I rub my head pouting at her.

"Like you wouldn't have!?" I tell her back, and she shakes her head.

"That's not the case" she fires back, and before I'm able to say anything the nurse calls my name out. I get up, along with Carli and Dawn. She takes us to a room, with a bunch of monitors and other equipment in. I take the only seat in there besides the doctor's chair. The nurse goes through the usual, checking my heart rate, my breathing, my body temperature, etc..

"We'll be right with you" she tells us, and she walks out the room. It's quiet for a while, until we hear shuffling from the other side of the door. I hear the door open, and I see the doctor with medical files. The entire time, I stare at him. I hear muffling, deep in my thoughts waiting to hear him say that I'm done for. That they don't need any tests, that I'm no longer able to play. Times like these I regret risking myself, but for the love soccer.. don't let this be the end. A hand lands on mine that was shaking, holding onto the elbow rest. Pulling me out of my thoughts, I can hear the doctor speak again.

"Are you ready?" He asks me, no I'm not ready to retire. I'm not ready to leave the love of my life, I'm not ready to give up the USA jersey.

"Holland" Carli moves my hand, and I look at her , then at the doctor.

"She's ready" Carli decides for me, and he closes the folder, setting it on the table. He goes over to it, grabbing a gown. He hands it to me, and they leave the room for me to get out of my clothes. When I'm ready, they lead me to another room. I lay on the bedding of the MRI machine. They move the shoulder scanner, wrapping around my shoulder. I've been through this many times. I just lay there for a while, as the machine works.

After it's over, they come inside. Handing me my clothes, I notice the bathroom on the side. I go in, and change. My hands shake, it's not easy putting jeans back on. The bundle of nervous, making me vulnerable. When I walk out, I see Carli and Dawn having a serious conversation behind the glass window. They look over to me, and Carli opens the door for me. I can see sadness in her eyes, and everything I've been thinking.. led to this moment.

"Holland.. you....." I block everything out. Just hearing my heart beat, everything I hoped wouldn't happen.. is coming to me in reality. After the muffled voices stop, my mind brings me back.

"Can we go now?" I ask.