She immediately accepted the challenge.
Although the U8 and U9 girls practice together and get along extremely well, some of the U9 moms are catty bitches and very stuck up. When I went to ask one of them if they had the exact address she went on to ask me: " Do you have a computer?". I laughed at her for the insult. Who in the world these days does not have a computer or a phone that you Google for directions. I wanted to know the exact address to put on the GPS, damn it!
Saturday came and with it, a very early morning, which I was not expecting to have any time soon after we left swim meets behind. We had to be in Lithia for the game at 8.15! That meant waking up at 6:30!!!
Of we went. I was personally ready for a battle myself but not against the team we were playing against, but against the blond bitch, who treated me in a demeaning way.
As if B sensed that, she asked me if the U9 girls were much better than she was. I explained to her that this would be a much tougher game than her first and only U8 game in which her team beat the boys 3-1 and she scored. That game in itself deserved a post. For different reasons from this one. It was not a war, a tense difficult game, but it was so sweet to see the starting line up with B and her besties Emily and Mady playing side-by-side. Corny or not, I almost cried. And the fact that the trio played so well with B and Emily scoring 3 of the two goals and Mady assisting in most of the important plays, made it all so much special.
But getting back to the U9 game...I told B that aside from the physical strength, some of the girls were going to be more experience and hence, better than her. Some would be the same and some would play worse than she played. But I told her that if Coach Joel had chosen her, it was for a reason. And the reason was that he trusted her to play well. Further, I told her that she should not be doubting herself. I think the fact that I did not lie to her that she was the best yada yada yada, helped her and to prove me otherwise during the game.
The first obstacle presented itself during our ride to Lithia. I had forgotten to bring her a jacket and it was chilly outside. I thought to myself. As a U8 she may be spending significant time on the bench, therefore she needs a sweatshirt or something.
After 3 stops in Walgreens and Walmart and because I don't give up easily, I finally found an adult size S. 5 times her size, but it was better than enduring cold.
I was so right to demand an address and specific directions in the end. The computer would not tell me that there would be two fields in the Complex or that they would play in field 9. After being told by local I was at the wrong soccer field, I went to the field in a hurry. I parked at 8.15 and prayed we were at the right place. As I got out of the field, the first face I saw at the parking lot was the nice mom of Peyton, who goes to Imagine too. My battle mask was slightly cracked and I thought to myself, at least I will be sitting by a nice person!
When we got to the field I saw no sign of the blond lady. B was also very welcomed by her team mates as she arrived. One or two girls were happy and yelled: Biaaaaanca! I was so happy already and no blond bitch would spoil my day and I thought to myself, just hope B does not play bad. I know it should be all about her, but I had myself the need to fit in or not even that, the need to say to that blond lady: now, who does not have a computer, who does not play well here... And who do you think you are in your righteous stuck up attitude?
When I look closer, I realized that B would be no sub! There were only 6 players and they would be playing 6 on 6! Good for her, then I asked myself: can she handle that?
Not only was she ready, but also entered confident and ready to win. It was a tight game but she played well. I was already happy with her attitude.
Against all odds, not only she played well but she also scored the winning goal!
I was of course thrilled for her, that got her more confident and she was called for other U9 games in the future. But selfishly, I was relieved that as a team we could prove to the computer lady that we were no underdogs trying to fit in. We were here to stay.
