Second Chances

Chapter 4

After changing into a pair of ragged white converse, a black tank top, and shorts, I drove my car to the football playground outside New York, and immediately I was conscious of the different environment. The outside world. Different places, different locations, other faces that were more relaxed, carefree, and less stressful. The slow life. Things moved on real slow, and everyone got their own sweet pace. It was four in the afternoon and working mothers could be seen scurrying home while children played on the streets. It was the eastern holidays and lucky them I thought.

I was an athlete back in College. I ran, played basketball and football. I also tried to keep the feminine grace in shape. Growing up with a father who was a great fan of Manchester United and with a brother who shared the same strong spirit for the same club I was drawn to the players like a magnet. This leadership and team spirit lured me into loving football. Since I was adept at the game I enrolled in sports at a tender age and the fear of taking up weight kept me motivated. I left my friends with a heavy heart when I moved to New York. I was sad to think that I would not be able to play every Saturday and Sunday as I used to do long ago. However, coming to live here I made friends with some Irish joggers. One thing led to another, and I learned of this football ground here in little Manhattan where different cultures would form teams and play against each other for fun or money. There were three more women of my age who showed the guys that they could be trusted to play with them. I earned their respect as I scored several goals and left astonished guys behind me. I was a woman and the macho types wanted to help me and be kind to me the first time but after I proved myself and what I was capable of doing they started treating me as their equal.

I got out of my car and breathed in deeply. The air smelled of earth and crushing grass. Cars seldom drove in this area. There were more residential houses and flats. Not quite decrepit but still standing on their own. I liked the serenity of the place. As I neared the patch of land forming the football area I heard shouts of frustration and encouragement of men mingled with those of teenagers. I rejoiced in joining them. I dashed to them and saw Erwan Collins standing with his hands around his mouth and yelling at his teammate to run quickly with the ball and pass it to someone else and to stop being arrogant with the ball. The guy lost it and cursed at Erwan for being right. My team was winning one to nil.

I turned my eyes to the benches and found a couple of young boys watching the game attentively. Their girlfriends were sitting behind them and reading people's magazines.

Erwan smiled and kissed me on the cheek. They were always so polite and gallant those American Irish. "Hello love."

"Hey there."

"Where were you last week? You missed the weekends."

"I was busy with a case."

"The criminals can't wait."

"You know they can't."

I did some stretching and jog on my feet without moving, "When will I play?"

"John is tired already. You play midfield and take up from there. Tom is being a dick head and arrogant bastard. If it were not for him giving the ball to his mates we would be led by two points now." He caught the attention of the 'referee' and the latter called out John for an exchange. Jack was the referee. Tall old guy with wrinkled skin and bones almost no flesh and protruding eyes. He worked as a caretaker at the local school but retired two years ago. He was sixty-seven and loved football like everybody in this neighborhood. He was no sports and wanted so much to blow the whistle that Erwan bought him one.

John came panting in our direction and touched my palm, "Finish them off girl."

I nodded at him and ran on the pitch, "I'm in."