Alberta

Chapter Forty: Medals

I stood with my clip board in front of our team. The girls all lined up before me at the side of the court, various heights and ages but mostly between 14-16, these girls had bonded so closely this summer. You could see it in their fluidity, as they had played the final game they worked incredibly together, and of course, my side had won, but man it was close. Teddy was holding in her disappointment but I could see it bubbling up under her flustered appearance. I nodded to her with a smile beside me, and she raised her eyebrows with a defeated smile back.

"Girls" I began, looking at them all one by one "this summer you all worked so hard. Each of you has made significant improvement to your game, whether it be the hard skills, ball handling, shooting, offence work or the soft skills, playing as a team and possession work. You are quicker, stronger and more confident, and your one on one sessions have worked on and built your individual strengths to the point I know I send you home to your teams and schools as a huge asset. I know Teddy is kicking herself beside me that she didn't get to win the medals for her team this time, but girls you all win the summer... you are incredible and I'm so proud of you all, so proud. So, let me just give out the medals to my team... the self named and victorious Lady Hawks" and I take the box of medals and place them one by one, the red ribbon placed around their necks with a smile and a "well done" as I step down the line.

When I reach the end I look to Harper. Her hazel eyes crease into a smile, her red hair pulled into a pony tail but loose strands fall over her face, sticking slightly with the sweat from the game. I smile at her with a little teasing eyebrow lift "aren't you glad you ended up on boring Aunty Willa's team" I state as I placed the ribbon around her neck. She clutches the golden medal with the depiction of a female player mid dribble in her fingers, and observes it proudly

"Yes" she confesses.

I squeeze her arm as I take the box back to the front.

"Girls... I am going to miss you all, the cheeky banter, the morning moans and groans about practice, the competitive streak, the hunger for the final game, but I am so happy we all spent this summer together. If I am here next year...I hope to see some of you again for another summer of fun and kick ass ball. Now all that is left for me to say is enjoy your last week of camp, have fun, stay honest and enjoy your friends... it is time for me to depart" I say sticking out my bottom lip jovially, before being swamped by the team. They patted my back, ruffled my hair, and all about chucked me in the air in their enthusiasm.

"We love you coach" they called as they started to release me slowly and make their way back out of the court.

Harper turned to wave before she departed "see you Monday Willa" she called as she left.

I was coming with Allie to pick her up after the weekend to give her time to enjoy the last few days with her new friends, and to finish off her time at camp. Harper had flourished and changed over the five weeks and I couldn't wait for Allie and Ben to see how confident she was, and much more grown up. I think they may be a little taken aback.

"Well Willa... you won" Teddy said deflating onto the bleachers "Now I have to go home... the second Nomikos to be trounced by you and your team"

I go over and take the spot beside her "Teddy it was neck and neck to the end, and your team were incredible, nothing in it, just a couple points and that is quite respectable. Don't beat yourself up kid, your girls were fire at the end there and you did a great job with them this summer. And you too, you are in superb shape for the college season to begin. You're going to be great kid" I encourage.

She smiles a little. "Thanks Wills, and thanks for everything. I learnt a lot watching you coach. I think it's something I would love to do one day"

I pat her knee "oh most definitely you would be perfect, but play first, and play all the way up the league Ted. You are that good that I have no doubts I will be watching you on TV next year in the college league"

"Shall we pack up the car" she suggests.

I nod "let's go, once I drop you off at the airport I have something pretty important to do..."

"What is it" she asks curiously.

"A reunion" I reply.

She smiles questionably "of the naked variety" she asks teasingly.

I shoo her off with a whack of my hand as we stand and walk across the court.

"No Theodora... get your mind from the gutter..."

And the smile will not leave my lips, because Allie was hours away, mere hours and she would be in the same time zone, the same air and the same room. A reunion awaits, and perhaps Teddy wasn't too far off, perhaps some of it would be...naked... not that I knew it at the time but Alberta was free, and the wheels of separation and divorce were now in motion. The time had come to move into the next stage of our lives...a little earlier than expected, and a little differently than expected.