Ripple Effect

-15-

"Damn it!" Gabby struggles to zip up her suitcase and ends ups smacking the top of it with her good hand. 

Ava walks over to her, "Need some help?" 

Gabby nods, "I can't believe that I finally got a chance to show off what I could do in front of the actual USWNT only to have Lacey make me look like a crying baby in front of them. I'll probably never get another chance." 

Ava wraps her arms around the younger goalkeeper, before pointing to the bed, "Sit and listen." 

Gabby sits down and supports her hand, now, fitted with a cast that the players and staff have all signed and decorated. 

"I know that your camp didn't end the way you would have liked for it to, but, trust me when I say that you definitely, left an impression on the people that matter. No one faults you for yelling or crying when you got hurt, in fact, just the opposite, they credit you, for exposing Lacey's true character. She isn't going to be attending any camps for the forseeable future, and Carli reassured everyone that she'll be going to counselling in hopes of sorting out her issues." 

"And, I'm sure Lacey's going to blame me for that as well." 

"Gabby, what transpired between you and Lacey this week, wasn't of your doing and please don't blame yourself for it. Lacey clearly has some stuff going on that she needs help dealing with and now hopefully, she'll be getting it."

Gabby takes a deep breath, "I feel like I've been nothing but one bother, after another, for ya'll this week. I'm trying to keep a good mindset, but, everything's just so damn frustrating, you know? I mean, I couldn't even shower or get dressed without help and can't even zipper up my own suitcase. I just don't even want to think about how it's going to be once I get back to North Carolina."

Ava reaches over and wraps her arms around Gabby, "You're not a bother, you'll never be a bother to me. Everything that you're currently feeling is understandable and I wish that I could say that things will be okay for you once you get back home, but, I can't. All I can say is that, you're family now and I'm always going to be here for you as much as I can be, same as Lexa and Mia and even my Moms, they already like you too, you know." 

"What about Wren? Do you think we'll ever be able to see each other again?"

"I'm not sure. From what I was told, she and her Moms had a rather heated discussion when she got back from the hospital."

Gabby nods, "I know. She sent me a message that she was leaving camp with them and wouldn't be able to say goodbye in person, before she left. I think our age difference was a problem for them and they didn't want anything that could happen to derail Wren's chance at attending and playing for Stanford. It probably also didn't help the situation that I live in a different state and long distance relationships tend not to last." 

Ava nods, "I can't say that the age gap between the two of you isn't a concern for me as well, because, as much as both of you are capable of giving consent, the state only sees an age and or age difference and in this case, it could have huge consequences for Wren. I know that you're hurting and I wish there was some magical cure that I could whip up like Harry Potter or Hermione, but, it's not possible. All, I can say or do is reiterate that once we find an apartment suitable for all of us and social services approves us as fosters, it's only a matter of time before you can come and live with Lex and I, then we can begin the proceedings to adopt you. We've already found a lawyer who specializes in these types of adoptions and he's assured us that it could all be done within the year." 

"What's to say that you won't change your mind within that year?" 

"I'll make you a deal; if, Lex and I change our minds about adopting you, then, I'll give you my NCAA Championship ring."