Dead Girl Walking ― Aaron Minyard

epilogue: glowing review

we'll make a home on the cracks,
we'll tell nothing but the truth
and for the rest of my life,
you'll get a glowing review
— glowing review, maisie peters

♦

THE BUZZER SOUNDED ON THE CHARLOTTE WOLVES' FINAL WIN OF THE SEASON, and the crowd went wild. 

Mara undid the straps of her helmet seconds before she was being swept off her feet, lifted onto Jean's shoulders as her team crowded around her. She laughed in shock and delight, then yelped as Matt popped a bottle of sparkling cider and sprayed it everywhere. 

The celebration was more than just for their well-earned victory that night. It wasn't even truly for the fact that they were national champions this year. This was a send-off—a celebration for the final win, the final game of Mara Minyard's professional career. 

The thought of it nearly brought tears to her eyes, but they were happy tears. They couldn't be anything else, not as the entire stadium—both the loyal Wolves fans and the Tiger fans who'd rooted for their loss tonight—screamed her name, not as the big screen listed all of her statistics and accolades and career highlights from the last twelve years. 

This was a happy day. 

Garish orange mixed with the steel blue of the Wolves uniforms, and all animosity from the game died as the opposing players mingled. From Jean's shoulders, Mara watched Matt lift Neil off his feet in a bear hug and Kevin tug Andrew's helmet off and start talking his ear off immediately—either to gloat about the two goals Kevin had managed to get past Andrew or complain about the four shots he hadn't. 

Mara kicked Jean's side lightly. "Let me down, asshole," she laughed. 

Jean obliged, grinning from ear to ear. It was, after over a decade, a beautifully familiar sight. "Couldn't let you get lost in the crowd of your own celebration."

"That was amazing!" Jeremy exclaimed, beaming. "You're amazing! Please don't leave me!" 

Mara laughed. "I think Jean and Matt will be able to hold the backline without me." 

"Don't put that kind of pressure on me," Matt said. "I can't afford to go gray before I turn forty." 

"You were sloppy in the third quarter," Neil said the moment he was in front of Mara. 

"You fouled me, you cretin," Mara argued. 

"That was not a foul, you just didn't move out of the way in time." 

Mara flicked him in the ear. "Says the loser."

Jeremy made an L with his fingers and stuck his tongue out. "That's right, loooooser." 

"Don't get comfortable," Kevin said as he came over, Andrew trailing behind. "We'll see how you come out next year without Mara. So, you probably shouldn't bother with getting a nice trophy case, since it won't be yours for long." 

"Funny, that's what I told you last year," Jean pointed out. "Make sure to send me a picture of that empty trophy display by the way, I'd love to see it." 

Kevin responded with a very mature finger. 

"Put that shit away, there's kids around," Andrew said, prompting Mara to turn around. 

Normally, non-players weren't allowed onto the court, but it seemed the Wolves' coach made an exception tonight. 

"Mama!" Grace barreled over, and the assembled players quickly made way for her. She crashed into her mother's legs, and Mara lifted her onto her hip.