Ted Lasso OneShots

Those Who Beat The Odds

Set during 3x11, when Roy, Keeley and Jamie visit Jamie's mum

'Here it is, I found it!' Jamie's Mum, Georgie, brought out an old, slightly battered, shoe box. It had 'Jamie's Letters' written on the front of it in black marker. 'Oh, Mum, no. They don't need to see those.' Jamie said, turning away from the conversation with his friends and step Dad, Simon.
'Of course they do, love!' Georgie said, sitting on the sofa beside Jamie. She turned to Roy and Keeley. 'Every year, since he was 7, I get Jamie to write a letter for his future self to read. We've never actually been through them, but I think they serve as a reminder of why you're doing this.' She said, looking at her son. Jamie gave her a small smile and, after a period of thought, sighed as he opened the box. The letters were folded, piled on top of each other, with the top one reading '25'. Jamie took them out of the box, handing the bottom one, reading '7' on the front of it, to Keeley, number 8 to Roy and unfolding number 9 himself. Roy gave him a look of almost disbelief as Jamie handed him a letter, as did Keeley. But Jamie gave them a look of reassurance, of trust, so they opened their letters together.

Keeley glanced over the page, at the messy handwriting and scribbled out words littering the page. Everyone in the room laughed as she remarked Jamie's awful spelling, but read on anyways.

Jamie Tartt- age 7.

Hi Jamie!
I terned 7 today! Mummy's getting me to rite a leter to you. She sed its for when you need it most. I hope your a grown up now. I carnt wait to be a grown up so I can do whatever I want. Mum doesn't let me play outside after 9. I hope you can. I want to be a profeshunal footballer when I'm older. Is that what you do? I realy like Roy Kent. He is my favrit footballer. I got to see him play agenst Man City last week, for my birthday. It was the best day of my life! I hope you got away from Dad, too. I don't like it when he comes home and shouts and hits me and mummy. He always stinks aswel. I hope he leeves one day. I don't no what to say now. Bye Jamie!

Jamie
Age 7

Keeley looked up from her letter, to see the two boys still reading theirs. She shared a sad, almost shocked look with Georgie, who just gave her a small, knowing smile.

Roy couldn't believe how bad Jamie's spelling was. Saying that, he also doesn't think the younger man had improved much. He read the letter carefully, imagining Jamie's tiny, 8 year old hand scrawling across the page.

Hi again.
Mummy is geting me too do this again. I don't no why. But I terned 8 today. Dad gave me a pack of fags and started shouting at mummy but she kicked him out. Hell come back. He always does. I have a football mach next week. Against anuver school. Mummy told me to rite about my dreams and I want to be a footballer like Gerard and Roy Kent. There my favrit footballers. Espeshaly Roy Kent. I have a poster of him on my wall now. Mummy got me it for my birthday. I want it to be up there forever! I hope I get to see him play again soon. He's amazing. I want to play like him one day. I hope you can.

See you next year!
Jamie
Age 8

Bye the time he was done, Keeley and Jamie had both read through their letters. He shared a look with Georgie, then with Jamie, and then Keeley.

All of their letters had said something similar, bout Jamie's Dad doing something no father should do to his kid, about how Jamie wanted to be a footballer like Roy Kent, and how Jamie's Mum had once again proven herself to be an angel. 'Jamie.' Georgie said. Jamie turned to his Mum. 'Read 21 out loud, would you?' Jamie scoffed.
'Surprised I did it at 21.' Jamie said, but he picked the letter out of the pile anyway. He opened it. 'Fucking hell, don't remember writing this much.' He remarked, showing the full page to Roy and Keeley. 'Bet it's a rant about how much I hate you, Roy.' He said with a cheeky smile. Roy scoffed, but he knew Jamie was probably right.