Alex POV - Flashback October 2023
"Okay, are you ready to look at everything?" I ask Sawyer.
She takes a deep breath and nods.
I nod and open my computer, clicking my emails and finding the folder.
"Wow. It's a lot, momma." Sawyer says.
I kiss her head, "You're good, baby. Really good."
She bobs her head, "Yeah."
I sigh, "Okay, I'll read them off and you say if it's already a no or if you want to put it on the go check them out list."
I start reading them off and she shuts down a majority of them.
"Okay, so we've got UNC, San Diego State, UCLA, Berkeley, Stanford, Washington State, and Florida State."
I start to feel worried immediately that some of these are far away.
"Yeah, how do we set up visits?" She asks.
"I'll email the coaches, don't worry."
"What about pro teams?" She asks and my eyes widen.
I close my computer and stare at her.
"Pops and I were talking..."
"And you don't want me to go pro. But I have offers?"
I nod, "You do. A few NWSL teams have asked about you and even some European teams."
She nods, "Can we at least talk about it?"
"Baby. We really want you to go through at least a few years of college."
She sighs, "But why?"
I stare at her, "You are not ready."
She groans, "I'm not a baby!"
"Hey, voice volume. You're not, but you're not socially or emotionally mature enough to just go pro." I say calmly.
I can see her frustration growing, "But-that, but that doesn't make sense momma! You're saying that I'm not a baby, but your words don't match up to that!"
I take a deep breath, "I'm calling a time out on this conversation."
"I don't want to take a time out! I want to talk about it now!" She yells and I stare at her.
"Go calm your body and then we can talk." I say and watch as tears well up in her eyes.
"I HATE YOU!"
I sigh and turn to walk away.
"Momma! You suck! This sucks!"
I close my eyes and let out a breath and keep walking until I get outside.
"God, grant me the serenity to not completely lose it on my hormonal 16-year-old." I say out loud.
I grab my book and sit down to read.
The ADHD Parenting Guide for Girls.
I sigh and continue reading.
I hear the door open and look up to see Sawyer convincing herself to walk over to me.
She's staring at her feet and taking a few steps forward, then stopping, and turning around.
I sigh and decide to just wait her out.
