Unveiling the Keeper's Heart

Chapter 8: seeing through the cracks of the walls

Mary Earps was at home, dealing with the pain of her rib injury and the emotional turmoil that had resurfaced during the game. It had been a difficult week, and Mary's frustration was mounting. She had decided to drown her sorrows in alcohol, a coping mechanism that had become all too familiar.

On her day off, Coach Sarah couldn't help but worry about Mary. She knew the injury had hit her hard, and she wanted to check on her goalkeeper to offer support and guidance. She drove to Mary's house with genuine concern in her heart.

Coach Sarah knocked on Mary's door, her expression a mix of worry and determination. When Mary answered the door, it was clear that she had been drinking, her eyes glazed and her demeanor angry.

Coach Sarah: (concerned) "Mary, I wanted to check in on you. How are you feeling?"

Mary's response was laced with anger and frustration, her words sharp and unfiltered.

Mary: (angrily) "Why are you here, Coach? What do you care?"

Coach Sarah stepped inside, undeterred by Mary's hostility, and closed the door behind her.

Coach Sarah: (calmly) "I care because you're not just a player to me, Mary. You're a person, and I'm worried about you."

Mary's anger flared, and she paced around the room, her emotions spiraling out of control.

Mary: (bitterly) "Worried? You don't know a damn thing about me. You think you can just waltz in here and fix everything?"

Coach Sarah maintained her composure, her voice steady and compassionate.

Coach Sarah: "No, Mary, I can't fix everything. But I can be here for you, just like I've been on the field. You don't have to face your struggles alone."

Mary's anger began to wane, replaced by a sense of vulnerability. She collapsed onto the couch, burying her face in her hands.

Mary: (softly) "I don't know what to do, Coach. Everything's falling apart."

Coach Sarah sat down beside Mary, offering a reassuring touch on her shoulder.

Coach Sarah: "It's okay to feel lost sometimes, Mary. We all do. But you don't have to navigate this alone. Let's figure this out together."

Mary looked up at her coach, her eyes filled with tears and a glimmer of hope.

Mary sat in her living room, her face etched with frustration and confusion. Coach Sarah had come over on her day off, a sign of her genuine concern for Mary's well-being. They had been talking for hours, and the conversation had slowly turned toward Mary's anger and feelings of being lost.

Mary: (sighing deeply) "Coach, I just... I don't know how to deal with this anger that's been eating away at me. It's like this never-ending storm inside me."

Coach Sarah nodded, her expression filled with empathy. She knew that Mary had been carrying a heavy emotional burden for a long time.

Coach Sarah: "It's okay to feel anger, Mary. It's a natural emotion. But it's important to understand where it's coming from."

Mary leaned back on the couch, her eyes focused on a distant point as she tried to put her feelings into words.

Mary: "It's like... every time I step on that field, I'm battling not just the other team but myself. I've let down my teammates, my country, and even myself. And the more I try to push it away, the stronger it gets."

Coach Sarah leaned forward, her voice gentle and reassuring.

Coach Sarah: "Mary, it's not just about the mistakes you've made. It's about how you learn from them and grow as a player and as a person. No one expects you to be perfect. We're all human, and we all have our struggles."