Spotlight

56

"Blow the damn whistle, ref! Come on!"

Pam Davis smiles and chuckles as her daughter sits on the edge of the couch yelling at the screen and waiting for the final whistle to sound out on the United State's match against Japan. As the shrill sound finally comes, the stands erupt as the US wins the SheBelieves Cup with a 3 - 1 victory over the Japanese opposition.

"I still don't understand why you came home instead of being there for Abby."

"We agreed that it was best for the two of us not to photographed and or seen together until after the tournament lest we overshadow the team, tournament or more specifically, the team's protest against the Federation. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future for me to support and celebrate with her and if I'm lucky, her with me."

"I heard you last night."

"Sorry, I was doing my best to keep it down."

"No need to be sorry, I've always loved listening to you sing and play."

"You know I've been trying to sell it to everyone, myself included that I was fine with not singing or performing and that I wasn't terrified at the thought of never being able to sing again, but I wasn't and I'm not. The truth is Mom, I'm pissed off at having my life put on hold, my career taken out of my own hands, my voice taken from me and I'm hurting from losing Dad amongst many other things..."

"Sarah ..."

"Mom, let me finish. Please."

Pam nods letting Sarah know that she's free to continue speaking.

"My heads not right, Mom and I think me trying to bottle up everything, not deal with it and stay strong for you, Abby and everyone else is what led me towards not wanting to make music anymore. Spending time with Abby, by myself and then Lauren allowed me to regain perspective and well, Abby suggested that I should speak with someone about how I'm feeling and that's exactly what I'm going to do, because, I don't want to become the next member of the 27 club."

Pam moves over and wraps her arms around her sobbing daughter. "I had no idea things had gotten so bad for you; I'm proud of you for acknowledging you need to get some help."

"I love you, Mom and I want to be around for Abby, to give you grandchildren to love and spoil rotten and most of all, I want to get back to being happy and able to provide for my family."

"What can I do? How can I help?"

"Just keep loving and supporting me."

Pam smiles. "I can do that."

In Frisco, Texas Abby and her United States Women's National Team members are busy celebrating their victory on the field and back in the changing room unaware that once the players return to their respective NWSL teams they will be met with the realities of a worldwide pandemic putting their season in jeopardy.

A few weeks later Abby wakes up in the middle of the night and finds the spot beside her in bed is empty and cold. Climbing out of bed, she makes a stop in the bathroom before heading downstairs in search of her wife. Seeing bowls on the counter and dishes in the sink, she chuckles at the sight of Sarah leaning over and scanning one of Pam's cookbooks.

"Do you need some help?"

Sarah turns around. "I didn't wake you, did I? I tried to be quiet."

"You didn't; I had to pee. What are you making?"

"A mess. I was trying to make muffins for breakfast, but I screwed up something in the recipe and the first batch came out like paperweights. Even Bobs wouldn't touch the one that fell on the floor."