Born To Be A Star, Raised To Be A Legend - A Riley Andersen Story

Chapter 15: Teamwork Make Dreamwork

On the way to the taxi, Riley and her grandmother would pass near an area where there were several journalists waiting to interview Riley after a long walk to the gold medal. Everyone wanted to interview her, but her grandmother wanted to take her home first.

Various Journalists: Riley? Riley, are you ready, Riley, is it true that-

Her grandmother intervened.

Ella: Sorry guys but my granddaughter will not be answering any questions today.

Riley, in order to avoid giving her image a bad reputation in the sports media, talked her grandmother into letting her answer the questions. In this progress, only one question was asked in the United States. "For Milan, Riley Is Ready. But Is Riley Ready for Los Angeles?

Journalist: Riley, good afternoon. We saw with pride your performance in this edition of the Olympic Games and we would like to ask if you are ready for the next Olympic cycle (LA 28)?

Riley: I will definitely be there! In 2 years we have the Winter Games and I will definitely be there along with other talents who will be there. So for me Los Angeles is more closer than I thought.

After this quick interview, Riley and her grandmother left for the house. Upon Riley's return to Minnesota, Ella promised to surprise Riley, starting first with the house her grandmother had bought a few months ago and a gift for your granddaughter.

So, they arrived home after a few minutes' journey between the airport and Riley's Grandma's house, and then, Riley's first surprise would be upon arriving there. Ella's house was the home where Riley spent her entire childhood in Minnesota.

Riley: Grandma, is this...?

Ella: Yes, this is the house you saw when you were little. I remember carrying you in my arms for many good times here before you went to San Francisco. Now I have moved here to carry on the Andersen family legacy.

Riley: Just one question, Grandma. Are any of my belongings still here?

Ella: Riley, you have no idea what memories I have of you...

Reliving the old times, Riley opened the door to her old house and entering it, several nostalgic memories began to emerge in the young girl's mind. It was the place where Riley had spent the most time having fun, being happy and content, being everything a girl's feelings could provide.

The home of a legend left, having grown since childhood to be the best of the best, she was finally returning to the place that began her professional journey. It was the queen's return to the throne.

Riley: I miss it here so much...

Ella: I also remember you when you were very little, running around the house with so much energy and enthusiasm. I wish I could go back in time to see my granddaughter when you was 4-5 years old again, good times that unfortunately will never come back...

Riley looked around her old house, while her grandmother stood there watching Riley, happy and content to return to her roots. It seemed like she (Riley) had been away from Minnesota for too long to be so pleased to be back home, where she grew up, where she became the legendary Riley Andersen figure that she is today.

With the sun shining in the red light bathing the house, the atmosphere was one of comfort and relief because it would be there that until her teammates arrived to pick Riley up, she would spend those hours with her grandmother.

Emma: Riley, I prepared a surprise in your old room. Go check it out.

Riley then ran to her room to see what surprise her grandmother had prepared, At first she thought it would be something new or some souvenir that her grandmother had prepared. But when she got there, the surprise was bigger than Riley expected.

Riley's old room was renovated and very clean, exactly as Riley's parents had left it during the time they lived there, All of Riley's old belongings were there: from toys to a photo of Riley with Simone Biles when Riley was 7 years old.

Riley: My room! How nostalgic!! (Riley said as she fell with emotion onto her old bed that was there)

Ella: I missed that little girl so much, You never left that room watching television even when your beloved grandmother came here to play with you.

Riley: My Orlando Magic Shaquille O'Neal jersey! (Riley said as she looked at her jersey after many years that her father had bought for her)

A few minutes later, Riley and her grandmother were already sitting at the afternoon coffee table drinking coffee, It was 5:16 PM Minnesota time and Riley's team had texted her (Riley) that they would arrive around 6:05 PM, It would be Riley's last 50 minutes in her old home.

Riley: So, Grandma. How did you buy our house?

Ella: It's a long story my granddaughter, when you left I was the first to be interested here but unfortunately I couldn't, but in the last few months I finally made it and I thank God for giving me this chance.

When Riley looks to the side, she sees a picture of her father in the old New Jersey Nets jersey and her mother in a hockey uniform and next to her, her grandmother when she was young playing hockey.

Riley: Is that you, Grandma? (Riley said, pointing to the 3rd painting that was there)

Ella: Oh yeah, that's me in the 70s playing hockey, not long before I had your mom. I played hockey for the then San Francisco Bullets. I was the best player on the team, but I retired very early due to injuries and the birth of my mother, which hindered my career.

Riley: So, have you ever played professional hockey, Grandma?

Ella: My dear Riley, hockey has been in the Andersen family's blood since the beginning of our history, you will be the greatest player in the history of not only hockey, but of our family.

A smile appeared on Riley's face as finally after several years without seeing her grandmother, she finally had a conversation she always wanted. Being able to receive experiences and tips from his grandmother, who was a two-time PWHL champion in the 70s, Riley matured from there.

After coffee, the two sat on the couch to watch a movie as grandmother and granddaughter, the chosen movie had been Pulp Fiction (Riley's favorite movie), As the sunlight began to rise, a horn could be heard coming from outside, it was Riley's team bus.

As Riley said goodbye to her grandmother with a big hug and almost crying in her grandmother's arms, she said.

Riley: I'll come back here, grandma. I promise.

Ella smiled and when Riley was halfway to getting on the bus, her grandmother left a message that she would use for the rest of that season.

Ella: Riley!

Riley turned around.

Ella: Teamwork makes Dreamwork.