The Twelth Player

Chapter 5: Kinder Surprise and More

I was sitting in the locker room after practice, completely wiped out, when Coach Hansi came over and sat next to me.

"Matti," he started, crossing his leg, "I need to talk to you about something."

"What now?" I muttered. I wasn't in the mood for another lecture.

"Union's planning to launch a new program for kids from the streets. Something like a soccer club to keep them busy and out of trouble. We need someone to coach them. What do you think?"

I just stared at him for a moment. "Why me?"

"Because you've got talent. And I think it could help you, more than you realize."

Normally, I would've told him to shove it. Hell, a year ago, I wouldn't have even taken this seriously. But lately... something had changed. Maybe it was those things Elina said about giving more than taking. Maybe it was just that I was getting kind of tired of always focusing on my own problems.

"Alright," I finally said. "I'll give it a try."

Hansi smiled. "Good to hear." And that was it. Me, Matti, the guy who'd always just cared about himself, was going to coach some street kids.

I went to pick up Katie from the Kids Center, and while I was walking, I remembered Elina's words: "More happiness comes from giving than from receiving." It kept nagging at me. I was more used to the opposite – if you have something, keep it for yourself. But at the same time... there was something to it.

I thought I could make not just Katie happy, but Elina too. It was a stupid little thing, but whatever. I stopped at a stand on the corner and bought two Kinder Eggs. One for Katie, one for Elina. Maybe I was crazy, but something pushed me to get the second one.

When I got to the center, Katie was still with the other kids, so I had a moment to chat with Elina.

"Hey," I started, a little unsure.

She looked up and smiled that calm way of hers. "Hey, Matti. How's it going? Want something to drink? Water, tea?"

"No, thanks. I'm good. Yeah, things are fine, work and practice," I shrugged. "How about you? How's everything?"

"Good," she answered quickly but then switched topics. "Katie will be ready in a minute." Then she went to the kitchen and pulled out her snack. But no sooner had she sat down than one of the other kids called her over. Elina immediately turned, smiled, and went to help. Then another kid came over, needing their shoelaces tied or something, and she stopped again to help. She was darting around the Kids Center like a ferret. She kept going like she had Duracell battery energy.

But she didn't. I saw her hands shaking, probably low on sugar.

"Elina!" I called out to her as she walked past me, arms full of stuffed animals to hand out to the kids. I was surprised by how quickly she turned around – like she was expecting that I needed help.

"Yes?" she asked, in that calm tone that kind of irritated me again.

"Don't you want to eat something?" I asked, pointing toward the kitchen and raising an eyebrow.

"It's not important," she waved it off like it didn't matter. "The kids are what's important right now."

"Yeah, and what about you?" I frowned. "Isn't it important that you're shaking and don't have the strength?"

"I'm not important," she said quietly, but with such certainty it made me feel sick.

Before I could respond, she was already gone.

Katie finally came running and jumped into my arms. "Uncle Matti!" she squealed, laughing so loud it echoed through the center.

"I've got something for you," I said, handing her the egg.