Beyond The Court

6. Lay Down

Lay down with me a moment

Let me ease, let me ease your worried mind

Lay down and drift a moment

Let's not waste any more of
our precious time

***

The next morning dawned crisp and quiet. The early light filtered through the thin fog hanging over the Connecticut landscape as Paige sat in the backseat of her parents' car, feeling the weight of the day ahead. She was squeezed into the middle seat, her brace-wrapped knee resting uncomfortably against the center console. On the right side of her sat Azzi, her hand resting lightly on Paige's, a comforting presence even as neither of them spoke. On the other side was her little brother, Drew, whose small frame leaned into her, his head resting against her shoulder.

The car was quiet, save for the low hum of the engine and the occasional whispered exchange between her parents in the front. Her dad was driving, his hands gripping the wheel a little tighter than usual, and her mom sat beside him, nervously twisting the strap of her purse in her hands. There was an unspoken tension in the car, a heaviness that had settled over them all as they headed to the hospital for Paige's surgery.

Paige stared out the window, watching the trees and buildings pass by in a blur. The reality of what was coming—of the surgery, the long recovery, the uncertainty—sat like a stone in her chest. She'd been trying to stay strong, trying to push through the fear, but now, with the hospital just a short drive away, the weight of it all felt almost unbearable.

Azzi squeezed her hand gently, drawing Paige's attention away from the window. When Paige turned to look at her, Azzi gave her a soft, reassuring smile, though Paige could see the worry in her eyes.

"You okay?" Azzi asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Paige swallowed hard, her throat tight. She wasn't sure how to answer. "I don't know," she admitted softly. "I guess I'm just nervous."

Azzi nodded, her thumb brushing over the back of Paige's hand in slow, soothing circles. "That's okay. It's normal to be nervous. But you've got this, Paige. You're going to be fine."

Paige appreciated Azzi's words, even if they didn't quite reach the pit of anxiety twisting in her stomach. The fear of surgery, of the long months of rehab that lay ahead, was overwhelming. She knew the road ahead would be difficult, but what scared her the most was the uncertainty. Would she be the same player when she came back? Would she even get back to the level she'd been at before?

She glanced down at Drew, who was snuggled up against her side, his small hand clutching the edge of her sweatshirt. His eyes were half-closed, still groggy from the early morning. Drew had been quietly supportive throughout the past few days, always staying close to her, offering his silent comfort. Even at eight years old, he seemed to understand that something big was happening, something that made his big sister vulnerable in a way he'd never seen before.

"You okay, little man?" Paige asked, her voice soft.

Drew lifted his head slightly, blinking up at her with sleepy eyes. "Yeah," he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. "Are you?"

Paige forced a small smile, her heart aching at how much he cared. "I'm okay," she said, even though the tightness in her chest told her otherwise.

Drew nodded and settled back against her shoulder, his eyes drifting closed again as the car rumbled on. Paige glanced over at her parents, her mom stealing glances at her in the rearview mirror, her expression filled with the kind of worry only a mother could have. Paige gave her a reassuring smile, hoping to ease some of her mom's anxiety, though she wasn't sure if it worked.