Thanks For The Memories

Chapter Five

It's been two weeks since I have moved in with Pete. I've never been happier. I've never been happier to eat home-cooked meals every night or to watch a Disney movie with such a high intellectual review on it by Pete. Even with tending to his garden, I loved every second of it.

Today was the first day of his soccer lessons. It was at Edison Park. A little far from home, but a big open area for the sport.

I felt like a soccer mom. I cut up oranges for all the children after practice. I even brought juice and healthy chips for them to munch on. I sat on a lawn chair with my sunglasses and baseball cap on. I watched Pete intricately. The sick moves he could do with a soccer ball was phenomenal, but I did often catch myself staring at his ass in those soccer shorts. Dayum.

I noticed there was only one little girl here. She was being excluded from the boys by the boys. Pete kept urging her to join in, but a group of three boys kept taunting her saying she couldn't play soccer because she was a girl.

That pissed me off.

I ran to her side. First I yelled at the boys. It took every fiber in my body not to swear at the children. "Don't you dare speak to her that way. She can do everything you can do. She could be even better than you. If you exclude her one more time during this, all three of you are going to sit out for the rest of practice. Now go run along and listen to Pete for the first soccer drill."

They were about ten years old. One looked as if he was about to cry when all three scurried along towards Pete. I didn't care. They deserved more than what I said to them. I kneeled down beside the little girl about the same age as them. I said, "Don't let anyone try to convince you that you can't do anything because you're female. Start a band, write a book, be a doctor, change the world."

She hugged me. She was a precious little thing. She whispered, "Thank you, sir. Have a lovely day."

I smiled as she ran over towards Pete. I walked back over to my lawn chair. I enjoyed the view. The view of a little girl kicking ass at soccer against all the boys who think they are much superior than her. They aren't as superior as the skyscrapers in downtown Chicago or as superior as men of this age think they are. Times have changed. Women have changed this world just as much as the men. The men will never be as superior as they believe. They need to be put in their place.

It was break time for practice now. Pete jogged over to me. He kissed my cheek. I asked, "What was that for?"

He smiled, "I know what you did for Rosaline."

I shrugged, "Just doing what I think is right and just."

He chuckled, "Patrick Stump you are such a feminist."

I rolled my eyes while laughing. The children ate their snacks. I was normally a big fan of kids, but these...these were rich little snotty ass kids who ate like sticky little pigs. Disgusting. Except the little girl, Rosaline. Who ate politely beside me with a napkin.

We were chatting for a little bit about comics. She seems like a huge tomboy. According to her we are now "besties." I laughed. She was pretty adorable. Pete commented, "So you made a new friend?"

I chuckled, "I guess so."

He smiled, "Do you mind if I borrow her for the rest of practice?"

I nodded and waved bye to her as she walked with Pete towards the field. What a precious soul she was. Pete even more precious when he picked her up and set her on his shoulders. I watched carefully as the children played and Pete taught them. He was so great with kids.

I sat there observing from afar the practice until it ended. Rosaline was the first to leave. She ran up to me for a hug and I hugged her back. Pete walked over to me, taking my hand, "So what do you want to do for the remaining time of the day?"