The Player's Cry (#WPSLoveSongContest)

The Player's Cry

Based on the song "Cry" by Mandy Moore...

"Hey Fleas!"

Lisa turned in dismay, rolling her eyes and waving a hand to dismiss the flushed and muddy rugby player rushing by on the pitch below.

Curtis, her best friend's cousin, the intolerable flirt, first-rate player and all around infamous drunken party hosting boy, who just happened to sit behind her in French class, loved to tease her. Never would she live down the day the teacher accidently combined Lise and Felicite, hers and a classmate's French names, into what sounded like "fleas".

She sighed as Rachel and Aaron laughed. Her two best friends. They were so sweet together after finding love at that Ugly Sweater Christmas party. She was happy for them, but was lonely in many ways and ready to find someone who cared about her.

Aaron had promised Curtis they would watch him play. How these boys could enjoy playing such a rough sport, she would never understand, but it was exciting to watch. And as much as Curtis made her absolutely crazy with his teasing, her attention was drawn to him on the field. He had a presence about him showing natural leadership and a grace to his movements that made him easy to watch. So, on this very overcast late spring afternoon she enjoyed cheering the team to victory with Curtis scoring the winning points of the match.

While walking to the car for some much needed pizza she realized her bag was still on the bleachers. Promising to meet everyone there, she jogged back to the field. It was deserted by now and she paused, enjoying the silence and stillness of a place that just a short time before had been lit up loud with cheers and raucous life.

Skirting around and behind the bleachers to look at the mural recently painted by the art students, she saw a familiar figure leaning against the wall. He was quiet, still, his head tilted back, staring up at the dark gray sky as if searching for answers.

"Curtis?" she questioned softly.

He jumped and turned away wiping his eyes with his sleeve, which only meant...

"Curtis, are you...?"

"Fine. I am fine Lisa. You can go now."

"No, I won't go. What is it?"

She placed her hand gently on his arm wondering at her own response. When he turned in surprise their eyes met.

She sucked in a quick breath. His eyes were red rimmed and bleary. He looked so sad, but beyond that, while she had been this close to him before, never had she noticed how big and expressive his eyes were. It was as if she could see deep inside where his pain and a plea for understanding lived. For a moment they were connected and the essence of him washed over her. The word 'forever' popped into her head but she brushed it away.

How ludicrous! This wasn't some sappy hero in a romance novel! This was Curtis, the never be serious, the never without his smile, 100% class clown.

She knew then she had misjudged him. Perhaps the flirting and partying was just to hide emotions in places no one would find.

"I..." His eyes went to the ground then back to hers. He took a deep breath and she waited holding her own as if breathing would discourage him from sharing.

"My mom has cancer."

She gasped and the hand on his arm, as if it had a mind of its own, slid down to his fingers and held onto them tightly. That seemed to break the dam in him and she was amazed to see tears run down his handsome face and his voice break in a sob as the words rushed out.

"Her treatments started today. She made me come and play. It is the first game she has ever missed and I...." he gasped, "I cannot help but wonder if she will ever be able to see me play again."

"Oh Curtis," she gushed in sympathy, "I am so sorry. I had no idea."

She was amazed at the thoughts and feelings pulsing through her. She wanted to hold him, she wanted to make it go away, she suddenly wanted to know more about him, but most of all she wanted to make his everything, all right.

He nodded and she continued, "I am sure she will see you play again. I have met your mom and seen her at your games. She never does anything halfway. I would call her absolutely fierce in her love for you. Remember last month when she climbed over the railing and got in the referee's face when they called that infraction on you?"

They both laughed at the memory. The referee had almost run off the field in fear. Still smiling, she tugged on his hand, amazed she was still holding it. Normally very shy around boys, she felt different around him, she somehow felt completely comfortable in his presence. A depth of emotion welled up within her that she didn't quiet understand. She just knew she was changed.

But she could only say, "I am sure your mom will fight this with every fiber in her being."

He smiled at her. "Thanks Lisa. I appreciate your listening. Please don't say..."

"Say what? I never saw anything. I just came back to get my bag and luckily found the star of our rugby team who needed pizza desperately."

He grinned. "Yeah, I am pretty hungry."

"Well, come on!"

She started walking but was suddenly jerked back finding herself cradled in his strong arms. The clean scent of him fresh from his post game shower surrounded her. He bent his head down towards her ear and she couldn't breathe again. This time for a very different reason. His breath tickled and she felt him chuckle as he whispered...

"You are amazing...Fleas!"

Funny how she found that nickname didn't bother her quite so much now.

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