The Wait Is Over

Requiem For A Champion

While their parents shared memories of Christie with one another, the 99ers' progeny caught up on their own, as their face-to-face encounters had been rare since their mothers retired from the national team.

Keegan Markgraf (to Rylie Rampone): When Mom told me that Cap was dying, I thought about you and Reece and wondered how I'd react and feel if either her or my dad were in that position. Being the oldest, I also thought about the twins and what they might go through in that kind of situation. How are you holding up?

Rylie: Fairly well. The two of us knew around Memorial Day that time was running out for Mom and Carli Lloyd asked her on our behalf if she would consider stepping away so that her last days could be spent with us and not struggling with her illness.

Madden Loyden came over to join the conversation, standing next to Reece and allowing her to rest her head against his shoulder. Rylie introduced him to Keegan and the two boys shook hands before Madden chimed in.

Madden: Aunt Jill and Aunt Carli spent a lot of time with Christie in her last months, and it allowed me to get to know Reece and Rylie. I hope that their dad will help them get better like Aunt Jill and my grandma helped me to get better after I was told that my mom was killed by my dad.

Keegan walked over to Madden and slung an arm over his shoulders. "Being too young to know what had happened must have been a very difficult thing for you, especially something like that."

Madden: It was, but how they cared for me helped me help Reece in dealing with her feelings and hurt over her mom's condition.

Isabel Sawyers came over and, after trying to tickle Keegan, whisked Rylie away for a bit of girl time.

Madden: Despite Rylie saying that things are going well, she is really hurting. She won't tell anyone, because she believes she has to stay strong for Reece. Maybe she'll talk to you about it.

Keegan: I can give it a try after she returns with Izzy.

Keegan's brother and sister, Xavier and Carson, and Isabel's brother Declan came over to the others and teased Keegan about his obvious crush on Rylie, to which he mussed his brother's hair. Isabel and Rylie returned, after which Rylie asked Keegan if they could talk somewhere more private. The pair of them stepped outside the funeral home and went around to the side of it.

Keegan: What's up?

Rylie: I need to get away from here. The memories of my mom are just so fresh and I've had nightmares both before she went into hospice as well as the last few nights.

Keegan opened his arms and Rylie sank into them, crying on his chest. Keegan's cousin, Patrick, along with his girlfriend Morgan, arrived at the funeral home and saw the two teenagers embracing. They smiled at one another and Patrick made a note to talk to Keegan at some point and suggested to Morgan that she have a word or two with Rylie.

***

Carli and Jill were conversing with Yael, Steph, Heather, Tobin Heath, and Meghan Klingenberg. The five Jersey Girls brought up important times with Cap, including the picture the six of them took following the US/Korea match at Red Bull Arena in 2013. Steph and Meghan listened intently as the five of them shared stories about their beloved friend and leader, supporting their partners as best as they could. As the time was drawing near for the funeral to begin, several of the group took some steps forward in front of the rest.

Steph: Yael, you know that Kyah has moved out and gone to Orlando to spend the rest of the season with Alanna, right?

Yael: Yes. She came in to see Lee and John the day after she left Aussie camp to ask out of her loan.