The Wait Is Over

Breaker Breaker

Two floors up at the Aloft Cleveland Downtown, a handful of the Canadians were in Steph and Shelina's room, at the beckoning of the goalkeeper.

Steph: I figured that I should have all of you here at once, so I'm not asked several times about this morning. We got some less-than-happy news at our appointment. Deborah isn't growing like she used to. The doctor said that she thinks it might be a pause or that she will end up being a little smaller than originally thought, but Yael is really worried something is wrong, and I am a bit, too.

Shelina: Wrong as in deformity or wrong as in losing it?

Steph: I don't know. She's still two months from the due date, and Sara recommended some dietary changes as well as de-stressing techniques. Yael was wondering if all the stress from this summer might have messed things up. The two deaths and the on-going saga of her juggling me and Aaron really has taken a toll on her. I'm going to fill Rhi and Carm in on it tomorrow morning and ask if I can be released after the Saturday match so we're able to spend a few days together before the prep starts for the Eastern final.

Jessie: If you talk to her tonight, tell her that I'm thinking of her.

Allysha: Same for me, Steph.

Steph: I will.

Becca: Is anyone back in Boston to keep an eye on her?

Steph: Clare is around, and I'm sure Julie will check on her at training. Besides that, not really.

Becca: I'll pop EJ a note and see if she and Sarah are able to monitor her with you gone.

Steph: Thanks, Quinny. Keep forgetting that you and them are pals.

After the five of them captured Steph in a group hug of support, their captain decided to change the subject.

Shelina: It's the first real night of US/Canada camp, so things are a little quiet. You know the business will pick up as we get closer to Saturday. Anyone worried about the rivalry going too far, or is all the guff going to be saved for World Cup qualifying in a few weeks?

Steph: I play how I play, so if I accidentally offend someone because I'm a little bit happy about a great save or am encouraging the back line, then it's their problem.

Jessie: Mal and I haven't talked about it yet, but I hope that cooler heads prevail over these two matches, especially the one in Hamilton. My family is coming over from London for the game. She, your sisters and folks going?

Shelina: They never tell me anything, you know that. I'm sure they're planning to surprise me, although showing up for a game a little over an hour away from home is no real surprise.

Allysha: Mine will be there. Becca, I'm presuming yours will, too.

Becca: Yes, although I asked Jillian to wear Christina's jersey instead of mine in the name of keeping the peace,

Jessie: The Cleveland match will be the rougher of the two, I think, because both teams will want to win so badly, the US for their fallen former captain, and us to send a message before we hopefully play them in San Diego for the Gold Cup title.

Steph: What's the itinerary for our Breaker teammates coming in for Saturday's game?

Allysha: Julie told me that she was planning to get in on Friday so her and Alyssa could have dinner together before they go into lock-down that night.

Jessie: Morgan and Patrick I think will come in sometime Saturday with his family, Keegan, and Rylie, since it's give or take three hours from Detroit to here. The four of them are supposed to be doing a tour of Michigan on Friday since the two kids are starting to look at colleges.