Just Like Seven Years Ago

Lunch

Sunday rolls around, and I'm awakened by my friend, Vanessa. A short phone call to remind me we have game day with Tony, her son. He plays soccer, and we are his cheerleaders. I love doing it. I love seeing the smile on his seven year old face.

Rolling out of bed, I turn down my alarm clock, hating to see that it's already going on 9. Where did the time go? Was I so tired?  I have just enough time to wash one load of laundry and get myself together before it is game time. The game starts at 11 am. Usually, I cruise in about ten to the hour. Vanessa is always holding down a good seat for me. Plus, we are VIPS there. We're with the star player, or so he says.

Right on time, I pull up at 10:49. I park and quickly make my way over to Vanessa. Front row seats. Knew it! We hugged in greeting and chatted for a bit while the players were getting ready.

The game starts, and needless to say, we are doing a whole lot of cheering for Tony.

About twenty-five minutes through the game, I almost feel hoarse from all the screaming. Tony does really stand out from the others. The game has only a few minutes left. Yes, they will surely take the victory.

The game is over, and I hop off the stand, Vanessa towing, ready to find something to eat. My stomach is growling. I go to the first stand I see, and I can't help but notice the familiar face among the three little ladies ready to serve.

"Hi, there, Elsa. How are you?" I say in greeting.

She flashes me that million dollar smile, and I can't help but smile back at her and give her little cheek a gentle pinch.

"We are having a fundraiser. Want to support?"

She's all business minded. No hello. I better not waste her time.

"Of course, I do! What do you have?"

She steps from behind her stall to pinpoint their merchandise on their posters, "we have hotdogs. We have cakes, strawberry cakes," she looks back at me for emphasis.

I'm guessing it's a favorite of hers.

"We have lemon tarts, and we also have popcorn."

She steps back behind her stall, almost too short to be seen over her counter piece.

"Well, I will take two hotdogs for my friend and I, and I will take a slice of the str
awberry cake."

She smiles and jumps to full my order.
Before she is done filling my order, I hear a familiar voice behind me.

"What do I get free for bringing all this stuff for this stall?"

Elsa hands me my purchases and giggles in the direction of Jay.

As Jay reaches me, she wraps me in her embrace. It catches me off guard, but if my memory serves me right, she's a hugger.

"I didn't know you came to games. Kids?"

"Oh, no. I'm just the cheerleader for the star player."

We both laugh.

"I like that. So you been persuaded into buying from this stall?" she asks, nodding in the direction of my purchase.

"As a matter of fact, I am starving. This is the first stall, so I practically ran here. Didn't know

here would be in charge."

"Gosh, Kris, it's not even midday yet." Jay says, checking her watch.

I giggle, "well, I ran through my door without getting breakfast. Didn't want to be late for my cheering. Van would chew my head off."