Richelle Rooney (Liv & Maddie)

Slump-a-Rooney

Richelle POV

Maddie and I walked outside as we saw Parker fixing Joey's bike

"Varsity softball tryouts are coming up, and I need the backyard to practice." Maddie told them

"Forget it, Maddie. We were here first." Joey told her as he and Parker high fived. When Willow walked into the backyard

"Hi, Joey." Willow said smiling

"Oh, dear. Backyard is all yours, Maddie." Joey said as he picked up his bike and began riding it

"No, I wasn't finished!" Parker yelled as Joey crashed and screamed and a tire rolled towards us

"The backyard's all yours, Maddie." Parker said as he picked up the tire

I walked out my dance studio to see Maddie and Willow practicing

"Okay, Willow, ready? Focus. Fire one at me. Right here." Maddie told her as she pitched the ball and smashed the pot

"Perfect If you were playing "smash that pot." I told her

"Willow, you've been in a slump for days." Maddie told her

"I just can't concentrate." Willow told her

"Okay, well, softball tryouts are this weekend, and if we want to be the first sophomores to make varsity,
then you gotta get your head in the game. What is your problem?" Maddie asked

"You know what? I just don't feel comfortable
talking about it." Willow told her

"Okay, well, we have to get to the bottom of whatever this is before tryouts. And if you're not willing to talk to me, then maybe we need some professional help." Maddie told her as the back door opened and mom ran out

"Did someone say "professional help"? It is finally happening." She said

I put on my jacket and leggings as mom drove us to her office at the school. Maddie, Willow, and I walked inside moms office

"Thank you for seeing me in my office." Mom told us

"Thank you for the ride." I told her as the three of us sat down

"Well, I thought we would be more comfortable here. And I thought you'd be more receptive to my words if you could see all my degrees." She said showing us all her college degrees

"So, Willow can't pitch." Mom asked

"Exactly. Fix her." Maddie told her

"So you tell me what is the first thing that pops into your head." Mom said showing her ink blots

"Joey." Willow said as mom showed her another one

"Joey." She said Again as mom showed her another one

"Joey on a horse that looks like Joey." She said

"Okay. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that this has something to do with Joey." Mom asked her

"Wow, you're good." Willow told her

"Joey? This whole thing is about Joey?" I asked her

"Richie, this is a safe place. We do not judge, even if it is the first place your brain wants to go." Mom told me

"Okay, so what is going on with you and Joey?" Mom asked her

"Nothing. That's the problem. It's springtime. Love is in the air, birds are chirping, but all I can think about is why doesn't my sweet little Joey bird chirp at me?" Willow said