Thank you, Kelley

Chapter 44

Meghan's POV:

Kelley, Becky, Moose, and I wander around Target getting a few things we need for the house. I don't know what the two of them need but I am here for the snacks. The two of them are woefully healthy and I can't take it anymore. I have already chosen many childhood favorites and added them to the cart much to Kelley's disapproval.

We finish up our shopping and head to the front of the store to check out. As we approach We can hear an older gentleman yelling at one of the cashiers. He is very upset and is saying some extremely unkind things to the young teenage girl working the register.

Before I even realized it, Moose had stopped walking and licked my hand continuously. His signal for an oncoming panic attack. I try desperately to focus on him but it's not working. The scene in front of me has now changed to my old home. Greg's voice now echoes through my mind.

I am vaguely aware of other people's voices and arms as they lead me out of the main aisle and over to a less crowded one to have some privacy.

Somehow I am now sitting on the floor with my back against one of the shelves. Moose lays in my lap licking my hands and face. Kelley's arms wrap around my shoulder and Becky kneels in front of me.

"Shhh... It's ok. You're safe." I finally come around enough to remember what is going on.

"Are you alright?" Kelley asks softly. I just nod and continue to pet moose. He really does wonders for me. If he wasn't here to do this I probably would have ended up passing out in the middle of the open part. I also wouldn't come around this quickly afterward.

Kelley has Becky go pay for our stuff while I sit for a few more minutes. Eventually, we make our way back out to the car and back home. I am back to my normal self by the time we arrive.

We have a fun time making homemade pizzas for dinner. Eventually, we all part ways to do our own separate things. I decided to get some practice in. I head out to the small yard in the back of our house. It is big enough to put a small net up so we can practice our shots. I really appreciate having it here. I found one of our older soccer balls and brought Moose out with me.

I often let him play around with me. He has a blast chasing after the ball and it lets him get some playtime in and not be constantly working. Also as it turns out the best way to improve your footwork is to play against a retriever. I end up kicking the ball around with him for a while before he gets tired. He finds himself a comfy spot on one of the patio chairs while I continue to practice.

I am starting to practice with my new team tomorrow and am quite nervous. Not about playing but about the social aspect.

I kick the ball into the back of the net.

What if the girls are mean and don't want a new teammate?

Another ball in the net.

What are they going to say about Moose? They are going to judge me so much just like everyone does.

Another ball in the net.

What if I have a panic attack in front of them all? They are going to think I'm crazy. I really don't want to deal with all these questions.

Another ball in the net.

What are they going to think when they find out I don't have parents and live with Kelley. Are they going to treat me differently?

"Meghan?" I hear a quiet voice from the patio. I recognize it to be Becky's. She pulls me out of my own head and I look around and realize it's dark.

She stands there in her sweatshirt and her pajama shorts.

Oops... how long have I been out here? I have no clue what time it is.