Wild Thing

-7-

The next several days were busy for Kasey, and between her placement, going to school, training and work, she felt like she had barely seen her daughter.

As she stumbled through her normal morning routine, drinking her coffee while making and packing lunches, she couldn't help but feel guilty about how little one on one time she had spent with Kylie. She knew the day had finally arrived for Kylie's soccer tryouts, and even though Jen had spent all her free time the last few days practicing with her, she was nervous about her daughter's chances of making the team.  

She went about her routine of showering, getting dressed and ready and then waking up Kylie. 

"All ready for today, Ky?" 

As Kylie shovelled in a mouthful of cereal, she nodded. "Yep, Jen showed me some tricks." 

"I'm really sorry that I could be there to practice with you." 

"It's okay, Mom. I know you were really busy, and Jen told me that you were working extra to be able to buy me some new cleats." 

"Oh, she did, did she? Remind me to have a chat with her about that." 

Kasey's phone starting buzzing, and she couldn't help but laugh at the messages that Jen had sent her and Kylie wishing the younger Wild well for her tryouts and reminding her that she needed to know the outcome immediately. 

"Finish getting ready, kiddo and then it's time to head off to school. Don't forget to pack your shin guards." 

"Everything is already in my bag, Mom, including a water bottle." 

As the car pulls to a stop out front of Kylie's school, Kasey undoes her belt and reaches over to give her one last hug before wishing her good luck and reminding her to call or message when they were over. 

With it being Kasey's long day of classes, she wasn't done school until almost 6 and then did her best to eat a little something and drink some water before heading straight to her team's soccer practice from 7 to 9:00. 

As she made her way to the dome and checked her phone, she didn't have any new messages or calls from her Mom, so she could only assume that Kylie's tryouts didn't go so well and that they were most likely at home curled up with a bowl of ice cream. 

Her coach noticed that she wasn't playing up to her usual standard during the first part of the session called her over to the sideline, "Wild, get your butt over here." 

Kasey jogged over and stood in front of the coach, "Yes, Coach?" 

"What's going on with you tonight? You're missing plays that usually you'd be all over." 

"I'm sorry; my daughter Kylie was trying out for her school's team today, and I haven't heard from her how she did." 

"Regardless of what else is currently going on in your life, I need you to focus and get your head in the game or else you may find yourself starting Saturday's game on the bench." 

It wasn't lost on Kasey that her Coach had basically just told her that she was starting their first game of the season. "Yes, Coach, I'll do better." 

The Coach nodded, and Kasey returned to her place on the field and in line for the drill. 

A whistle sounded, and they were called over for a team water break and then thrown coloured pennies to designate teams for a scrimmage to finish out the session. 

Kasey was squirting some water in her mouth when she heard someone yell out, "Mom, Mom!" Jen smacked her shoulder and smiled as she pointed down the sideline towards the door.