Smashed Expectations

Chapter 16

"Alright, let's sort out the teams!" Matt yelled out when the food had been demolished. "Who's playing?"
The kids all jumped up, bouncing with their hands in the air.
"OK, sounds like we have a game. I'll referee. Let's get the game set out." Matt gestured towards a cart that was still full. The kids screamed and ran to it to pull out flags and long strips of cloth. A couple of uncles followed them and actually sorted out the flags to mark out the field.

"This is awesome isn't it?" Daniel spoke beside me. I looked next to me. He was grinning widely,
"Playing touch with this family. It's like a dream come true. I mean, that's Matty Taito. I didn't realise he was Marty Fatialofa's uncle, and now I'm playing a game of touch with their whole family. It's amazing." Daniel was gushing, star-struck. He threw his arm over my shoulders and planted a kiss on my hair, then let me go so he could jog out and help set out the field.

I sighed and stood up, then started collecting up the discarded paper plates.
"Hey Kate!" I looked over at the players. Marty was waving at me. "Come on! You're on my team."
I shook my head,
"I can't play!"
"Sure you can," Matt limped over. "It's only touch, they tap you and that's a tackle. You'll be fine. Just don't hurt the kids." He grinned and reached for my hand. "Come on, I'm the referee, I'll look after you. Besides, you're on Marty's team."
I looked over at the field where there was a mix of people. It looked and felt different to the competition I'd gone to as a teenager.
"Are you sure? I'm not sure I'm very good"
Matt squeezed my hand.
"It's just a bit of fun with the kids, nothing serious about this."
It was just like Daniel taking me out of my comfort zone, except with my permission... and maybe a lot of support. It felt good different.

Matt walked down to the make-shift field with me, and Marty handed me my tag. I lined up with the others on the field, and the game started.

Matt was right, it was fun. Marty and the other uncles and aunts hyped the kids up and pretended to trip each other up to let the tries happen for the kids. We all celebrated each try no matter the team. All except Daniel. He was getting a little frustrated. I could see him tensing up and clenching his fists wanting to get the ball. Then it happened.

I got the ball and saw a hole, with an Uncle in the way. The Uncle quickly grabbed a kid and chased me with her.
"You grab the tag!" He yelled at her, charging at me. She was giggling too much to do anything but hang on to his hands, so I dodged past them. Then I got hit by a big side tackle. I went flying into the sand and the ball bounced from my hands.
"Oh shit, Kate, I'm sorry!" Daniel sounded apologetic. I didn't move. The landing was soft, and the sand was warm, but I was winded. I couldn't get my body to breathe in. I felt someone roll me onto my side, and opened my eyes to look up at Marty's concerned face. I gaped my mouth open and closed like a dying fish, trying to work air into me. Slowly my lungs decided to work again, one breath at a time.
"Oh God," I groaned and tried to sit up.
"Wait, just relax for a moment. Don't move just yet," Matt's voice was calm and soft. I felt hands rubbing down my body, "let me know if anything feels weird."
I tried to wave him away, gasping for air into sore lungs.
"I'm fine. Just winded. Did I get the try at least?" I struggled into a seated position. Breathing felt easier when I was at least sitting.
"Yeah, I'll pay that." Matt chuckled, then he looked over at his family. "Does everyone agree?" He asked them.
"YES!" The kids chorused, to my weak laughter. Marty helped me up and I brushed some of the sand off me, then I looked at Daniel. He looked horrified, and just stood with his hands on his head.
"I'm so sorry, Kate. I don't know what came over me." He stepped forward and cupped my face. I laughed again, despite my sore ribs, and wiped the tears off my cheeks.
"Your competitive nature," I suggested. He smiled ruefully.
"I'll make it up to you." He promised, pulling me into him and kissing my forehead. My eyes flicked to Alani, and I noticed the dark disgruntled expression she was wearing.

"Game over people! Let's pack up and then we've got time for a swim." Matt bellowed, and then put his hand on my back to get my attention. "You sure you're OK? That was quite a hit you took."
I nodded at him.
"Alright, but you go sit with Mum. The rest of us can pack the game up."

I wasn't going to say no. The adrenaline was starting to wear off, and I could feel tears still running down my face as the pain and remnants from the fear of not being able to breathe was kicking in. Daniel walked beside me, one hand holding my hand and one hand on my back. Alani stood waiting behind a chair with a cloth in her hands
"Come sit, you all good?" She huffed with worry. I nodded, sitting in the chair. She put the cool cloth on my neck and handed Daniel a fan. "Keep the breeze up on her face. It's the least you can do for your lack of respect." She snapped. Concern was written across her face. Daniel took the fan and waved it at my face. He looked sorry, but his eyes kept flickering towards where the rest of the family was packing up. I knew he wanted to be in the action. I reached up and took the fan from him.
"Go help them." I sighed.
"You sure?"
I nodded. It felt like the blinkers were well and truly lifted. Daniel wasn't my safe place, I shouldn't have married him.

I sighed heavily and pushed myself to a stand as Daniel finally left. Alani frowned at me.
"I need to make a call," I explained opening my bag and pulling out my phone.
"You should be resting." She warned.
I smiled to show I heard, and appreciated her concern, but rang Allie anyway. She answered straight away and launched into a lecture straight away.
"So I've looked through everything and unless he's your brother, you were tricked or forced, or he's already married, which is highly unlikely because who would want to marry that Wanker, unfortunately, we're looking at a divorce." She rattled off without a breath. I sighed and sank down into the chair again.
"Hi Allie," I muttered
"Hi," she sounded bright and bubbly now that she'd gotten that off her chest. "I'm guessing I was right about your reason for calling?"
"Yeah,"
"So he didn't apologise?"
"No, he's apologised," I corrected her. "Well he said the words, and apparently that fixes everything."
Silence came from the other end of the phone, but I could feel her judgment.
"Last night we talked, and I had to remind him what my childhood was like... then he rang my parents," I admitted.
"He fucking what?" Allie growled in a low voice. I bit in my laughter. Allie was likely in the office, around both colleagues and customers.
"Are you sure about the annulment?" I asked. "Even if we haven't consummated the marriage?"
"One, Eww, you can do so much better than that man-child. And two, yeah, sorry love, but consummation of the marriage isn't required in Oz." Allie sounded sad by the end of her sentence.

I drew in a deep breath. It was time to stop living in a dream world that I wasn't sure I could get back into anyway.
"Can you draw up the divorce papers and find me a place to move to as soon as possible?" I asked.
"Definitely. I'm here for you." Allie's voice became definite. I closed my eyes and clenched my jaw on the emotions raging through me.
"You can stay with me when you get back" Allie continued. "I'm here for you."
I nodded even though Allie couldn't see. She had always been there for me. She was the first to help me access therapy, and then go no contact with my family.

I cleared my throat.
"How long?" I croaked out.
"You have to be separated for 12 months."
I nodded again
"OK," I whispered.
"Hey, you haven't got a house together, there's no kids, there's no main shared assets. 12 months is just a formality." Allie pointed out.
"I just feel like an idiot," I admitted.
A pair of warm arms reached around to cradle my shoulders.
"Hey, we all make mistakes. The important thing is that you fix them." Alani said in my ear as she hugged me.