Writing about Soccer being everything for a family.
Soccer is the only family sport. What I mean by that is that my whole family plays soccer. If you can’t, then you are the “Water-boy.” Something no one wanted to be. There was only one person who couldn’t play like everyone else, my cousin Jake. Jake was the only one that has ever gotten hurt playing. So, he doesn’t play anymore due to the doctor’s orders. He has a son who plays in the kid’s game. Then there is an adult game. I aged out of the kid's game, but because I’m a girl, I can’t play in the adult game. It has nothing to do with sex; it is mainly when the games are going on the girls are busy, but I will be the first girl to play on the adult team. My dad told Jake that I could play really well. I had made the state team. Uncle Jack said that I could play with them if the women didn’t need help. So, this is where my story starts.
“Aunt Menie, can I go play soccer now?” I ask for the tenth time. She sighs, looking at my mother, and she sighs too. I knew that sigh. I wasn’t going to able to.
“Jaz, you know why we don’t play anymore, right?” Aunt Menie says. “if we were playing who would make sure the kids get feed and make sure there are no fights. I understand that it is hard to go from playing to not playing, but that’s what we got to do.”
“Aunt Menie, I made the state team, so I need to keep playing so I can stay in shape. So, I am not like you guys,” I say pointedly. When she sighs, I get up and walk away. “You don’t understand and never will. I’m going to for a walk.” I leave the house with my mother saying okay. I can’t believe that they think I should entirely quit because I am an adult. Being over the age of 18 doesn’t mean anything. I should be able to play soccer no matter what age I am. I remember when I was about 7 years old, mom and dad used to play soccer with me. They always told me that I could do anything that I wanted if I put my mind to it. My mother wasn’t born into this family, my father was. So, she doesn’t understand everything that they do. When we go over to her family, they let me play soccer with the adults. I know every family is different, but why can’t I play with them? None of this makes sense to me, and it never will. I wish my dad’s family understood that soccer is my favorite thing to play. I hate cooking, and I also hate feeling left out.
“Ma’am, are you okay?” Someone says from behind me. I turn and see Kyle Bell, a famous soccer player, I slowly nod, not knowing why he stopped to talk to me, I’m a nobody. “Then, why are you crying?” Am I crying? I reach up to around the bottom of my eyes and feel wetness. My eyes widen, I didn’t know I was crying.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stop you.” I say quickly, hoping he would just leave.
“It was no problem. I can’t stand seeing a beautiful girl crying. I have to make her smile.” He says, reaching out and wiping the tears from the other side of my face. “Aren’t you Jazlyn from the Penko’s women’s state team?” my head snaps up.
“You know of me? I just made the team. I didn’t think my name would be spoken by someone of your level.” I ramble on. He lifts a finger to my lips, stopping me from talking.
“Just because I am at a higher level doesn’t mean I don’t watch the state level of soccer. I also know the owner, and he spoke really highly of you. Did you know that you are the only girl that made the team this year?” Am I? I thought there were better candidates than myself. I messed up a few times, and the others didn’t. “I saw you’re tape that you sent in. You are very passionate about soccer. My younger sister is on the team. Since you have practice on Monday, tell her I said hi, her name is Kaylie. Well, I have to go. Hopefully, my sister brings you around. See you later.” And he walks away, answering his phone.
“Jazlyn?” a woman says. “I can’t believe It. I can’t believe you beat me out of that spot on the soccer team.” I turn and see Carly, my friend. “Why didn’t you tell me that you made the team?”
“Because when you told me that you didn’t make it, I felt as if I were to tell you that you would think I was rubbing it in your face,” I say, trying to cover my tracks.
“True, I would’ve thought that, but at the same time, I would’ve been happy for you. So, how’s your family taking the news.” She asks.
“Um, my mom and dad are happy for me, my Aunt Menie isn’t too happy about it. My cousin Jake is happy for me but thinks I should take a year off. To see if playing soccer is what I really want to do. My rest of the family doesn’t really care.” Most of that was true the only thing that I didn’t tell her was that all my friends that tried out have cut me off for making the team.
“That sounds like normal. Your Aunt Menie hate that you still play soccer, doesn’t she?” I nod. There isn’t much that I could say to that.
