Page 52 of Nailing Heat
“Okay,” he sighs deeply and scrubs a hand down his face. “I get it. I’m nervous because she’s my first injury on this team. She’s the best center back I’ve got. I kinda need her to be okay.”
I nod. “I get it. But standing here, hovering and questioning my process is not going to make things any easier for her.”
“Got it. I’ll go address the team.” He moves towards the door and stops, pausing to look at Andie. “Let me know when you know something.”
She nods slowly. “I will.”
“Let’s move that knee and see what we are dealing with.” I approach the table and see the fear in her eyes. “It’s going to be okay.” I shake my head and say. “No, let’s be honest, it’s going to fucking hurt. But I have to do it. We have to see if this requires an ortho doctor’s visit or just a brace.”
“Thanks for not sugarcoating this on my account,” she replies, her voice trembling.
“I never saw the point in bullshitting my athletes when they ask how much this is going to hurt.”
I place my hands on the sides of her knee, our eyes lock and she nods. Slowly, I move the knee, the first thing I hear is her moaning in pain, then I feel the popping in there and notice how stiff it is. The leg will not extend the whole way. It’s like it’s locked in place. It’s then I stop and put my hands on the table on either side of her leg.
I close and open my eyes a few times, thinking of the best way to deliver this news to her. God, I hate that it has to be me.
Her season is fucked. How do you say that to someone whose whole world is soccer? It’s apparent from all the soccer pictures, collectables and awards that are in her bedroom and the main living areas.
“Just say it.” Her words sound like they are full of tears.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, unsure why this news is so hard for me.
“Dex,” Andie says gently.
“Yeah, well, I think that your meniscus is torn. I think it’s an outer tear, which may not require surgery. It could heal on its own, but I’m sorry to have to say this to you Amelia, you have no idea how sorry, but your season is officially over.”
I let the words sink in. While I’ve never had to give season-ending news in the NFL, I knew enough to wait and let them sit with news. Let it sink in before I begin rambling again.
Andie looks at me and points to the door. I nod. I move tothe cabinets and pull out a hinged knee brace that Amelia will need to wear.
“Are you sure?” A shaky voice says from my table.
“Yeah, Amelia, I’m pretty sure. I’d want to get you an MRI but yeah, I think it will show that it’s a torn meniscus. The doctor can say for sure if you’ll need surgery, but if I’m right on the location, you shouldn’t. Just rest, ice and eventually some physical therapy.”
That’s when it happens.
That’s when she crumbles.
Amelia’s hands hide her face as she sobs. I’m moving before I even realize it. I take her in my arms and press her gently against my chest. I stroke the long blonde ponytail and make soft cooing sounds.
“This isn’t fair,” she finally says.
“I know. It never is.”
“That stupid fucking girl, if only she hadn’t taken me out so hard,” she sniffles.
“I know. I hope she got a card for that,. The bitch had one coming.”
That makes her laugh. “Stop, no calling her that.”
“You’re right, sorry. Just anything to hear you laugh right now.”
A throat-clearing behind me causes me to stop and remove my arms from her body.
“I wanted to see how she was,” August says from the doorway. There’s a curious smile on his face, and I hope he doesn’t say any more about how he found us.
“I think she may have torn her meniscus, it’s an outer tear so no surgery, maybe. But her season is done, August.” I delver the news straight. No sense in beating around the bush about it. I’ve also found through the sports psychology classes that I took that giving it to everyone straight and repeating it the same way helps them accept it.
