Page 54 of Nailing Heat
I nod.
“I wanted to help with your swelling. Once we get done with Dr. Haldman, we’ll see what he prescribes or if wants me to write for you.”
I nod again and lie back, waiting for him to strap the brace onto my knee. I think back to when it happened, remembering how I rushed for the ball, just as I had the first time she challenged me. That one didn’t end in injury though; I just ate some turf. I try to remember if she hit me differently or if I could have planted another way, but nothing comes to mind. I cover my hands with my face. The lights above me are fluorescent and feel harsh as I lie there under them. So many thoughts are going through my mind right now. Will I ever be able to play again? How bad is the damage? Am I going to require surgery? How am I going to do this on my own?
You would think being the member of a big family would mean lots of hands to help you. But in my case, that won’t happen. I don’t want my parents or any of my brothers to come here. The only thing they would do is remind me that this type of career is not permanent and then where will I be when it’s over.I’m already injured, so my time is running out. No, that is not the type of motivation that I need right now.
I get why they say it, though. My dad is a cautionary tale; the injured football player in college who lost his scholarship and education when he had a career-ending injury his junior year. He was so close to the career that he wanted- only four semesters to go. But fate had other plans and my dad ended up out of college with a long recovery ahead of him. He would have had to start the semester over again because he missed so much school. And there was no money for that. The athletics department tried to help him, but it was out of their hands. So, he returned home with no education and a bum shoulder that bugs him to this day.
The “I told you so’s” are too much for me to bear. I can’t do it.
“Alright, let’s get you to the car. August was kind enough to pull my car around for us.” Dex gently takes my arm and helps me sit up. “Easy there, nice and slow.”
“What, you don’t want to carry me?” I tease him, remembering the gentle way that he carried me across the field without waiting for the medical cart like most trainers do.
He chuckles. “No, this time I think you can walk. And I only carried you because who knows when the cart would have been back. I wanted you out of there as soon as I could, so that I could examine you. Plus, I didn’t like you lying there like that on the field; all exposed and crying out in pain.”
I reach out and grab for his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I appreciate that.”
“You bet,” he tells me, releasing my hand and placing the pair of crutches in front of me. “Now, I need you to see if you can stand on these and scoot to the car. Think you can do that? If not, I have a wheelchair that we could use.”
“No, let’s do the walking thing. It should be so much fun,” I tell him, the sarcasm heavy in my voice.
“I’ll be right here the whole time,” he promises.
We make our way slowly into the hallway. I wobble a bit onthe crutches, getting the rhythm of scooting forward little but little. I haven’t been on crutches much, but I still remember how much they suck. I look down the hallway, and I can’t believe what I am seeing. There stands my team, lining the hallway on both sides. I scoot down the hall, and they start clapping for me. There are calls and cheers of “We love you” and “You got this.” I grin at them as I hobble by in shock and awe of the display.
“Thank you,” I say to them as I pass. Tears are pricking my eyes.
We reach the end of the line and out step Cassie, Mac and Hendrix.
“You’re going to be okay, Amelia. I love you,” Cassie tells me.
“If you need anything, and I mean anything at all, please let me know. We’re all here for you. Love you, girl.” Mac says when she squeezes me.
Hendrix steps up and pulls me into a hug. I teeter off balance a bit, but her strong hold on me keeps me upright. “I’m not the mushy type, but all of the stuff they said.” It makes me laugh to hear her say that to me. “And don’t worry, that girl got a red card. She was out of the game. We pulled off the win.”
I nod. “Awesome.”
She pats me on the shoulder and says, “Your white knight is waiting for you.”
I look over and see that Dex had taken a few steps away from me. As soon as our eyes meet, he’s back at my side. He nods and I keep on moving past the coaches, who are all wishing me well.
I stop and turn once we’re at the end of the sendoff. “Thank you all for this. I really appreciate it. I’ll keep you all posted.”
“It was a hell of a game on your part, kiddo,” Coach Watts says. “You don’t worry about updating anyone. I’m sure Dex can let me know and I’ll send it though the chain.”
I nod. “Thanks, Coach.”
“You betcha.” He pats me on the shoulder, and I take that as my cue to head out.
I do my best of get out of the building without crying any more than I already have.
“It’s going to be fine,” Dex tells me as he loads me into his car. Andie has followed us out and is watching me carefully.
“You’re doing great, Amelia,” she tells me.
“Thanks,” I say, shooting her a sad smile.
