on the soccer team. In gym class she introduced Andie to James. James had brown eyes, a slim figure, dark brown hair, and was very athletic. He was a striker for the boys’ soccer team and was as big as a fan of Chelsea as Andie was. Karla and James both told her to try out, but Andie told them about her father.
With that he understood what it was and what had happened before he got there. He said, “I can’t believe you signed it, Ellie!” “She didn’t. I did, son,” Dan said. “Why would you?” After you know what it did to me?”
“You shouldn’t have to hide your talent and passion for the game because of your father’s past,” James said. “You are talented and play really well—I’ve seen it!” Karla agreed and added, “We have both seen you in gym class and we saw you the other day at the park playing with some guys. You are a good player!” On the way home, Andie kept thinking about what Karla and James told her earlier. She went back to school and talked to the soccer coach and asked if it was too late to get a form to sign up. They had a long talk in Coach Durham’s office, but the conversation concluded with Durham saying, “One of your guardians has to sign the form to let you play.” Andie knew that would be a problem. Tryouts were on December 1st. They were to be held on an indoor field in the Kansas City Soccer Dome. This was two days away. When Andie got home her grandfather, Dan, was in the living room with her mother. They were watching television and Andie told them she had to talk to them before her dad got home from work. Andie told them about the soccer team, the conversation with her friends and with the coach. She said, “So can you understand where I’m coming from and sign the form? I only have until tomorrow to turn it in.” A few moments later, Frank stepped in and saw the paper in Andie’s hands and the happiness in her face.
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Dan got up and said, “It’s time you stop living in the past. You enjoyed that game as much as Andie does now, and it is time you let her live her dreams. She loves that game as much as you did, and part of me still thinks you do, Frank.” With those words Frank stormed out of the living room. Andie didn’t care. The next day at school she told James and Karla what happened, while the three of them walked to turn in the form. They went to classes and Andie could not hide the happiness and excitement from her face. During lunch, one of the girls from the team, Ashley, sat next to James. She told James and Karla, “You might want to tell your friend to watch out at tryouts tomorrow because I am the best on the team and you both know it! I’ve been MVP in the outdoor league twice!” She laughed and walked off. Both James and Karla told Andie not to pay attention to her, but all that did was make Andie more determined than ever. Finally, tryouts came. When she got to the dome, Andie began to feel the nerves. Some of the guys from the boys’ team went to see the tryouts, so James went to support Andie. They started warming up, ran a couple of laps, and did some drills. Andie did well in everything, and Ashley wasn’t so happy about it. The final part was a scrimmage game and Andie was placed as a striker. She had confidence in herself and managed to score two goals.
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