A Slice of Orange

Teammates

by

Lori Pyne

The first and second grade boys charged down the field in pursuit of the soccer ball. On the sideline, I shouted, groaned and cheered along with the rest of the parents as we watched our boys play their last game of the season.

Although no official score was kept, everyone knew the results of each game. An invisible grapevine wove its way between the players, coaches and parents. Somehow our team had made it to the end of the season undefeated. The only team to have done so.

As my son raced after the pack, his grin was bright enough to light the field. Although he had not grasped all of the subtleties of the game, he knew he needed to be with the group. As a ball bounced off of him and rolled in the correct direction, the other parents joined me in cheering.

At each break, the coached asked the boys who would now like to be goalie. A few hands raised, my son’s included. Usually the coach’s eyes skimmed past my son’s eager wave. That last game, he stared at my enthusiastic boy. Was he certain he wanted to be goalie? A red shirt was tugged over his head after his shouted yes.

Our side was quiet as we watched my proud child jog to the goalie box. I abandoned my canvas seat and trailed after him. From my position at the end of the field, I repeatedly shouted at him to pay attention to the game. My screaming did not dim his joy nor improve his focus. While the other team drove the ball down the field, my son turned around and watched the skateboarders race behind the goal.

One of his teammates raced ahead and turned the ball from my son. As the pack moved back toward the other goal, his teammate stayed back. He stationed himself beside my son. My son mimicked his stance, leaning forward, hands on knees, glaring down the field. His teammate stayed with him the rest of the game, defending the goal while my son took the penalty kicks.

As we walked off the field at the end of the game, I asked my son’s teammate if the coach had asked him to help out at the goal. He shook his head and explained that it looked like my son could use the help, so he stayed with him.

How much better the world would be if everyone responded to signs of need with a generous heart and a willing spirit.

On this Thanksgiving weekend, may each hand you meet be stretch out in friendship.

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Lori Pyne is a member of OCC, and a multi-tasking volunteer. She is currently serving as one of our Online Class Moderators, Guest Reception Coordinator and Coordinator for the Book Buyers’ Best Contest for published authors. She is married with one son, and works full time for an entertainment law firm.