Chapter nineteen
I walked into Jill's room, hoping that she would listen to my proposal.
"Jill?," I asked knocking on her door.
She looked at me and smiled. "Come in Ashlyn. What can I do for you today?"
"I want to join the team again" Jill coughed and looked at me like I was crazy. " Um what?"
"You heard me I want to join the team again. I'm caught up on all the stuff you do. Hope is in trouble at the moment. I know everything so let me be back on it."
"No." I looked at her like she grew two heads. "What do you mean no?"
"You heard me." she said getting up from her desk. "You know damn well that the federation would not allow you to play!"
"Then we would have to prove them wrong! I'm stronger than I was before I left. The goal keeper coachs have been helping with with my technique. I can do this! I want to prove them wrong..I want to show them that even though I walked away from something to accomplish something else I can still come back, and come back even stronger."
Jill paused for a minute. "Okay. You'll start on Friday. You can't tell anyone, I want it to be a surprise for the team the media and especially the federation."
"Jill you are the best!" I ran to her and gave her a huge hug. She looked and me and laughed "anytime."
_____
Today was the day. Today was the day I was going to play my first game in over 5 years. The only other player that knew what was happening was Alyssa, because she was gonna fake being injured so I would be able to play.
Announcer
Hello and welcome to the USWNT Vs Puerto Rico. Today's line up is
Alex Morgan
Crystal Dunn
Carli Lloyd
Morgan Brian
Tobin Heath
Allie Long
Kelley O'Hara
Ali Kreiger
Becky Sauerbrunn
Julie Johnson
Meghan klingenberg
Alyssa Naeher was going to play tonight, but we just got word that she got injured during warm-ups and will not play tonight.
We have not gotten word on who is taking her place tonight, but here comes the girl walking out of the tunnel.
It looks like the US still have no golie in sight. Who is going to be replacing Alyssa tonight?
Oh look Someone coming out of the tunnel! WAIT! It can't be, but it is! It's Ashlyn Harris the girl who walked away 5 years ago to join the army.
As I stepped onto the pitch all my eyes could do was scan the crowd and see everyone in surprise that I was going to be playing again.
The girls had shocked expressions and huge smiles on their faces, and clapped as I walked to stand with them in the line.
Soon the national anthem played and then it was game time.
_____
We won with a 1-0 score. I forgot how hard it was, and I ended up making couple mistakes and having to make some really hard saves.
As I got dressed and came out of the locker room I saw Jill with 2 people from the soccer federation. Jill gave me a 'just come with us' look. Next thing I know I am sitting up in one of the press boxes.
"Ashlyn do you know why you are here?" the blonde lady asked. "Probably because I played in the game and I had a shut out."
"You are very correct," the man said looking stright at Jill.
Before he could say anything to her I stepped in. "Woah woah woah. Do not be blaming this on Jill. She told me no in the first place, but I insisted on it. She told me no because she knows you would never let me play again. But this is her team and she let me play. Not because I came home from Iraq and I deserve to be treated special, but because when I came back I told Jill I wanted to try and be on this team again. I have practiced and practiced and practiced with this team to get me back to where I am today. I've had no special treatment I have been treated like the team. So if you decide that I shouldn't play then tell me, but Jill should not be getting in trouble for this."
The two people looked at me with shocked expressions. Until finally the blonde lady spoke. "It seems like you have a special bond with the team and Jill. We are going to let you stay on this team, but if you or Jill pull another stunt like you did tonight both of your jobs will be on the line."
"Thank you. Thank you so much." I said shaking the man and the woman hand.
As soon as the left me and Jill looked at Eachother and began to laugh. We walked out of the room and started on our way to the bus for a fun night.