Meetings.
Abby was making her way down the line of fans after an open practice. She was about to turn around and give herself a break when something caught her eye. A little girl, small in size, was hidden behind two older teenagers. She looked about thirteen and was all alone. Abby asked the two boys if they could move and stepped closer to the barrier to see the girl.
"Hey." Abby said.
"Hey, can I have your autograph?" The girl asked.
"Of course. Did you enjoy the practice?" Abby asked.
"Totally. I love watching the goalkeepers. Hope is so tall and she's strong and brave." The girl looked forwards the goal.
"Is she your favorite player?"
"She's the one I could relate to the most." Abby was shocked with the words that came out of the girls mouth.
"I can go get her. You remind me of her. You can talk to her." Abby said handing the girls ball backed to her after she signed it.
"Thanks. It means a lot." The girl said finally making eye contact with Abby. But after a second her gaze landed back on the goal.
"Hey Hope?" Abby said as she caught her teammates attention.
"Yeah?"
"See that little girl over there?"
"The one looking at the goals like its a long lost friend?" Hope said.
"Yeah, you should go talk to her. She would remind me of you if you were smaller and younger." Abby said.
"Okay. I'll be right back."
Hope made her way over to the girl. "Hey I'm Hope. What ya looking at?"
"The goals."
"Do you play goalkeeper?"
"Played."
"Oh, why did you quit?"
The girl looked at Hope. She motioned her to come closer. Hope leaned her head over the wall separating them.
"That's why I don't play anymore." The girl said.
Hope was looking at a 13 year old girl with one leg. She didn't let it faze her much. The girl did mind herself of a younger her.
"Your teammate Abby said that I remind her of you."
"You remind me of me too."
"I wouldn't know why. I do think we could relate on some aspects."
"Your smart for your age." Hope said.
"Weren't you?" The girl asked, her eyes made contact with Hopes and she kept her gaze.
"Yes I was. Where's your parents?"
"I ain't got any. I came her from the orphanage down the street. Ms. Nancy said ain't nobody want someone like me." The girl said.
"I want you. Come with me...?"
"Dylanie that's my name."
"Well Dylanie, you and me are going to get along well."
"You can't just take me." Dylanie said.
"I can take you to the orphanage, adopt you and you and I will be Solo's together."
"Your doing a lot for me."
"Well I don't do much for people and it's time to start. Let's get going."
And off they went.