Chapter 3
The drive from the hotel back to Hope's home takes about 35 minutes, but for Hope it felt like it was an eternity. The rain was pouring down outside now, just like her tears, and both showed no signs of stopping anytime soon. Trying to drown out her misery Hope switched the radio on and quickly regretted it. Every song that was playing reminded her of Kelley: On one station, some Taylor Swift song bringing her mind back to their last victory tour game. Kelley was dancing and obnoxiously shouting the words with Alex, both girls giggling so hard they couldn't breath. On another station, Fight Song. An anthem that Kelley religiously listened to before every game during the World Cup. Now the car was silent, except for the pitter patter of the rain and an occasional sniffle here and there as she drove further and further away from the city.
In the passenger seat next to Hope, sat her wedding ring that she had forced from her finger earlier and chucked at the windshield before it landed in its final resting spot. Now as she drove she could see it from the corner of eye glimmering as the lights from outside shined their way through the window. It was teasing her, reminding her that everything she touches breaks. Broken marriage. Broken Kelley.
As she pulled into her driveway and shut her car off, Hope sank lower into her seat and exhaled deeply. She allowed her mind to wander back to the hotel conference room, back to the pain on Kelley's face and interlaced within every word "Next time you want to play this game, take the ring off first." Hope didn't mean to leave her wedding ring on and in all honesty she had forgotten all about it after wearing it for 3 years. But it didn't matter now, the damage was done and there was no redo's or second chances left.
"Jesus fucking Christ, Hope you fuck everything up, EVERYTHING," the goalkeeper shouted as she slammed her fists once, twice, three times on the steering wheel in front of her before laying her forehead to rest upon it. Her body convulsed as sobs escaped her throat and echoed throughout the car. She allowed herself to breakdown, "To feel is to heal," her psychiatrist's voice echoed in her head. She cringed at the thought but couldn't help herself as the tears remained steadily streaming down her face.
When her eyes finally ran dry, not a single tear left within her and her eyes began to feel heavy and tiredness replaced sadness she decided it was time to go inside. Her house was empty and quiet. Too quiet. Is this something I'm going to have to get used to? She feared as she set her belongings down on the kitchen counter. No dogs, she wasn't home enough to care for them so Jerramy decided it was best if he took them. No friends, she didn't have time for anyone outside of soccer. No family, she abandoned that a while ago. No one, just Hope and a huge empty house.
It was late now, the clock on the stove flashed 3:42 a.m. but who knows how accurate that was. Hope was never the type of person to make sure all of the clocks in the house stated the correct time. It was one of Kelley's pet peeves when she would visit; she would secretly go around setting the time while Hope followed doing the opposite. But no more of that now, Hope thought as she pulled out her phone and dialed in the correct numbers into the stove clock.
Placing the phone down on the counter, Hope decided that a glass of wine before bed was definitely needed. She quickly grabbed an unopened bottle, a corkscrew, and wine glass before settling onto a barstool. As she began opening the bottle her phone lit up the dark kitchen and buzzed across the counter. She quickly removed the cork and reached for her phone to check who could be calling her so late at night. As her eyes adjusted to the brightness of the screen she froze. Kelley O'Hara. She blinked a few times to make sure her eyes were not betraying her and before she swiped to answer she placed the glass bottle to her lips and took not one but two huge gulps of the bitter wine.
"Hello," Hope's voice cracked. She waited but the younger woman didn't say anything. Instead all she was met with was heavy, uneven breathing clear evidence that Kelley was still crying. "Kell, can you please say something?" She pleaded.
"I need to move on, I need to get over you. When I leave this place behind tomorrow, I need to leave you behind too. And I need you to let me do that."
Before Hope could respond the line went dead. Before the older woman could register what she was doing she took the wine bottle and threw it against the wall smashing it red wine and glass exploding everywhere. It was the only way to portray what Kelley's words had done to Hope's heart. And as she lay on the kitchen floor just as broken as the bottle next to her she knew she couldn't let Kelley leave. She wouldn't let her leave.
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Seattle's airport was a nightmare. Children crying, some old lady arguing with security because her bottle of vodka couldn't go through her carry on, and lack of check-in staff made an already irritated Kelley even more irritated. So when Kelley's team was informed that their flight was delayed for an indefinite amount of time due to rain it was no surprise that her and a few other teammates chose the bar to wait it out. A few mix drinks and shots later irritation was last thing on the girl's minds.
"Listen I'll take another shot of tequila only if you're the one buying," Caitlin giggled as she nudged Kelley's side.
"Caitlin you're not even 21 yet! Don't corrupt the youth Kev, don't corrupt!" Sam shouted from across the booth.
Kelley laughed as she watched the two women bicker back and fourth. She could feel her cheeks becoming hot as the alcohol started to course it's way though her body and couldn't be more thankful for her company. Her Aussie friends always knew how to cheer her up and definitely knew how to have a good time.
"Like that's ever stopped me before! Plus thats what this id is for," the lighter hair defender said as she flashed the card up towards her face. A wide grin spread across her face as she motioned between the photo on the id and her. "Basically twins," she said proudly.
Kelley looked at the photo on the id. The other woman had darker hair, brown eyes, and was slightly bigger than Caitlin. She busted out laughing, "Yeah? Well if thats the case then Sam and I are "basically twins." Right Sam?"
The other Aussie was laughing so hard she couldn't respond and quickly shook her head yes. Caitlin stuck her lower lip out and began to pout just causing her two friends to laugh even more. Finally after gaining some composure Kelley waved a waitress over and ordered more drinks.
"One more round of shots please and three blue moons please?" she quickly ordered. The waitress smiled and nodded and walked away, back towards the bar.
As they waited for their drinks Kelley pulled out her phone to take a quick scan through social media. Not thinking she would notice, her two friends began whispering to each other and every once in a while would motion towards her. Closing her phone she looked up, "is there something you would like to ask me?"
Before the two women could answer the waitress returned and started setting the drinks out onto the table. "Oh no the drinks are on me Miss O'Hara," she winked as she pushed Kelley's credit card back into her hand along with a slip of paper and walked away.
Sam snagged the paper out of her hand and read it out loud in her best American accent, "If your flight is delayed over night and are down for a good time in Seattle don't hesitate to call 206-766-5555! My shift gets out at 7 xo Mel," she paused and then continued this time with a mischievous grin "Oh Miss O'Hara, what do you think Mel stands for Melissa or Melanie?"
A crimson color quickly tinted Kelley as she tried to rip the piece of paper out of her friend's hand. "Give that here! And don't try to change the subject what were you guys talking about?!" She shouted clearly flustered as she almost knocked over two of the beers.
Caitlin's face turned a very pale color as she realized they were caught. She began stammering trying to figure out what to say causing Sam to slap a hand over her mouth. "Okay Kev, what this fool is trying to get out but is struggling to do so," Sam began as Caitlin shot her a dirty look. "We were curious on how you were holding up after last night's game?"
"Well it was tough loss, the weather sucked, I played horribly," Kelley rambled but was quickly cut off.
"Not what we are referring to Miss O'Hara," Caitlin said as she took a sip of her beer.
Fully aware of what they were referring to, it was now Kelley's turn to try and change the subject, "Oh you mean how it's one game closer before my two lovely kangas have to leave me? Don't worry I won't miss you guys too much, I promise. Now how about we take these shots? Cheers to two kangas and a kev!" Kelley raised her shot glass but was met with nothing but looks of concern.
Not wanting to make the moment anymore awkward, Sam raised her shot glass and nudged the other closer towards Caitlin, "Cheers to that" She shouted and all 3 of the women threw back their head and cringed at the taste. "God Kev, I will never understand why you like tequila so much."
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Three hours later and the announcement of a confirmed extra night in Seattle meant a very drunk Kelley, Sam, and Caitlin still sitting in the airport bar. The waitress Mel, which they learned after two more shots was short for Melanie, was now seated with them. Her and Kelley were seated on one side as the other two women sat on the other. They were all listening to Melanie as she told them horror stories of being a waitress at an airport bar.
Kelley watched her as she acted out the story, taking her in. She quickly noted that she wasn't bad looking at all. She had long dark brown hair that fell in waves across her back. Melanie's eyes were a hazel color almost similar to her own but had more green speckles through out. They lit up along with her smile as she talked. She was petite and had very tan skin which she attributed to being half Puerto Rican when Sam (who has no filter) asked her. No, not bad looking at all. Actually quite attractive Kelley thought to herself as she watched the waitress wink at her again.
Time was dwindling and the bar was do to close very shortly. Melanie leaned closer and wrapped her arm around Kelley's shoulders. She whispered into Kelley's ear, "There's a bar across the street if you and your friends would like to join me?"
Quickly shaking her head yes, Kelley turned to her two friends, "Yo kangas, wanna go next door to another bar?" she slurred out. But instead of responding they stared straight ahead. Both of their faces looked like they saw a ghost. "Earth to my friends?" She waved her hand in front of their faces.
"Kell uhh turn around," Sam finally broke out of her trance and whispered.
Kelley and Melanie turned their heads to see exactly what their friends were staring at. In the doorway stood Hope and her eyes were locked on the sight of Kelley with another girl.