Folly Beach
After an hour of surfing, Kelley drove back to the beach house, picking up some groceries on the way. Every off season, or whenever Kelley needs some time off from soccer, she would spend two or three days here at Folly Beach. It’s a five-hour drive from home, but the family holiday house is right by the ocean and there really is no better place to take a break than hanging out here. Like many other athletes, Kelley is a habitual animal. She has an everyday routine, well, even when she takes time off from soccer. Her typical Folly Beach day would usually go like this: get up, go to her favorite café to get a cortado, surf for a little, have lunch, hit the gym, then either eat out or stay in for the night. For most years, Kelley would prefer to be alone and have some down time to herself, but there were also years when she invited people to come…her Stanford teammates, Press, Alex, Tobin, and of course, you-know-who.
It was a week after they returned from Arizona in 2011, and Kelley had just arrived at the holiday house. She got a text from Hope, her very first text from Hope. Kelley literally almost dropped her phone when she saw the name goalkeeper’s name popped up on her screen.
HS (3:22pm): Hey Kel how’s it going? Having a good week? I’m just wondering if you’d want to hang out sometime in two days. I just finished a photo shoot in NY & will have 1.5-day layover in Savannah (I know…flights are messed up). Hope that’s not too far from where you live…I can drive over! Lemme know!
KO (3:59pm): Hey Hope! So nice to hear from you. I’m doing well. I’m actually chilling in Folly Beach right now and not in ATL. Yes I’d love to catch up! We can hang out in Savannah or here in SC, wherever you prefer. Also, I can come pick you up. Just let me know which flight.
HS (4:10pm): That sounds so much fun Kel! Ok maybe Folly Beach then? It’s AA820, but seriously I can drive over!
KO (4:15pm): Oh shush…you’re in my “territory” now so let me take care of it. See you in two days then!
“Ahhh Hope’s gonna be here!” Kelley squealed, jumping up and down on her couch like a silly child. From then on until Hope landed, Kelley did everything she could to in preparation for Hope’s visit. She stocked up the fridge with groceries, cleaned the guest room, double checked to make sure there was shampoo and toothpaste in the bathroom…she was very excited for Hope to come.
Kelley arrived at the airport and was waiting in her car. Even until now, after four years, Kelley still hasn’t forgotten that moment when Hope walked out of the terminal. Hope was wearing a beanie and had her long, dark hair down. It was a cold morning. The flush in her cheeks accentuated her icy blue eyes. She was beaming. With a duffle bag in her hands, she peeked around for Kelley. Kelley wished she could watch Hope like this forever, but couldn’t help and rolled down the window after two seconds. Kelley yelled, “Goalkeeper!” Hope turned her head and met Kelley’s eyes. An instant soft smile lit up on her face, as if Hope was about to see an old friend from childhood. Kelley walked up to Hope for expecting high five, but Hope opted for a hug instead, catching the defender off guard. “Nice to see you Kel”, Hope said, rubbing Kelley’s shoulder. “Ditto Hope.” Kelley replied with a grin.
The Georgia Peach was a great host. She introduced Hope to all her favorite places in Folly Beach – that little café, the best surf spots, the farmers’ market, and her go-to Mexican restaurant. They had coffee, worked out together, took a long walk by the beach during sunset, went out for dinner, watched TV on the couch. It was so lovely, so relaxing yet so invigorating. There was some flirting and teasing here and there, but at the end of the day, they just really enjoyed each other’s company and enjoyed getting to know one another.
When Kelley was driving Hope back to the airport, Hope asked, “Hey Kel, do you still think about our game against Japan?” “Every day Hope. It’s always on my mind. Why do you ask?” Kelley said, while trying to keep her eyes on the road. Hope sighed. “I don’t know. That one particular penalty kick that I got my hands on, but couldn’t save, remember? It haunts me…just makes me think that I’m not nearly as strong as I seem to be, that I’m not the bulletproof Hope Solo I put out to people.” Hope confessed. “Hope…don’t say that. First, nobody is perfect. Everyone is flawed. Each person, even the strongest, fastest, brightest, has vulnerabilities. Second, don’t worry about how people perceive you. Just listen to and act on your heart. You have a good heart, Hope,” Kelley said in earnest, her tone turned serious. “Thank you Kelley. Thanks for trusting me.” Hope replied, looking out the window.
Kelley dropped Hope off at last. That entire day and a half was pure joy for Kelley. She was beginning to feel so much more comfortable around Hope. She was beginning to get to know Hope, the real Hope, the Hope that lets her fences down. Kelley’s crush on the keeper seemed to have slowly turned into a relationship, a friendship, perhaps. She wasn’t sure how to define it, nor did she feel the need to define it. Without her realizing, she had already carved out part of her heart to make room for Hope.