Chapter 1.
Friday
It was a nice fall afternoon when Anne and her sister, Robin, got off the bus.
“Thank you!” they said.
“Isn’t it a nice day?” asked Robin.
“I think it is quite lovely” replied Anne
“Hi mom!” the girls said as they walked in
“Do your backpack jobs.” reminded their mom.
“I know, I know” replied Anne
“What can I have for a snack?” asked Robin, emptying her lunch.
“I made some popcorn. Do you guys have a lot of homework?”
“A ton,” said Robin.
“Just a math page.” said Anne scanning the kitchen for the popcorn then going to the stove, grabbing a bowl and plopping down on a kitchen stool.
“Mom can I play soccer?” asked Anne
“No!” replied her mom, her voice rising.
“Please mom please, with a cherry on top.”
“You know very well that I will not let any girl in the house play any other sport than tennis and golf.”
“But mom, I am different. I don’t like to sit down and talk or do ballet, those tights and the leo, ug!” she said disgusted
“Oh, that is enough for today Anne.”
“But mom…”
“But nothing. Go and do your homework, I have to make dinner.” said her mom walking away.
“Fine!” said Anne as she walked up to her room.
“Com pwa wif uths” said the twins, Ashley and Kate. Ashley held her doll and Kate, her teddy. They were two, and according to Anne, very annoying.
“No!” shouted Anne,” I won’t!’’
“Mommy Anne isth bething rudth” they cried going down the stairs.
“Hey, mom, can I hang out with Rob?” Said Jake coming in from his room, ball in hand.
“Shut-up Jake!” yelled Anne as she slammed her door. Jake is Annes older brother and he is obsessed with baseball.
“Anne” said her mom coming into her bedroom a few minutes later,” Anne”
“Go away,” came a muffled voice from Anne’s corner of poof.
“Anne come out and apologize to your brother.” said Anne’s mom in an annoyed, tired, ‘I am not dealing with you voice.’
“Oh all right” said Anne stalking out of the room.
“That girl” mumbled Anne’s mother picking up a picture of Anne’s favorite soccer player and walking out the door.
Saturday
“Dad can I play soccer?” asked Anne coming down the stairs and into the kitchen in her favorite pajamas.
“ Go ask your mother” he responded.
It was a beautiful sunny fall morning and excitement filled the air.
“Mmmm these pancakes are good.” said Anne scarfing down a few.
“I thought you were going to ask your mother about soccer.”
“I am,” came a sing-songy voice from the stairs that just happened to be Anne’s.
“Wow” thought Anne’s father. “She sure is quick.”
As Anne raced up the stairs she could hear her dad mumble something but she couldn’t tell what.
“Mom can I play soccer?” asked Anne in an innocent voice.
“We have already talked about this,” said Anne’s mother undoing her short brown curly hair from her curlers.
“But, today is a different day” sighed Anne. She knew what her mom would say but, she had made up her mind that she would try anyways.
“I have been meaning to say this before, but we have been so busy and…”
“What have you been meaning to say?” Anne questioned impatiently.
“Me and your father have decided to get this over and done with at Clara’s Diner tonight.”
“ Oh, really?” questioned Anne in pure disbelief.
“ Yes, now go get dressed and do your jobs.”
As Anne got dressed she was still amazed her own mother was actually thinking about letting her, Anne Anderson, play soccer.
“This is highly unlikely,” she thought as she pulled on jeans and a sweater.
The whole day she couldn't stop thinking of what her mother had said, she had a chance, a little chance, but nonetheless a chance of playing on a soccer team, a real live soccer team.
Chapter 2.
“And for you?” asked their waiter.
“I would like a double decker special,” Anne said.
“All right,” she said, writing it down,” Your order will come shortly.”
“Thank you!” Anne’s mother said hurriedly
“Now, on to what we came for. We have been thinking, Anne, that you feel really passionate about soccer.’’ said her dad. Anne felt herself take a big breath, this was the moment she was waiting for,
“So we thought that you might like to try out for the soccer team” bugged in her mom.
“That way you could get in,”
‘‘Or you couldn’t,” finished her mom.
“I….I would love to!,” Anne felt a rush of excitement, her dream had come true.
“Tryouts are tomorrow,” said her father. Just then they saw their waiter coming with their food. As they were eating, Anne's parents exchanged quiet glances with a smile. That night Anne couldn’t sleep. She was so excited.
Sunday
“Get in three lines and start shooting,” boomed Coach Andrews. Julia and Anne quickly got into the right line and waited for the next direction. Coach Andrews went right to left,
“A, b, c “ he said pointing a finger at each line.” Line a will go first then b and finally c. Take one shot on the goal and go to the back of your line. Ella, you will be our goalie, would you like to?”
“Oh, yes,” responded a medium sized girl with golden hair.
“Go get the gloves,” he said pointing.
“Wow, he is rough.” said Anne
“Just wait,” said Julia,” he gets nicer, soon he’ll be a big smiley face balloon.”
The girls burst out laughing.
“Be quiet!” Coach Andrews said with a smile. The girls knew he couldn't keep it longer.
Anne was next, she dibbled a few times then, POW! She kicked, aimed for the top right corner and the goalie jumped, but missed.
“Wow,” Coach Andrews said amazed. He jotted down a note in his notebook as Anne retrieved her ball.
“Where did that girl come from?’’ Coach Andrews said. Anne smiled, she knew she could do that again and again.
“That was awesome!” exclaimed Julia as they made their way to the end of the line,” I had no idea how good you were. I don’t even think that the best player in the world could kick that well.” Anne beamed again, that felt good.
“And,” Coach Andrews said,” you’ve landed yourself a spot on the team.” That felt even better.
Monday
At school the next day she could hardly believe that her friend, Julia, had said that she was better than the world's best soccer player.
During writing, she drew in her notebook. When she was supposed to be reading she was daydreaming about the evening before. Finally, lunch came.
As she sat down she guessed she was still glowing because Julia asked why she was so happy.
“Didn’t you hear?” Anne asked Julia,” Coach Andrews said that I had come from the world cup AND that I landed a spot on his team.”
“Wow,” was Julia’s response.
As she ate she couldn’t stop thinking about what the coach had said.
When Anne raced out for recess one of the boys Luke, called out to her,
“Hey Anne, want to race up the rock wall? Beat you there!” as he took off.
“Hey wait up!” Anne called back sprinting to catch up.
As she climbed up Luke was already halfway up. She made an effort to get to the top first and did by a second.
“And back down!” called Luke starting down, Anne raced down after him and jumped to make it first.
All of a sudden everything went black, and when she awoke a teacher, Luke and Julia were standing over her and looking at her, she stared back at them.
“What’s wrong?” Anne asked, confused.
“Phew!” said Mrs. Frank, the teacher,” Are you all right?”
“Oh of course!” said Anne trying to get to her feet, she managed for a second, then fell down again.
“I can’t play soccer like this!” said Anne disappointed
“Why don’t you go to the nurses office.” says Mrs. Frank,” and Julia, would you take her in?” she asked over her shoulder.
“Sure!” said Julia, helping Anne up.
“Hope you feel better!” said Luke.
As she got to the nurses office she had gotten quite good at walking, well, as good as she could be.
“Oh, my!” said the nurse,”Would you like an ice pack? Oh, and I’ll call your mom.”
“Thanks!” said Anne meekly falling into a chair.
Chapter 3.
As Anne sat down in the ER she looked around, there was an old man, and a woman with two toddlers screaming. There was a check in desk, with a lady on the phone behind it. Anne's mother squeezed her hand, as a doctor announced her name.
“Would Anne Anderson come back?” he said
As they made their way down the hall Anne looked around again. there was a cleaning lady, it smelled clean. They turned down a hallway marked, ’X-Ray↰’
“So, my name is Dr. Luke and first we will take an X-Ray, then see what we need to do.” said the Dr. turning into a room with a big table and a few machines.
“ Great!” said Anne's mother.
Anne sat down on the big table as Dr. Luke placed a heavy mat on her leg, and hurried her mother into a special on-looking place. He moved one of the machines (the camera) to her legs and went by her mom.
“click.” went the camera, two more ’clicks’ then it was over.
“I will look at the X-rays then iIll be back! You can wait in the room next door.” Dr.luke said walking out the door.
“All right!” said Anne’s mother, coming out and returning the mat to it’s hanger.” lets go!”
“Hey um… could you help me out the door?” Anne asked.
“Oh, I have already forgot, how silly of me. Of course!” said Anne’s mother, helping Anne up and out the door.
They waited in a room that looked just like a normal Dr.’s office. It had a table, sink, cupboard, 2 chairs, a curtain, and a desk.
After waiting for 15 minutes Dr. Luke came in.
“Well, we have the X-Rays right here.” he said sitting down at the desk,”and it is very clear that you have fractured your shin bone.”
“WHAT?” screamed Anne
"Yes and that means you have to stop any sport, I hear you play soccer. We will get a cast on you and give you crutches.” he finished.
Anne sat in pure disbelief.
“All right sweetie, what colors do you want?” asked Anne’s mother
“Green sparkly with purple zig - zags.” Anne mumbled as she stared at her fingers.
“All good choices, I will be back in a few minutes.” he said leaving the room.
“Mom why does this have to happen to me? Why can’t it happen to Jake or Robin?”
“I don’t know but it happend for a reason.” was Anne’s mother's reply.
“Ding!” went Anne's mother’s phone. There was a message from her dad and her big sister Liz who is at college.
“Honey, dad and Liz texted. Here is dads:”
‘Sorry you got hurt Anne. Try to put a smile on your face! 😢😔😀’
“And here is Liz’s:”
‘So sorry! I will come tomorrow afternoon. ☹️’
“Anne, Liz is coming tomorrow.” said Anne's mother.
“Yay!” Anne responded.
Just then Dr. Luke came in with a pair of crutches, Green and purple tape and white stuff.
“What’s all the party about?” he asked
“My sister in college is coming home!” Anne said excitedly.
“Good! Now let’s wrap your leg. Can you put it here?......Thanks!” he said.
First he wrapped her leg with the white stuff, then he took a heat lazer and the cast hardened. Then, he put on the color tape. He lasered that also.
“There you go.” He said handing her the crutches.” Would you like some pads?” He asked
“Yes please,”answered Anne.
He handed over some colorful pads as she hobbled out the door.
“Check back in three weeks.” He said.
That night Anne couldn’t sleep and she woke up 5 times. In the morning though her dog Senor Snuffle Buns was as happy as ever.
Chapter 4.
Tuesday
“Hi you silly!” said Anne to her dog as she reached for her colorful duct-taped crutches.
“Surprise!” Yelled Liz, when Anne had finished hobbling down the stairs.
“Liz, I thought you were coming in the afternoon.” said Anne hugging her.
“Well either way I am here and your leg is in a cast. I like your color choices and the duct-tape.” said Liz.
“Yeah it’s cool, I like the sports one.’’ said Jake
“ That was very kind of you.” said their mom.
“Alright you guys time to go to school.” Anne’s dad, Tom said,” and Liz, please drive Anne to school.”
“ I would love to!” said Liz, helping Anne with her backpack.
“Bye!” Anne chirped
Once they got out at school Mrs. Frank came out to help Anne in.
“So you are the Liz that Anne keeps talking about. Do you like college?” Mrs Frank inquired.
“Yes, I am The Liz and I do like college. So much to do!”she responded.
“I am Jane, Mrs. Frank, Anne’s teacher. Where are you going?”
“Harvard.”
“Oh, so a city girl are you?”
“ I guess so,” said Liz with a smile.
“I am glad we could talk a while, but we need to get to class. Bye!”
“Bye Anne, bye Jane!” said Liz walking to the family’s minivan.
At school that day Anne learned that it is hard to run to the playground when using crutches and a cast. She tried it twice both ending with her on the ground. She also learned that most of the time a cast always has room for more names.
When Anne got home she went upstairs and did her homework.She was sitting at her desk when she noticed an envelope. She picked it up and a bunch of get well soon cards fell out.
As Anne read them she smiled, “i kind of like this” she thought as she opened a letter from Peter.
“Anne, will you come down?” called Anne’s mother.
“Coming!” responded Anne grabbing her crutches and turning off the lights.
“Honey, Coach Andrews said that you could come to practice and games. Isn’t that great?”
“ No, it’s awesome!” cried Anne trying to jump.
“Don’t try to jump or you will break both legs.” said Anne’s mother laughing.
“And,” continued her mom,” it is in 45 minutes. Remember to wear something sporty.”
“And cute!” said Robin sticking her head in.” I can get you all jazzed up! You can wear my tennis skirt then, one of your soccer shirts.”
“Great,Thanks!” said Anne
“That was weird.” thought Anne to herself. Robin never is really nice like that to me.
“Hey Liz, would you drive Anne to soccer practice?” asked Anne’s mother.
“Sure!” said Liz from her makeshift room.
As they backed out from the garage Anne worried that she wouldn’t fit in. But once she saw Julia’s family's Subaru she felt alright.
“ Would you like me to stay?” asked Liz
“ You can if you want.” replied Anne getting out of the car and looking at the team warming up.
“Welcome to the Ellsworth Flyers,” said coach Andrews with a big ‘welcome!’ smile.
Chapter 5.
‘‘Hi!’’ Said all the girls.
“Can I sign you cast?” asked a girl Anne remembered from tryouts.
“Woh, Ella, just wait a minute. Anne just got here. You can have a singing party after practice.” Coach Andrews said. After a few minutes Anne felt comfortable with her team and knew half of the girls' names.
First, they passed. Then they shot on the goal.
‘Ella is a good goalie,’ thought Anne as her eyes gazed in her direction.
“That was a very good practice today.” said Coach Andrews, smiling at all the girls, “Remember, there is a game in two days.”
On the way home Liz said,” you seemed very comfortable up there with your team.”
“I felt good, even though I couldn’t do it.” said Anne looking at the colorful leaves and remembering what the coach had said,” We need to help each other out.”
The next day went well, Anne helped the gym teacher in gym,but otherwise she was normal. Pretty soon her cast was covered and people were signing her crutches.
“ I kind of like the attention.” Anne said to Julia.
“ It seems kind of fun.” Was her response.
When Anne got home from school it was: get home, eat a snack, get in the car to go to the soccer game.
At first her team was losing 3-0 but they got back the points.
“Go,Flyers ,Go!” Anne screamed the whole time.
“You really like to show team spirit. You should be our cheerleader.” said coach Andrews.
“Thanks!” said Anne.
In the end the Flyers won 3-4, with a winning goal by Lucy.
“How about we go out for dinner?” asked Anne’s father.
“ That sounds great!” said the family walking out to the car.
Your story flows very well, Caroline. The dialogue is a real strength!