by C. J. Lau
Chapter 22
The park, north of Goulburn, is deserted at this hour. I walk across the grass to join her, eyes glancing back down to Cat’s message, the dry ground solid under my feet. I look up from my phone to spot Cat. The lone figure sitting on the bank, staring at the Wollondilly River beyond us.
Meet me at the river. Complete trust I know exactly where she means. Even after all these years.
My shaky fingers fumble for the off button, knowing I need to check on Christina, Anna, and Felicity.
“Morning, Cat.” She turns at my voice, smiling.
“I was hoping you’d remember,” she answers. As if I could ever forget the good times we had here.
I sit next to her on the bank. “It’s good that you remember.”
She nods. “I remember everything, Maggie. We played a lot here as kids. Me and Carol.” The Keene’s house and Cat’s childhood home both around the corner. “I used to love running here in the mornings, with the fog coming off the water.” She throws a stone and it makes a plonk. “Now it’s just a river.”
She’s brought me here to talk, and I’m as ready as I can be. Have a few questions of my own.
She starts by asking. “Did you ever bring Solo here?”
And I’m guessing she already knows the answer, that I couldn’t bear talking about him here if I’d shared this special place with him. “No. The times he came to visit…” my voice fades, mind going back to a more innocent time. “Chasing games and truth, dare, or torture—”
Cat’s laugh cuts me off, reminds me of the collective evil of a teenage Cat and Carol. “Remember when Carol dared me to roll in the mud, in my uniform? Mum was so mad at me. Or when we made Carol tell us who she had a crush on?”
I giggle. “George Weston.” A boy long past. “They started going out.” I grin, looking around to check we’re still alone. “I dared Carol to kiss you while he watched.”
Cat goes red, her hands fumbling for another rock to throw. At least she isn’t covering her face out of instinct anymore. “Yeah. We got you back good though. Tied you to a tree, and we all ran off.”
“You all tickled me first.” My turn to go red. “And blindfolded me.”
Cat giggles. “Fun times. You never told Solo?”
I sigh, throw a rock into the water. “It seemed childish.” Plonk. “Ironic, isn’t it?”
We sit, listen to the water rushing over the weir for a minute. “How are you going with that?” Cat asks. “Without him.”
My cheek starts to throb where he hit me. I rub it, the bruise long since healed, and answer with one word. Wishing this were a game. “Torture.”
Cat rests her hand on my shoulder. The only reminder to Wollongong I have left. “Sorry to hear that Kiddo. But, you made it through,” she encourages. “You’ll see them at the Finals.”
Visions of revenge steel me for the task ahead. First to continue slowly rebuilding my heart, then to march the girls to Sydney and the Championship.
“Will you be there?” I ask. Know the School’s Assistant Coach title is purely honorary.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She squeezes my shoulder. “Both jobs knew I’d be gone if Goulburn made the State 8’s. I’m going to be there, doing everything I can to help you win.”
“That’s great. I convinced Francis to be our umpire rep.” Every finals team expected to provide an umpire for the week, with Darrell sorting out rostering.
Using Francis to umpire frees up Carol to organise, do the unseen, which might make the difference in a tight competition.
“Wow. How’d you do that?”
“He agreed when I asked.” I shrug. “No idea why, but I was ready to go to Ripley if I needed to.”
“Look at you, Maggie. Playing politics like you’ve done it all your life.”
Her encouragement makes me smile. Means more than she realises. “Thanks, Cat.” I stop, ponder the question I really want to ask. Despite everything, one day there will be another good-bye. Cat back in the National squad. “So… How’s your training going? You looked alright out there yesterday.”
She surprises me. Curls up her knees, staring down. “Am I allowed to yell dare?”
Stunned by her sudden transformation, I pull as close as I can. Her head resting on my shoulder. “That bad, huh?”
“I called Kathy a few times. After hitting a speed bump in motivation, not keeping up with the running.” Her voice, full of confusion, makes my heart go cold. “She told me I should retire. If I’ve lost my passion.”
“Are you going to?” I ask. Did she come here to tell me this? To her own private place?
“Not sure.” A small shrug. “Part of me wants to keep pushing until I can’t push anymore.” She turns to face me. “But I’m going to see Professor Addison in a few weeks, just in case things don’t work out.”
The cogs in my brain spin at top gear. It’s perfectly logical to have a backup plan. Except for Cat. For her to consider backing off means something is very wrong.
I don’t try hiding my shock. “I’ve never known you to have a plan B.”
“I’m not invincible any more, Maggie. I’m hoping it’s just a bad patch… that I can push through.” A bit of hope rises in her eyes, fades with a shake of her head. “Seeing Professor Addison sounds like a good idea.”
I’ve been selfish. Not ready for the guilt that rumbles up from my stomach, over Cat’s slow and painful healing. I should have seen it. Her mind the key battleground, but I’ve been too focused on my own battles.
“I’m sorry, Cat. I should’ve been there for you.” Taking her hand fails, she pulls away, sitting upright.
“Don’t be sorry, Maggie. You’ve been an angel to me. You, and Carol and Sam have shown me so much love. I—I don’t know how—I don’t deserve such great friends.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
Anything. I’ll take another blow to the face if it somehow helps her through this.
Her eyes narrow. A steely resolve I’ve seen so many times before.
“Thanks, Maggie. But this is my battle. I have to do this for myself. I have some unfinished business in Wollongong.” Mark and Emma. Her promise on the plane back. “And then I have a lot of training miles to cover once I get my motivation back.”
My chest clenches at the mention of Wollongong and all the enemies there, awaiting me if I ever return.
“Don’t fight my battles, Cat. Please.” I package as much pleading as can fit into my voice. “You’ll only hurt yourself for no gain. He’s gone.” I say the words again, “Solo’s gone.”
“It’s too late for that, Maggie. I’ll go see Professor Addison, and then sort out Mark and Emma.” She plonks another stone into the river. “Then, when you’re ready, I’ll help you take revenge on Solo, Ms X, or anyone who’s tried to hurt you.”
Cat’s transformation is complete. Despite her injuries, I see the steely gaze of my friend again.
“Alright, Cat. It’ll be great to have you around.” The sound of people approaching tells me it’s time to leave. “Want to come over, watch some movies and then get ready for the party?”
We turn to our new visitors. Two little girls, mum and dad, and the family dog. We smile and wave, but we’re strangers to them, and they wave politely back before moving on.
By the time Cat speaks again, her voice is edged with familiar determination. “Sure. Swing by my place first and I’ll grab my outfit. Know what you’re wearing?”
I scan mentally through my wardrobe, every dress tainted by Solo. “The purple dress.” The outfit from the summer graduation of 2001. He’d worn a sharp, pin stripe suit, testing my resolve to stay celibate. “And the black heels I wore to Wollongong. The night Solo had to drag Emma back into the house.”
Cat stands, pulls me to my feet. “Hang in there, Kiddo.”
We arrive fashionably late, about 20 past seven. Sam greets us at the door in a strapless red cocktail dress.
I give her a hug. “Wow, you look st
unning!”
“You too, Maggie. Everyone’s here,” Sam says, pushes us inside.
I should have been ready. But the roar of applause that greets me still makes me shrink back. Sam and Cat ushering me forward into the crowd. Going redder as the applause continues.
I wave for quiet, finding my smile. “We haven’t won it yet!”
There’s laughter, and I realise then, preparing a speech would have been a good idea. Sam’s father, our host, beginning to speak.
“Thank you everyone for coming. It’s always a pleasure for us to extend our hospitality to you. Without visitors this is just a big house.”
Another laugh gives me a chance to settle my nerves and look around.
Our host continues. “Thank you for all you’ve achieved. We are a small town in amongst this great state of ours, and hockey is something that always brings us together…”
I scan around the room, smiling as Sam’s father goes through the positives that everyone enjoys when the team is winning, and in high spirits. Everyone looking fantastic dressed up, and there are plenty of parents, but no boyfriends in sight.
I tune back in at the mention of Sam’s name, finding her at the back of the crowd. “My beautiful youngest, Sam, is in the team this year. So let’s get personal for a moment.”
Cat hands me a glass of wine. What will I say when my time comes to speak? I notice Anna, hand in a brace; search, but Felicity and Christina are both missing.
The mention of my name brings me to our host. “While I’m on the topic of leadership, I have words for Maggie. Miss Conrad, our guest of honour tonight. Great job. This is your first year back, first year into teaching, and you take the hockey team.”
And I got away with sacking your daughter, I think to myself. Wonder if he’d be as complimentary, had I not played the politics so well? Not followed Kathy’s guidance to the letter?
“You should be proud of your achievements, and have made history already. Everyone hopes you are around for a long time to come.”
My host gestures for me to join him. Legs shaking, facing the gathering. His polite hug sending another round of applause rolling around, this time accompanied by cheers from Cat, Sam, Sarah, and many others.
All eyes on me. Silence.
“Would you like to share a few words, Miss Conrad?”
I rack my brain, smile nervously, though I feel naked as they stare.
Then remember my etiquette and begin. “Firstly, thank you to the Keene family for extending their hospitality to us.” I nod and smile at Carol, my ally since day one, and then turn to the other parents. “I want to thank all the families for your support. Some of you trekked to the blazing heat of Moss Vale, or to the freezing cold of Bathurst.” I raise my glass at Nancy’s mum, who’d made both journeys. “Thank you for not turning on me when things went wrong.” The memory of the toll from the last three matches shakes me. Looking at Brooke’s parents, and then Anna’s. All smiles, thankfully.
My eyes find Sarah. Smiling wide at the sight of her bouncing with energy, even in a party dress and heels. “Nancy and Sarah, you are doing a great job leading the team. Thanks also to Sam and Anna who took us through the early matches and helped run the team while I found my feet.”
My eyes find Francis, looking very different in a suit, standing next to Principal Ripley. “Thank you, Francis, for taking the team to Wagga when I made my mercy dash to England.” Something about Francis and Ripley makes me search for a friendly face. I find Cat, tearing up as she mouths, Thank you, with both hands across her heart.
And I know what to say next. “Thank you, Cat for being my best friend. We’ve been through hell together this year in our personal lives—” I pause suddenly, realise my mistake with those words. Her smile encourages me to take a breath and push on. Wheel around, looking for Carol again. “Thanks to Carol for all your help, umpiring, being a great friend, and keeping Sam under control.”
Another laugh makes my nerves strike harder than at game time. But I know how to push them back. Especially around this special group of people.
Wrap it up, Maggie.
“Finally, to my fantastic team. Girls, it’s great to see you all dressed up and looking fabulous. Apparently at least one of you is interested in how I look out of a tracksuit and jeans, so I hope I have lived up to your expectations.”
More laughs and a few red faces. “I said it was my goal to win the State Championship. The toughest part is yet to begin. The State Finals are held over eight days. A long time away from home. I still think we can win it, you should too. Enjoy yourselves tonight, but remember, we’re only halfway there.”
The round of applause seems louder than before. Seeming to last forever until Carol shouts, “And we have food!”
I make a beeline for Anna. “How are you? That looks bad.”
“It’s a small fracture. I’ll need this for about 3 weeks. Then have a guard made up before the State 8’s. I’ll be there for game one. Count on it.”
I nod, that’s great news. “How’s Felicity? She’s not here.”
“She’s okay. Stayed awake the whole way to hospital. There’s a little cut on her forehead, and a lump where the ball hit.” Her description makes me cringe. “She’s having dizzy spells so we thought it best she stayed home. It’s a shame she isn’t here. She would have liked seeing you looking so hot.”
I laugh.
Anna’s face turns serious for a moment. “So are Nancy and Sarah going to Captain the team next year?”
“Probably,” I know where this is going. “I haven’t really thought about it. But it makes sense to keep them.”
“I’d love to help out Nancy next year, if I get the chance,” Anna replies frowning. “Is that door closed now?”
I need to jump on this. Stability so crucial going into the Finals. “You’ll be helping next year, Anna. Even if you aren’t a Captain. The defenders look to you to set an example, marking the most dangerous attacker.” I get a determined nod from her. “I remember what you said at Cat’s homecoming party. You didn’t want the responsibility of Captaincy. Totally okay. Not everyone is made to lead, but you can still be a great help by playing your best and providing a good example.”
My answer’s all I can do to put the issue to rest for now. The question sure to come again in the summer, and by then I’ll have a clearer picture of how Nancy and Sarah handle themselves under the pressure of finals.
Cat barely leaves my side the remainder of the night. Mingling together with students and parents while nibbling on chicken wings and pizza. Thanking as many people as I can, and receiving pledges of support for the finals and beyond. Everything from strapping tape, to energy drinks, and even a hotel room upgrade. Success comes with rewards, or so it seems.
I’m too comfortable when Brooke’s father approaches, slow to notice he isn’t smiling. “Miss Conrad. What’s it going to take for you to be more cautious with our girls?”
I put down my glass and look back. Remember how angry he looked at the hospital. The same face now staring at me. “I’m always cautious. But I also need the girls committed enough to win.”
I feel Cat disappear, hope she’s gone to round up reinforcements.
He continues. “Win matches, yes. But there needs to be a point where the collateral is too high.”
What did he know to speak of collateral? “I was brought on to win, Mr Wilson. If you weren’t listening to my speech, I’ve paid a high personal price for these girls.”
He cut in. “Don’t talk to me about price to pay, Miss Conrad. If I come to power there will be more accountability for the price we all pay for you to bus us around the state.”
If he came to power? I ask myself. Is this a political blindside?
I keep on, incensed at his accusation. “Have you been to any of our matches? All our injuries are defensive ones. I’m sorry about Brooke. She’s an important part of the team, and it was frightfully unlucky what happened.”
My explanation only bring
s more anger. “Unlucky doesn’t cut it, Miss Conrad. She corked her leg in Wagga and could barely walk for days, then her knee, which she’s still getting over. Rupert is wrong, nothing justifies two girls leaving a match in an ambulance, like today, which I was at.”
“Mr Wilson,” Carol interrupts, Cat by her side. “Now isn’t the time for this.”
He turns to Carol, cold rage pouring from his eyes. “Don’t tell me now isn’t the time! Next year you stop being the Mayor’s daughter and will need to get a real job.” Then he’s back to me. “What next, returning from games in body bags? The trophy isn’t worth it.”
“Hugh.” Sam’s father quickly at my side. Staring Mr Wilson down until he diverts his attention from me. “A word, please. Now.”
The two men move down the corridor, leave me staring at the stunned faces of Carol, Cat, and Brooke.
Brooke first to move. “Sorry. Dad promised he’d leave the political crap out of it tonight.”
I take a moment to get my bearings. Try for an unconvincing smile, but settle for confusion. “What was he talking about coming to power?”
Brooke’s eyes to the ground. Shaking her head. “He wants to be the next Mayor.”
“Yeah, well he’s going the wrong way about it!” Carol cuts in, furious, before realising. “Sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry.” Brooke’s looking at me now, tears threatening. “He didn’t want to come, but I made him.”
“Not your fault, Brooke,” I reply quickly. “How are you? How’s the knee?”
“Knee seems fine. I’m going to the physio every few days now. The specialist says my return date is the first week of October.”
Shouting from the next room. “Hugh, don’t you dare come here, insult my family and guests, and launch your bloody campaign! You don’t have the numbers, and if you want ‘em then you learn some respect!” A door slamming shut helps me focus on Brooke again.
I take her shoulders, her face red with embarrassment. “That’s the week of the State Finals.” I try a safe topic to settle everyone.
Brooke’s nod tells me she knows that too. “I’m not ready to give up yet.”
I give her a little twirl. Maybe this will distract her. “Did you bring a camera?”
Cat and Brooke both giggle at my remark, Carol turning to re-join the party. I still need to find time to ask her about Christina’s sister.
“I was too scared.” Brooke’s smile cheers me up. Means I’ve managed to bring things back to civility, for now.
I hike up my skirt and strike a playful pose. “Is this the thing you want me to wear to the formal when we win?”
Brooke laughs so hard she nearly drops her plate. “I think you look great whatever you wear, Miss. I’ll go to the physio every day if it means I can be back in time for the finals.”
“Keep it up Brooke,” I encourage, “and I’ll have you back when you’re ready.” A quick glance behind me. “I’ll have you next year too. If your dad lets you.”
“I’m not going to give him a choice.” Brooke’s determination pushes through. “Thanks for everything, Maggie. Coach. I can’t wait to get back out there.”
