Lucy Zeezou's Goal

by Liz Deep-Jones

  Oh no. I’d upset Grandpa, and now I had to call Bella and explain what’d been happening. I should have told her that I’d found Max. Now she’d be upset with me and would get into a lot of trouble. I’d done the wrong thing by my best friend – how would I make it up to her? And how was Max coping with the fact that he was going straight back to Bella’s? I looked at him but he just shrugged and smiled.

  As Grandpa pulled up in front of Bella’s front gates, Max waved to me and quietly slipped out, disappearing into the night.

  When Grandpa saw that he was gone he was furious. ‘Houdini has really done it now. His actions will have serious ramifications. That’s the mindset of a street kid – act first, think second. I should have warned Bella’s mum to be more cautious.’

  ‘But, Grandpa, he deserves a second chance. He’s still coming to grips with losing his parents. He has no family, there’s no one to catch him if he falls. We’ve got to help him. I’ll talk to Bella and explain what’s happened.’

  ‘The locals and I have helped him and cared for him like a second family, but he still finds it hard to trust anyone. There’s nothing more you can do for Max tonight. I just hope he’s all right. Let’s just get inside before any photographers find you,’ said Grandpa sombrely.

  I awoke to a fresh new day, hoping that it would bring some good news about Max.

  I managed to feed Gigi and slip down to the shop without disturbing Nanna or my parents. Grandpa, meanwhile, had already made a trip to the markets to buy his stock for the rest of the week. He was setting up the fruit and veggie stands, piling up his produce in colourful pyramids. The store was full of the smell of fresh fruit.

  I grabbed an apple and surprised Grandpa with a hug. ‘I really appreciate what you’ve been doing for me. I’m sorry I disobeyed you last night. I’m off to dance class.’ I winked, hoping I was forgiven. ‘Please tell Mama and Papa that I’ll be back in a few hours.’

  ‘I’ll do anything for you, but please be careful. You can’t help Max any more than you have already. He’s very resourceful and will survive this. You just look after yourself, especially after what you’ve been through. Now get out of here,’ he said, giving me a kiss on the cheek.

  Dressed in my leotard and trackpants, and armed with my football gear, I headed out to the Reg for my first training session in weeks. I was a little nervous but extremely eager to get onto the pitch and forget about life for a while.

  As I stepped out, I noticed the burly security guards across the road watching my every move. There was no going back inside the shop, so I headed up to the church where the dance lessons were held. I couldn’t go downhill with the goofy guards on my tail. How could they protect me when they couldn’t even stay out of sight? Maybe I could become a spy if my football career didn’t turn out, because I’d leave these guys for dead.

  When football training was washed out, I’d attended the ballet and jazz sessions. It was good cross-training for football, since it helped maintain my flexibility and strengthened my legs. On this occasion, though, I was merely using the class as a diversion. As I approached the hall, I could see dancers limbering up at the barre through the windows, while Miss Ana counted out instructions. Before I got through the door, I was distracted by a line of ragged-looking men being served food at the adjoining hall. Maybe it was a new soup kitchen – I’d never noticed them before. Or maybe I was just usually too caught up in my own little world.

  I walked over to take a closer look and there was Max. What was he doing there? My heart was pounding so hard it hurt. I was speechless and angry.

  After what felt like an eternity I calmed down and found my voice. I decided against yelling at him, since he’d just run off again. So instead of chastising him, I tried to be gentle. ‘Max, this is a pleasant surprise.’

  ‘Lucy? What on earth are you doing here?’ He looked just as shocked to see me there as I was to see him. ‘Why are you always stamping around in my territory?’

  The men in the line turned their attention to our conversation. I ignored them and focused on Max’s big dreamy brown eyes.

  ‘Maybe we just like the same things,’ I smartly replied, throwing him a cheesy grin.

  He threw a wicked smile back. It was at that moment that I realised I really liked him. Of course, this was definitely a secret I wasn’t going to share with anyone.

  ‘You wouldn’t like this grub,’ he said, getting a dumbfounded look from his fellow diners.

  I walked closer to him so that we could speak privately. I felt everyone’s eyes following us. Standing next to Max, my body was tingling with excitement and all my anger had disappeared. I wanted to hug him and tell him how happy I was to see him.

  The food smelt foul. ‘You never know until you try … but I may have to jump the line, as I’m due at training in about half an hour. It’s a shame you can’t join me,’ I said with a note of sarcasm.

  ‘Ha ha. You couldn’t do this every day,’ he said cautiously. I felt like he wanted to trust me but wasn’t quite sure. ‘I’d rather have a choice, and this isn’t one of them. What do you feel like today? Fish and chips? Sorry it’s not on the menu. You get whatever’s going, if anything. Welcome to my life,’ he said, extending his arms out to the food trolley ahead.

  ‘How long are you staying here for?’ I probed.

  ‘Not long. I’m constantly on the move. The less you know the better.’

  ‘Why don’t you go back to Bella and Dylan’s house, where you’re safe and well looked after?’

  ‘I told you, I can look after myself. I’ve managed okay on my own for this long, so why get help now?’ he said as he moved down the line.

  ‘You don’t have to do it on your own and you know it. Why do you push us away? Helen was helping you and it’s possible that her position will be at risk once the media get a sniff of the story. Don’t you care? Don’t you care about us?’ I knew I was pressing the issue, but it felt like time Max was confronted about his lack of responsibility.

  ‘You don’t understand, Lucy. I’ve always kept to myself and I’ve only had to answer to myself … me only, just me. I have to look out for number one because unlike you I don’t have anyone else. I don’t have anyone that loves me, Lucy. There, I said it.’

  His eyes became watery, but I could see he was determined not to let the tears flow. He clenched his fists and breathed in deeply. He’d allowed me inside his world without really meaning to.

  I didn’t know what to say. His words made my heart ache – I couldn’t contemplate not being loved, growing up without a family. I instinctively wrapped my arms around him and squeezed tightly. At first he didn’t reciprocate, but he slowly succumbed. We held each other gently. I closed my eyes, trying to soak up the moment. I wanted to bottle it and keep it forever. But he soon loosened his grip and stepped back. There was an uncomfortable silence.

  Without warning, my mouth sprinted to the finish line. ‘It’s okay, Max. I’ll always be your friend. Lots of people love you, why do you think we’ve all been trying to help you? When you first went missing, all the locals, the Dunbar Lions and their families were all desperately searching for you. Max, that’s love – don’t throw it back in their faces.’

  He shot me a stunned look. But before he could speak, a volunteer called out that it was his turn in the line.

  ‘What are you having, mate?’

  ‘I’ll have it all, thanks,’ he replied, as though nothing had just happened.

  Just then I heard my name. ‘Lucy Zoffi, come on … class is about to start. Our concert is at ten o’clock tomorrow. We have a lot of work to cover today and your numerous absences haven’t helped. Come on, young lady, get a move on,’ ordered Miss Ana, clapping her hands.

  ‘Yes, Miss Ana, I’m coming,’ I responded. Great. Now not only the homeless men but also all the dancers were staring at me.

  I didn’t want to leave Max’s side but I had no choice. He shrugged his shoulders and said, ‘You’d better go. Hey, don’t you have footb
all training?’

  ‘I do. I pretend that I take dance lessons so I can play football. It’s a secret. My parents don’t know I play.’ I blushed. For some reason saying it to Max made it sound silly.

  ‘What? You’re telling me that the great Paolo Zoffi doesn’t know that his one and only daughter plays football?’

  ‘Yeah, he has no idea about my football life. Only my grandparents know. I make a few appearances at dancing just to stay in touch.’

  ‘That’s unbelievable. Football is your dad’s life – surely he’d be proud that you play. Why don’t you just tell him?’

  ‘It’s a long story. For now it’s a secret until I’m old enough to leave home and pursue my dream of being a professional footballer.’

  ‘Wow Lucy, I’m really shocked. I thought you had everything.’

  ‘Like I told you before, all isn’t as it seems. Look, I have to get out of here, but I can’t go out the front door because I’m being watched by security guys. Ever since the kidnapping, I’m under 24/7 surveillance. It sucks!’ I spread out my arms and said sarcastically, ‘Welcome to my life!’

  ‘I noticed the security guards across from your grandpa’s shop. Don’t worry. I can help you.’ He smirked. ‘I know this church inside out. There’s a passageway that leads to the back of the apartment block. Go through there and it’ll take you to the Reg.’

  ‘Oh thanks Max, I owe you one,’ I said gratefully.

  ‘I think we’re pretty much even.’

  ‘Here’s my plan – I’ll join the class, then fake an injury so that Miss Ana will have to dismiss me,’ I whispered.

  ‘I’ll come over and help you hobble out, if that’s what you want?’ he said, treading carefully.

  I was excited that he’d offered to be a part of my escape plan. We were working as a team. If only we played together on the pitch … that would be something.

  ‘Perfect. But how about you? You’re in a lot of trouble. Why don’t you come with me?’ I asked, hoping for more time with him.

  ‘Lucy, get moving, right now,’ yelled Miss Ana.

  ‘Quick, you better go,’ said Max. ‘Don’t worry about me, Lucy. Just don’t tell anyone you saw me, that’s all I ask. I’ll turn up if I need your help.’

  But our little scheme came unstuck. One of the security guards was talking to Miss Ana. It didn’t look good, so I grabbed Max and we started running to the back of the building.

  ‘Miss Zoffi, stop,’ yelled the security guard as he gave chase.

  We kept running. I knew he wasn’t going to hurt us: he was here to protect me. Max steered me down a set of stairs and into the bowels of the church. We ran down a passageway and through a door that opened onto the back of the adjoining apartment block.

  ‘We lost him,’ Max said casually. ‘That was a lot of fun. We’ll have to do it again some time. But for now it’s ciao, Signorina Zoffi.’

  ‘Max, wait!’ I said, but he slipped through the door and was off again before I could stop him. I picked up my bag and headed down to the Reg, elated that I’d made some ground with Max … but devastated that he was still running away. When would he stop?

  Even though I was distracted and worried, the Reg Bartley Oval, nestled in alongside the moored yachts on the harbour, was a welcoming sight. My team mates were already going through their paces with Coach James as I arrived.

  Before I could race off to the toilets to get changed, he yelled out, ‘Signorina Zoffi, you’re late. Were you out with your boyfriend?’ Coach James was always cheeky but this time I was embarrassed at the thought.

  ‘No, Coach James, I don’t have a boyfriend. I’m sorry I’m late, I was held up.’

  ‘Oh Zeezou, I was just kidding around. It’s great to see you. We’re all glad that you’re safe and back to play with the Lions. Hey, what kind of football kit is that? I know that we have pink in our strip but that’s taking it too far. I thought we’d agreed that leotards and tutus were out this season?’ He gave a big grin.

  ‘I’ve just been to dance class but I, um, I have my gear in my bag, I won’t be long,’ I stumbled, trying not to give away too much.

  ‘That’s okay, I’m just messing about. Now I want to have a wee word about tomorrow’s final,’ he said, pulling me aside. ‘You know that you’re one of my best players, but I want to let you know that you won’t be starting in the final. I want to ease you back into the team after your absence, and it wouldn’t be fair to the boys who’ve brought us this far and attended all the training sessions to put you straight back in.’

  Coach James looked at me carefully, and then smiled kindly. ‘Gadi, whom you haven’t met yet, has earned his place in the final, so I’ll be choosing him to start in your usual position. Please don’t take it personally … you’re still my shining star, but I’ve got to be fair to all. Off you go and change into your kit, but don’t forget, tutus are out this season.’

  I knew he meant well, but I was gutted. I couldn’t help but take it personally, even though I knew he was right. It would be good to have some competition, it’d make me lift my game – but my heart sank at the idea that I’d have to prove myself all over again.

  I quickly changed into my kit and joined the others on the pitch. Coach James gestured towards a boy I hadn’t seen before. ‘Gadi, this is Lucy Zoffi, one of our strikers.’

  ‘Hi Lucy. It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you, especially your goal-scoring feats,’ he said, as the others looked on to see my reaction.

  Gadi took me by surprise with his kind words and his height – or lack of it. He just reached my shoulders, but I figured he probably had very good balance, like many smaller athletes. I was curious to see him in action.

  ‘Thanks, Gadi. Let’s hope that between us we enjoy a goal-shooting frenzy.’

  I looked over at Harry and Dylan, who were heading my way. ‘Where have you been, Miss Ballerina?’ Harry asked sternly, as Dylan looked on with fire in his eyes.

  ‘Um, I haven’t been well and I lost my mobile. I’m so sorry –’ I tried to explain.

  Dylan interrupted. ‘We’ve been trying to reach you. Max’s disappearance is all over the news. Mum’s having a terrible time with the media and her party. They’re saying that if she can’t look after a street kid how can she look after the state? Wait till I see that ungrateful little … He’s in for it. Bella’s even more furious, since the whole thing was her idea in the first place.’

  The team talk couldn’t have come at a better time.

  ‘Okay, listen up, enough chitter-chatter. It’s great that we have Lucy back in the squad … that will give us even more firepower. We’ve worked hard all season to win the grand final. It’s an incredible achievement. I’m so proud of you all!

  ‘To make the final of the Champion of Champions is testament to the fact that you’re one of the best teams in the state, if not the best. We’ve trained really hard over the past few weeks, so we’ll just do a light session today. We’ll focus on a few set pieces and practise penalties with a quick game at the end. Now that everyone’s back it’s going to be very competitive for a spot on the team, so give me your best.’

  We looked at each other with determined faces. Everyone wanted to start in the final – it was what they’d worked for all season.

  I zoned out of Coach James’s team talk, preoccupied with Max’s situation and my friendships. When they found out that I’d lied about Max’s whereabouts, they’d never forgive me.

  The training session had gone even better than I’d hoped. It felt so good to be back with the team. Harry and Dylan had still been a little guarded around me, but they’d started to ease up as practice went on. Now I just had to hope I’d get a chance on the pitch today. Luckily, my parents decided that I could continue to stay with my grandparents until our new house was ready for us to move in. They were staying in their luxury hotel up the road, so I pretty much had free rein.

  Nanna and Grandpa organised to spend the day with me so that they could secretly w
atch me play in the final. They even had a little surprise in store.

  Gigi came running into the bedroom, jumping up and down on the bed, licking my face. I couldn’t help but laugh; she was wearing a knitted blue, pink and white striped dog vest with the Dunbar pink lion embroidered on the top. She looked so cute – she even had pink and blue bows perfectly placed above her ears. My little Dunbar Lions mascot.

  ‘Nanna, Gigi looks so cute. Thanks for going to all this trouble.’

  ‘It’s my pleasure. You know that I love to knit and I thought this would be a perfect gift for your first football final here,’ she said, beaming.

  I was nervous about the game, and about my friends finding out that I’d been in contact with Max. I had to try and block out everything and focus on my football.

  I wasn’t very hungry, but I made myself eat. I’d need plenty of energy to compete at my best. Nanna had whipped up her special banana pancakes with maple syrup. They were delicious, but I still felt the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I only managed to eat one serving, while Gigi polished off her bowl. She was excited and ready for action, wagging her tiny tail.

  We were just about to leave when the phone rang. Now my stomach was pulsating – the butterflies got worse as I anxiously watched Nanna answer.

  ‘It’s your mama, she wants to know what time the dance concert is being held,’ said Nanna, giving me a bewildered look.

  ‘Oh, um … I can’t perform because I’m injured. I pulled a calf muscle playing in the park yesterday, so I can’t dance.’ Great, yet another lie.

  ‘Did you hear that, Frida? She’s injured, what a shame she can’t perform. Anyway, we have to go as we’re taking Lucy out for the day, but we’ll make sure that she takes it easy. Just enjoy your time with Paolo, we’ll see you later this evening.’ Nanna hung up, looking a little worried.

  ‘Phew. Nanna, you saved me. I don’t know how to thank you!’

  ‘It’s okay, sweetheart, I understand. One day soon, though, you’re going to have to tell them. These little white lies are getting out of hand. I’m sure they’d love to see you play. The sooner you tell them the better.’