Rise

by C. J. Lau

  Chapter 32

  There’s been a massacre at the stadium. The scoreboard telling the story. Murwillumbah 9 – Wollongong 2.

  “Girls!” Cat’s pointing at the score. “That’s what you’re up against when you win.”

  She could just as easily point out what faces them if they lose. A third place playoff against Wollongong tomorrow. And Zara will relish one last chance to batter us. The cost of losing doubles the nerves racing through me.

  The familiar figure of Carol, dripping wet in a long raincoat, interrupts my thinking. But my heart leaps at another figure sauntering into view. Solo.

  “Hey, Carol,” Cat quickly gestures at the scoreboard again. “Was it as bad as the score suggests?”

  “Yep. Awesome to watch,” Carol answers, hand on Cat’s shoulder. “Hey, I’ve got an update for you.”

  Carol drags Cat away, and I move to follow but Solo’s wrapped his arms around me. My friends move out of earshot, and I plant a peck on Solo’s lips. A woo from my girls in response.

  “Girls,” I warn. “Gear up and let’s get on the field.”

  The brush of Solo’s hand on my neck brings a wince. “What’s up?” His hand reaching for the scarf. “Did you hurt your neck?”

  I panic, push him to the sideline. “Not now, Solo. I’ll explain later.”

  I have a game to win.

  By the time Cat returns I’m busy with warm ups. The earlier rain means the field is like walking on an ice rink.

  “Gee, those Reds look impressive,” Cat stops awkwardly.

  I risk a look across at the Newcastle team, and instantly wish I didn’t. No future Olympians, but no weaknesses either. And for the first time this year, I’m not sure my girls can do it.

  I still doubt when we huddle together again with 10 minutes to go.

  “Today we’re going to need to lift to a new level.” Pain shoots up my neck, pauses me. A sudden blank.

  “Who here believes we can win this?” Cat takes over, and almost all the girls raise their hands.

  “Excellent! I believe it too,” Cat continues. “We’re starting with energy, so let’s score early.” A small confident smile directed at Sam and Nancy. “Let them chase us for a while.” Now her eyes find Kim, Jennifer, “This is going to be a fast, tightly contested match.” On to Felicity and through to Brooke. “If you’re on the bench, think of the impact you can make when you next run on.” Waiting, like an expert teacher, for the nods to indicate they receive her message. “We can match them girl for girl. Set the platform for Sam to tear them apart. Give it everything you’ve got!”

  The girls taking up starting positions. “Thanks, Cat,” I croak, walk side by side with her off the field.

  “No worries, Maggie,” Cat’s bubbly and confident. “I’ve got a lot of ideas today. You jump in whenever you want.”

  The whistle barely gives time for the helpless feelings that still hit the moment I walk off the field, instead of onto it.

  But soon I’m all smiles. Two quick goals before Newcastle settle.

  “The plan’s working,” I mutter to no one. “Now we need to soak up their pressure.”

  “That’s it,” Cat yells, walking down the sideline, my voice for this match, with my throat the way it is. “Great job!” she shouts, clapping and celebrating, “Yeah!”

  The fight back comes. Newcastle matching our pace and then lifting beyond it.

  “Dig in!” I shout, suppress a needle of pain. Newcastle beginning to lay their attacking press.

  Our belief extends all the way to the back line, and it’s still 2-0 with 10 minutes left in the half. Cat, urgent at my side. “Get some rotations happening, Maggie. I don’t want the girls falling off the energy cliff.”

  I send Danielle and Felicity on for Vivienne and Celia before going over to Brooke.

  “Brooke, you’re going to run the centre of defensive midfield.” I point at the area behind where Sam’s stationed herself. “Stop the supply of quick possession to their attack when they transition.” On cue, Sam sprints back to pursue a Red clearance. “Take a lot of intercepts. Move the ball forward to turn them around.” My eyes on her, nodding my new found belief. “Just like you did before Bathurst.”

  “I remember, Miss. I’ll give it my best shot.”

  She’s on for Janet at the next break of play. Nancy immediately spots the change and adjusts the midfield formation.

  “Good work, Janet.” Cat tracks my tired midfielder all the way to the bench. “Rest up.”

  Brooke’s first intercept turns the Newcastle team around with a great pass.

  I ignore the pain in my throat, standing to shout. “That’s it, Brooke! Good girl!”

  Sarah latches onto the pass, sweeping forward with familiar hustle. But a green reflection from her stick draws my attention. A design not available in stores, but one I recognise instantly.

  “Cat!” I call, walk up to her when she doesn’t come. “Did you give Sarah your stick?”

  “She grew into it,” Cat’s answer is distracted, her eyes on a mini huddle on the Newcastle bench, their Coach and Captain in the middle of it. “Old one’s way too heavy.”

  I don’t know whether to smile or mourn, but there’s no time for either.

  “Here they come.” Cat points to three Newcastle interchanges. All attackers.

  They centre all of their attack on Brooke. A blowtorch of immense pressure aimed up the middle. The helplessness returning in a wave.

  Brooke slips, knocks the ball into an opponent’s path, gifting Newcastle their first.

  I’m only able to watch Nancy and Sarah move in field from their wing positions to defend. Falling into a trap that nets Newcastle two more goals. First to the left, then right.

  “Get her off, Maggie,” Cat urges. Brooke’s head dropping in defeat, at her domination.

  “Half-time,” I answer, without taking my eyes off Brooke.

  But I know Cat’s right to worry. Brooke close to tears with the unrelenting pressure. Only the whistle stopping the attacks.

  Half-time. Goulburn 2 – Newcastle 3.

  Nancy and Sam run to give Brooke a pat on the shoulder. But the sight of her worries me deeply, deflated, hobbling on her injured knee again.

  Draw on everything Kathy taught you, I think, watching my girls cross the sideline into my domain. Know this is the most important ten minutes of my coaching life. Getting us back into the match is everything.

  I’m straight into their ears. “Girls, we are still in this game.” Ignore my throat, the rain that’s started again. “Take this on board, Newcastle threw everything they had, and the score is still 3-2. Hang in there and we’ll finish over the top of them. I believe you can do it. I need you all to believe too!”

  Nancy’s arm is around Brooke. “You’re going to be alright. You can bounce back from this.”

  A shake of Brooke’s head is all it takes. The mood dropping faster than my midfielder’s tears. My words evaporating.

  “Right,” Cat orders quickly. “Everybody back to the rooms, now.”

  The girls turn their eyes to me. And my quick nod gets us moving. “Let’s get out of the rain.”

  I’ve never seen my friend like this. Beyond direct, pulling the door shut and sitting the girls down. “Listen up. You just got dominated by a team who loved doing it to you! If you walk out there the way you’re feeling, they’re going to grind you into the turf.” She punches her fist. “I know this! I’ve been in your position. We went to Newcastle, when, Maggie?”

  “’92,” I answer, scan the room for those who still believe. “They put six past us that afternoon.”

  Cat tosses an empty water bottle against a locker. The metallic bang brings every eye to her. “With all summer to think about it!” A crazed look in her eyes, intense without being angry. “This is not going to happen on my watch! I know you can play better than those last ten minutes. Ever since I got back from my own little hell I’ve watched you take some very good teams to pieces. And you ma
naged it here at the start. What changed?”

  She doesn’t give anyone a chance to answer. But we’re all thinking it anyway.

  “If anyone thinks it was Brooke, then you are wrong! You let them rip channels from our defence. Brooke made one mistake. One!” A crazed finger up making her point. “And suddenly everyone collapses around her. We gave them space to play. Give a team as good as the Reds that space, they’re going to kill you. So get your chin up, Brooke, because we need you at the back end of this half.”

  A nod from Brooke through gritted teeth. And I jump in despite the pain, turn to Sam.

  “Sam. You are the best player on the field by far. Play like it! Set yourself up at the top of the D and make yourself available!” Eyes scanning now, settling on my next target. “Nancy and Sarah, keep your width. Don’t stop talking out there. Your speed down the sidelines tore holes in them at the start. So let’s go back to what works.”

  I choke down the pain, subtly as I can. Greeted by the most intense silence I’ve ever heard.

  Then I keep on. “Janet, you’re starting this half, keep your eyes up and make sure you know where the girls are ahead of you. Anna, call out if you need people to fall back and help defend.”

  And my voice gives up, Cat not giving them time to notice. “Strikers, come on! I don’t want to give you that talk again.”

  Then more minutes of quiet. Cat going around to every girl. Offering breaths of confidence before turning to wink at me. I’ve got the last word.

  And I know exactly what I want to say.

  “Girls. Only two things can happen after this game.” With the shouting already done I speak normally. “Win, and go on to play Murwillumbah for a shot at the State Championship. Lose, and we play Wollongong again.” And I don’t even bother spelling out the Ms X scenario.

  My turn to scan for eyes. “Your destiny is in your own hands. Trust your instincts and step up. You’re not going to win just by wanting to.” It’s redundant to remind the girls that the momentum is all with Newcastle. But the way to swing momentum around is to win possession and keep it. So I hammer that home. Wait for all the nods. “Get out there and score for me! One goal and we’re level. Then we see who the Champions are.”

  “It’s time,” Cat cuts in, looking at her watch.

  Nancy and Sam charge out the door, followed closely by Sarah and Anna. Cat and I bringing up the rear.

  “Thanks for giving Sarah your stick.” I watch for Cat’s reaction, see nothing. “But you shouldn’t have.”

  Her smile seems distant, distracted even. “I gave Angela my other one. I don’t need them anymore.”

  We take our seats. Ready to see how effective our words have been.

  I’m pumping my fist in pure pride five minutes later. Sam rising to my challenge, levelling the match after a clever interplay with Nancy.

  “That’s my girl!” Cat shouts, jumping up.

  The sun makes a welcome appearance, but the tension means I barely notice. Eyes only processing minute after minute of stalemate. Sam double teamed and neither side giving an inch.

  It’s almost time for Brooke.

  I look across to her side of the bench. See her watching ruefully. Not moving at the sight of me approaching.

  “How are you feeling?” I ask, a ripple of nervous energy passing through me.

  A shake of Brooke’s head is what I expect. “For the team’s sake don’t send me on. I embarrassed them out there, even with two good knees.”

  But she should know by now I don’t give up on people.

  “Last week you told me you were ready.” I take her shoulders. “I believed. I still believe, Brooke.” Look into her eyes and find desperation for a second chance, and plagues of insecurity. “They haven’t seen you at your best, but I have.”

  “Don’t risk it, Coach.”

  “Janet’s getting tired, and you’re my first choice replacement. I know you’ve got it in you.” I make my call, ready to live by it. She didn’t put months into physiotherapy to throw it away because of one bad half. “The only risk I see is you’ll choose a bikini for me to wear at the formal.”

  Brooke’s giggle breaks the tension. Picking up her stick before standing.

  “I wouldn’t do that to you, Miss. I love you too much. Give me a minute.” And with that she starts bouncing on the spot.

  Job done, I go back to Cat.

  “They’re going to crack soon,” Cat says. “Now it is all down to fitness.”

  Yes, the beauty of a fresh player. I nod. “She’s almost ready.”

  Janet waves to me a minute later. The midfielder spent. I look across at Brooke. “Go get ‘em champ!” I shout the change into action.

  “Think they’ll try to isolate her?” Cat asks quietly as Brooke runs on. “One goal will win it from here.”

  Newcastle aim their attack at Brooke again. But this time she turns the ball down to the flanks when the passes fly close enough to intercept. Anna and the rear guard mopping up anything that gets past. The pace rising again, faster, and more intense.

  A whistle breaks my concentration. My girls walking back to me. Full-time called but the game still tied.

  One goal in extra time is all it will take now.

  I shadow Cat into the huddle, her mouth open to talk, but she stops at the sight of her stick twirling in Sarah’s hands.

  So I jump in. “Listen here. We rehearsed one special play. Now’s the time for it. Nancy, Sam, Sarah, this is what Cat meant on the bus. Find something special!” I outline the play I want. All eyes on me. “From the restart! Let’s finish this match how we started it.”

  My plan hits a hole when Newcastle start with possession. Pushing forward again, running play at Brooke, the midfielder starting to retreat.

  “No, push forward Brooke, there’s four defenders behind you. Don’t let them go into the circle,” I beg from the sideline.

  Still Newcastle advance.

  “Now!”

  My eyes snap to Nancy’s scream, then scan out to the field. Sam and Nancy positioned on either sideline. Brooke part of a carefully laid trap. Bolting forward to take an intercept and firing the ball in front of Sam.

  This is not my play! My mind protests, but I silence it with a cheer for Sam, sprinting forward, holding the ball with incredible skill. Dodging red uniforms like they’re statues.

  A clever one-two with Martina puts Sam one on one with the keeper.

  “Smack it Sam!” I shout, the action becoming a blur with Nancy sprinting on the overlap. I scream so hard it makes me cough. Sam drawing the Goalie and passing the ball to the unmarked Captain.

  Scored!

  A rush of pain doubles me over. My ears roaring with cheers. I don’t dare touch my neck with everyone watching. But Cat’s hug shields me anyway. My eyes on our supporter group, on their feet in the grandstand, Solo and Carol shouting the loudest.

  “Go easy, Maggie,” Cat whispers. “You’ve got the big one tomorrow.”

  I don’t speak again until we’re back in the dressing room. Sweat soaking into towels, the chatter happy and light. “Don’t start celebrating yet. We’re one win away from the trophy,” I start. “Brilliant half everybody! Amazing play! I’ll come around and see everyone tonight.”

  Cat pats me on the back, wants to say something, but Nancy beats her. “Miss Conrad, your unconditional belief has taken us this far.” Nancy’s speech, as Captain, makes me go as red as the uniforms we’ve just defeated. “We can win tomorrow! And when we do, it’ll be for you, Maggie.”

  A roar of enthusiasm goes up around me.

  “Nancy’s right!” Sam adds. “Anything other than a win tomorrow will not do justice. It’s my last game for Goulburn tomorrow, and I’m gonna play with everything I have for the privilege of lifting that trophy with Maggie!”

  Another cheer, ringing around this place where the best players in the world once gathered.

  My neck throbs. Blood rushing to my face. “I’m so lucky to have you all as my team,”
I barely choke out. “Meet me outside and we’ll head back to the hotel.”

  Cat waits until we’ve left the room before putting her arm around me. “Have pride Maggie, you’ve created a monster.”

  I chuckle, notice a heaviness behind my eyes. Let a few tears of joy roll out. Reaching for Cat before the ring of her phone interrupts the hug I’ve moved in for.

  Cat answers, the biggest smile forming on her face. “You’re late. We just beat Newcastle to make the final.”

  Who’s she talking to?

  “Okay. See you in 15. At the hotel.”

  “Who was that?”

  “I have another surprise for you.”

  The tingles strike, hard in the pit of my stomach. Cat’s last surprise rocked my world. What is she up to now?

  She doesn’t keep me guessing for long. “Kathy’s waiting for us at the hotel.”

  “What!” I throw myself into Cat’s arms. And this time she hugs back.

  A short walk and few minutes later I give another hug. This one for my mentor. The happy tears threatening to return.

  I find Cat, her cheeky grin gives her away. “You… You planned this?”

  “She did,” Kathy answers. “She called on Friday. I said I’d love to come, and she and Carol sorted out the rest. Sorry I’m a little late. The plan was to arrive this morning, but we got stuck in Singapore.”

  I scan around. Everyone’s joined us in the hotel lobby. Carol nodding a metre away. Solo even closer with a smile as cheeky as Cat’s. Reminding me I need him alone to explain what happened. But I’m in no mood for terror right now.

  I turn back to Kathy. “You’re just in time. We have Murwillumbah tomorrow.”

  “We have some catching up to do then. Come for a walk with me this evening—” Kathy starts before something changes her tack. “Hello, Mr Ripley.”

  My body goes cold, turning to see Principal Ripley with Detective Garry. Their looks telling me they’re not here with us to celebrate.

  Cat, Carol, and Solo move close. Carol getting the question in first. “What’s going on?”

  “Please stay here, Miss Conrad.” Ripley instructs. Moves past to the girls. “I’d like you to go upstairs, girls. Drop your bags, and come back down in 15 minutes for a meeting.”

  The principal dismisses them, their confused chatter giving way to a hush. Soon we adults are all who remain.

  What has he announced at this morning’s staff meeting that’s so important for Ripley to drive all this way? What will he tell the girls? Involve both him and the detective?

  Francis.

  We move to a semi-private lounge, out of earshot of everyone. Detective Garry wasting no time. “Francis passed away in hospital this afternoon, about half past two. We’re here to interview the girls as part of the investigation.”

  The collective intake of breath, sharp, gives me a moment to gather. But it’s only enough for the wave of guilt to crash in. It’s my fault he’s gone, I think, my hands shaking.

  I see Detective Garry talking, barely hear him.

  I’m a killer. He’s going to drag me away in handcuffs.

  The mention of my name brings me back. “Maggie, I want to assure you, based on your statement, the hospital report of your injuries…” I try to shut the detective out until I hear, “…a clear case of self-defence.”

  “What injuries?” Everyone asks at once.

  I pull the scarf away. No reason to hide any more. Try my hardest to block their reaction. But the noises Solo and Kathy make rip into me.

  Suddenly all my friends start talking at once.

  Carol jumps in. “No one can know he attacked Maggie. Say that Francis suffered fatal injuries while breaking and entering.”

  Principal Ripley responds, “We’re trying, but we can’t stop rumours.”

  Carol shoots back. “Leave that with me—”

  Detective Garry’s not done. “We also found conclusive evidence that Francis emailed harassment and threats to Miss Kenyon.”

  The image floods in, redoubles my muteness. Nancy’s face doctored onto the body of a tortured animal hanging by its carcass. The one line threat sucking the life out of her, when she should have been celebrating the Wollongong win.

  Everyone’s talking too fast to process. Except Solo who’s staring at my neck, his face saying he’d be willing to kill Francis all over again.

  I realise Ripley’s speaking to me. That everyone’s starting to stand. “Maggie, it’ll be best you don’t attend while we interview the girls. Or else they’ll look to you all the time, and I need their answers.” My boss smiles, Detective Garry taking over. “I’d advise you to either stay in your room or leave the hotel.”

  The scarf is back around my neck. Solo’s arm close by. “I’ll go for a walk.”

  We all stand, Detective Garry and Principal Ripley moving toward the reception desk. “Let’s find a room to brief the students.”

  Carol moves after them. “I’ll come with you. But I need to make a phone call first.”

  And me, Kathy, Solo, and Cat walk the opposite way.

  I’m so numb, the lingering rain outside brings no feeling. My three bodyguards shadowing my every step. No one talking.

  It takes ten steps for Cat to finally break the mood. “So… Solo, Maggie won’t tell me what happened on Saturday. You want to put me out of my misery, stud?”

  We’re all laughing as my arm hooks around his back. Rest my head on strong shoulders. Waiting for his answer.

  Solo kisses my temple, and I wish it were my lips. “Cat, you of all people should know, what goes on tour stays on tour.”