F this thing called Football

Chapter 2: Meet the Team

After meeting with Dr. Anders, I had a task list two pages long. I had a lot of paper work and chart to go through in the days to come. Anders took me to an office a few doors down from his. “This will be your space. I want you to make yourself at home and come to me with any questions you might have. I look forward to working with you Miss Stark.”

I know this job was made up for me as a favor. I wasn’t dumb to the fact that my nursing degree wasn’t needed in this sport. I was basically a medical secretary for the team doctors. I was taking players charts and making sure everything was up to date for Anders. He took over as team doctor two years ago and he said everything was outdated and a mess of papers he didn’t have the time to sift through.

I settled myself behind a large L shaped desk. I looked down to see a small red dog bed and Red Hawks dog bowls were set up for Ella. A small smile spread across my face as my little Ella settled into her new space. At least someone felt at home already.

I looked at the filing cabinet behind me and got started looking at the mess of papers Anders was talking about. Every player had a small file with their name on top. The files were in order of the players numbers. I started going through the cabinet and locating each file. Papers were falling out, half filled in, and there were sticky notes falling all over my floor.

“Well Ella, maybe this position wasn’t made up after all. This is a disaster.” I said to my small companion. Ella raised her head and gave me what I could only call a sympathetic look.

After a few hours of getting myself set up with the IT department, Dr. Anders came back to my door. “Hey I would like to introduce you to the team players and coaches. After we can get you some lunch and fresh air.” I closed my laptop and sold Ella to stay in her spot. I closed my office door and followed behind to the practice fields

The coach looked as us and nodded to Anders. He blew his whistle and yelled for the players to huddle up. “Men! This is Miss Stark. She is a new member of the Red Hawks. Miss Stark will be helping Anders here with all team medical matters. I want you to all meet with her one on one this week to go over your files. Before the day ends make your appointments with her.”

I felt my face turning bright red with all eyes on me. I got smiles and nods of greeting from most of the 26 players in front of me. I felt eyes on me. I turned to the side and saw the grumpy one, Mac, from earlier. His sandy hair was wavy and stuck to his forehead with sweat. His eyes looked to be brighter outside. The honey color rich and warm. They look I was getting wasn’t warm and inviting like the depths of his eyes were. It sent a chill down my spine. I pulled my stare from his face. “Please stop by my office if you have a chance after practice. I’m two doors down from Anders.” I took a step backwards and spun on my heel to leave. I felt Mac’s eyes still on me as I walked away.

I’ve never felt so unnerved by someone simply looking at me. I turned the corner from the field and leaned against the cool brick wall. I closed my eyes and let my head fall back taking a deep breath. Today sucks.

Players slowly started to come in my office as the afternoon went. I put them all down for appointments for the next three days. I found each file I was given from Anders and put them in order of my upcoming appointments. It was already past quitting time and the UK time difference was beginning to wear on my already tired body. I gathered my bag and put Ella’s leash on her.

“Time to head home girl. We have a lot of unpacking to do.” I walked out of the stadium and started my short walk to my new apartment. The sun was setting on my third day in my new home country. I never thought I would leave New York State, let alone the whole country.

I grew up in an average middle class household. I had an older brother Alex, two loving parents, and a typical country up bringing. My family owned a small piece of land in upstate New York. I spent my days around my brother and our friends. Alex taught me how to skate on our pond and we played ice hockey every winter. Come summer the pond was where we swung from a rope swing and splashed around. Walking down the sidewalk towards my new apartment building, I realized I would give anything to go back.

I don’t mean back to when I was younger but back to my safe place. I am in unfamiliar territory. I am in a new country, new pity job, and what was left of my life packed away in boxes.

I make it to my apartment and flop down on my very uncomfortable couch. “Oof.” I look around. “We need to unpack.” Ella looks over at me from her spot on the couch next me to. “Okay I need to unpack. Freeloader.” I roll my eyes at my one friend in the city. At least I had my dog.

I make way unpacking what’s left of my life. I make a list of things I need to do in the up coming days. I need groceries, set up internet, and get furniture of my own. The team set up this apartment for me. This is team housing. This floor of the building is owned by the Red Hawks. I have a contract saying I will work for the team for the next year. This apartment is part of my contract, a place to live for my contracted year. There are sparse furnishings: an uncomfortable sofa, small kitchen table with four chairs, a queen size bed, and a small desk. This wasn’t anything fancy but Ella and I could make it work.