Chapter Text
“Okay, Charlie. What do you have our class trade today?” Ms. A asked as Charlie came up to the front of the class holding his three items.
“Well, I brought my iPad mini, Dr. Dre headset –of course, wifi and Bluetooth— and a remote control helicopter,” Charlie said as he pulled these devices from his bags. While it was a little too extravagant for a first grader to pull out such expensive devices for a class trade day, it wasn’t anything new. Charlie’s family was really well off and Ms. A had already spoken about bring in expensive things to school and she was told by his parent that it was fine. Therefore, since then, Ms. A just let it be; she did wonder at times if she could borrow some of the things this kid brought to school.
“All right, so what would you like to trade in for those?”
“I don't’ know,” Charlie said with much scoff. This kid had everything, he didn’t need to trade with other kids and that was what made him so arrogant and spoiled at times. “Ms. A, I’d want to wait till everybody shares their stuff?” It wasn’t much of a question rather than a statement.
“I mean, sure but you sure you don’t want to trade in for anything else?” Ms. A asked while all the other kids were yelling and shouting to get Charlie’s attention to trade with their toy robots, lego sets, stuffed animals, etc., nothing as cool as Charlie’s.
Ms. A gave Charlie a nod and she lets him go back to his seat and calls out Alice.
“Alice?”
“Yes, Ms. A,” Alice answers as she walks out to the front of the class with a big smile.
“So?” Ms. A asks, a little quizzical because Alice forgot to bring anything up with her.
“Oh, right just a second,” Alice replies still with a smile on her face and without an ounce of worry but only a sense of self-brilliance.
“Um, Alice. What are you trading with the class? You can’t trade without having anything,” Ms. A got down on her knees to level with Alice.
“I know, Ms. A. Patience is the essence of—”
Then there was an abrupt knock on the door before it quickly swung opened and someone rushed in panting, “Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry! The traffic was really bad on the way and I—” the lady who just walked in realized there was something off.
“Um, who are you?” Ms. A asked a little concerned and pushed Alice behind her to protect her from this stranger who just barged in.
“Hi, I’m Ashlyn Harris. I’m Alice’s aunt. She asked me to come in for today’s career day?” Ashlyn stood there a little phased by the question as she stood there in her full USWNT soccer kit, including the gloves and the socks and the boots.
“Uh, I think you’re mistaken Ms. Harris but today isn’t career day…” Ms. A corrected the blond.
“Alice?” Ashlyn looked down at her niece with a look.
“You see Aunt Ash… Today’s class trade day and,” Alice looked up to her aunt and saw the change in Ashlyn’s face and realized she was either going to be in a lot of trouble right now or later at home and that’s when the witty smart first grade brain kicked in.
“MS.A-SAID-WE-SHOULD-BRING-SOMETHING-THAT-ISN’T-BEING-USED-AT-HOME-OR-JUST-LAYING-ABOUT!” Alice yelled really quickly, almost so fast that nobody could understand, with her eyes shut tight. The girl was about to start her Grammy Award material crying act when Ms. A who felt more guilty about being an unclear first grade teacher cut in.
“Oh my goodness… I’m so sorry Ms. Harris I must have not been clear with the instructions,” Ms. A was genuinely sorry and she couldn’t believe that one of her students would actually create such a situation, well, she knew it was possible just maybe not today where one of her students would bring her aunt to school probably because she is jobless and living with her brother or sister’s family; these were all thoughts that ran through Ms. A’s mind as she thought of how the “something that isn’t being used or just laying about” applied to Ashlyn.
“No, no, no. Oh my god—dness,” Ashlyn corrected herself realizing that she was in a room full of children. “I should have known better when she asked me to come to school for career day when Chris was here two weeks ago… It was dum— It wasn’t very smart on my part,” Ashly tried to make Ms. A feel better while she also looked down at Alice giving her the Oh, you’re in so much trouble missy look.
“Well, then. I’ll leave you guys to your trade day,” Ash said with a small awkward smile and turned around to head out. That’s when things took a different turn.
“I’ll give you all of my stuff!” Charlie shouted out of nowhere.
“Oh, Charlie. No, Ms. Harris is not part of the trade day,” Ms. A tried to quickly make right of the situation which was only getting awkward.
“NO! Alice brought her in for her trade day and I want Ms. Harris! Ms. A you said first come first serve!” Charlie was about to throw a tantrum as he ran towards Ashlyn and clung onto her legs so that she couldn’t move.
“Oh gosh,” Ms. A said quietly but loud enough for Ash to hear. She quickly got on her knees and tried to pull Charlie away from Ashlyn’s leg, “Com’on buddy, you can’t trade Ms. Harris. Alice made a mistake,” Ms. A tried to comfort Charlie.
“No! No! No! I want Ms. Harris!” Charlie was now sobbing and crying. It was really hard to take control of the situation and the other 12 kids sitting in the room weren’t looking any better than Ms. A or Ashlyn who just was so lost.
Luckily the bell rang for recess and Ms. A had gone to the classroom next door to ask the other first grade teacher to help take her kids out to the playground while she figured this Charlie situation.
Five minutes after the kids have left, Charlie had somewhat calmed down but he was still clinging onto Ashlyn’s legs. While Ms. A tried to talk to Charlie about letting go of Ash’s legs, he would just burry his head deeper into the blonde’s leg; of course, this was all the while Alice stood with guilt and in silence next to the three of them.
Finally, Ash took the matter into her own hands. “Hey, buddy you’re kind of squeezing my legs so tight that you’re going to soon cut them off. Now, we wouldn’t want that right?” Ash said.
Still no answer.
“Well, I have something. What if you let go of my legs and hold my hands instead?”
Still no answer.
“Okay, what is you hold my hands and sit on my lap and talk to me. I mean you got to talk so that I know what you want, right?” Ash was hoping she could convince the boy to budge.
“And you’ll listen to me?” Charlie said quietly as still buried into Ash’s legs.
“I promise,” Ash assured him.
The boy finally caved and with his head still down, he slowly reached for Ash’s hand and Ash picked the boy up. Ms. A really didn’t know what to do and seemed like Ash somewhat had the situation in control so just stood there and watched the two along with Alice.
“So, you really want some crazy lady who plays soccer for… I don’t know how long this trade day things is for while you give up all your cool gadgets?” Ash asked as if the answer was obvious.
“Mhm,” Charlie answered sullenly as he wiped his tears with the sides of his sleeves.
“Seriously?” Ash asked with a chuckle, she couldn’t believe this kid.
“Please Ms. Harris? Pretty please? I want to play soccer and I want to be really good at it,” Charlie replied, now finally making eye contact with Ash.
“You are sure?” Ash asked.
“Just for one week please? You can come and help with our soccer team. My soccer team is doing really bad and we can use a good coach!” Charlie sounded very desperate.
What the hell Ash thought. “Okay, fine. One week. I’ll help you guys with your team. Sounds good?” Ash said as she held out her hand for him to shake.
“Really?! Ms. Harris you will?!” Charlie’s demeanor changed and he was all smiley and happy so quickly.
This unconsciously made Ashlyn chuckle, “Yes, really.”
“WOOT WOOT! Does this mean that I get to have all of Charlie’s stuff for a week too!?!?!” Alice was excited too.
“Yes, really. And you miss, you’re in some deep dodo. When you get home today,” Ash said in a serious tone. “All right, why don’t you guys get going and enjoy what’s left of recess,” Ash said as she helped Charlie off her lap and watched the two scurry out the door.
“I’m so sorry Ms. Harris,” Ms. A said very sincerely.
“Nah, it’s fine. I don’t even know if this is legal…” Ashlyn said as she wondered how this was going to work.
“Well, actually I mean you’re just helping out with the soccer stuff then I can help you out. My nephew plays for the same club –just a different age group— and from what I know Charlie’s team has been having troubles and they could use some hands. Actually, Matt’s coach is the guy who coordinates the thing so if you leave me your number I can help you out,” Ms. A said with a smile. That made Ash feel a little better.
“Sounds good and call me Ashlyn. And also, please let Charlie know that I’ll get in touch with that coach guy and I’ll see him there,” Ash smiled.
“You got it. Sorry about today again.”
“No worries. Kids, I’m sure you don’t even get phased,” Ash winked as she headed out the door.
That night at the Harris’ household after dinner…
“HAHAHAHAHAHA! I can’t believe she took YOU to trade! Man you got to start work on being an aunt Ash,” Chris laughed as she took a sip of his beer.
“Shut up asshole,” Ash rebelled but couldn’t help contain her laugh.
“Ashlyn, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what it’s about her but she’s definitely has a lot more of Chris in her than me,” Heather apologized as she grabbed her glass of wine to join the adults after she had put Alice to bed. “I told her that she wasn’t allow to bring Charlie’s trade goods so that should put some damper on that kid’s day for pulling such a stunt.”
“Haha, don’t worry about it Heather. I mean her teacher did say ‘something that you don’t use or laying about in the house.’ I mean, I have been kind of doing nothing and laying about in the house,” Ash admitted. Ash had finally gotten sometime off before she had to return to D.C. for preseason from her USWNT duties.
“Man, that’s my girl!” Chris was still laughing and couldn’t believe what Alice had done and wished he had been there to witness this.
“You know? Sometimes I wonder how YOU could be a father,” Ash stated, “You’re worse than a first grader!”
“Excuse me, that is Harris blood running in that girl and she is a damn smart girl,” Chris exclaimed and chuckled.
That night, Coach Jeff called Ashlyn and told her how thankful he was that she could help out and fill in. While Ash told him that it was only for a week, Jeff told her that that was exactly what the team needed.
“So, that’s it? Just every afternoon four o’clock at Mason Park?” Ash asked as she wrote down the stuff on a piece of paper.
“Yup,” Jeff answered.
“You sure this is okay and I don’t need to sign anything?” Ash asked as she worried about the legal stuff since she was working with kids.
“Ashlyn, you’re on the USWNT, an Olympic gold medalist AND a World Cup medalist AND Alice’s aunt. If anything, the parents would love you to be there and inspire and teach these kids something,” Jeff assured her, “You’re right I should run a background check but I’m just going to go with my gut that a role model like you would be smart enough not to do anything stupid or have done anything stupid.”
“Haha all right. I assure you that I’m clean and I haven’t even been pulled over for a speeding ticket,” Ash said on the other line.
“Sounds good. Too bad Alice didn’t like soccer too much,” Jeff said as he recalled having a conversation he had with Chris when Chris came early to pick up a crying Alice from practice.
“Yeah, too much of a diva with a brain if you know what I mean,” Ash chuckled.
“Okay, then. I’ll see you tomorrow Ashlyn.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow. Thanks Jeff,” Ash said before she hungup.
The next day Ash got her normal routine in. She woke up and went for a run, lifted, and dropped Alice to school. It wasn’t bad at all to have Ash living with the family because she was able to help out a lot. Heather had more time to herself with Ashlyn helping out and Chris and Heather were able to go on at least two date nights a week, which is why Chris always joked that Ashlyn, should skip preseason and stay till March.
Around three, Ashlyn slowly got ready to head over to the park. She grabbed her soccer gears and drove over. She didn't realize how big this children’s soccer club was but apparently the club rents out the whole park space to run practices. Ash was greeted by the coaches and Jeff when she got there.
“Wow, it’s an honor to meet you,” Jeff and the other coaches said as they shook her hand.
“Oh please, I’m just another soccer player like all of you. I actually never helped out with kids these small so I don’t know how I’ll do but I hope you guys help out and let me know when I’m not doing something right,” Ash said with modesty.
“You’ll be great,” Tom, the assistant coach of the same team Ash was going to coach said.
When it was about 3:40, the kids started to roll in. The kids all went to their designated fields and started to put their gears on and that’s when Ash heard a familiar voice.
“Ms. Ashlyn!” Charlie came running towards the blonde.
“Hi buddy,” Ash said cheerfully as she got down to give the kid a hug.
“You came!” Charlie exclaimed.
“Of course. I promised. A promise is a promise,” Ash said and winked.
“Awesome,” Charlie said as she gave Ashlyn a high five and went to put his stuff on.
Practice went well. The kids on the team were super excited about having a new coach for a week. It was also the fact that Ashlyn inspired the life out of these youngsters. She made sure she reminded these kids that pushing harder and trying harder was only going make them better if they enjoy it. She told them that winning is good but it was only good for her because there were bazillion games she had lost and was able to learn from them. She was a children whisperer.
The week went by very fast and it was weird that Ashlyn had never met Charlie’s parents. She knew that they were both working parents but it was just weird that a parent wouldn’t even call or check up on his or her kid. It was always Charlie’s nanny who came to pick him up and waited for his practice to be over.
On the fifth day of this interim coaching job, the team actually had a game. Even though they tied, that was good news for the team because they had only been losing. Charlie even had an assist. The team had been working very hard. Even Tom told Ashlyn that there must be a special vibe an Olympic and World Cup gold medalist gives out because the kids were so inspired and they worked harder than ever, even though it was youth soccer for six and seven year olds. As usual, Charlie’s nanny waited for him to be done with the game. Charlie actually stayed 10-15 minutes later than the other kids to practice shooting with Ashlyn, after all, she was his personal trainer for the week.
“Well done kid!” Ash said as she ran over and roughed Charlie’s hair. He was finally able to get the ball off the ground.
“Man, you’re gonna be kicking butt in no time!” Ash said again, “Well, it’s getting late so let’s get you going.”
“Aw, do I have to?” Charlie asked disappointed.
“It’s getting late you should get home for dinner!” Ash chuckled at how cute the kid’s reaction was.
As the two walked towards Charlie’s nanny who was on the phone, Ash sensed something was wrong. Meredith, Charlie’s nanny, was on the phone and she had a really concerned look on her face.
“Okay, okay, okay, I… I… ummm,” Meredith’s voice was shaky, her hands were trembling, and tears were rolling down her face.
“Hey, hey, hey. What’s wrong?” Ash asked as she got hold of Meredith’s shoulders and tried to calm her.
“I…. ummm… My fiancé has been in an accident and he’s in surgery and the doc—”
“Let’s go. I’ll drive you,” Ash didn’t even hesitate. She quickly grabbed Charlie’s hand and helped the two into her Jeep and drove to the hospital Meredith’s fiancé was at. When the got to the hospital, the three of them rushed over to the front desk to see where her fiancé was. Thankfully he had come out of surgery and was asleep. The doctor explained that he had few broken bones but he would be just fine.
It wasn’t until Charlie tugged on to Ashlyn’s hand, “Coach, I’m hungry.”
“Oh my goodness! I totally forgot! Shoot! Charlie!” Meredith had just realized that she had been dragging about Charlie, the kid she was supposed to babysit, and forgot to call his mom or just about Charlie. She was feeling guilty.
“I’m so sorry honey. Let’s get you home,” Meredith said apologetically as she got down to pick Charlie up.
“Hey, if you’re okay with it then, I can take him home. I mean, you should really be here,” Ash assured her. She knew what it was like to wake up from surgery with no one next to you.
“I can’t… can’t ask you to do that you—”
“It’s fine with me, really,” Ash gave her a small smile, “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind grabbing a burger or something on the way back home either, right?” Ashlyn asked Charlie who just started nodding furiously.
“Are you sure? If his par—” Meredith wasn’t worried about Charlie but more like the consequences of her action.
“Hey, your fiancé was in an accident and it’s not like you abandoned him. Anything he’s allergic to?” Ash asked as if the decision wasn’t up for debate.
“Nope, he’s pretty much good with anything. Maybe stay away from soda this late?” Meredith suggested.
“Perfect,” Ash nodded and started walking out with Charlie but turned around and asked Charlie to stay put where he was and jogged over to Meredith.
“Hey, I can also drive your car over here if you give me your key. I promise I’m not going to steal your car. If I do, you can find me at the USWNT front page,” Ash joked.
“Ashlyn, you really don’t have to,” Meredith said depleted but so thankful that she had Ash, even though she was practically a stranger, with her.
“Hey, I know what it’s like to be in your shoes and what it’s like to be in his shoes. He is going to want you there when he wakes up and you’re going to want to be there when he wakes up. So, let me be a good Samaritan and help out a friend?” Ash suggested.
“Thanks,” Meredith didn’t even know what to say. She knew Ash was right and quietly gave Ash her keys.
“All right, I’ll drop him over and drive your car over here,” Ash smile and ran over to Charlie as if she was going to sack him and picked him up and walked out the hospital door.
The two went to In-and-Out and boy was she surprised how much the boy could eat. He ate a whole burger by himself and finished the fries and the small orange juice. Then, it dawned on her that this kid had a game and hadn’t eaten anything and it was almost eight.
“Wow, you can really eat buddy,” Ashlyn chuckled as Charlie munched on his food. He just smiled with his mouth full of burger and fries.
“So, buddy, where are your parents? They ever come to your games?” Ash asked casually.
“Busy. You know? Work,” Charlie answered not phased by the question at all.
“Doesn’t bother you?” Ash asked.
“I mean, that’s why I have Meredith, Coach Tom, Coach Jeff, and you,” Charlie smiled. His answer was so simple and innocent but there was something very wrong for a seven year old to think that this was okay.
“Plus, it’s more fun with you at soccer. It’s parent’s coaching week this week and it was more fun that you came since my mom doesn’t like soccer,” Charlie answered without much conviction.
That’s when it dawned on Ashlyn. Charlie had needed someone to fill in for his week for parent coaching and this was his way out. She suddenly felt a pang in her chest and felt for the boy. She just smiled at him and offered him to drink more of his orange juice. When the two finished their meal, Ashlyn buckled Charlie in Alice’s car seat and by the time she got to Charlie’s place he was passed out; as Ashlyn picked Charlie up and walked through the fancy apartment housing all Ash could think about was how it was smart of her to ask Charlie where he lived before he zonked out. However, it wasn’t very hard to find where he lived once she walked into the building when the man at the front door recognized Charlie right away.
Ash pressed the 12th floor and searched for apartment 1202. It was one of the more upscale apartments she had been too. When she got to the front door she pressed the button but nobody answered so she reached into her pocket and used Meredith’s key to let herself in. And, when she walked in that’s when she was met with a scream.
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” A lady in a white bathrobe stood there screaming and that woke Charlie up but he quickly rested his head back onto Ashlyn’s shoulder
“WHO ARE YOU?! AND WHY ARE YOU WITH MY SON?! WHY ISN’T HE IN BED?!” The lady yelled at Ashlyn in an accusative tone as she took her son from the stranger’s arm.
“I.. um… I—” Ashlyn didn’t know what to say.
“You stay right there,” the lady said as she went into her living room and laid Charlie on the couch and came back rushing to Ashlyn.
“I’m going to call the police right now and you’re going to tell me exactly how you kidnapped my son!” The lady frantically dialed 911 and started talking, “Hi, this is Central Apartment Stevenson Street, apartment 12—”
Ashlyn snatched the phone and hung up, “Will you just listen ma’am?!”
The lady was taken by surprised and she stopped talking whether because she wanted to know what this blonde had to say or because she was scared maybe this was where she was also going to be part of the kidnap.
“I’m Charlie’s soccer coach and after the game today Meredith got a call from the hospital that her fiancé was in a car crash so I helped her get there and told her that I would take Charlie home. I’m sorry we didn’t tell you but Meredith’s—”
“That bitch! You know what you guys did is illegal?! I pay her so much money and she just forgets about my son and runs off like that?! And, what? You think you can bring my son home and be the hero and I’d thank you for bringing him home?!” The lady huffs. “You know what? You can go tell Meredith that she lost her job. What an irresponsible, selfish, per—”
Ashlyn had enough, “You know what lady, I tried to be civil and I tried to be nice and I tried to make sense that yes, a mother would be worried about her son being brought home by some stranger and could accuse them of kidnapping but you calling someone irresponsible?! Let me correct you ma’am. You didn’t even know that your son was home. You haven’t even called ONCE while he wasn’t home. I don’t even know if you were actually surprised that I brought him home or that he wasn’t in bed to start with?! And, Meredith’s fiancé was in a car accident. I’m sorry that her fiancé was hurt and she’s only human but let me tell you, she is nothing but good to that boy who doesn’t even remember the last time his parents came to his game and thinks that it’s NORMAL for his parents to not show up. He had to ‘borrow’ me from his class trade day so that I could fill in for his parent’s coaching week coach. Oh wait, I’m sorry you probably don’t even know that your son plays soccer. I don’t like telling people what to do and especially not how to raise their kid but I’m just going to tell you that, YOU, are the irresponsible one here.” Ash was beyond furious at how arrogant and pigheaded this lady in front of her was.
“YOU have no idea who you’re dealing with you child kidnapper! I’m Ali Krieger and—”
“I don’t give a shit who you are. Here’s my name, my number, and my driver’s license number. Just in case you want to be a good mom and do a background check on me,” Ash said as she quickly wrote down her information and left without another word.