First Flight, Final Fall

by C.W. Farnsworth

“I don’t want to go skydiving with you, Saylor. I want to be the person you rely on when you’re acting like you can do everything on your own.” His words remind me of my dad’s, and I push back the same way I did at the wedding. “I can do everything on my own,” I insist. “There’s a difference between wanting to and having to.”

“Do you still want that rematch?” I ask. “I’ll let you pick the prize this time.” He looks at me like I’m insane. “There’s no goalie.” “So?” “So, there won’t be a winner.” I grin. “That’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.” Beck is arguably the best soccer player in the world. Yet he’s never once made me feel inferior, treated me as any less because I haven’t signed a pro contract or because I’m a woman. It’s one of many attractive things about him.

“I never told you that you inspire me as a soccer player because you haven’t been just a soccer player to me since we met. I used to watch you play and admire your skill. Analyze your strategy. Those aren’t the things I’d notice now. And I didn’t know how to admit that you mattered, or if I even should, so I said nothing.

“It makes a lot of sense,” he replies. “But no one could watch you play and say that you don’t deserve a spot on any football field. That’s what Herrmann said, after that camp ended. What Otto told me, after he saw your penalty kicks.” “Really?” “Really. I resent the attention sometimes, and maybe it’s selfish of me to ask you to deal with it too. But you can use it, Saylor. If they pay attention to you because of me, use it however you want.”

“I’m not asking you to choose between me and football. I love how focused and dedicated and motivated you are. You inspire me. And I know exactly what I’m getting into.”

“We’ll figure it out.” “Don’t make it sound easy,” I say. “It’ll be hard.” “I know it’ll be hard. You don’t walk on the field knowing you’re going to win, Saylor. You earn it. Fight for it. That’s all I’m asking. For you to try.”

The point is, I love Saylor. I want her to achieve everything she’s ever dreamed. And I want to be next to her when she does. I want her to know I’ll be there, no matter what happens.”

Saylor Scott is it for me. No other woman will ever compare. She’s been in my life for almost exactly a year, and I can barely remember what it looked like before we met.

I glance at her. And immediately forget what I was going to say. She’s literally glowing in the candlelight, her hair loose in golden waves. She changed into a different dress from the one she wore to her party earlier, this one darker and lower cut. She’s stunning. I feel stunned, looking at her.

“But if Rosenbauch makes an offer, I’m going to accept it.” “You don’t have to do that, Saylor. Not for me, or us.” I never want to hold her back in any way. Because she shines brighter than the stars above us and I want everyone to see it. Because I’m terrified it’ll end in her resenting me or regretting our relationship. “Because you don’t think we’ll make it?” I reach into my pocket and pull out the velvet box that’s been there all night. I set it on her stomach. “Because I’m certain we’ll make it no matter where you decide to play. I want you to sign with whatever team you want, and know that I’ll support your decision. That it won’t change anything between us. That we’ll make it work no matter what.”

“You’d leave FC Kluvberg and play for another team?” “Yes.” “And you’d marry me even if I play in England until I’m too old to pop out any soccer prodigies for you?” I smile. “Yes.”

I love it. I love you.” Her fingers run along my cheek and up to my forehead, brushing some of my hair back. “I was so sure this didn’t exist. But you…you made me believe in happy endings again.”

I’ve had an extraordinary life by most measures. Achieved things most people only dream about. I’ve won championships and I’ve met important people. Encountered fame and enjoyed wealth. By comparison, falling in love sounds mundane. It’s something most people experience, at least once. So is getting engaged. It’s a big, common promise. But I know, kissing Saylor beneath the stars, that no moment in my life will ever matter more than this one.