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We jogged toward the lush grass of the outfield, and I paired up the girls to start passing back and forth. “Overhand throws first,” I said.

“Coach?” a little voice said.

I turned to see Esther, one of the younger girls on the team. She had light brown hair pulled into a high ponytail with a pink bow the size of her head. “Yeah?” I asked.

“I don’t have a partner.” She looked sad, like she was about to cry.

“That’s no big deal. I’ll pass with you,” I said quickly.

But she instantly burst into tears.

I looked around to find Maggie, but she was helping a couple of the girls with their form. Shit.

Taking a breath, I knelt in front of Ester, getting at eye level with her, and her green eyes filled with moisture. “What is it? Do you need me to get your parents?”

She shook her head, wiping at her eyes. “I’m j-j-just nervous for today,” she sniffed.

I tilted my head. “Why would you be nervous? You were doing great at catching those grounders at practice Tuesday, and you even got a hit, remember?”

She wiped at her eyes, dragging snot across her cheek. “B-but I’m new here. And if I’m not good, maybe I won’t have any friends when school starts. No one even wanted to pass with me.” She slumped into my arms.

Caught off guard, I held her and began patting her back. This poor thing, she wasn’t even worried about winning or losing. The social aspect was bigger to her than the game.

“Esther, I need you to take a deep breath,” I said.

She pulled back, sniffling, and nodded. I could still feel the damp spot on my shoulder.

“Then I need you to get that booger off your cheek.”

She looked mortified, dragging the collar of her jersey over her skin. “Did I get it?”

I smiled. “Yeah, you did.”

Her lips wobbled.

I put my hands on her shoulders, making sure she heard me. “Baby girl, it’s hard being in a new town and making friends. But worrying about whether people like you or not isn’t helping.”

Her face scrunched up. “But I am worried.”

“About the wrong things. You worry about having fun. You worry about being Esther. And friends? They’ll come along, because you’re a great person and fun to be around, not because you made a good throw or caught a ball, okay?”

She nodded, wiping the last of the moisture from her eyes.

“Okay?” I repeated.

“Yes, Coach,” she said.

A whistle blew from the infield, and I looked over to see the Fire Stars coach waving that it was time to trade.

“Ready?” I asked Esther.

She nodded resolutely.

“Good,” I said, standing back up. “Unicorns! To the infield!”

20

MAGNOLIA