Free Sugar Crash by Elena Aitken Page A

little late. Cam had left earlier because he needed to be at the field for warm ups.
    "Bye, Mom." Taylor slipped out of the car and started to sprint from the parking lot towards the field, but Darci called her back.  
    "Tay!"
    The second Taylor looked over her shoulder at her, Darci felt bad. She knew she should let her go and be with her friends. But she couldn't tamper the worry that was building. Taylor raised her eyebrows in question.  
    "Just..." Darci wanted to tell her to be careful. Not to run too hard, and let the other girls play offense. Instead, she said, "Have a good game, kiddo."  
    Taylor raised her hand in a wave and ran full tilt towards her team.  
    Darci took her time getting her things out of the car and walking to the bleachers. Standing at the edge of the field, she looked up to the place she liked to sit by herself. Full.  
    "Darci!" She turned and saw Barb, surrounded by most of the other parents, waving at her from her usual spot above the player's bench. "Over here."
    "Why not?" she mumbled under her breath. She pulled the strap of her tote bag tighter over her shoulder and started the climb over the benches towards the group.
    "It's so good to see you," Barb said, and motioned to the empty seat next to her. Darci couldn't help but notice how Susanna had slid further to the end of the bench, leaving a large gaping space where none had been before.  
    "Thanks," Darci said. She squeezed in and settled her bag at her feet.
    Barb leaned over and Darci could smell the mint gum she was chewing. "How is she? I was so happy when Cam told me she was playing tonight. That's great."
    "I don't know about great...I mean, yes it is good, I'm just a little worried about her." Darci quickly corrected herself.  
    "Of course you are." Barb patted her knee and smiled so big that Darci couldn't help but return her smile in return. "That's what we do. We're moms," Barb said. "We worry. It's part of the gig."  
    "Thanks."  
    "It's going to be okay," Barb said with another smile.  
    Before Darci could say anything else, the whistle blew and the game was underway.  
    "Go Chargers!" Someone behind Darci yelled so loud that she spun around to see who the enthusiastic parent was. She'd only turned half way back when she locked eyes with Susanna. For a moment Darci thought she saw pity, or was it fear, in the other woman's eyes. But when she blinked, it was gone. Susanna was on her feet, cheering for the team with everyone else.  
    Darci forced herself to focus on the game. She didn't really believe that Cam would let Taylor play. After all, she'd probably be happy if she only felt like part of the team. That's what Taylor was craving. To let her play so soon after being released from the hospital, not even being released at all really, would be foolish. She knew it, and Cam knew it. So when Darci saw her daughter, hair tied back in a ponytail, socks pulled up to the knees and hospital identification bracelet on her left wrist, running out to field the ball, her heart leapt into her throat. Darci had to swallow hard to keep from jumping up and calling Taylor back in.  
    "She'll be fine," Barb said. Her hand reached out and covered Darci's. When Darci turned to look, she was met with caring, concerned eyes. "I know it's hard, but try not to worry."
    "I can't help it," Darci said, "I'm worried."
    "Of course you are, like I said, it's part of the job description." Barb laughed and Darci found some of her concern melting away. "The doctor wouldn't have let her play if she wasn't okay, right?"
    Darci nodded.  
    "Then she'll be fine." Barb looked so sure of it, that despite herself, Darci found herself relaxing a little and enjoying the game.  
    The girls played well and were ahead by six goals by the time the half time whistle blew.  
    "I'm going to get drinks," Barb's husband, Tim, announced. "Darci, what can I get you?"
    "Oh, you don't have to do that." Darci stood.
    "Don't be ridiculous," Barb said. "He's going