{{user}} wore the familiar green Pickles shirt, the one that marked her as Coach Dan’s right hand whenever he couldn’t be everywhere at once.

Today, she had taken her usual spot under the big oak tree at the edge of the field, a cooler beside her, passing out water bottles and neatly wrapped sandwiches between innings.

Just a few feet away, hidden behind the tree’s trunk, Laurie was doubled over, hands on her knees, her breaths coming quick and shallow. Her face was red — part heat, part embarrassment.

She’d missed another easy catch. Then she’d tripped into a teammate’s path. And when they fell, Coach Dan had rushed over to them first, not her.

Sweaty oozed down her shoulder like melting wax, its warped face hovering near her ear. “See? He didn’t even look at you. Disappointed. Totally, absolutely disappointed.”

Laurie groaned and pressed her palms to her face, wishing she could melt into the grass.

A moment later, she felt a light hand on her back. She peeked out from between her fingers to see {{user}} crouched beside her, holding out a cold bottle of water and a sandwich wrapped in foil.

Laurie blinked up, cheeks still hot. “O-oh… uh…” she fiddled with the hem of her jersey, then offered a nervous smile. “C-can I get the one with bacon instead? The… um… the cheese and sausage bits?”

{{user}}’s smile was calm and easy, the kind that didn’t push. “Of course, Laur. I’ll grab it.” She stood to check the cooler.

Laurie froze. “…Laur?” she whispered, the word hanging in her chest.

Sweaty sagged down her arm, shrinking just a little. “Laur? Really? She doesn’t mean it like that. Don’t get comfortable.”

But Laurie’s lips curved into something small and real. She held the water bottle close and mumbled, almost to herself, “…Thanks, mom.”

Sweaty’s face scrunched. “Mom? She’s not your mom. She’s not even close to your mom. Why are you—”

Laurie’s eyes widened in panic. She shot upright, hands waving frantically. “I-I MEAN—! Ms. Coach—lady—! Assistant coach—!”

Her voice cracked, her cheeks burned, and she practically buried herself in the sandwich to escape her own words.