Jimstaredatthegroundandsighedindisappointment.PlayersfromtheopposingteamracedpastJim,celebratingtheirshockingvictory.They’dscoredthegame-winninggoaljustsecondsbeforetheendofthegame.
“Justonewordtodescribealosslikethat,”JimmumbledtohisteammateDevin.
“Terrible!”Devinsighed.“Itwasatoughone.”Hetrotted(小步快跑)towardthemiddleofthefieldtoshakehandswiththewinningteam.JimwalkedslowlybehindDevin.Heunhappilyslappedhandswiththewinners,andthenstoppedtoshuthiseyesastheautumnaircooledhissweatyface.
“Terrible,”herepeatedtohimselfashesatonthebenchandpulledhisjacketon.“Let’sgetsomehotchocolateandwatchthenextgame,”Devinsaid.TherewereeightteamsintheYMCAleague,sogameswouldgoonallmorning.“Sorry.I’mheadinghome,”Jimsaid,“I’vehadenoughsoccerfortoday.”
Ashereachedthegate,Jimglancedbacktoseethenexttwoteamstakethefield.Theywerejumpingandshouting,excitedtoplay.“Thatwasusalittlewhileago,beforewewerediscouraged.”Jimthought.
SowhywelostthegameatlastJimaskedhimself.Howdidsuchawell-playedgameendupwithsuchaterribleresultItwasstillclearinhishead:JimhadtheballdeepontheJets’sideofthefield,lookingforDevinoranotherteammatetopassto.HisteamhadoutplayedtheJetsformostofthegame,butfailedwithinthelastseconds.
Jimletoutadeepbreath.Themorningwasgrowingwarmer.Perfectforsoccer.Jimlookedbacktowardthefield.Hecouldn’tseeit,buthecouldheartheexcitedvoicesasthegamecontinued.
Withacar’shornbeeping,Jim’sfriendsTaraandBryanjumpedoutofthecar.