Sports Girl

“That is definitely the worst when that happens. You feel bad enough and then there’s always someone who has to keep on reminding you,” was Holly’s response, her brows lifting in amusement. As the woman continued, the expression on her face softened, and she nodded. “Well you totally should if you have the time and don’t need to be back in a hurry.”

“I just like to tell myself that maybe they are just jealous or intimidated hence why they give me pointless trouble like that sometimes.” she gave a shrug. It might of sound arrogant to some but that’s usually the reasoning behind behavior like that. “ Coffee seems like my life live now days so I probably should stop and get something.”

“I’d be curious to know the percentages of people who watch the Super Bowl for the football and who just watch so they can see all the commercials and movie trailers.” Logan wasn’t a football fanatic, per se, but he did enjoy the occasional sporting event, so he was by far a mixture of both.

“Well I for one am someone who watches it for the football and sometimes the commercials are bonus but that’s only if they are actually funny.” Dana shrugged, taking a sip of her drink. “Same goes for the halftime show. If it’s good then it would be a bonus but if not then I say move on from it.”

“Thanks,” she said again. As the woman began making space Sophie shook her hands, asking for her to stop. “It’s okay, please don’t put yourself out,” she said, feeling guilty that the woman was making a space. Then Sophie looked around and realised how busy the place was, and she didn’t really want to take her coffee to go. “Are you sure?” she asked. 

“Really it’s fine. I’m taking a much longer break then I should be anyway.” she insisted before tidying up more of her stuff and filing away the papers she didn’t need anyone at the moment. “I just needed some extra time out of the office. But please sit. Like I said I’ll be done here in no time and you can enjoy the table to yourself.”

“It does come in handy, I can’t argue with you there.” In fact, it came in more than handy, Marco had realised over the years. “Thanks. I actually worked at SeaWorld in San Diego for five years before I ended up back here and in the career I’m doing now.” To him it still seemed a little like a dream, that things had changed so dramatically and so quickly for him —- his single year at Heal the Bay seemed like a blur. “Definitely a dream. I couldn’t move in land, I think it would actually kill me,” he said with a chuckle. “Suppose you could say that.”

“Although thankfully in my field food is not a required skill.” Dana was no where near a master chef but she was able to feed herself without living off ramen noodles and fast food so she thought she was doing okay in the food department. “Ah SeaWorld. I remember going there a few times in my childhood. It’s been a long time since I’ve been back.” she nodded. “I do miss the feel of other seasons though.” she smiled. “I have to say I admit all the learning and exploring.” 

“I think a lot of places are getting better at balancing comfort with glamour but it’s nice to know you’ve found one with a perfect mix of both.” Small smile was given to the other woman. “They’ll all love it, I’m sure of it.” She had no idea what the other woman’s coworkers were like but what she did know was that the dress was far too lovely for anyone to think otherwise. She wasn’t usually one to pry but the two of them had been talking long enough it would have felt rude for her not to ask. “What do you do?”

“Thank god for that because there’s nothing worse then having to wear uncomfortable clothing.” Thankful over the years Dana had gotten used to he work attire and now it was no issue. “I’m a PR Sports Specialist. I basically deal with buff, sweaty and sometimes cocky frat guys.” she grinned, joking..kind of. “But thankfully I grew up with 3 of them so guess you can say I’m used to it.” 

Sophie was glad that the woman picked it up for her, though she was sure that most people would. “Yeah that’s the one thank you,” she said, taking the battery from the girl’s palm. She pulled the hearing aid from her ear and replaced the battery swiftly. “Honestly you are a lifesaver,” she said, placing the hearing aid back in her ear, allowing the world to become a little bit clearer.

Dana just watched the girl place the battery in her hearing aid. “Glad I could help.” She took a minute to look around the place before shuffling around some of her work stuff. “I’m gonna be done with my coffee soon if you want this table. I know it can get a bit busy in here sometimes and there’s nothing worse then having no place to sit.” 

Dana looked around at the different pairs dancing to the music. To say she was nervous was an understatement. Dana wasn’t a natural dancer. She wasn’t horrible but at the same time, she was no where near great. She bit her lip as she continued to watch. “Can’t believe I decided to do this.” she said to the person standing next to her. “Here I was telling myself to branch out and try something new and different and yet here I am just standing on the sidelines.”

“That’s like me and my cooking… well, mostly,” was Marco’s response, his smile now reaching his eyes. “Before that it was definitely the ocean and everything about it. The waves, the animals.” He nodded in response to her words. “It doesn’t, right? It’s the dream for sure. For now anyway. You never know, I might come up with something different.”

“Well thankfully cooking is a much more impressive skill than knowing about sports.” she chuckled. “Wow so marine life guy...again impressive.” Dana nodded. “I have to say, that’s probably been one of my favorite things about living here. While I don’t get as much as I would like, I do enjoy a good beach day.” A small smile graced her lips. “Clearly you like exploring and learning to a degree if you keep changing your course.” 

“Oh.” Holly moved rather suddenly, coming back to life as she looked around for the bag in question. She hadn’t even noticed when she’d took a seat, but yep, there it was, clear as day. “You definitely don’t want that,” she responded, laughing. “Not to mention everything else.” When she was asked if she was alright, though, she found herself wrinkling her nose. “I’m okay. Tired… like you said.”

“Yeah, plus my co-workers would make sure I never hear the end of it as well.” she grinned, even though it was true. Once back in her hands, Dana threw the bag back on she shoulder before thanking the women. “I get it.” she nodded. “Personally I’m tempted to stop and get myself some coffee in order to keep me awake as well.” 

“Is it really?” Marco was laughing at her comparison, he really couldn’t help himself. But then, he supposed to some it was like that, he was the same when it came to his own career and the kitchen. “That’s a good three to choose I’d say,” he answered her with a smile and a nod. “I do agree, I’ll probably end up settling there again when I reach retirement.”

“For me yes because it’s like what my life has always been about basically.” she joked, sipping on her drink again. “Thanks.” She grinned at him agreeing with her choices. “That sounds like a very thought out plan. But I have to say that doesn’t all that bad.”

It had always been a challenge to keep Gabriel’s attention but incredibly easy to catch it. There was a fickleness about him which meant that somehow his gaze always got drawn to what he considered the most exciting or entertaining thing in a room. The only person exempt from this treatment was his son when he always considered the young boy the best focus for his attention. Currently his attention was fixed on a couple having a blazing domestic in the middle of the street. There was an undeniable look of amusement on his face as he watched the scene unfold, unable to keep himself from snickering slightly as the insults grew louder. Shifting in his seat slightly, he leaned closer to no one in particular before speaking. “You think they get off on the attention? They gotta know that everyone’s zoning in on them.” 

“That or they are just really bored and don’t care.” Dana shrugged. She couldn’t help but still somewhat be intrigued but at the same time told herself to not look like it as she tried to enjoy some downtime before heading back to work. “But yeah I give them props, after all they could just be trying something new and who knows what the end result will be.” she chuckled softly. “I swear people will go to great lengths for attention.” she shook her head. 

“Sorry, did you say something?” Holly was pretty sure she was about to drop to sleep in her ice-cream, so when she’d heard a voice, she had to snap herself from her revere —- no idea if they’d even been talking to her anyway,

“I just said sorry to interrupt but I left my bag over here.” she grinned before reaching aside one of the chairs to the table. “Can’t leave without this, work would never get done.” Dana looked back at the girl. “You okay thought? You look kind of tired.”

“And which is your favourite?” questioned Marco, curious now that she’d disclosed that particular information. He wasn’t exactly sports driven, but was always interested in other people who were. “You should visit. It’s gorgeous, although a little quieter than it is here, have to admit.” He was sure when he was older he’d appreciate that. 

“That’s like asking someone their favorite kid.” she joked. “But let’s just say give me Basketball, Football and Hockey and I’m set.” Dana hummed at the thought. “Personally while I’m used to big cities and suburbs but I also don’t mind quiet spots once in awhile.” 

When: January 11th, 2019

Where: Lucky’s Bar & Grill

What: Karaoke Night

Elijah wasn’t big on singing in public. It wasn’t like he had stage fright, he just hated singing in public and had bad experience with it back in college. Part of him wanted to bolt, but the other part of him knew that he needed to meet new people and expand his horizons. He ordered himself a drink, prayed for liquid luck and glanced around the place. It wasn’t all that bad, actually.  It wasn’t like he was trying out for American Idol and Simon Cowell was in the audience, judging him.  Once he got his drink, he sat down at an empty table and watched as people sang. Then he saw someone in the corner of his eye and took a sip of his drink. “You can sit with me, I don’t bite.” He replied as he looked at the person then back at the stage. 

Dana wasn’t much of a singer. Sure she didn’t mind singing but in front of people wasn’t really her thing. She smiled at the bartender once she got her drink and took a minute to find a seat while watching the stage. Dana took the seat next to the guy. “Thanks and what a relief that is.” she chuckled before she sipped on her drink. “I swear the only way I’m getting up there is if I’ve had enough drinks in there.” she chuckled. “What about you?

Sophie didn’t intend for the afternoon to end this way, but that was often the case. Things seemed to upset Sophie’s schedule on a regular basis, it was like she was a character written by an incredibly indecisive author. The battery on her hearing aid had run out so she reached in her bag for a new one. She pulled out the small bag and unzipped it, cursing herself when she saw that the packet only contained one more battery. A moment of fumbling later and the battery as rolling across the pavement, “fuck!” she exclaimed, moving towards it as quickly as she could before it stopped near another person’s feet. “I’m sorry but I dropped something and it’s right by your feet, do you mind?” she asked. Sophie made sure to look at the person as she spoke, anticipating the need to half lip read their answer, with only one hearing aid in Sophie knew it’d be tricky to hear in the busy place.

Dana sipped on her coffee between typing on her laptop and jotting things down. Now that the holidays have passed,it was time to get busy again with clients and it also meant a much need break from the office for lunch. As she focused on her work, she heard something fall and roll but initially didn’t pay any mind. It wasn’t until another women come to her that she looked up. “Oh yeah, sure.” she looked and noticed that something was by her foot. “I’m guessing this is what you’re after.” Dana held out the battery in her palm. 

“I’m happy for your sake. Wouldn’t wish it on anyone honestly.” He told her, taking a sip of the beer in front of him. “He’s five aka the age where they’re still cute but also a pain in the ass.” Jason had never been a huge fan of kids until it came to his own. He’d had a little sister but they were pretty close in age. “You are correct. Third year resident.”

“I would hope many people wouldn’t” she grinned, taking a sip of wine. “I wish I could say I can relate but sadly I can’t. But either way, he does sound very cute.” Dana never imagined herself having kids. But she certainly was open to the idea. “Wow, impressive. I have to say I totally admire anyone in the medical field because you guys do and clearly put up with a lot.” 

“Always willing to help out.” Even if Marco hadn’t been surfing for quite sometime, because really, he didn’t have the time for it. “I’ve never been. I really couldn’t say, so I’ll have to take your word for it. I’m from a little further North, Santa Barbara.”

“I’ve done quite a bit of sports in my day so I can never say no to learning another.” she smiled, even more tempted to try it. “Very smart choice.” she chuckled. “I haven’t been there. I’m pretty much stuck around here since I made my move.”