The next soccer game was an away game in the Florida Panhandle, which meant the team would be flying. It also meant that Carol Rogers was going to drive down to the game. Carol had not flown in a plane since the death of her husband (Katie's Father) Paul Rogers in a plane crash a little over a year prior. Between Paul's insurance and the settlement with the airlines, Carol had the financial freedom to continue to work only part time from home as an accountant. This meant that she had the time to drive to some of the locations where Katie would have her soccer games. Paul had been close to retirement when he died, and they had already planned to be seeing Katie's games these next two years. So Carol was carrying on now by herself.
Melanie's mother, Jen Smith did not have the same luxury. Her job left her with little time, and she also had a live-in girlfriend, Susan McPherson. Susan was not a big sports fan to begin with. Add to that the relationship between Melanie and Susan had always been strained and it all added up to Jen only planning on being at one game that year.
When the girls came out onto the field it was pretty easy to pick Carol out of the crowd. She had bought a shirt that looked like a team uniform. It had Katie's number and, on the back, where the name would go was printed "Katie's Mom." She also had the Thundersticks that Paul had bought for a game they had seen in Katie's freshman year and a big cowbell.
Carol also made a point of cheering for Melanie as well. As had been the case in the past, Katie tried to ignore her mother while Melanie loved all the noise and waived back. While the team was stretching before the game, Jo came up to Katie and said "Is that your mom?"
"Like it isn't obvious." said Katie, still a little annoyed.
"She's hot. A real MILF."
"Jo don't even!" Katie snapped.
Jo broke into a smile and said "I'm just saying. C'mon Melanie, back me up. You'd do her, wouldn't you?"
"I will." was Melanie's answer.
Jo had been kidding and was surprised by Melanie's answer. She didn't sound like she was joking when she said in the future tense and with conviction. Seeing the look of shock on Jo's face, Melanie continued "I've seen pictures of Katie's mom when she was in college, and she looks exactly like Katie does now. So in thirty years from now that is exactly what I'll be 'doing' as you so eloquently put it."
Jo now somewhat recovered added "So Katie, your mother was a real hottie huh?"
Melanie interjected "She still is Jo. But you'll have to satisfy yourself with the younger version."
"For now." was Jo's response. When she saw that Katie was very much not amused she quickly added "Just kidding, Katie. Okay? JK."
The game went well for the team. While the defense did hang back, especially on Melanie's side, Katie was still able to get her a ball behind the defense. As she moved toward the goal, she saw the goalkeeper staying hard to the near post. However, since their last game and their talk with their old friend Liz, Melanie rifled the ball across the box instead of shooting. And there was Katie running hard on the far post for the pass and score. Needless to say there was quite a bit of cowbell and thunderstick noise after that goal.
Jo anchored a defense that did not let up a single shot on goal the entire second half and the final score was 0-3.
After the game the girls who had family there were able to spend some time with them before they got back on the bus to go the team hotel. Carol came down and gave Katie a big hug and then she gave a big hug to Melanie too. Melanie said "Mrs. Rogers..."
"Oh Melanie, we're almost family. You can call me Carol."
"...Okay, Carol. I want you to met Jo. She's a very good friend of mine and Katie's."
Carol looked over at Katie, remembering a phone conversation she had with her daughter about Melanie's wish to have another person be intimate with Melanie and Katie together. Carol looked over at Katie, who was remembering the same conversation. Katie just nodded her head but that was enough for Carol.
Jo came up and Carol gave her a big hug and said "Nice to meet you, Jo." Jo took advantage and wrapped herself pretty tight around Carol and held the hug a little longer than might be expected. Katie cleared her throat and Jo backed out of the hug.
Carol was a little taken aback by the contact, but she quickly recovered. "The forwards get all the glory, but the defense wins the games." Carol said this to Jo but loud enough for Katie and Melanie to hear her as well.
"That's right. Katie told me you played in college too."
"Well not at your level, but yes. And I played on the back line as well, so I know how important the defense is."
They all talked for about 20 minutes until the Coach called the team back to the bus. As they were saying their good-byes, Carol mentioned "Look, I can't make you next away game but I will at the one after that in Chicago."
"Oh great. That's the game my mom is coming to as well." Melanie said with delight.
"Have a safe trip home Mom." said Katie.
"It was nice to meet you Mrs. Rogers." chimed in Jo.
"It was nice to meet you too Jo. Keep an eye on my girls for me."
As they got on the bus, Jo turned to Melanie and said "Hey, does she know about us."
Melanie replied "She's a mother, Jo. Of course she knows."
***************
The next two games were at home against lesser opponents and the team won both games handily. That Saturday night after the second game, Katie, Melanie and Jo were all just hanging out in Katie and Melanie's room. Jo was on the bed. Katie and Melanie were at their desks although they were not working, and both had their chairs turned in toward the bed.
Melanie turned to Jo and said "It's Saturday night and there are a ton of parties around campus. Shouldn't you be somewhere else?"
"Nah. I wanted to hang out with you guys tonight. Besides, maybe we can have sex right here."
