“Our next game is Saturday at 9.  Get here about 20 minutes early and please make sure that the kids have their shin guards and no jewelry.”  Dana gave the young girl next to her a little poke and pointed out her ear rings with a little grin.  “Also, the Smiths-”  Dana looked around to find the couple and nodded in their direction “- will bring snack.  Any questions?”  Dana waited, but, none were forthcoming.  “OK.  See you Saturday.”

Daniel ran over to Alice.  “Can I kick the ball around with Alex some more please, mom?”  Alice couldn’t say “no” and sent him off.  She kept an eye on him while trying to figure out how to fold up the chair.  She was about to give up and get Dana’s help when she found the coach apparently cornered by another mom who seemed to be flirting with her.

“She has been flirting with Dana forever.”  Alice looked up suddenly to find the male purple coach standing close to her.  He reached over and helped Alice get the chair back folded up and in its sleeve.  Alice gratefully let him.

“Thanks.  I am still trying to get the hang of the ‘soccer mom’ thing.”  Alice said with a smile.  “You’re Alex’s dad, aren’t you?”

“And you must be Daniel’s mom.  I have heard a lot about you.”  Alice blushed a bit and wondered what this man had heard.  As usual when she was flustered, she came back with a quip.

“So, tell me, when did we lose our given names and just became someone’s mom or dad?”  Alice said with a smile.  Harrison laughed.  He liked this woman.  He stuck out his hand.  “Harrison.”

Alice shook his hand and said “Alice.  Very nice to meet you.”

Dana had disconnected from her admirer at this point with an aggravated sigh.  Daniel and Alex were still chasing a ball around and her eyes went to find Alice.  She found her in an animated conversation with Harrison.  Dana smiled and walked over.

“Hi, Dana, I was just getting to know Daniel’s mom a bit better.”  Harrison said with a grin.  He had heard Dana talk about the woman almost non-stop since they had finally met.  While he might kid with Dana in private, he wouldn’t do anything to hurt her chance with the other woman.  

“Practice was great, Dana.”  Alice said honestly.

“Thanks.”  Dana said, blushed lightly.  Even a small compliment from this woman got her embarrassed.  “Daniel did really well.”   Behind Alice’s head, Harrison was gesturing to Dana that this one was a keeper.

“I’ll be honest.”  Alice said.  “He doesn’t get that from me.  My athletic ability would have had him stuck in the net or something.”  

Dana grinned.  Alex and Daniel came running over.

“I guess we need to get going.”  Alice said.  “We’ll see you on Saturday.”

“Saturday it is.”  Dana responded.

Harrison couldn’t keep the kidding in after Alice was safely out of earshot.

“She is cute, Dana.” Alex was running ahead of his parents and could not hear the exchange.

“Cute and funny and sexy and smart and a good mother…”  Dana said almost absentmindedly.

“You want to kiss her.  You want to marry her.”  Harrison said in a sing-song voice.

“Shut up, doof.”  Dana said.  But in her mind she was thinking about how she really would like to kiss Alice.