Anna didn't really make an extra effort to be early to practice or to her games. She didn't take advantage of the fact that she was friends with both of the coaches. And if she wasn't playing in her games or talking with Zach or Bridget, she was making out with Zach at the cove. She had been thinking lately. She had been thinking about the differences between her relationship with Zach, and Bridget's relationship with Eric. Bridget had done a lot to get with Eric…and he had 'almost' pushed her away. With Anna it was completely different. She hadn't had to push herself on Zach. He kind of just happened. And they hadn't…nor had they even talked about having sex. Anna had even told Bridget this. She needed Bridget to trust her with Zach. (Anna just hoped Bridget wasn't telling Tibby about it.)

It was Friday night, and all of the coaches had the night off. Anna really didn't want to stay in her cabin all night, listening to her team mates talk about how hot Zach was. She put on a pair of jean shorts and a halter top. Her team mates were giving her questioning looks, but before any of them could ask, she was out the door. She ran over to Bridget's cabin and walked in. Bridget was sitting on her bed putting on her shoes. She saw what Anna was wearing. "You came over here to see if you could come tonight…" "I'm not going to lie!" Anna said. Bridget looked at her watch and sighed. "We are just going up to the cantina…you can't drink…and I know you can't dance. I saw you at your mom and dad's anniversary party! Plus I know for a fact that Zach isn't going." Anna was surprised. All of the coaches had been talking about tonight for days. "Well then…where is he?" Asked Anna. "He wasn't in his cabin…lights were out…plus Matt told me he wasn't." Bridget got up and walked outside. Anna followed. "He told me to give you this." She handed Anna a folded piece of paper. "Gee thanks. Aren't I getting this a little too late?" Bridget shook her head. "The truth is, he had to leave this afternoon. His dad had a heart attack. Sam and he left on the first flight out today at twelve. That's why he wasn't at dinner tonight." "And I was fifty miles away…horseback riding at twelve. Why did I choose to do that? My legs are killing me." Anna stated. "Ok. Thanks Aunt Bridget…." Anna walked slowly off the porch and headed towards the beach. She didn't open the note until she sat down on the sand.

Anna, I had to leave suddenly. Sam and I aren't coming back. We only have one week of camp anyways. Sam is freaking out. She doesn't know what they're going to do with her team! Probably give them to Matt or something. My dad had a heart attack last night. My mom wants us to be home. We were going to stay…but a lot can happen in a week…we had to see our father. I'll be here in Orange C. for the next week or so. And I'll try to see you when you come to NYC…but I'm not promising anything. I really don't know what is going to happen…and I know guys don't usually say this…but I am terrified.

-Zach

Anna read the letter and then put it in her pocket. She wished she could be there for him…to comfort him. He was right. Camp was over in a week. She was then going to join her family in New York City. It just so happened to be that Zach and his family lived in New York…Orange County to be exact. Zach had said that he would try to see her…Anna hoped he would. She got up and ran back to Bridget's cabin and found her cell phone. She needed to talk to one of her friends.

It was one o'clock in the morning when Holly's phone rang. Ella was closest to it so she groggily picked it up and answered it. "Hello?..." Anna was worn out. "Hey Ells…I didn't mean to wake you. I'm kind of just having a moment. I forgot about the time difference…" Now the tears were coming. Ella sat up in bed and turned the light on. "What happened? Are you ok?" "Zach had to go back home suddenly. I didn't even get to say goodbye." Ella pushed Holly, trying to wake her up. It worked. Holly sat up and hit Ella with a pillow. "What? It's one o'clock in the freaking morning…" "Anna is on the phone." Ella whispered. Holly sat back up and took the phone out of Ella's hand. "Listen Anna, we care. We really do…but there are more issues going on around you…we love you. We care what happens between you and Zach, or any other guy for that matter. That's really all we can do or say right now…you need to rest. You've been playing soccer for almost a month now…non stop…so stop…and breathe…And," Anna cut her off. "Ok, I guess I can slow down…I'll just go write him…I love you guys too." "See. Was it that hard? We'll talk to you later babe." Holly was about to hang up the phone when she heard Anna say something. "Wait! Wait! Put Ella on the phone real quick."

Holly handed the phone back to Ella, and lay back down. Ella put the phone up to her ear. "Yeah?...are you serious? No way! That is too unbelievable! Holy crap…no I'll tell her." Ella hung up the phone and turned off the light. Holly was too curious in her sleepy state. "What are you supposed to tell me?" "Eric's a coach in New York City…" "Ahh…that's nice…"

Holly was asleep before she could finish the sentence.

People who have lost relationships often wonder why they can't just let it be "water under the bridge." It is water under the bridge - the trouble is we do not live on the bridge, but in the river of life with its many twists and turns.

--- Grant Fairley

Bridget was pacing back in forth in her cabin. It was early in the morning and Anna was sitting on Bridget's bed printing pictures. "What's wrong Bee?" "Something isn't right here…I'm going to tell you something…and you can't tell anyone else. Because I don't even know the whole deal." Anna nodded. "Ok." "The coaches and the directors didn't plan anything today, because this hot shot coach is coming to do a workshop today…as kind of an end of camp surprise. And then he found out about Sam and Zach having to leave, so he offered to take Sam's place for the next week." Anna jumped up. "That's awesome! Who is it?" Bridget shook her head and turned to look outside. "I don't know…but it looks as if we are going to find out in a minute. Come on…he just arrived." Bridget grabbed Anna's hand and pulled her out of the cabin. "I have a really bad feeling about this."

The man had been turned around the whole time. Bridget had only seen the back of his head. But now as she got closer, her feeling of intuition was getting stronger. The director of the camp saw Bridget coming and flagged her down. "Ms. Vreeland! Oh Ms. Vreeland! Can you come here for a moment? She's one of the best coaches you know." She said toward the mystery man. "I bet she is." He assured the director.

Bridget immediately turned around in the opposite direction when she heard her name. The director motioned for her guest to follow. "Ms. Vreeland, I was calling you…did you not hear me?" "Yes Ms. Janet. She heard you." Anna called to her. She looked at Bridget. "Turn around…" She poked Bridget in the side. "Turn around." Anna went to poke Bridget again. "Alright, alright…I'm turning young lady." Bridget whispered.

When Bridget turned, she wished she hadn't of turned. There staring back at her was the smile of someone she used to know. She couldn't bear to look up into the eyes of the person. She could see Anna reaching out her hand to shake his. 'Damn. This can not be happening to me…' She said to herself. The hand that shook Anna's was now in front of Bridget. "Ms. Vreeland is it? Ms. Vreeland…my name is Eric. It's nice to…meet…you."

'Damn.' Bridget said to herself again. She had to look up. Slowly she brought her face up to meet his. "I'm sorry…I have a really bad headache. I'm Bridget." The two shook hands. In Janet's eyes this was just an awkward meeting, but in Anna's eyes, this was a very awkward reunion.

"Well, if no one needs me…I was going to go running." Eric stated. Janet put her hand on Eric's shoulder, and kept it there a little too long for comfort. "No baby, you can go. You just have the first workshop that starts at nine. Bridget and Ms. McBrian can show you to your cabin. Girls, you need to take him to McNally's cabin…Zach's not Sam's!"

Eric invited Anna and Bridget to go running with him. Of course, Bridget declined…she had a headache. But Anna jumped at the chance. "I'd love to go…we can talk about soccer! I've always wanted to pick apart your brain…not in the literal sense." Eric went inside his cabin to change. "Ok then. Wait right here. I'll talk to you later Ms. Vreeland." He said through the mesh in the door. Bridget waved goodbye, and pulled Anna away for a second. "You will tell me everything that is said." Anna excitedly nodded. "Of course Aunt Bee! You know, I've always admired him. I would have never guessed! This is so amazing…and strange!" Bridget stared at Anna. "You're telling me…"

Eric and Anna started running when they reached the water. He told her that they would run to the cove and back, and that if she got tired she could slow down, he would understand. Anna didn't know what to say to him while they were running. Fortunately Eric started the conversation for her. "You can't be Bridget's daughter…your hair is too dark…so who's daughter are you?" "Tibby." Anna said in-between breathes. "Bridget's daughter doesn't play." Eric brought up the pace, and was surprised when he saw Anna quicken her step as well. "How's she been? I haven't talked to her since, I think her daughter was just a baby…you can imagine how shocked she was when she saw me this morning." "Oh she's been doing fine. She and Craig divorced when Ella was seven…I don't think Bridget has even dated anyone all these years. She's just kind of stuck to soccer. She's happy with just having Ella." Anna realized she had said a little too much. "Oh! I didn't mean to say all of those things!" Eric waved it off. The way he did that…it reminded her of someone else…but she couldn't place it. "No its fine. Yeah I never got married. I love kids and I have always wanted to have a family…I thought it was going to be with Bridget…" Eric slowed down as he and Anna closed in on the cove. "But that never happened!" "I'm sorry I brought it up." Anna apologized. Eric waved it off again. "Don't worry about it Anna! And by the way…Zach told me to tell you hello."

Anna froze. "Come again?" She couldn't believe it. "How do you…" Eric put his hands above his head and took a deep breath. (Anna could see why Bridget had fallen in love with this guy. His body, even at his age, was amazing.) "Umm… I'm his godfather. Janet called me and asked if I could replace one of her coaches for the rest of the session. I then asked for their number…because I just wanted to say I'm sorry for what had happened, and to say thank you. It was then that I realized that I would be filling in for my godson's sister, and that my godson was coaching with a certain Bridget Vreeland. Apparently, you've been investigating Bridget's past…with Zach."

Bridget sat up in her bed when she heard someone walk in. It was just Anna. "What did he say?" Anna sat down at the desk. "You are never going to believe this Bee…" "Just tell me!" Bridget impatiently yelled. "Fine." Anna retorted. "The reason he was so intent on coaching for Sam…is because he's Zach's godfather. He's really good friends with Sam and Zach's mom. How freaky is that?" Bridget let herself fall back down onto the pillow. "Damn freaky if you ask me…" Bridget rolled over, her back now facing Anna. "You can leave now Anna. I just want some time alone. Anna quietly slipped out of the room and ran back to her cabin.

Ella and Holls,

OMG. You are not going to believe this…guess who was the hotshot coach the camp hired, to take Sam's place? None other than Zach's godfather. None other than the infamous Eric. Eric. Eric. And Ella, I knew your mom cursed…but not like a sailor! She has been in bed for the past hour. I just got back from running with Eric. He was cool. He's about to have this workshop for goalies…that would be me! This has turned out to be the weirdest summer ever…right Holls? How's it going with you two? I'm guessing that Alexia doesn't know? I'm right, right? I've got to go write Esi now…give her and Carmen the shocking news! I love you guys. I won't be 'home' for another month…so keep the letters and pants coming! And don't forget to send them to my New York City address starting this weekend. Anna

Hey Esperanza,

It's been a strange summer…has it not? I talked to Zach last night. And then guess who showed up this morning at camp? Nope not Zach…but Zach does know him, and so does Aunt Bridget. Yeah Eric was supposed to be some top secret hot shot coach for a workshop today…but he's going to stay until the end of camp.( I have a feeling that Bridget has something to do with that.) Eric Richman…can you freaking believe this? He even offered to coach me during the month that I am in NYC…I didn't really tell Bee that…so keep it on the low down. I don't know if I'm going to do it. I won't be able to keep his identity away from the rents! That would be hard. And Zach is even planning on staying with Eric during that month. He and his sister train with Eric's team at the college during the summer…how cool is that. Although, I am a little upset with Zach at the moment. He failed to mention that he knew Eric, when he heard the story. I'll deal with that later. I'll call you when I get back onto the east coast. I love you girlie! Anna

So…I'm tired and restless…I've been watching Lifetime movies all night…and this is the chapter I produced! I know I have this thing against Eric, but somehow he weaseled himself back into Bridget's life. But will it be for long? What will Ella say to her mom? These are all of the questions I have running through my head…but like Rilke once said…Live the questions now. Perhaps you will find them gradually, without noticing it, and live along some distant day into the answer.

I'll update later…Oh! POTO commercial! Yay!...The PHANTOM OF THE OPERA IS THERE…INSIDE MY MIND!...does a little dance and belts out lyrics….ok…bye!