A Woman's Game Chapter 7
That night before Francis went to bed she was up reading the book for got from Mr. Campbell, studying it intently as he advised her.
One line in particular from Harry Vardon got to her. Basically it said that there are only two types of player. Those who keeps their nerves in control and win championships, and those who do not.
Francis fully intends to be one of the former.
As Francis settled into bed a picture of her father on the nightstand caught her attention. Francis held it in her lap, tracing his stern face.
.
I close my eyes and I can see
The world that's waiting up for me
That I call my own
Through the dark
Through the door
Through where no one's been before
But it feels like home
You can say
They can say it all sounds crazy
You can say
They can say I've lost my mind
I don't care
I don't care
So call me crazy
I can live in a world that I design
'Cause every night I lie in bed
The brightest colors fill my head
A million dreams are keeping me awake
I think of what the world could be
A vision of the one I see
A million dreams is all it's gonna take
A million dreams of the world I'm gonna make
There's a house we can build
Every room inside is filled
With things from far away
The special things I compile
Each one there to make you smile
On a rainy day
You can say
They can say
It all sounds crazy
You can say
They can say I've lost my mind
I don't care
I don't care if they call me crazy
Runaway to a world that I design
Every night I lie in bed
The brightest colors fill my head
A million dreams are keeping me awake
I think of what the world could be
A vision of the one I see
A million dreams is all it's gonna take
A million dreams for the world I'm gonna make
However big
However small
I want you to be a part of it all
Share my dreams with you
You may be right
You may be wrong
But say that you will come along
To the world I see
To the world I close my eyes to see
I close my eyes to see
Every night I lie in bed
The brightest colors fill my head
A million dreams are keeping me awake
A million dreams
A million dreams
I think of what the world could be
A vision of the one I see
A million dreams is all it's gonna take
A million dreams for the world I'm gonna make
For the world I'm gonna make
.
Finally the day of the competition arrived.
Time for Francis to make her mark. She and her hired caddie Billy were up bright an early at the start of the course. As the only woman competing here Francis certainly was on the receiving end of a lot of looks, but she refused to let them bother her. It's as Harry Vardon wrote in his book. As long as she keeps her cool and nerves then things will end up just fine for her. Plus Mr. Campbell and Mr. Hastings are there to lend silent support for her.
The tee off started off really well in spite of Freddie Wallis being her opponent for the Qualifier. The guy is a jerk, but at least Francis knows where she stands with him.
Halfway through Francis spotted her friend Sarah in the crowd. Initially she's supposed to be here to support her brother, but Sarah wants her friend to succeed too.
Francis smiled and nodded in acknowledgement towards her.
By the final leg of it on the eighteenth hole it's becoming a very close race. Francis is careful to keep her confidence in check. Similar to her nerves if she allows it to get away from her even for a moment she could lose everything.
Walking beside her on the way to the tee off for the eighteenth hole, Mr. Campbell said "Five or less and you make the cut."
"Eighteen? I can make five here in my sleep," grinned Francis, clapping him on the shoulder.
Francis was true to her word. Francis easily got the ball to the hole in four swings. Now it's down to if she can get it on the fifth one. The distance wasn't far so Francis is sure she could get it in there.
As Francis was getting into her stance she made the critical mistake of lifting her head at exactly the wrong moment. For behind the massive crowd gathered to watch, at the top of a small hill, stood her father.
Unbeknownst to Francis her father and come to observe her play and see if she would keep her promise. Francis could feel her heart practically almost pounding out of her chest in fear and anxiety. She exhaled shakily, hands trembling slightly on the handle on the putt. Suddenly she recalled Harry Vardon's advice in his book.
This is her one chance. Francis needs to keep it together. She can't mess this up.
Shutting her eyes Francis sucked in a calming breath and let it out slowly. Afterwards Francis could feel her anxiety melt away.
Francis snapped open her eyes returning to how she was before she spotted her father.
With one precise and gentle swing Francis rolled the ball for the last hole. As it got closer the ball appeared to be slowing down. That the ball wouldn't make. Then just when it was about to cease in its stretch the ball dropped into the hole giving her the total of five she needed to gain entry.
Francis had done it.
Cheers and applause broke out the same time a shining smile took over her face. Mr. Hastings and Mr. Campbell came over to congratulate her, beyond pleased that Francis has passed the Qualifier to enter officially.
Stone-faced Mr. Ouimett turned his back walking away off the course. Francis watched him go the smile transforming into a bleak frown on her face.
Was she ever going to gain his approval?
Authors Note:
Hope you guys all like this one.
The song you see here is A Million Dreams for The Greatest Showman with a little changing around for the lyrics in order to make it fit the way I wanted. What do you think? Does it work?
Also, I'm considering doing a Venom story for the 2001-2003 Justice League Series. Do you guys think I should make it a crossover or just put it in the Justice League Universe? Another thing is about an idea of the symbiote completely taking over the host or if the relationship is a lot like Eddie and Venom's in the 2018 movie?Another thing is I'm having trouble with figuring out a title and a name for my character. If anyone has suggestions I'm more than willing to hear them.
As per usual with stuff like this the person/readers that offer the winning suggestions gets a question answered for the story in mind. In this case it's the Justice League 2001-2003 and Venom 2018 story.
I really want to get this idea up and running soon, but I'm kind of all over the place.