Disclaimer: I own nothing except the current gender bender for Frances and any alterations to the original storyline plot this creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.
A Woman's Game Chapter 13
Managing to acquire a new caddie for this sporting event has proven to be a much tougher challenge to conquer than Frances first thought.
From her time working at the Country Club Frances already has obtained a pretty good rapport with the other caddies that work there. So she went straight to some of them for help. Unfortunately, much to their great regret and her disappointment, other players competing in the Open already claimed them. This leaves Frances with very slim options that are available to her.
So Frances seeks out the one person she thinks she can go to so as to find a free caddie in time.
Catching him in a free moment with one of his employees, Frances said "Mr. Campbell? I just lost my caddie and most of the others are taken. By some chance is there anyone out there you can fix me up with on such short notice? It doesn't have to be anyone associated with the Club. I'll take anyone at this point."
Shaking his head, already confirming her fears, Mr. Campbell said "Sorry, all the lads are taken."
Groaning, rubbing her eyes, Frances said "What am I supposed to do? I can't do this without a caddie."
"Frances, you think Vardon and Ray are gonna take pity on you because you carry your own bag? This is the Open. Every man and woman for himself or herself," reminded Mr. Campbell, giving her a much-needed reality check.
Mr. Campbell and his assistant then leave her in the dust mulling over all of this.
Running a hand over her hair, nerves bouncing around like crazy, Frances murmured "What the hell am I doing here?"
France's stress levels are already through the roof. She doesn't need this added to the mix.
Just as she's about to give out and perhaps beg her parents to resort to allowing one of her siblings to caddie for her she finds a solution.
"Hey, Frances!"
A kid called Jack, a tad younger than her, who caddies separately in a park not too far away was approaching her with his younger brother Eddie.
Expelling a whole load of air in immense relief, Frances said "Jack! What are you doing here?"
"Uh me and Eddie hooked school to come watch the practice round," said Jack.
"Hey, listen, are you still caddying down at Franklin Park," said Frances, seeing this as her last chance.
Nodding, Jack said "That's right."
"Is there any chance you can come over and caddie for me tomorrow," inquired Frances.
Jack's a pretty descent caddie. He'd be a great help to her during the competition for sure.
Blinking in surprise, beaming, Jack said "In the Open?"
"Yeah," confirmed Frances.
Laughing in disbelief shock, Jack said "Well what happened to your guy?"
Shrugging, Frances sighed "He got a better offer. Can't blame him for it. He has to support his family."
"Than that guy's a big fat jerk," exclaimed Eddie, adamantly.
"Agree to disagree on that one, Eddie," said Frances, lightly admonishing him, blatantly clear. "Jack, listen. If you're going to do this with me you've got to be here tomorrow at 7:30 sharp."
Jack is left speechless with his little brother tugging on his sleeve like crazy, urging him to agree to the terms.
"Can Eddie come, too," said Jack.
Softly apologetic, Frances said "Jack, you know I have no power to change the rules. You're only allowed one man on the back as you well know. But perhaps he can walk with us and keep score. There are no rules banning anything like that. Plenty of people will probably be doing it in the crowd."
Leaning down to become eye to eye with his brother, checking with him, Jack said "Is that all right with you?"
"Yes," said Eddie, seeing it as better than nothing.
"Frances, you've got yourself a deal," said Jack, overjoyed, shaking hands with her.
Although it pains her not to there's going to be no need to pay Jack, not like she could anyhow. Frances knows that just participating in the Open is enough for Jack. That's one problem solved.
Now all she has to do is tell Papa.
That's not going to be fun.
Authors Note:
I hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D
For those of you just starting out with my stuff there are other works on my profile that may catch your interest. I highly recommend you take a look as soon as the opportunity presents itself to you. Who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.
Stay safe everyone. Especially with all of these crazy natural disasters occurring a lot lately due to global warming and climate change everywhere for sure. I swear it's like they're getting worse and worse all the time and it's like officials are simply just ignoring it or pretending it doesn't exist entirely just to go on with their daily lives. Especially those in multi-million dollar companies that rely on certain elements of our planet that we rely on to naturally keep us safe instead of adapting and finding new safer ways to keep in business. There are so many options out there where they can adapt, but they just refuse to see it because all they care about is money. Climate change is altering so much faster than anyone can really keep track of.
So, in light of all this, it is important to live life to the fullest as much as anyone can.
I know I am. ;) See you guys next time.